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Your Work |
There comes a time when a museum, a science team, a planetarium, or observatory needs to communicate an important story to the public. While many professionals are able to explain their work to a broad audience, they don't always have the time to devote to such work. That's where I come in. I bring a valuable viewpoint to your project and I start by asking the questions your audiences might ask. The answers help inform the writing and outreach work I do for your audiences on your behalf. I'm available for short or long-term projects, and offer reliable writing and feedback on everything from articles, scripts, and exhibits to papers and proposals. As a former astronomy researcher I'm familiar with the wide range of topics to be discussed. I have a masters' degree in science journalism and expertise as a science editor. This is all experience you can use! In addition, I am not limited to science topics. My years as a newspaper reporter led me to write about history, politics, travel, and more! I've written everything from documentary scripts and exhibits to astronomy books and articles. I've spent several years as a technical editor. Thanks to my experience with planetariums, I'm well-versed in public outreach products for science research and education institutions. For example, my client list includes:
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What I Can Do for You
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Book writing
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A list of books I've written and co-authored. These range from "coffee-table" astronomy books to professional proceedings and a reference book. |
Brochures, Observatory Outreach, and Press Releases |
Haystack Observatory Brochure (this opens a PDF document). I also worked with Haystack to develop a free-standing exhibit called "Radio Waves and Space Weather" that explains the electromagnetic spectrum and Haystack's important role in radio science. It is installed at the Discovery Museum in Acton, Massachusetts. In 2004, I worked with AURA's New Initiatives Office to edited the Thirty-Meter Telescope proposal for the National Science Foundation. |
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Samples of Gemini Observatory Press Releases Edited I am also associate editor for Gemini Observatory's GeminiFocus, s twice-yearly science magazine. Full PDF downloads are available at Gemini's Web site. |
Museum Exhibit Writing
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Griffith Observatory Exhibition. I was the exhibit science writer, and worked closely with the designers, the observatory's curatorial team, and the Friends of the Observatory to create clear, approachable text for more than 170 exhibit panels installed throughout the building. They made their debut when the observatory reopened on November 3, 2006. Here is a gallery of selected exhibit panels and a discussion of their meaning and creation. For the California Academy of Sciences, I wrote an exhibit called "Altered State" focusing on the effects of climate change in California and around the world. I also worked with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory on an exhibit for the von Karman exhibits, focused on JPL's role in planetary and space exploration. My latest exhibit projects are for an observatory exhibition in the U.S. and Shanghai Astronomical Museum in China. |
Scriptwriting
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Sample Script Pages from the show Hubble Vision. I have a complete script list posted at Selected Publications: Planetarium Shows |
Special Projects
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Recent special projects include a series of enhanced content tours for the Software Bisque Seeker software package. The sample below is from Seeker's "Dwarf Planets" tour. I wrote and narrated the script, which is enhanced by Mark Petersen's GEODESIUM space music. To see our video here, you need to tell your browser not to block active content, or you need to get the Flash player. |
Vodcasts
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I also wrote and co-produced a series of video podcasts in a collaboration between Loch Ness Productions and MIT Haystack Observatory. Space Weather FX explores the causes and effects of space weather and focuses special attention on space weather research at Haystack Observatory. |
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I was also a segment producer for "The Astronomer's Universe" on Astrocast.TV an online news program about science and astronomy. Check out some recent productions which I wrote and voiced-over. |
FAQQ: Tell me more about yourself! I'm a writer. I specialize in science outreach, but can write about anything. I am a content creator. I'm here to help tell stories to general public audiences. I've been doing it for a long time and I'm pretty good at what I do! (Just ask any of the folks I've worked with; I'm happy to provide references.) I work with scientists, journalists, science center experts, you name it. Here's a link to my bio and pages containing my CV and publications. Happy reading! Q: What do you charge? A: It depends on the project. I charge an hourly rate plus expenses. The rate depends on what I'm asked to do. If I'm simply editing something, the rate is not the same as for a project where I am doing research, writing original material, etc. I invoice on a monthly basis, unless otherwise agreed on in advance. Contact me for more details. Q: Do you have a specialty? A: I do much of my work in astronomy and space science, but that has also involved writing about physics, geology, planetary science, astrobiology and life sciences, chemistry, and some aspects of engineering. In addition, I've done a little historical writing, which has encompassed some cultural research as well. Q: How long does it take you to do a project? A: Depends on the length. The process for some of the documentaries I've done has taken several months. The Griffith exhibits took more than a year. On the other hand, I've edited press releases for some of my observatory clients in less than an hour. Q: How well do you work with scientists/museum curators? A: Pretty well, considering I was a researcher for a while. I know the constraints scientists work under and I am sensitive to their publication requirements. I also try to teach them a little about communicating science to the public as I work with them. It's a lot of fun! I've now had experience with several museums that wanted an outside writer and I've learned a great deal from those experiences that I can put to use for you. Q: We'd like to have you work with us. Are you available? A: Sure! All you have to do is contact me and see what my schedule is like. Science writing, especially about astronomy, is my main gig. Let's talk! |
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Clear, cogent communication is essential to bring YOUR story to the public, funding agencies, and governmental entities. Are you or your team in need of first-class writing and editorial services? I'm available for short- and long-term projects at reasonable hourly or per-project rates. References are available. Contact me at: or |