SANDRA BEARDEN

Free-lance writer since 1994. Prior professional career includes work as public relations manager, BellSouth Corporation; instructor in journalism, Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.; specialist, publications division, Redstone Arsenal; and reporter, Birmingham Post-Herald. Writes news releases, informational pieces, features, presentations, annual reports and speeches. Also ghost-writes articles for business clients. Clients include: Birmingham News, Partners (economic development publication), University of Alabama at Birmingham publications divison; and others. B.A. in English, M.A. in English, from University of Alabama.

E-mail: sandra270@centurytel.net

DAVID BLACK

Video and multimedia content producer/creator. Owner, First Frame Video, Pelham. Extensive background in broadcast journalism, video production and designing audio for web sites, including web streaming. Shoot video on location, write and edit scripts and provide video editing and mass duplication services. Audio recorded on-location (portable digital recorder equipped). Foreign standard conversion and local broadcast news monitoring services.

E-mail: david@alabamawriters.com

Website: firstframevideo.com

KATHY CAMPBELL BOWERS

Media Relations Coordinator for Children’s Health System. Former editor of Southern Lady magazine and award-winning freelance writer with articles published in The Birmingham News, Birmingham Medical News, Family Journal, Birmingham Home & Garden, Gulf Coast Condo Owner, Convention South and Sports Events magazines, and other regional and national consumer and trade publications.

Areas of interest and expertise include healthcare, parenting, real estate, home décor, and the people and places of the Alabama-Florida Gulf Coast.

E-mail: kathy.bowers@chsys.org

LESLIE BURGESS

E-mail: burgesslh@alltel.net

DEBRA BURRELL

Freelance writer published in national and regional magazines including Horticulture and Birmingham. Years of experience writing software manuals and publishing web sites. Recently returned to freelance writing with focus on gardening articles, a natural choice for a master gardener with a degree in Horticulture from Auburn University.

E-mail: writer@sagegardener.com

www.sagegardener.com

CARA D. CLARK

Joined Over the Mountain Journal as managing editor in January, 1994 and became editor in 1995 of the bi-weekly suburban newspaper, with a distribution of 45,000 households. Graduated from Auburn University with a double major in journalism and English in 1989 and writes for local, state and national publications. Received national recognition for feature stories in 2005 and 2006.

Writes on a variety of subjects from human interest stories to health and science features to home and garden articles and business profiles.

E-mail: caradclark@bellsouth.net

MARY COLLINS

E-mail: mcollins@uabmc.edu

DANA COWART CRISSON

Freelance writer with interest and experience in travel writing, personality profiles, real estate, home building and decorating, automotive writing, zoology, seniors and children. B.A. in English/Journalism, University of Alabama in Birmingham. Regular contributor to The Birmingham News, Alabama Automotive Report, Family Journal, and more. Work has also appeared in The Huntsville Times, Birmingham Family Times, Travel Smart, and more. Member, Alabama Media Professionals and National Federation of Press Women.

E-mail: dcrisson@bellsouth.net

LORI PICKETT CULPEPPER

Recently entered the world of freelance writing after working for PMT Publishing, Inc. in Birmingham. Now writing and editing for publications, such as Birmingham Home and Garden, Business Alabama, Alabama Dish, Alabama Technology, Alabama Advantage and The Birmingham News.

As a certified Shelby County Master Gardener, expertise in all things related to horticulture—plants, gardening, nature and floral design. Also experience in writing about remodeling, home design and decorating, real estate, entertaining, shopping. Alabama regions and interesting people and places. B.S. in Mass Communication with Journalism concentration from the University of Montevallo.

E-mail: lori@alabamawriters.com

EMILY DELZELL

Medical Editor, UAB Office of Medical Publications

E-mail: edelzell@uabmc.edu

MELINDA DICKINSON

Melinda Dickinson, feature writer, copywriter, copy editor, proofreader, radio and television producer, and voice actress. Nearly three decades' experience in advertising, now an independent writer/editor/proofreader/producer, owns and operates Proof Positive, 525 20th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205. For samples or price information, call or write: ph 205-328-9115; fax 205-328-4900.

E-mail: copyedit@bellsouth.net

LORI K DITORO

A writer and editor for fifteen years, Lori Ditoro has written and edited educational workbooks, newsletter articles, marketing brochures, and software manuals. In 1997, after working for five years as a writer, editor, and proofreader for Pace Learning Systems, Inc., she began her freelance career. Her clients have included AmSouth Bank, Pace Learning Systems, and Reflex Blu Media.

Most recently, she edited and prepared manuscripts for submission to publishers such as Berrett-Koehler, John Wiley/Pfeiffer, and Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann. Her specialties include technical and corporate writing, marketing copy, and personality profiles.

E-mail: lditoro@sundoro.com

NANCY DORMAN-HICKSON

Full time freelancer after 18+ years as an editor with Southern Living and Progressive Farmer magazines. There, she edited the bi-monthly Tennessee Living section and the Books About the South review column.

She previously edited the North Carolina Living section and the Southern Journal essay column. She's won national, regional, and local awards and holds a B.S. from Miss. State University and an M.A. from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Her writing experience includes profiles, celebrities, travel/event, humor, essays, business, wellness, and shelter topics (homes/garden/food), albeit from a feature perspective, not how-to.

E-mail: dorman_hickson@bellsouth.net

PEGGY V. GARGIS

Owner of Semantic Solutions, offering copy and content editing, rewriting, and proofreading services for medical and general publications. Has 15 years' experience in medical editing and is currently engaged in technical writing for a medical software development company. With a background of a family construction business, special interests include both home design (floor plans and construction) and community planning. Holds a BA in mass communication with minors in French and English.

E-mail: (home) jmgar@bellsouth.net
(office) peggyg@ehsmed.com

VERNA GATES

Freelance writer and PR person with 20 years of experience. Former writer/producer for CNN. Specializes in magazine articles on a wide variety of topics and has been published in Weight Watchers, Popular Science, Voyageur and dozens of others. Freelances public relations, specialty in live news coverage. Has won international, national, regional and local awards. Holds a B.A. in Radio, Television, and Motion Pictures from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

E-mail: VernaGates@aol.com

JENNIFER HALE

E-mail: jenhale4lsu@yahoo.com

ANN HALPERN

Freelance writer for 16 years, specializing in corporate collateral materials; also writes on health and medicine, real estate, and for several industrial, technical and manufacturing firms. Former writer/broadcast producer for ad agency; former retail store advertising director. Member: International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Birmingham Advertising Federation, American Advertising Federation, Women's Business Ownership Council.  Holds B.A. in Business from Florida State University.

E-mail: halperns@charter.net

LISA HARRIS

Independent professional with more than 25 years' experience as journalist, public relations rep for businesses and nonprofits, political hack and community volunteer. Experienced, knowledgable and skilled at communicating complex information in understandable terms.

Currently writing on real estate and home topics for Birmingham Magazine, and weekly "people" features for Birmingham News. Other specialties are environmental issues, planning and zoning, and government. Click here to see my website for a resume of my impressively diverse work experience, clips and samples. Contact Lisa at (205) 979-1694 or click here to email.

JANE HENRY

Independent communication consultant with more than 20 years of corporate experience. Former manager of employee communication and editor of employee and retiree newsletters and annual reports for large Alabama corporation. Does freelance publication writing and editing, grant writing and communication planning. B.A. in music, M.A. in mass communication from University of Alabama.

E-mail: jhenry534@alltel.net

JESSICA HOWARD

Editor, "VUMC Reporter," Vanderbilt University Medical Center's weekly newspaper. As freelance writer, has written for Business Nashville, Birmingham Business Journal, Business Alabama, Birmingham Magazine and others. Has won local, statewide and national awards for business, feature and education writing. B.A. in Communications from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

E-mail: (work) jessica.howard@vanderbilt.edu ; (personal) jessicadhoward@aol.com

DR. MARIAN L. HUTTENSTINE

Head of Communications Department, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS. Has worked on a full-time or part-time basis for radio, television, newspapers, and advertising/public relations firms. Has taught journalism, public relations, speech, and English. Specializes in teaching communication law. Speaks frequently to regional communication groups about ethics, law, and current issues. Founding member of AMP.

E-mail: (work) mhuttenstine@comm.msstate.edu ; (Alabama) jpfomby@bellsouth.net

NANCY MANN JACKSON

Freelance writer since 1997, specializing in business communications materials and magazine and newspaper articles. Corporate and nonprofit communications work includes newsletters, Web site copy, press releases, advertising copy, grants and proposals, training materials, and manuals. Also contributes to consumer magazines and various trade publications for a number of industries. Holds a B.A. in English from Lipscomb University and M.Ed. in English Education from Auburn University.

Phone: 205 / 682-9459

Email: nancy@writeshoponline.com
Website: writeshoponline.com

PETER KIRCHIKOV

Free lance writer. Full-time paralegal for a Birmingham law firm. Concentration: litigation, medical research. Currently writing a book of one-liners and epigrams. Published works in the U.S.A., Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, etc.

Special skills:
Speaks, interprets and translates from: Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, etc. Reads and understands: German, French, Latin, etc.

Areas of expertise:
Legal, education, medical, international, cross-cultural, humor, etc.

MARY ELOISE H. LEAKE

A journalist/photographer specializing in travel, food and the arts. Published in The Miami Herald, The Charlotte (NC) Observer, The Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times, The (Columbia, SC) State, The Huntsville Times, The Anniston Star, and Long Leaf Style, the Star's lifestyle magazine.

Family-oriented essays, wedding articles and meditations have appeared in Southern Lady, Alabama Weddings and Upper Room magazines.

E-mail: MEHLeake@aol.com

DEBORAH LOCKRIDGE

Freelance writer and editor with 20 years of experience covering diverse topics such as trucking, medical, construction, family issues, farming, and real estate. Co-owner (with husband, Evan, a voice talent) of Evan E. Lockridge Communications in Birmingham, Ala., which also produces the local restaurant web site bhamdining.com.

Numerous national and regional awards for trade publication writing, including the American Business Media's prestigious Jesse Neal award.

For more information, visit eelcom.com or e-mail Deborah by clicking here

JUNE MATHEWS

Editor of Cahaba Talk magazine, a Birmingham News lifestyle publication for the Trussville-Clay-Springville area. Freelance work has appeared in Birmingham News special sections, Birmingham Medical News, Over The Mountain Journal, Hoover Magazine (Hoover Chamber of Commerce guide), South Central Construction magazine, The Alabama Baptist and preteen publications produced by LifeWay Christian Resources. B.A. in political science, University of Alabama at Birmingham; A.S. in paralegal studies, Samford University.

E-mail: jmathews120@charter.net (home) or jmathews@bhamnews.com (office)

TOM MATHEWS

E-mail: windycity@bellsouth.net

JEAN M. McLEAN

Freelance writer/editor specializing in corporate, construction, real estate, medical, travel, home and Christian interests. Regular contributor to Birmingham News, Portico, Southern Breeze, Samford University’s Seasons, Birmingham Home and Garden, Birmingham Parent and Birmingham Medical News, among others.

Freelance PR work for area hospitals and statewide construction firms. Author of two books/curriculum writer for Woman’s Missionary Union. Winner of editing awards from the National Federation of Press Women and Alabama Media Professionals. B.A., newspaper journalism, University of Georgia.

E-mail: jeanmclean2000@yahoo.com

GAIL McMAHON

Free-lance writer and editor; articles published in BirdTalk and PedalPoint; experienced in editing and desktop publishing; hold certificate in graphic design.

E-mail: editwords@earthlink.net

LUCY MERRILL

Features writer for Over the Mountain Journal since 1996. Writes on a variety of subjects, including business profiles, personality profiles, home design and decorating, and, occasionally, real estate fluff. Some photography. Also edits submissions. Holds a B.A. in history from Auburn University; graduate work in history and journalism undergraduate course work at University of Alabama at Birmingham

E-mail: lnmerrill@bellsouth.net

ELAINE HOBSON MILLER

Elaine Hobson Miller is a former Birmingham Post-Herald reporter and Birmingham magazine staff writer who has been freelancing for 16 years. Contributes regularly to The Birmingham News. Published regionally & nationally in Business Alabama Monthly, Dallas Morning News, Southern Lumberman, Woman's World. Does some photography with articles. Specializes in the lumber industry, home remodeling, grief recovery, horses and pharmacy. Author of Myths, Mysteries & Legends of Alabama (Seacoast, 1995). President of AMP 93-95. Holds B.A. in Journalism with minor in Spanish.

E-mail: ehm47@windstream.net

PATRICIA O'BANNON MUSE

Former editor of Our House and Family Journal and award-winning freelance writer with articles published in Birmingham Baby, Portico, Over the Mountain Journal, Birmingham Family Times, Child Times, Flicker and Home Life magazines, as well as regional business journals and newspapers, Muse has more than 25 years of experience writing features, newsletters, and advertising copy. Areas of interest and expertise include real estate, home décor, parenting, healthcare, and crafts.

Muse’s interactive children's play, The Little Red Hot Hen, was published, produced and toured with Birmingham Children's Theatre. Her poems and family-oriented fiction have also been published in various mediums. A graduate of Mississippi University for Women with a degree in journalism and commercial art, Muse also writes, designs and fabricates custom invitations.

E-mail: muse@alabamawriters.com

ZELDA OLIVER-MILES

Zelda Oliver-Miles is a freelance writer and copy editor. She is a 1990 graduate of The University of Alabama with a BA in Communications. Her work has appeared in The Birmingham News, Birmingham Medical News, Birmingham magazine and others. In addition to writing, she is experienced in design and layout. Before beginning her freelance career, Zelda worked as a news reporter for The Birmingham News and as editor of the Birmingham Times. She also is a published children's author.

E-mail: zeldamiles@charter.net

VICTORIA MYERS

Currently a senior editor with Progressive Farmer magazine, where she has worked since 1989. Myers writes on a variety of topics including: legal issues, money and taxes, conservation, wildlife, ponds, livestock, people and commercial agriculture.

Myers is available for freelance editing and writing assignments, as long as the publication isn’t competitive with PF. Special interests include health issues (autism and Asperger’s are especially close to her heart).

Myers lives in Helena, Alabama, with two boys, two cats and a very obedient dog. One out of 5 is better than nothing :)

E-mail: victoria_greer@bellsouth.net

LORI CHANDLER PRUITT

Lori Chandler Pruitt is a freelance writer and copy editor. She currently is Associate Editor of Birmingham Parent magazine. Lori is a 1983 graduate of the University of Alabama with a B.A. in news editorial/journalism. Her work appears in The Birmingham News, Birmingham Family Times, Birmingham Business Journal, Birmingham Home and Garden and more. She works on assignment as a copy editor for Oxmoor House’s cookbook division, as well as Coastal Living, Southern Living and Southern Accents magazines. She writes newsletter articles and produces a monthly school newsletter. Before beginning her freelance career, Pruitt worked for more than 15 years as a reporter for The Birmingham News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Morning Advocate newspapers.

E-mail: lcpruitt@alabamawriters.com

BYRON ROBINSON

Reporter, The Clanton Advertiser. Covers local news including government,
board of education, and high school football games. Also does photography and layout on Quark  Express. During college, served as assistant editor and assistant sports editor of the university's  newspaper, The Alabamian; student assistant in the university's public relations department;  anchor for weekly campus cable news shows and basketball play-by-play announcer for campus cable television station. Served as a summer sports intern at  WBRC-TV in Birmingham. Main interest is sports. Holds B.S. in Mass Communications, University of Montevallo.

E-mail: brcopy@yahoo.com

ELLA ROBINSON

Editor, writer, speaker. Special interests—nature, literature, religion. Graduate of Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. Author of four books—A Guide to Literary Sites of the South (availabble at amazon.com), Missions Events for the Church (available at wmustore.com), I Can Do That Too! (available at wmustore.com) and Acteens Treasury of Ideas (out of print). Writer of nonfiction magazine articles—Faces, Rural Heritage, POB, UAB Contact, UAB Arts & Sciences, Birmingham Parent, The Student, Contempo, Accent, Missions Leader, and others. Gardenlore columnist—DownHome Magazine. Freelance copy and design editor—New Hope Publishers; WMU; FirstBooks.com; individual authors.

E-mail: ella@alabamawriters.com

EMILY JONES RUSHING

Communications Officer of The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, a nonprofit, grantmaking endowment. Experienced writer and editor, including 15 years at The Birmingham News and 10 years with her own publishing company, handling writing, editing and marketing projects for BellSouth Services, Samford University, Robinson Foundry, Birmingham Stove & Range Co. and others.

E-mail: rushcfgb@bellsouth.net

Company web site: www.foundationbirmingham.org

KATHERINE OWEN WATSON SECHRIST

B.S. from Auburn University in Social Science; MPA (with concentration in business administration) from UAB. Retired from Internal Revenue Service. Retired stockbroker.

Has written articles for The Birmingham Business Journal, The Birmingham Post-Herald, The Birmingham News and Southern Breeze Magazine. Does business, op-ed and travel writing.

E-mail: ksechrist@charter.net

MICHELLE SEGREST

Free-lance writer. Michelle Garland Segrest is a 1989 graduate of Auburn University with degrees in Journalism and Speech Communications. Michelle spent many years as a sports reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser, The Anniston Star and the Mobile Register.

Worked as managing editor of Seacoast Publishing, authoring several regional non-fiction books. She was specialty publications coordinator for EBSCO Media for seven years before returning to writing full time. Her work has appeared in Alabama ALIVE Magazine, The Birmingham News, The Sporting News and Lindy's Sports Annuals, among others.

Specialties include sports, personality profiles, travel, features and in-depth enterprise.

E-mail: micsegrest@aol.com

NIKI SEPSAS

E-mail: nsepsas@bellsouth.net

FRAN SHARP

Freelance writer interested in capturing diverse subjects for print using 13 years experience in newspaper and magazine writing. Regular contributor to Alfa's Friends and Family Magazine as well as a weekly op-ed column for The Messenger in Troy, and special section work for The Shelby County Reporter. Have extensive experience in writing about medicine and education, but no special interests for subjects. Will write about anything. One of most interesting articles was about outhouses, and a favorite was an investigative piece on a local politician.

CARROLL DALE SHORT

E-mail: dshort@bham.rr.com

MARTI SLAY

Free-lance writer specializing in direct mail promotions and newsletters. Also writes feature stories, corporate literature, and medical materials. Prior to freelancing, 10 years experience writing direct mail promotional materials for medical and professional publications. Holds B.A. in English/Journalism from UAB.

E-mail: martislay@centurytel.net  

CAROLYN GARRICK STERN

Freelance writer and editor with 16 years' experience at Cooking Light and Progressive Farmer magazines. Author of book on farm pond construction and maintenance; editor of cookbook, collections of quotations, and how-to books. Specialties: country living, working at home, grandparenting, cooking, gardening, entertaining, small crafts business.

E-mail: Csternphoenix@aol.com  

LYNN SAMPSON STEVENS

Award-winning experienced communicator with more than 25 years in broadcast journalism, video and print advertising creative services, and industrial scriptwriting.

Services include:
- writing for print, video and web-based applications
- scriptwriting
- producing, directing and project management
- creative strategizing
- specializing in health/medical subjects

E-mail: sampsonstevens@alabamawriters.com  

MARIE JONES SUTTON

Marie Sutton is a freelance writer specializing in people features and essays. She is a former lifestyle reporter for The Birmingham News, where she penned award-winning stories on everything from Segregated Sundays to American Idol.

She has worked in the media for more than 10 years, having published a Christian magazine, hosted a provocative radio talk show, and worked in public relations and marketing. She currently writes for several local and national publications and is interested in writing a book.

E-mail: marieasutton@yahoo.com

TINA TIDMORE

Editor of the bi-weekly newspaper, Clay News. This newspaper has been in existence since March of 2002 serving the City of Clay in the far northeast corner of Jefferson County in Alabama.
P.O. Box 535
Clay, AL 35048
205-681-4013

Website: claynews.net
E-mail: editor@claynews.net

SONDRA WASHINGTON

Sondra Washington offers freelance writing, public relations and marketing services. As a journalist, she has written numerous news articles, feature stories and investigative reports including front-page pieces, weekly columns and monthly resource guides. In 2006, she wrote The Story of Nannie Helen Burroughs which was published by Woman's Missionary Union. Her corporate and nonprofit communications work includes event planning, newsletters, brochures, news releases, direct mail, flyers, ad copy, web copy, media kits, marketing plans and public relations campaigns.

Washington holds a master's degree in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi and a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Asian (Japanese) studies from Louisiana State University.

E-mail: bhamfreelancer@bellsouth.net