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Christopher E. Nelson
2008 Creekview Circle
Clayton, North Carolina 27520
(919) 550-3793 (home) CNelson917@aol.com
A writer and copy editor who quickly turns around high volumes of clean, engaging copy for newspapers, magazines, advertising and marketing, and who manages publications and Web sites.
Professional Experience
The News and Observer Publishing Company, 215 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 919-836-5600. www.newsobserver.com.
January 2008 – August 2009: Niche Publications Editor Wrote and copy edited magazines, including bimonthly Living in Style, monthly skirt! Magazine and semiannual Carolina Bride, plus advertising supplements, Web sites and sales support materials.
- Participated in creation of Living in Style magazine, leading development of initial story budgets, creating regular features and recruiting contributing writers. www.LivinginStyleNC.com.
- Wrote six to nine articles per issue of Living in Style (Summer 2006-June/July 2009).
- Managed and developed content for http://advertising.newsobserver.com and an intranet site.
- Added photography to duties, retained Feature Editions Editor duties upon staff reductions.
June 1997 – January 2008: Feature Editions Editor Wrote, edited and managed publication of 25 to 30 advertising supplements yearly for The News & Observer and community newspapers.
- Created Discover Carolina Outdoors, a directory of federal and state outdoor recreation sites in North Carolina. Published annually 2004-2006. Created www.carolinaoutdoorsguide.com and continue to manage as owner/operator since cessation of print publication.
- Wrote marketing and advertising copy for display ads, advertising campaigns, sales fliers, brochures, rack cards, etc.; assisted and advised artists, ad designers, sales personnel to develop copy.
Our State Magazine, 800 Green Valley Road, Suite 106, Greensboro, NC 27408 336-286-0600, www.ourstate.com/magazine.
2007: Contributing Writer Wrote for September and November 2007 and May 2008 issues.
David M. Griffith & Associates, Ltd., 1100 Logger Court, Suite D 100,
Raleigh, NC 27609 (Firm bought by Maximus, no longer in Raleigh; www.maximus.com).
January 1992 – June 1997: Consultant/Technical Writer Managed competitive-bid proposal program and job description studies, recruited and supervised job description writers, created and managed monthly newsletter, wrote marketing brochures, study reports, manuals, etc.
April – December 1991: Independent Contractor Wrote 600+ job descriptions.
- Won more than 90 percent of bids, including competition against “Big Six” firms. Sixty-five proposals in 1996 won contracts worth $800,000 (indirect contracts exceeded $1 million).
- Wrote more than 2,000 job descriptions for local government clients in six states.
The Fayetteville Observer, P.O. Box 849, Fayetteville, NC 28302 910-323-4848. www.fayobserver.com.
September 1988 – December 1989: Copy Editor Edited local and wire service articles for afternoon daily; designed pages, wrote headlines and photo captions, supervised page paste up.
- Slotted average of 25 articles daily in three hours before first edition deadline.
- Wrote general assignment news and features.
May 1984 – September 1988: Education Reporter Covered public schools, local state university, community college, church-sponsored liberal arts college and general education issues; copy edited for Sunday Observer-Times and substituted for city editors during absences.
- Aggressively reported politically charged school systems merger, influencing development of system and leading to complete turnover of school board membership in first post-merger election.
- Broke news of scandals at Fayetteville State University that led to resignation of assistant dean and dean of education, and chancellor.
September 1981 – May 1984: Staff Writer Wrote Live Wire daily consumer information/advocacy column, covered Town of Spring Lake (pop. aprox. 7,000), wrote general news and features, including for Sunday feature sections; copy edited for Sunday Observer Times.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C. English major, communication arts minor (emphasis on journalism).
Public Office
Notary Public, State of North Carolina. Appointment expires June 28, 2010.