GRETCHEN A. KALWINSKI
gretchen.kalwinski@gmail.com

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Editor and writer with ten years experience creating compelling print and web materials for arts and culture magazines, websites, nonprofits, and literary organizations. Solid reputation as a self-starter with strong project management and event-planning skills. Adept and dynamic public speaker, presenter, and media personality.

WORK HISTORY

Freelance Writer and Editor, 7/00 – Current
* Magazine writing: Chicago Reader, Time Out Chicago, Venus Zine, Stop Smiling, UR Chicago, Punk Planet, and the Northwest Indiana Times.  
* Copy-editing and proofreading: Time Out Chicago, Stop Smiling.
* Technical writing and editing: Vosges Haut Chocolat, the National Restaurant Association, and Ancilla Systems International.

Co-Founder and Editor of literary website Literago.org, Chicago, IL 2/07 – Current
* Founded and edit literary website named one of the “171 Great Chicago Web Sites” by Chicago Magazine and praised by Lonely Planet Chicago. 
* Planned and curated literary readings for 50-100 attendees.
* Featured speaker at Printers Row Book Fair, June 2009.

Associate Features Editor, Time Out Chicago, Chicago, IL, 7/07 – 4/09
* Conceptualized, wrote, and edited Features stories for National Magazine Award finalist. 
* Hired, coached, managed, generated contracts for, and paid staff writers and freelancers. 
* Established and maintained copy flow schedules and quarterly freelance budgets.  
* Panelist/judge for local programming (Newberry Library’s Bughouse Square Debates, WGN radio). 

Permissions Coordinator, Poetry Foundation, Chicago, IL, 10/06 – 7/07
* Partnered with IT staff to initiate permissions process for 6,000+ poems on Webby award-winning site. 
* Managed copyright requests for national and international literary publishers and estates.

Program Coordinator, American Library Association, Chicago, IL, 5/02 – 7/05
* Coordinated all aspects of biannual library trustee events (300–400 attendees). 
* Wrote and edited press releases and web copy; managed launch of e-newsletter. 

Bookseller/Returns Manager, The Booksmith, San Francisco, CA, 8/00 – 2/02
* Responsible for customer service and sales at independent bookstore. 
* Supervised publisher returns, including inventory, shipping and receiving. 

Editorial Assistant, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL, 5/99 – 5/00	
* Maintained confidential manuscript review and tracking process for American Journal of Sociology. 
* Copy-edited and proofread office correspondence and journal index. 


EDUCATION

Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. BA in English/Speech Communication. 12/97.
Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. M.F.A. in Creative Writing (Fiction). (Current.)


RELATED EXPERIENCE

* Television panelist, Chicago Tonight, Chicago, IL, 12/09
-Guest appearance as literary advisor for book-recommendation roundtable on public television.

* Guest instructor, Columbia College, Chicago, IL, 11/08
	-Presented information and led class discussion about effectively pitching articles to magazines.

* Editorial intern, Venus Zine, Chicago, IL, 9/05 – 12/05
	-Wrote articles, fact-checked, and copy-edited for women’s DIY music and lifestyle magazine.
	-Hosted video-podcast at a DIY craft fair, later published and distributed on media channels. 

* Mentor, Gallery 37, Chicago, IL, 5/02 – 8/02
	-Met regularly with students to discuss and advise on literary career track via this nonprofit youth job 	training program for the arts.

* Board member, Women Writers Conference, Chicago, IL, 4/98 – 9/00
	-Organized, booked authors for, and fundraised for annual literary conference. 

* Volunteer, Guild Complex, Chicago, IL, 11/98 – 10/04
	-Planned and organized events including literary readings, performances, and lectures.


SKILLS

* Technical Writing: Extensive experience in business, academic, creative, and technical contexts. 
* Proofreading and Copy-Editing: Chicago Manual of Style and AP Style. Earned copy-editing certification at University of Chicago Graham School, (March 2000).
* Typing: 60 words per minute.
* Software and Desktop Publishing: Most PC and MAC platforms, advanced email and social networking, and web research, content management systems, Microsoft Office, Filemaker Pro. Basic Dreamweaver and HTML. 
* Project Management: Ten years experience coordinating publications, programs, and literary events.  
* Event-Planning: Hospitality, literary, and large-scale events. 

**** Writing clips and portfolio available upon request.