Pieces: Essays, Articles, and Poems

Here are some samples of my writing. This list is representative but not inclusive; when I ghostwrite for others, for example, the copy is theirs, not mine. While I am able to adopt whatever tone and style writers prefer, these pieces mostly reflect my own voice.
Contact me to discuss yours!

Editing

Rebel with a Clause: Unfolding a Table and Unlocking the Secrets of Grammar,” The Freelancer, Summer 2022

Meet Shabnaj Chowdhury, EFA Membership Coordinator,” EFA Blog, January 2022

PRO Act Threatens Freelancers,” The Freelancer, August 2021

“A Newbie Joins the EFA Board,” EFA Blog, February 2021

EFA Website Chair Steps Down,” EFA Blog, August 2021

Hey Boomer! Still Snagging Gigs? A Look at Ageism and Freelance Editing,Tracking Changes, the Journal of the Society for Editing, Summer 2020

Dreyer’s English: A Close, Joyful Look at Style,” The Freelancer, March–April 2019

How Quilting is like Editing,” Tracking Changes, the Journal of the Society for Editors, Summer 2018

Plants and Plant Science

Becoming a Plant Sleuth for Plants of Concern,” My Chicago Botanic Garden

In Their Own Words: The People of Plants of Concern,” My Chicago Botanic Garden

No Day at the Beach: Summer Meant Research for REU Participants,” My Chicago Botanic Garden

“Fernando Orozco, Urban Agriculture Professional,” Keep Growing, Winter 2014

“Jacob Burns, Perennial Plant Curator,” Keep Growing, Fall 2013

Garden Walks: Summer Perimeter Walk,” Chicago Botanic Garden website

Irresistible Houseplants,” Chicago Botanic Garden website

Garden Newsletter Q&A: Stacy Stoldt, Ace Librarian

Paper Garden Bonsai, Quarto Publishing Group

Quilting

California Dreamin’,” American Patchwork & Quilting, February 2021

Quilt Gallery, Montana,” Quilt Sampler, Fall–Winter 2020

Pinwheels Quilting, Georgia,” Quilt Sampler, Fall–Winter 2020

Bloom Fabric, Art, and Retreat,” Quilt Sampler, Spring–Summer 2020

Not Your Mama’s Quilt Store,” Quilt Sampler, Fall–Winter 2019

How Quilting is like Editing,” Tracking Changes, the Journal of the Society for Editors, Summer 2018

“Peter Horjus—Here’s to Blue,” Quiltfolk, Vol. 7

“Uptown Needle and Craftworks—Miracle on Magazine Street,” Quiltfolk, Vol. 7

Criticism and Reviews

“Talking with Debut Novelist Kim Sherwood,” Jewish Book Council

Plunder,” Jewish Book Council

“Man of My Time,” Jewish Book Council

“Jumping Over Shadows,” Jewish Book Council

“Madonna in a Fur Coat,” Jewish Book Council

Women at Work,” Jerusalem Report 

Nabokov—A Response,” Nabokov Studies, Vol. 4

Personal Essays

Two People, One Little Free Library: An Adventure,” Medium.com

My So-Called Life: Why There Is Value in Mediocrity,” This I Believe, National Public Radio

This photo illustrates the NPR essay. 1979

The High-Strung Horse Who Taught Me to Calm Down,” Horse Network

Journey to the Fine Art of Fiber,” My Chicago Botanic Garden

Still (Horse) Crazy After All These Years,” Midwest Hunter and Sport Horse

Poems

Yes, No, Yes: An Acrostic,” Plainsongs, Vol. XLI.1

Couch,” Jo-Anne Hirshfield Poetry Awards

Perpetual Quilt,” East on Central, Vol. 3

Egg,” East on Central, Vol. 3

For Sale,” East on Central, Vol. 4

Stalking Frogs,” East on Central, Vol. 5

Hannah in the Red Sea,” East on Central, Vol. 7

Space Lemon,” East on Central, Vol. 9