Studio Blog
We are happy to announce the first ever winners of the new DMS Enrichment Opportunities. Please join us in congratulating this month’s winners.
Our first Work/Life Award goes to writer Jonathan Lister. While working on his taxes for 2011, Jonathan realized that he had only taken eight days off during the entire year. He’s going to be using the award for a much needed day off in order to attend the Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey where he will get to see the reunion of one of his all-time favorite bands, The Receiving End of Sirens. Have fun, Jonathan!
Our second Work/Life Award goes to writer Tricia Goss. As a busy writer and grandmother, Tricia does not always get a lot of time for herself. Thanks to this award, Tricia will be able to enroll in a yoga class that also provides childcare. Now she will be able to get out of the house, release some of her stress and regain her focus.
Our third Work/Life Award goes to writer Renee Morrison. Renee is busy finishing up her last year of University in Journalism while living in a 700-square-foot apartment with a roommate. Needless to say, it can be hard to keep their space tidy. Renee’s plans for this award include a bright new coat of paint and a comfy second-hand sofa to brighten up their living space.
Our fourth Work/Life Award goes to writer Alan Donahue. Alan proposed to his fiancé six months ago and the two of them have been saving up every spare dollar for the big day. Alan is planning on using this award to celebrate his birthday with his fiancé by going out to a nice dinner and going to see “The Hunger Games” movie.
The Laptop Award goes to writer Dan Oglesby. Just after the holidays, Dan was getting off the L train when the strap on his laptop bag snapped, causing the laptop to fall down a flight of stairs. Since then, he has been working on either his seven-year-old desktop or a computer at the library. Not only will this new laptop boost his productivity, it will allow him to travel home to Texas for longer periods to visit his father and grandmother, both of whom have failing health.
The newest winner of the All Access Pass is writer Amy Armstrong. Amy wrote in to us sharing her desire to attend the Kachemak Bay Writer’s Conference in Homer, Alaska. This nationally-recognized conference features four days of workshops, readings, and manuscript evaluations with top editors and agents. Living in Alaska, it isn’t easy for Amy to attend events of this caliber on a regular basis. By getting to go, Amy hopes to benefit her career by gaining new inspiration, new direction, and professional development.
The inaugural winner of the Co-Working Award is editor Carissa Bluestone. Carissa has been making due working in her cramped home office for months now. Working alone from home, she has started noticing how working alone can affect productivity and work quality. Luckily for Carissa, her neighborhood has two great co-working spaces filled with writers, designers, entrepreneurs and sustainability gurus. She’s looking forward to her new workspace which will be better-equipped and more ergonomic.
Introducing: DMS Enrichment Opportunities. The program was developed in an effort to help our community reach their professional goals in 2012. A mix of old and new programs, we hope our community will take full advantage of these offerings.
The Laptop Award
Each month we award a laptop computer to one community member who needs it for professional endeavors. The laptop comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Suite.
Work/Life Balance Award
Every month we select four community members to receive the Work/Life Balance Award. The main perk of being a freelancer is your ability to schedule work around your life. Still, you may find yourself lacking the time and funds to enjoy your life the way you want. Winners of the Work/Life Balance Award receive funds to use on something that will help them balance life with work.
All Access Pass
We recognize that many people in our community are working on various creative projects, and we hope to help with those endeavors. With this in mind, we created the All Access Grant to connect our community with new opportunities and support their professional goals.
Winners receive an all-access pass to a conference or seminar of their choice. We will award two All Access passes every quarter.
Co-Working Award
Co-working is a relatively new trend among independent creative professionals.
Freelance work can feel isolating at times. Many turn to the local café but find it chaotic and distracting. Co-Working spaces were developed to provide an alternative for freelancers seeking a more social environment without constant interruption, faulty WiFi, or distractions. These spaces provide all the luxuries of a more traditional office (ie: internet, office supplies, work stations) without the rigidity of a nine to five job.
Winners* of the co-working award will receive a 3-month membership to a co-working space of their choice. With this grant you’ll be able to work alongside writers, entrepreneurs and independent professionals in your city or town.
For more details on each program, and information on how to apply, please visit this forum post.
We are excited to introduce you to our first LS Featured Contributor, Jenny Mulligan.
For more information please visit this forum thread.
Thanks and congratulations once again to Jenny Mulligan!
"Oh, sh*t, my eHow Home & Garden rewrite about how to hang holiday lights is expiring tonight!" - Pamela Goldstein
Congratulations on your winning entry, Pamela! Be sure to send us a private message so we can send you your prize. And thank you to everyone for your participation.
Happy holidays!
Please join us in congratulating this month's winners!
Our Professional Resources grant goes to writer Sandi Bush. Sandi is a single mother who devotes a majority of her time caring for her son with autism. Currently working on a computer that is over eight years old and beyond resuscitation, we are awarding her the resource grant to help her work more efficiently. Being able to work faster will increase her productivity and free up more time to spend with her son. Congrats Sandi!
Our first Work/Life Balance grant goes to writer Cricket Webber. Cricket will use the grant funds to treat her husband to a spectacular dinner for their third wedding anniversary. Having to postpone any anniversary plans in the past, they will finally get to take the time to celebrate together. Have fun, Cricket!
The second Work/Life Balance award goes to writer Lawrence Adams. Lawrence enjoys his flexible work hours as a freelancer but does not always find the time to get out and exercise. He will use the grant award to join a gym near his home. We are happy to help Lawrence reach his health and exercise goals and wish him all the best.
Our third Work/Life Balance winner is writer Patti Richards. Patti’s son was diagnosed with a tumor of the adrenal gland this year, and while not cancerous, it required a major surgery. Patti was not able to work much during this time while also amassing large medical bills to help her son. Patti will use the grant funds to help pay off some of those bills.
The final Work/Life Balance award will go to writer Lisa Sefcik. A newly signed novelist, Lisa has had a busy and hectic year. She will use the grant funds to escape her home office and attend the Romance Writers of America annual retreat. This will allow her to bond with fellow members and receive critiques from established authors. Have fun, Lisa!
Congratulations to all the winners - our last of 2011. We will be revamping the grant program for 2012 so be on the look out for more details. Thanks for a great year everyone!
With our new focus on topic sections, we have enlisted a team of industry experts to help build and manage their respective sections. With years of experience in their fields they will play an active role in shaping these sections and will be available as a resource for writers and editors. So without further ado, meet our content consultants!
Home: Phil Schmidt
Philip Schmidt worked as a professional carpenter for six years until he decided to hang out his shingle as a full-time writer. He has since written about home improvement, design and décor, and green homes, authoring 17 books, including Decorating with Architectural Details and Black & Decker’s Building & Finishing Walls & Ceilings and The Complete Guide to Greenhouses & Garden Projects. He also writes articles and other content for online publishers and edits how-to books of all descriptions.
Tech: Sarah Pike
Sarah Pike has been a professional technology editor and writer since 1998, focusing primarily on software reviews and how-to articles. Her work appears on PCMag.com, Top Tech Dog and Consumer Reports’ semiannual Electronics Buying Guide. Sarah has been a copy editor with Demand Media Studios since 2009.
Food: Kathleen Stebbins
Kathleen Stebbins is a former food and beverage professional who has been writing and editing professionally since 1999, specializing in travel, food, outdoor recreation and general features. She won awards as a food critic and features editor for Gannett that included multiple "Best Food Section" designations from the Association of Food Journalists and a nomination by the James Beard Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Southern California.
Auto: Pete Gatlin
Pete Gatlin worked as a professional mechanic for more than 15 years on everything from 396 El Caminos to Massey Ferguson farm tractors. Pete’s career included stints at local garages and repair shops from Tampa to Mt. Shasta as well as three years as the chief mechanic at an automotive machine shop in Steamboat Springs and four years as the head of ground vehicle maintenance for a commuter airline in Connecticut. A love of the English language eventually drove Gatlin down a different road to an editing career.
Pets: Michelle Rivera
Michelle Rivera is the author of numerous books about animal issues, including Hospice Hounds: Animals and Healing at the Borders of Death and Canines in the Classroom: Raising Human Children through Interactions with Animals. She attended the University of Missouri Animal Cruelty School and is certified with the Florida Animal Control Association. She is a licensed Delta Society Pet Partner Evaluator, humane educator, dog trainer and veterinary technician.
Business & Personal Finance: David Fisher
David Fisher has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years, including six years as a managing editor and three years as a business reporter, covering the real estate market and banking industry. His career has included reporting jobs with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Associated Press. In addition, he has served as a licensed financial adviser and an investment representative.
Visit this forum thread to ask questions, and get more information on DMS Topic Sections.
Regards,
The DMS Team
Congratulations Laura, great work!
Congratulations to this month's winners!
Our Professional Resources grant goes to writer and copy editor Andrea Reuter. Andrea is a Tech Beta writer and editor working on a very old laptop. A new laptop will allow her to keep up to date on the latest software and operating systems which will benefit her a great deal as a writer and editor. Recently diagnosed with breast cancer and unable to afford a new laptop at this time, this grant will also allow her to get work done while in the hospital. She will then have more time to rest, relax and be with her family when she is home without worrying about writing or editing articles after treatment.
Our first Work/Life Balance grant goes to writer Marcy Brinkley. Marcy and her husband are both retired military nurses approaching 60 years old. Marcy will use this grant to celebrate the beginning of a new decade with her husband by night snorkeling with manta rays at Keauhou Beach Resort. This will allow them to check something off their bucket list and we are happy to help. As an aside, Marcy's husband taught her to swim at the age of 50, making this an extra special celebration for the two of them. We can’t wait to see pictures!
The second Work/Life Balance award goes to copy editor Kip Allen. His wife of 30 years has become terminally ill and Kip divides his time between editing and caring for her. This grant will allow Kip to spend more time with his wife during this difficult time.
Our third Work/Life Balance winner is writer and filmmaker Melissa McCormick. Melissa and her fiancé plan to marry in 2012 and we are thrilled for the both of them. While this is a very exciting time in her life it is also financially straining. Melissa will use this grant to purchase her fiancé’s wedding band for him as a Christmas present. We are happy to help Melissa purchase such an important gift.
The final Work/Life Balance award will go to writer Linda Kent. Linda is in charge of planning the annual Light My Fire auction following the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb held each year to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Linda puts in countless hours to organize the event and will use this grant to help offset some of the income she gives up to run this charity auction. We wish Linda all the best in what will be her 5th year organizing this event. She even provided us with some pictures from the event last year.
Please join us in congratulating the winners!
We like to give kudos to those DMS community members who go above and beyond what is asked of them to make our community great. We want to spotlight those who are active and positive contributors in our forums, on our Blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. It's our creators who make us great and you deserve to be recognized!
This week we want to give Community Kudos to Studio writer and titler Billie Nordmeyer.
Billie has been writing with Demand Media Studios for a little less than a year and her presence as a member of the community is already catching our eye. Billie's interactions in the community are always supportive. She regularly shares her insight into not only being a creating professional, but also her technology insight as an industry veteran. She is always positive and professional, and her voice is quickly becoming a staple in the Demand Media Studios community.
If you see Billie in the forums, be sure to give her kudos of your own. Thanks and congratulations, Billie!
PM us with your contact info & we'll send you a DMS T-shirt & some other goodies to say,
Thank You!
