Studio Blog
"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!
