Professional Experience

Some would say that I've had many career changes; however, these are not discrete changes as much as they are an evolution. My transition from scientist to technology consultant passed through a continuum—technical writer, media designer, and application developer—along the way. Uniting them all has been my passion for technology and my devotion to communicating that passion.

Writing and Editing

Some technical writers are technologists with a few writing skills. Others are writers with a few technology skills. I am both and neither. In academia, the mantra is "publish or perish." Recognition is only achieved when results are communicated to and reviewed by others in the field. Although some researchers view writing as a burden, to me it is a critical and integral part of science.

Highlights:

• Over eleven years of technical writing experience
• Six years as editor for Promega Notes and Neural Notes
• Three years as freelance copy editor for John Wiley and Sons
• Board-certified editor in the life sciences (ELS; bels.org)
• Past officer of the Society for Technical Communications
• Extensive advertising copy writing experience
• Proficient in graphic design, typography, layout, and pre-press
• Experienced with Canadian, British, and international editing

Science and Biotechnology

In 1992 I was three years into a Ph.D. program in microbiology at Ohio State. Unfortunately, the rigors of being a graduate student were placing undue financial hardships on my family, so I exited the program with my master's degree. For the next twelve years I worked in varying capacities throughout the biotech industry, from large-scale biochemical purification to digital media development.

Information Technology

I am a life-long computer geek, but when I began my college career, computer technology had not yet matured to the point of being a viable career option. As the years advanced, my computing skills became increasingly integrated into my job functions. I now have over a dozen certifications in the field and am nearing completion of a second master's degree in information assurance with a 4.0 GPA.

Professional Memberships

My current professional memberships include:

• Board of Editors for the Life Sciences
• Council of Science Editors
• Society for Technical Communications (renewal pending)
• Information Systems Security Association
• Int'l Information Systems Security Certification Consortium
• Information Systems Audit and Control Association
• Computer Technology Industry Association
• IEEE Computer Society
• Association for Computing Machinery
• International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants
• International Webmasters Association-HTML Writers Guild

For more information, visit the Pixelogiq Data Systems about page.

Personal Interests

A professional writer should be comfortable with a wide range of topics. Without a breadth of general knowledge, the writer's voice lacks authority, and every sentence becomes research. I have yet to find a field of endeavor in which I do not maintain at least a passing interest; however, some topics have captured my attention and persisted long enough to become hobbies.

Technology-Related Interests

Although technology has become the dominant force in my ever-changing career, the topic remains so broad that it cannot be considered a monolith. I enjoy a range of activities for their own sake, regardless of whether they yield any income. Examples:

• History of computing
• Information security
• Application programming
• Flash animation
• Ray-traced rendering

Creative and Lofty Pursuits

Much of my personality was established during childhood. My father was an engineer, and my mother was an artist and musician. Their influence helped establish my eclectic personality, as they showed me a world filled with both precision and beauty. Examples:

• Photography (digital and film)
• Music performance and composition
• Art and music appreciation
• Chess and other games of skill
• Cooking and gourmet cuisine

Academic and Philosophical Topics

Some topics and activities I enjoy are a bit more esoteric. Although most people leave these subjects behind upon graduation, I have never been able to do so. These fields of study have tremendous implications for the future of our species. Examples:

• Astronomy and space exploration
• World history and geography
• Politics and political theory
• Psychology and sociology
• Environmental science

Personal Memberships

My current personal memberships include:

• American Mensa
• Internet Society
• Planetary Society
• U.S. Chess Federation
• National Geographic Society
• Nature Conservancy
• Skeptics Society
• CSICOP (a skeptic organization)
• Electronic Frontier Foundation
• Photographic Society of America
• Libertarian Party

Pricing and Billing

Some writers, editors, and designers bill at different rates depending on the type of work being performed. Because I cannot say that an hour of my time is worth less in certain situations, I prefer to charge a flat hourly fee of $80 per hour, billed in half-hour increments. Projects that take less time will cost less. It's that simple. Occasionally I offer discounted or promotional rates.

Custom Jobs and Retainers

Complex projects that may incur additional expenses or require outsourcing are based upon a per-job quote. Estimated amounts are based upon my costs and anticipated time commitment. Terms and deliverables will be specified in your contract. For ongoing needs, I provide the option of a weekly or monthly retainer with discounted hourly rates. The discount depends on the number of hours retained.

Workshop and Seminar Pricing

Workshops are based on a flat rate plus a materials fee for each registered participant. These often involve an associate instructor and require audio-visual equipment rental. Half-day (4-hour) seminars are priced at $1,500, and full-day (7.5-hour) seminars are priced at $2,500. Materials such as workbooks, manuals, and software range from $20 to $50 per participant.

Billing and Payment Terms

If a project is anticipated to exceed four hours (or $320), I will require a 50% deposit on the estimated total. The remainder is invoiced in monthly installments or upon completion of the work. Payment is due in full within 30 days of the invoice date, with a 4% discount when payed within 10 days (4% 10 net 30). Using my corporate account, I accept credit cards through PayPal.