Melissa Bigner

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Melissa Bigner

Melissa BignerMelissa BignerMelissa Bigner
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Resume

Freelance Writer-Editor

GHOSTWRITER, EDITOR, CONSULTANT (remote), 2002-Present

  • Consult and/or edit manuscripts for structure, voice, grammar, punctuation, and consistent style
  • Ghostwrite articles, posts, and manuscripts 
  • Interview, research, write, and edit per a project’s needs 
  • Revise text according to a client’s wishes
  • Brainstorm solutions for all steps of the publishing process. 


Note: Summer 2023 projects range from creating content for Allstate Identity Protection to copy editing a personal memoir, ghostwriting another, consulting on the structure of an additional manuscript, and seeing a book through its last stages to release. 

Recent Freelance Clients

SCRIBE MEDIA GHOSTWRITER (remote), July 2021-May 2023

  • Paired with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, influencers, and gurus as matched by this hybrid publishing house
  • Interviewed clients to glean content and interpret their voice and brand
  • Wrote on-brand book manuscripts based on interview transcripts
  • Revised text per client’s wishes

MY HEALTH TEAM FACT-CHECKER, COPY EDITOR (remote), October 2021-May 2022

  • Supported the editorial arm of My Health Team, a family of social networks for people with chronic health conditions
  • Proofed and revised health news stories based on scientific studies, medical journals, and other reputable sources
  • Translated dense medical concepts, papers, and research into material fit for general audiences

Past Freelance Clients & Projects

Special Newsstand Publications and Books

  • COASTAL LIVING: 101 Decorating Ideas; 101 Decorating Ideas for Bedrooms; 101 Great Ideas for Outdoor Spaces; The Ultimate Style Guide; Cottage Style (writer)
  • Better Homes and Gardens: Great Color & Pattern Collection with Betsy Speert (ghostwriter)
  • TLC: Clean Sweep: Conquer the Clutter (writer)
  • HGTV: Curb Appeal (writer)

Coffee-Table Books 

  • Cool Inside: Hank’s Seafood Restaurant (cookbook author, stylist)
  • Served with Style: Peninsula Grill (cookbook author, stylist)
  • Southern Bouquets (author, shoot producer, photo stylist)
  • Southern Weddings (prototype creator) 

Most Recent Staff Positions

GulfStream Communications, Weddings Division 

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR & EDITOR (Charleston, SC), June 2006-June, 2020

Built and ran wedding department for regional publisher. Created print, online, and social media content. Managed multiple brand identities, including:

  • Charleston Weddings magazine: Triannual luxury wedding magazine for Charleston, South Carolina
  • The Wedding Row: Posh wedding blog for South Carolina’s coastal Lowcountry
  • High Country Wedding Guide: Annual guide for elegant mountain weddings in North Carolina
  • Asheville Wedding Guide: Annual guide for fine weddings in greater Asheville, North Carolina

DUTIES

  • Led a staff of up to six
  • Acted as the editorial liaison, editor, marketing, copywriter, proofer, speaker, emcee, and television rep for brands
  • Did the same for Charleston Wedding Week, an annual series of seminars, fashion shows, and panels featuring top national luxury wedding experts
  • Teamed with sales to create ad campaigns and generated leads for advertising

NOTABLES

  • Cut the initial operating budget of Charleston Weddings by two-thirds without adversely affecting content or sales
  • Established and oversaw CW's social media (Stats at departure: 30K Instagram followers; 83K average monthly views on Pinterest) 
  • Served as a photo stylist, shoot producer, and on-set art director (fashion, accessories, tabletop, etc.)
  • Performed roles on an annual nine-month contract


GulfStream Communications, Charleston magazine

SENIOR EDITOR (Charleston, SC), 2007-2020

  • Regular contributor for Charleston, South Carolina, city magazine (freelance)
  • Represented brand at events (as needed)
  • Specialized in book reviews, essays, lifestyle, home décor, travel, entertaining, and profile pieces
  • Served as managing editor (as needed; covered for maternity leaves, etc.)

{BLASTS FROM THE PAST}

The Notebook, Cold Mountain, Radio (Charleston, SC)

Production Assistant, 2001-2002: Assisted on film sets as needed, wrangling lead actors and managing extras, etc. 

Homestore (Atlanta, GA) 

Senior Editor (staff position), 2000-01: Created content for the editorial branch of Realtor.com

Custom Publishing  Division, Southern Progress Corporation (Birmingham, AL) 

Associate Editor (staff position), 2000: Created publications for Saks, BellSouth, 1-800-Flowers, etc.

Weight Watchers magazine (Birmingham, AL) 

Fashion and Beauty Editor (staff position), 1998-99: Ran the department of the then-national publication

Southern Accents magazine (Birmingham, AL) 

Entertaining and Market Editor (staff position), 1998: Headed party and décor products sections for Southern  luxury home design magazine

Southern Living magazine (Birmingham, AL) 

Assistant Features Editor (staff position), 1993-98: Wrote essays and travel, feature, and profile articles. Managed the book review column

Proficiencies

  • Microsoft Word Office/ Microsoft 365
  • G Suite/ Google Workspace
  • Adobe (InDesign, Acrobat)
  • ClickUp, Asana, Magazine Manager

Education

Medill School of Journalism,

Northwestern University 

Bachelor of Science, Journalism


Resume (Printable Versions)

Melissa Bigner Resume 6.2023 (pdf)Download
Melissa Bigner Resume 6.2023 (docx)Download
work samples

Copyright © 2023 Melissa Bigner - All Rights Reserved. (Please contact me for site photo credits.) 

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