Writer / Editor

Laura Juska

        as Caroline Wright

About Me

​

Metro Detroit creative with Northeast Ohio roots. Love books, philosophical thoughts, and learning new skills.
If you have a project, I'll deliver practical insights and a precise result.

​

​

Personal Philosophy:

It's important to attach
a personal note with a gift.

​

Societal Obstacle:

Price of greeting cards is forcing people to forgo personal notes when gift-giving.

Plan for Changing the World:

Develop practical and sustainable use
of reusable greeting cards.

​

​

ACHIEVEMENTS 

​

• Awarded "Unsung Hero" for Concentrix (January 2021) for audit, update and improvement of over 100 business SOPs while highlighting key areas of opportunity for our client

• Personal poetry blog, "Dating a Poet," listed among Top 100 Poetry Blogs, Websites & Influencers in 2021 by Feedspot.com

• Featured poet on WEMU (89.1) All Things Considered local segment for National Poetry Month (2019)

• Publication of seven original poems in various literary journals/magazines in 2019 (e.g., Third Wednesday, Wayne Literary Review, Nerve Cowboy)

• Chief Editor for Wrinkles Wallace children's book series, 2012-2019

• Collaborated on two book projects related to Lithuanian history which were translated to Lithuanian language (Day of Shame by Al Ruksenas and How I Became A Comrade: An American Growing Up in Siberian Exile by John Armonas), 2015-2016

• Authored 148-page collection of poetry, Chemistry, Not Science: A Book of Poems, Published 2015

​

EXPERIENCE

​

CONCENTRIX

Content & Technical Writer, December 2017-Present                                                                     

• Support operational leadership, client representatives and cross-functional teams in the evaluation, recommendation, establishment, implementation, and analysis of current and new business procedures 

• Crafted automotive client's user manual for a new technical assistance Case Management System (CMS), through which all technical service requests are initiated by the client's North American dealership personnel; also produced online Help Desk content for use of the new CMS

• Publish monthly, internal-facing department newsletter (the department's first); initiate and develop business flowcharts to accompany written documentation; produce and analyze content knowledge checks to monitor SOP compliance and understanding; organize and manage department's online, cloud-based content system

• Produce training documentation for new software launches and conduct staff training on use of G Suite, Google Drive, and Google Cloud Search on a quarterly basis

• Maintain and audit process catalog, edit content, and track deadlines for deliverables
   

MERIDIA PUBLISHERS
Publications Manager, April 2017-Present

• Remotely manage multiple aspects of print and digital publishing process, including working with third-party vendors: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Lightning Source, Wordzworth

• Create and manage product-related websites, blogs, podcasts, social media accounts, and manage visitor analytics using SEO, Google Analytics, and MailChimp

• Use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Acrobat to create and revise excerpts, newsletters, fliers, advertisements, landing pages, ad campaigns

• Prepare marketing funnels using free downloadable PDF excerpts of individual books on company and individual product websites

• Work closely with co-owner and other content managers to develop creative strategies, concepts, and campaigns to promote product sales and overall business growth

​

Editor, January 2010-Present

• Proofread manuscripts, web and social media content, marketing materials, and advertising copy for grammar and accuracy

• Check copy for grammatical, spelling and typographical errors

• Mark up copy with standard proofreading marks to notify writers and publications manager of necessary changes

• Suggest words and phrases to improve content for works of non-fiction, fiction, children’s books, poetry, plus business-related copy for marketing and advertising campaigns, press releases, fliers, email, and social media content

• Check words, phrases, and logos against copyright and intellectual property guidelines

• Work with print and digital manuscripts and publications

​

FREELANCE

Blogger, February 2016-Present

• Maintain poetry and relationship blog containing print, video, and audio content that also features art from around the world

• Use SEO and Google Analytics, plus platform-specific analytics to track reader activity

• Guest blogger for ThirtyOnTap, an online lifestyle blog

​

Writer & Editor, June 2016-Present

• Develop original content or edit existing content for individuals and businesses based on client’s individual needs, including originals and rewrites (work includes personal biographies, content for book flaps, marketing emails and newsletters, websites/blogs and social media content)

​

Editor of Photography, December 2014 - April 2015

• Restored historical photographs using Adobe Photoshop for Michigan-based fine art photographer

​

SMILE AMERICA PARTNERS 

Special Projects Writer, Summer 2017

• Worked closely with Operations Managers to update and digitize employee manuals using Google Drive/Google Docs

• Worked with CEO to conceptualize content for online portal and forums aimed to connect employees across the U.S.

​

Talent Acquisitions Recruiter, Summer 2016​​

• Revised employment-related job ads and job descriptions leading to elevated candidate pool

• Performed in top 5% of recruiters for company

​

NEW BEGINNINGS ACADEMY

Program Director, August 2010-May 2014​

• Co-organized program’s launch in 2007 which included research and proposal of initial grant

• Created Parent/Student Handbook, marketing brochures, progress reports, weekly newsletters, and other content related to program implementation and administration 

• Wrote grant proposal for Child and Adult Food Care Program and maintained compliance reports once grant was initiated

• Managed school's parent blog

​

Lead Preschool Teacher, December 2007-June 2009; August 2010-May 2014

• Wrote curriculum and lesson plans for preschool with focus on kindergarten readiness

• Maintained program capacity with waiting list for four consecutive years (2010-2014)

​

EDUCATION

​

EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
July 2010-December 2016

• M.A. in Educational Media & Technology

​

BALDWIN-WALLACE COLLEGE
August 2002-May 205

• B.S. in Early Childhood Education

​