May Day! Writers Wanted

By Karen Field Carroll, Editor

In the past two issues, I've been fortunate to bring you two new columnists: Deborah Gill-Hesselgrave and Gail Van Landingham. In this issue, we welcome our third columnist, James Sands. James, who writes the TechTips column, recently moved to San Diego from Chicago, where he wrote a similar column for the Chicago chapter. Bad news for Chicago; great news for us.

In addition to these talented writers, three volunteers join our editing team this month: Kari Embree as editor, and Denise White, Kelley Raymond, and Victoria White as proofreaders. As managing editor, I welcome their enthusiasm and expertise. Good help is hard to find.

Speaking of good help, we at the newsletter are always looking for members to write feature articles or membership news, such as the periodic Member Callouts column. Also, we welcome anyone who wants to take on the Reader Round-Up column, a task that involves simply compiling others' writing. Writing for the newsletter is a great way to get "clips" for your writing portfolio or to demonstrate to prospective employers the breadth of your writing abilities. If you have an idea you want to write about (a new technology, or a trend in technical communication, for example), or if you'd like to write short bios of members for the Member Callouts section, please write me at newsletter@stc-sd.org.

Also in this issue is the debut of our periodic column Member Spotlight. Member Spotlight shines about 1,000 words on the career path, hobbies, and passions of a San Diego STC member. This month, read about the diving adventures (and the shark bite) of Lista Duren, STC Senior Member and diversely talented technical communications specialist.

Although I wrote the Member Spotlight column this month (I had a fascinating focal point), this column is open to everyone. Look around you: Is there someone you work with who demonstrates a special flair for what they do? Interview them, write about 1,000 words, and send it to me. We'll publish your write-up. The point of the column is to give readers an in-depth look of how others apply their technical communication skills.

Finally, don't forget to check out the Reader Round-Up column. The answers we received to last month's question might fascinate you. This month's question is in there, too. Tell us what you think. And thanks for reading!

Best,
Karen