Jim Norrena, MFA

Experience

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  Eureka Theater

  Jan 1991 - Jul 1993

  Literary Associate

  As part of the literary department, I evaluated solicited and unsolicited manuscripts for production consideration. Eureka Theatre Company is best known for commissioning the premiere of American playwright Tony Kushner's "Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes," a two-part play: "Millennium Approaches" (1991) and "Perestroika" (1992).The work won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play. Its Broadway opening was in 1993.Many years later, I met Tony Kushner while photographing An Evening with Tony Kushner at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and it was the highlight of my career. Show less

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  Pearson

  Sept 1992 - Nov 2001

  Senior Academic Marketing Specialist at Peachpit Press

  • Channel-marketed computer book titles to the academic community for adoption• Advised instructors on best-suited titles for their instructional needs• Produced, authored, and edited direct marketing collateral for academic market ("On the Mark!" newsletter, ancillary instructional CDs, email campaigns)• Developed collateral to support Adobe and Macromedia co-publishing relationships• Launched audience-specific Academic Resource Area portal for instructors to access on the Peachpit Press website• Traveled to national trade shows to represent the company and meet with instructors• Managed the user group program to facilitate user meetings with key titles • Held a supervisory position from 1998 to 2001 Show less

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  TypoSuction

  Jun 2002 - now

  Founder / Managing Writer & Editor

  TypoSuction is like buying insurance for all your editorial collateral. From developmental editing to editing to copyediting (light, medium, heavy) to proofreading, rest assured your deliverables, be they print or online, or both, are professionally consistent and effective through and through. As a published writer, I also offer clients the benefits of my copywriting skills: marketing materials, website content, news features, podcast transcripts, press releases, info sheets, newsletters, social media, and much more.My most recent client is Podcast Hall of Fame inductee Mignon Fogarty (aka Grammar Girl), whose Quick & Dirty Tips (repeatedly named one of Writer’s Digest’s 101 Best websites for writers) and LinkedIn Learning courses and best-selling books have made her one of the most reputable editorial resources available today! My contributions include guest-speaker and writer for her hugely popular podcasts.I offer more than 35 years' experience working in the publishing, academic, arts and entertainment, and nonprofit industries. Accepted editing/writing projects:• full-length and short-book manuscripts (fiction & nonfiction)• podcast guest-writing• plays & screenplays• catalogues & brochures• online content (presentations, blogs, websites, feature articles, essays)• how-to technical manuals• in-house style & usage guidesWhether it's a one-time-only content review or an ongoing regimen to keep unsightly typos and grammatical errors at bay, TypoSuction is reliable, affordable, highly recommended, and guaranteed to make your first impression your best.Want to discuss how TypoSuction can work for you? Let’s work together to strategize a level of editing your project requires and how we can stay within your budget.The only funny typo is someone else's!Subscribe to my Medium.com feed: https://medium.com/@bardbuster/subscribe Show less

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  Media Allliance

  Jun 2002 - Aug 2016

  Professional Proofreading and Copyediting Instructor

  Lead instructor for the copyediting courses, grammar intensives, and professional proofreading workshops

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  John F. Kennedy University

  Feb 2004 - Jan 2005

  Senior Editor / Media Contact

  Managed the quality assurance of the publicity, promotions, communications, and marketing collateral on behalf of the academic and administrative offices of the college.

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  Frameline

  Feb 2005 - Jul 2005

  Marketing & Public Relations Specialist

  Developed press conference materials (press releases, fact sheets, program notes); created online press room; prepared print, radio, and television interviews (including producing film clip reels, event schedules, writing PSAs); authored the successful “Get Inside Frameline29” member newsletter and promotions photo gallery; managed press screenings; and performed extensive online research for world-renowned international LGBTQI film festival. Secured 10 percent increase in audience attendance over previous year. Show less

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  Out & Equal

  Dec 2005 - Sept 2006

  Communications Manager

  Out & Equal is the premier nonprofit organization working exclusively on LGBTQ+ workplace equity, inclusion, and belonging. Through its worldwide programs, Fortune 500 partnerships, and transformative convening events, such as the annual Workplace Summit, it helps LGBTQ+ people thrive and support organizations creating a culture of belonging for all.The communications manager:• Maintained and updated the website using Adobe's Contribute content management system (CMS)• Trained staff to use the supported CMS • Wrote promotional copy, press releases, internal and external communications, and news releases• Attended annual summit to network with partners and outreach to new ones• Arranged publicity opportunities for CEO• Strategized with communications director to create promotional materials Show less

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  California Institute of Integral Studies

  Sept 2006 - Feb 2007

  Publications Manager

  Production management of communication print and online collateral pieces (catalogs, brochures, playbills, posters, fliers, online calendar events)

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  California College of the Arts

  Feb 2007 - May 2017

  Worked independently and collaboratively to manage website marketing content strategy, intranet/portal, and affiliate satellite sites. Served on the editorial content strategy, brand deployment, crisis communications, social media, and communications / public relations teams.• Developed online content solutions (10–30% annual increases in unique page views) • Deployed audience-specific email / social media campaigns (20% increase in signups year over year)• Managed high-visibility strategic messaging (campus planning, Office of the President)• Authored top-performing online news articles/features (6 of 10 best-performing in 2017) • Produced internal editorial style guide and How to Write Online user guide (top download) • Managed editorial calendar (600+ events annually)• Implemented quality assurance and search engine optimization (SEO) best practices• Trained/supported staff and faculty with messaging tactics (tone, brand, quality assurance)• Applied Google Analytics reports to measure content success and position content direction• Maintained digital asset archive (video, photography, online publications)• Produced top-performing videos ("It Gets Better": 14,718 views to date)As the staff representative for CCA's Queer-Straight Alliance student group, I coproduced the college's official "It Gets Better" video, the first submission in the nation for an arts college. Show less

  • Web Content Manager | Photographer

    Feb 2007 - May 2017

  • Assistant Director of Publications

    Feb 2007 - Nov 2008
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  ACT OUT Photography

  Jun 2010 - Sept 2019

  Lead Photographer / Founder

  Specializing in theater and event photography throughout the Bay Area, ACT OUT Photography targeted corporate, academic, nonprofit, and arts and entertainment industries. Named an "American Theatre" magazine's "one to watch" in 2018, founder and principal photographer has been published in dozens of reputable national and local print and online publications (see credits below).

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  Kaiser Permanente

  Jul 2017 - Mar 2019

  Web Content Strategist

  Web Content Strategist (National Marketing Strategy & Sales Operations)Content strategy implementation for KP's InfoSource intranet (part of the eSolutions marketing team) providing heightened search functionality, content quality assurance, and project management of enterprise-wide content owners.Executed the production of intranet-based performance support, communication, and learning content, including writing, editing, and content layout. Served as expert resource in publishing tools, processes, and procedures, and coach to publishers in designing, developing, deploying and testing solutions that support customer business.• Directed the analysis and definition of effective web-based performance support solutions• Applied best-practice information architecture (IA), navigation, user interface, visual design• Led staff in designing, developing, deploying, and testing components of web content• Created expert resources in publishing tools, processes, and procedures• Developed web-based support tools for publishers, such as training webinars Show less