Wendy M. Blake, M.A.

Education

Master of Arts, University of Maine, 2000
English, writing concentration, thesis work in creative and critical writing; literary studies in British and American poetry and prose; supporting coursework in teaching literature and rhetoric (G.P.A. 3.96)

Bachelor of Arts, Towson State University, 1990
English, writing concentration; supporting course work in general and secondary education, psychology, and Classical Latin (cum laude)

Current Position

Purveyor of Precision, Cranium, Inc. (2003 and forward)
As a member of an excellent team working hard in an exceptional environment creating amazing products, I have found my working world bliss. Responsibilities include working with production and editorial teams to assure the quality of all print, web, and game materials. Tasks include fact-checking, copyediting, testing, proofreading, and collaborating on group and independent projects at a fast pace. Rewards are varied and meaningful.

Current Projects

Managing Editor, Seattle Live Literature (2002 – current)

Research, write, proofread, and design web site devoted to the Seattle area’s literary scene

Poetry Editor, Seattle Writergrrls Zine (2001 – current)

Evaluate and edit poetry for a popular web zine
Provide developmental editing to writers who seek it

Teaching Experience

Adjunct Instructor of English (2001 – 2003)
Pierce College, Puyallup
1601 39th Ave. SE
Puyallup, WA 98374
Courses taught:

Composition (ENG 101)
Introduction to Composition (ENG 099)
Argumentation & Research (ENG 103)
Writing about Literature (ENG 102)
Introduction to Literature (ENG 200)

Adjunct Professor of English (2001 – 2003)
DigiPen Institute of Technology
5001-150th Ave, NE
Redmond WA 98052
Courses taught:

Composition (ENG 110)
Creative Writing (ENG 100)
Mythology for [Video] Game Designers (ENG 150)
Literature (ENG 200)

English Instructor; Graduate Teaching Assistant (1999 – 2000)
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
Courses taught:

Composition (ENG 101)

Career-wide Professional Responsibilities:

Lead discussions in writing and literature in an andragogical educational style
Provide comprehensive instruction of writing and cognition skills, using frequent self-evaluating exercises
Evaluate papers for clarity, coherence, and correctness, following an established rubric dividing credit for assignments between style, content, and analytical expression
Implement pre-developed and original curriculum materials
Advise students in academic decision making
Attend workshops and departmental meetings for curriculum development and rhetorical consistency

Selected Publications and Major Papers:

Denise Levertov Memorialized at Elliott Bay Books

A report on the gathering to honor one of Seattle's favorite poets.

Richard Wright at Third Place Books

A review of Canadian author Richard Wright and his reading from his novel, Clara Callan, 2002.

Moments among Miles: discovering self, other, and country

A chapbook of poems narrating and referencing the chronology of a cross-country drive. Seattle: Pressed Flat Books, 2002.

Taopoet

A Web portfolio and review site, 2002.

Seattle Writergrrls Zine: volumes one to three

Contributed to, edited, designed, and published print version of Seattle Writergrrls Zine. Seattle: Pressed Flat Books, 2002.

Writing on Writing: Exploring the Hues of Feedback

A description of the enlightening relationship between an editor and author, 2002.

It Might be Poetry, but is it Good?

An exploration of a definition of poetry in the context of teacher and student, 2002.

Book Review: Wendy Tokunaga's No Kidding

A reservedly favorable review of an iUniverse publication, 2001.

Over Coffee

A poem exploring the endurance of a relationship through memory alone, 2001.

One-Legged Crickets Don't Sing, Do They?

A favorable review of C.J. Macgenn's novella, A One-Legged Cricket (iUniverse), 2001.

Solitary Highland Lass: a story in poems

A chapbook presented for graduate credit at the University of Maine. Orono: Pressed Flat Books, 2000.

History of Now: poems &c

A collection of poems and short prose presented in an organized reading at Borders Books, Bangor, ME; one of six performers. Orono: Transient/Vanity Publications, 2000.

Letting Bleed, Source Texts Incarnate, Three

A trilogy of collected poems, initially presented as Master's thesis, For Want of an Epitaph. Orono: University of Maine; Chicago: Imagik, 2000.

Words Too Many

Reflective critical element of Master's thesis, For Want of an Epitaph, examining the distinction between author and first person narrator. Orono: University of Maine, 2000

The Accompanist

Contributed poem set "[for isis]." Orono: Megan London, Issue #3, 2001.

Stolen Island Review

Contributed poems, "After Bike," "Desert Flower," "Like Slugs," and "Tiny Glove" to the literary journal of the graduate program in English of the University of Maine. Orono: University Printing Services, 2000.

Editing

Managing Editor, Seattle Live Literature (2002 – current)

Research, write, proofread, and design Web site devoted to the Seattle area’s literary scene

Exploration Editor, Seattle Writergrrls Zine (2001 – current)

Solicit, edit, and contribute poetry, short stories, and expository prose for a popular Web-zine

Personal Editor (2001 – current)

Provide guidance in the development of tone, consistency, usage, plot development, style, and structure for emerging freelance writers

Webmaster Taopoet (2002 – current)

Design, write, and edit Taopoet, a Web portfolio and review site.

Fiction Editor, The Seattle Press (2001 – 2002)

Selected and edited creative prose for Web and print publication
Wrote introductory synopses for the published works
Formatted layout and posted work to Web page powered by Journal Maker

Editor, Penobscot County Democrat (1994 – 1996)

Solicited, created and edited text
Designed advertising and text layout in MS Works and Word

Editor, Newburgh P.T.F. News (1995 –1998)

Created and edited text and layout in MS Works and Word

Other Work Experience

Proofreader, Volt Services Group, Bothell, WA (2002 – 2003)
Proofreader, The Write Stuff, Seattle, WA (2001)

Extended contract with Microsoft's Encarta group
Proofreading, testing, and guiding text, virtual tours, Mapquests, audio and visual media, content links, and Web links
Working effectively with three supervisors on integrated projects

Area Coordinator, Bangor Savings Bank, Bangor, ME (1998 – 1999)

Organized paperwork and procedure
Handled client and cross-departmental communications
Created progress reports in Excel
Performed data entry and mail merges in MS supported systems
Trained and evaluated new staff

Manager, University Bookstore of Towson University (1990)

Supervised twelve employees
Generated $100K in revenues from ignored overstock
Organized accurate text stock and managed data
Coordinated shipping and receiving department

Office Assistant/Clerk, University Bookstore of TU (1987 – 1989)

Created and organized paper and electronic files
Mediated between faculty and publishers
Handled text stock and customer service

Technical Skills

Mac OS and Microsoft Windows; MS Office, FileMaker Pro, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
HTML and basic Web design
Chicago, MLA, Microsoft, and Columbia Online Manuals of Style
Microsoft internal tools
Overhead projectors, still and motion video projection systems