Welcome to my freelance writing, editing and consulting website! A Quick Bio'.... Hello and thank you for taking the time to peruse my website. My name is Julie Simon. I am a professional freelance writer, researcher, journalist, editor, consultant and teacher. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Social Science from UCLA and current California Teaching Credentials in English, History and Social Science, as well as over 17 years of experience in print media. MY QUALIFICATIONS in written media include the following: content revision editing, trade publications, consumer article writing, screenwriting, travel writing, proofreading, children's writing, website writing and blogs, copy editing, corporate writing and editing, report editing, creative writing, script consulting, cultural and historical consulting, speech writing, journalism, technical writing, health and medical research, legal and legislative research, educational (K-12) curriculum development, policy and education consulting, and more. FILM & SCRIPT CONSULTING: I have an absolute passion for studying history and film. With a degree in History from UCLA, as well as a background in writing historical fiction and non-fiction articles and stories, I have begun to extend my expertise and research to the filmmaking industry. I review scripts for historical and cultural accuracy and am willing to assist on the set and on location to ensure that discrepancies do not occur. Please feel free to read my resume, posted below. Sample writing clips and articles are located on my "Custom Page."

My Resume Portfolio

EDUCATION
-Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Social Science from UCLA, Los Angeles, California: June 1991
-Teaching Credentials in English and Social Science from Simpson College, Redding, California: June 1995
-Continuing Education: Screenwriting, Broadcast Journalism, Freelance Writing, Copywriting, Journalism

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
1998-Present
Lincoln, Sacramento and Fort Jones, California
-Freelance Writer, Researcher and Consultant with focus on policy, politics, natural health, social etiquette, culture, education, international and local travel, parenting, technical writing, screenwriting, historical research, children's story writing, and more...
-Credentialed full and part-time teacher
-Volunteer elementary school mentor in local after-school program
-Winner of 2001 Creative Writing Library Award

1995-97
Senate Consultant for the California State Legislature
Legislative Assistant to Assemblyman Steve Baldwin (retired) and
Senator Ray Haynes (now California Assemblyman)
Legislative, Policy and Political Researcher, Analyst and Writer
-Drafted and edited senatorial district constituent newsletters, involving extensive research, editorial and proofreading experience
-Assisted with incumbent senators’ ad campaign brochures, newsletters, talking points, press releases and speeches
-Summarized and presented legislative bill summaries and analyses for committee and floor hearings
-Researched, composed and prepared committee reports for education, health & safety, transportation, business & professions, etc.
-Always met all reporting deadlines, working under intense pressure
-Drafted and edited summaries for daily legislature-related news stories
-Voluntarily assisted with district campaign elections
-Met weekly with constituents and lobbyists to discuss various bills up for vote in committees
-Diplomatically negotiated bill revisions with pro and opposing party members
-Published works in various State Legislative media

1994-95
Teaching Credential Program, Simpson College: Redding, California with Credentials in History, Social Science and English
-Substitute Teacher and Student Teacher for Siskiyou and Shasta County Schools

1991-1993
English Instructor at the Reformatus Gymnasium in Budapest, Hungary
Relief Development Worker, Journalist, Writer, Researcher, Editor, Student in
Europe (Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Austria, Germany) and the United States
-Taught conversational English as a second language (ESL)
-Completed extensive work in writing, journalism, editing and research
-Traveled and worked throughout Russia, Romania, Czech Republic, Germany and Austria
-Wrote, directed and produced small broadcast journalism shows for non-profit organization
-Continued to study screenwriting, journalism and broadcast journalism
-Studied Hungarian political system and met regularly with political party leaders

1986-91
College Career: Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Social Science from UCLA
-Worked through college in various jobs, including freelance academic and language tutoring for all grades and subjects
-Worked as a legal secretary and paralegal apprentice for Best, Best & Krieger law offices, L.A. area
-Volunteered for third world relief and development organizations

SELECTED ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
-Knowledge and experience with internet research, Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Excel, web design, HTML, PowerPoint--a quick study on any kind of software program
-Rotary Club Scholarship; Westmont College
-Winner of 2001 Creative Writing Library Award
-Nominated for Leadership Scholarship, Westmont College
-Nominated for Governor Wilson Scholarship; Simpson College
-Relief construction work in Ensenada, Mexico and Balatonfured, Hungary
-Multiple small-scale musical, dramatic and film script writings, directorships, productions and performances
-Studied foreign languages: Russian, Hungarian, Spanish, Hebrew, German, French
-Hobbies: writing, piano, dance, music, drama, writing, screenwriting, ice skating, gardening, sewing, hiking, rafting, kayaking, downhill skiing, foreign languages, off-the-map travel, studying the Scriptures from a Hebrew perspective

REFERENCES
MR. FRANK TALLERICO, Retired Siskiyou County Superintendent of Schools, Yreka, California; 530-841-1848
MR. JOE FUNDERBURG, Retired Principal of Big Springs Elementary School, Big Springs; professor at Simpson College, Redding, California; 530-459-5158 (home)
MRS. LYNN LUDWICK, published author and long-time family friend and mentor, Medford, Oregon; 541-245-2568

Sample Writing Clips and Articles

To browse articles and clips related to travel, education, parenting, homeschooling, screenwriting and more, please visit my "Custom Page".

Rates and Fees are located on my "Contact" Page. Thank you for visiting my website. I look forward to hearing from you.