John Dodds

Experienced copywriter and editor - online

Bulgaria

I am a highly experienced journalist, publicist, editor and graphic designer with a long track record of writing for publications and for websites and intranets.

Although I am based in Bulgaria, I can easily carry out writing and editing tasks remotely through the internet (by Skype, email and so on).

SAMPLES OF MY WORK

http://bonemachines.wordpress.com

http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/reading-room-the-chemistry-of-art/id_32812/catid_29/search_1

http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/the-language-of-bees/id_32396/catid_29/search_1

http://thefix-online.com/features/from-the-podosphere-jan-08/

SKILLS

My skills are principally as a writer, editor and graphic designer. In my editing and writing roles I have handled a broad range of material, from technical documents, to journalism and reviewing (most recently the online column, From the Podosphere for the online magazine The Fix). I have written countless articles for a variety of print and online publications, edited or written copy for government publications, reports, official documents, research papers, brochures, annual reports, statistical reports and much more.

I also write fiction, and my first novel, Bone Machines, was published in December 2007, and I am currently seeking representation for my second. My short stories have appeared in numerous print and online publications and three have received honourable mentions in the major annual anthology The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror.

I am a trained counsellor, and last year completed my Counselling Diploma. I currently edit the journal, Counselling in Scotland. I have advanced skills using a number of software applications, and I am comfortable with both Apple Macintosh and Windows versions.

WORK HISTORY

September – October 2008: Senior Editor, Sofia Echo, Bulgaria

My most recent post was a temporary post as senior editor at the Sofia Echo, the English language newspaper and website in Sofia, Bulgaria. I worked both as a copy editor and writer for the newspaper, the monthly events magazine, Month2Come, and the newspaper’s website (www.sofiaecho.com). Much of the work involved editing into plain English the work of Bulgarian writers.

April 1997 – March 2008: Communications Manager, Communities Scotland

Until 31 March 2008 I worked in the communications department of Communities Scotland, the Scottish Government’s housing and regeneration agency. My work ranged from copywriting and editing to graphic design to public relations. In addition I managed Communities Scotland’s corporate website, acting as content manager and editor as well as writing much of the content for the website and leading on site development for the main site and a number of sub-sites as the business required. Over the eight years I worked with the agency my roles included press liaison, writing press releases, and editing or writing corporate publications and reports. I worked as a journalist (and sometimes editor) for the agency’s leading newsletters, Action, Quality Homes and Places, Tenant News, Inside (staff newspaper) and a range of other publications such as annual reports and other annual corporate documents.

1991 – 1997: Freelance graphic designer and writer

During this period I worked mainly as a freelance graphic designer. While my role was mainly graphic design I also wrote and editing copy for many brochures and other publications. My graphic design skills were used by many of the UK’s leading arts organisations, including Raindog Theatre Company, The Cholmondeleys, Featherstonehaughs and X-Factor dance companies. In addition, I have designed posters and catalogues for numerous art exhibitions, including material for leading Scottish artist Douglas Gordon.

In this same period I worked on a retainer for six months for RO21, an IT company. I have an understanding of graphical website design and I have for RO21 designed a number of graphical interfaces for their clients, including corporate intranets and public websites.

I also rewrote the content of an entire auction house website (a client of RO21), to provide plain English text which was more accessible and appealing to customers.

1975 – 1990: Public Relations Manager, Third Eye Centre and Tramway, Glasgow

For almost 15 years I was Public Relations Manager for two of Scotland’s leading arts organisations, Third Eye Centre (thirteen years) and Tramway (two years) in Glasgow. I was responsible for marketing and press relations. Much of my work was copywriting, ranging from text for theatre, gallery and concert brochures and programmes to copy for posters and advertising campaigns. In the later years the organisations specialised in contemporary arts — a move away from the more generalist, populist material they had promoted previously — and part of my job was to convey often complex material into dynamic, accessible text to help attract audiences to the new art forms.

1974 – 1975: Information Officer, Glasgow Council for Voluntary Service

In my role as Information Officer for Glasgow Council for Voluntary Service it was my job not only to help coordinate communications activities among a wide range of voluntary organisations in Glasgow, but to promote and communicate their valuable work to the outside world. To this end I wrote and edited two publications: a monthly magazine of the organisation’s work and a newspaper about voluntary work in the South Side of the city. My work involved not only being a roving reporter, generating copy, but also doing the editing and layout work of these publications. I also wrote press releases on behalf of GCVS and led on press relations.

1972 – 1975: Reporter, Alloa Advertiser

I worked as trained as a journalist and worked for three years as a reporter on the Alloa Advertiser.

EDUCATION

Counselling qualifications
Counselling Diploma (TLC Scotland)
Counselling Skills Certificate (BCTC Scotland)

Senior School: Alloa Academy
English Sixth Year Studies
Art Sixth Year Studies
English Higher (A)
Art (A)
Music (B)

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