Karen Babcock - Résumé

Bellevue, WA, USA

Profile

Over twenty years' experience in writing and editing, consulting, product and project management, marketing, and programming. Editor or proofreader of nearly 400 published books. Key strengths: writing and editing text to fit audience and market; managing simultaneous, complex project schedules; analyzing project and product requirements; defining action plans; designing and implementing effective solutions to user needs. Skills include writing, editing, system design, training, market analysis, and staff development and management.

Professional Experience

Writing/Editing

Proficient, effective writer and editor of newsletters, user manuals, data sheets, brochures, web pages, and technical and marketing white papers. Extensive experience evaluating and editing novels and non-fiction books, developing class materials for standard products and custom modules, and preparing scripts and PowerPoint presentations for presentations, seminars, and trade shows. Fluent in Microsoft Word and HTML; experienced in creating and modifying PDF files; conversant with Chicago Manual of Style.

Management

Determined release schedule, assigned projects to editors, managed communications with over 100 authors and tracked progress of book manuscripts from submission to pre-production; recruited, trained, and managed programmers, testers, and consultants for product and implementation teams; managed concurrent projects ranging in scope from simple budgeting spreadsheets for a single department to complex applications for multi-national corporations; managed technical services department during manager's absence; recruited, trained, and managed volunteer staff for fundraising projects.

Fundraising

Assisted with grant applications and coordinated publicity efforts on successful $7.4 million capital campaign. Tripled proceeds of annual raffle by recruiting and training other volunteers and coordinating staffing at sales venues. Researched potential donors using variety of on-line resources; prepared campaign materials, web pages, and grant applications; assisted in planning fundraising events.

Consulting

Served as lead consultant during engagement with company's largest client, managing team of company and third-party consultants to successful, on-time development and roll-out of new version of Accounts Payable module to 200 users in 22 offices nationwide. Initiated, managed, and achieved successful completion of projects for company's key clients. Reviewed clients' existing systems; interviewed managers and end users to determine requirements. Resolved product and implementation issues to allow collection of outstanding service contract balances.

Public Speaking

Prepared and delivered technical and marketing presentations to user groups, OEMs and VARs. Taught end-user and train-the-trainers classes. Made fund-raising presentations to civic and government agencies. Appeared as motivational speaker for variety of audiences, including local middle and high schools as well as the Okinawa School for the Disabled. Co-emceed annual fashion show fundraiser highlighting accomplishments of therapy patients.

Product Planning

Extensive experience leading development and implementation of product plans from initial concept to successful roll-out. Elicited product requirements from internal and external sources including trainers, tech support staff, OEMs and end-users; reviewed competitors' products, services, and pricing structures; developed prototypes; wrote requirements documents and functional and detail specifications; created and managed project schedules and budgets.

Accounting

Provide bookkeeping, bill-paying, financial planning and tax preparation services to individuals and small businesses. Knowledge of recordkeeping and reporting requirements for General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Budgeting, Fixed Assets, Inventory, and Payroll. Create and maintain complex budgeting and sales analysis systems using Microsoft Excel. Experience with QuickBooks, Quicken and TurboTax.

Technical knowledge

Hands-on knowledge in designing, building and maintaining complex spreadsheet and database applications. Programming experience in Microsoft Excel including VBA, Visual Basic, Microsoft Access, SQL Server for Windows NT, VAX/VMS Basic, and VAX/VMS DCL.

Work History

1993 - Present Principal Practical Solutions for Business - Bellevue, WA

Provide general editing, project management, custom programming, marketing and technical writing, and web site design and implementation services to clients in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Clients include non-profit organizations, award-winning authors and publishers, and a major book printer.

Oct 2009 - Present Partner DocRocket - Denver, CO

As partner in writing and editing services company, manage key projects and freelance writers.

Jan 2009 - Present Acquisitions Editor Double Dragon Publishing - Ontario, Canada

Evaluate manuscripts and make accept/reject recommendations for publisher of award-winning print and e-books.

Jun 2012 - Present Editor Wings ePress - Newcastle, OK

Edit, proofread, and format manuscripts for publisher of award-winning print and e-books.

Nov 2009 - May 2012 Senior Editor, Futuristic, Fantasy, Horror & Paranormal Wings ePress - Newcastle, OK

Manage submissions queue, assign editing tasks, and handle author inquiries; evaluate, edit, proofread, and format manuscripts for publisher of award-winning print and e-books.

Sep 2008 - October 2009 Managing Editor, General Fiction Wings ePress - Newcastle, OK

Assist Senior Editor in managing submissions queue, assigning editing tasks, and handling author inquiries; evaluate, edit, and proofread manuscripts for publisher of award-winning print and e-books.

Jul 2002 - Aug 2008 Editor Wings ePress - Newcastle, OK

Edit and proofread manuscripts for publisher of award-winning print and e-books.

2005-2007 Senior Editor Hard Shell Word Factory - Amherst Jct, WI

Managed submissions queue, assigned evaluation and editing tasks, handled author inquiries, and edited manuscripts for a publisher of print and e-books.

2003-2004 Senior Editor Novel Books, Inc. - Amherst, MA

Assigned editing tasks, handled author inquiries, edited and proofread manuscripts, converted DOC files into PDF, LIT, and HTML formats as e-books, and formatted manuscripts for print for a publisher of print and e-books.

1998-1999 Product Manager Seagate Software - Vancouver, BC

Investigated the feasibility of developing a financial reporting version of Seagate Crystal Reports; performed competitive analysis research to determine possible product feature sets.

1982-1998 Various Timeline, Incorporated - Bellevue, WA

Worked in areas of increasing responsibility for developer of accounting, budgeting and financial reporting software. Began as programmer and tester and moved to consultant responsible for managing client projects and product training programs. As budget project manager successfully designed, created, implemented, and supported complex budget solutions combining company's budget product with custom modules. Served as product / program manager for variety of products including company's flagship desktop financial reporting and budgeting products.

Community Activities

1983-2006 Children's Therapy Unit, Good Samaritan Hospital - Puyallup, WA

Provide peer counseling and information to selected patients and/or their parents; volunteer in various program activities and fundraising events. Served as board member and co-chair of Public Relations committee of "Building Possibilities" capital campaign for construction of new treatment facility.

1992-1996 Washington Software Association - Bellevue, WA

Participated in and organized speaking engagements for Women in High Tech program. As steering committee member for Product Management SIG, assisted with planning meetings, arranging for guest speakers, writing meeting recaps for WSA newsletter.

1985-1986 Associated Students University of Washington - Seattle, WA

Served as elected Student Vice-President of Personnel. Chaired weekly personnel committee meetings, oversaw selection and management of appointed student government positions, participated in regular meetings of the ASUW Board of Control.

1984-1985 University of Washington Disabled Students Commission - Seattle, WA

Served as appointed Director of the Disabled Students Commission. Coordinated on-going programs and special events sponsored by the commission, acted as an advocate on disability issues, managed the commission's budget and staff.

Education/Professional Development

• University of Washington, Honors Program, Japanese Languages and Literature, Seattle, WA
• University of Washington Extension, Certificate in Software Product Management, Seattle, WA

Other Interests

Travel, gardening, writing, science fiction, board and card games.

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