Michelle Locke

Berkeley, CA USA
Website: http://www.michellelocke.com
Contact

Professional Experience

A journalist for 20+ years, I've covered just about every beat there is -- politics, crime, education, agriculture, you name it. Sports, not so much although I did once cover a welterweight bout. (Punishment from a cranky news editor.) These days I'm a freelancer which means I get to write about what I like, mainly travel, food, and wine (and a couple other beverages). My stories appear in major dailies like the Los Angeles Times as well as in magazines and online publications. I'm available for copy editing and for commercial projects, including case studies, website content and white papers. I'm neutral on the Oxford comma. Looking for lively, engaging copy? Try me.

Expertise

Editor
6 Years
Photographer
4 Years
Reporter
25 Years

Specialty

Education
15 Years
Government
25 Years
Lifestyle
15 Years

Industries


Newspaper - Local/Regional
4 Years
Magazine - Trade magazines/publications (B2B)
4 Years
Wire Service
20 Years

Total Media Industry Experience

28 Years

Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Scholastic Administrator (10+), US Airways Magazine (10+), Vineyard & Winery Management (10+), Associated Press (10+), Comstock's Magazine (6-10), San Francisco Chronicle (3-5)

Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Illuminate PR (3-5), University of California, Berkeley (3-5), Shafer Vineyards (1-2)

Other Work History

I joined the Associated Press in Dallas in 1986, holding several positions including Texas Night Editor, Springfield, Mass. correspondent and supervisory correspondent in Berkeley. Before that I worked for 3 years as courts and political reporter for a North Texas daily.

Technical Skills

Picasa photo editing, Windows Movie Maker, Wordpress.

Computer Skills

Word, Excel

Equipment

Digital camera/video recorder, laptop, digital voice recorder.

Awards

AP California/Nevada Story of the Year, 2001. AP California/Nevada Staffer of the Year 1996.

Showcase

FOOD & DRINK

Taylor Fladgate CEO Adrian Bridge's thoughts on pink port and more.
Downton Abbey, Star Trek, other TV shows get into the wine business.
What it's like to visit the Napa Valley wine auction
Monterey county uncorks the power of wine tourism.

TRAVEL

Ways to relax in adventure capital Queenstown, New Zealand.

EDUCATION

A story detailing new requirements in assessing teachers with case histories of how different districts have approached the task.
Tips on how to avoid pitfalls when implementing the educational method Response to Intervention

PROFILES

Profile of Dr. Grover Lee, who went from home winemaker to award-winning vintner in just a few years.

SCIENCE

A look at the similarities between making fine wine and making good biofuel.

TECHNICAL WRITING

Brochure detailing use of Life Cycle Assessment analysis when evaluating energy efficiency.

WEBSITE CONTENT

Article giving the rundown on wedding venues in the Tri-Valley area of Northern California.

BUSINESS