Professional Experience
A fulltime freelance writer and editor with more than a decade's experience in print and online. Published in print and online publications including the NY Times, American Way, MSN, People, MTV.com, ABCNews.com, Daily Beast, The Knot, Modern Bride, iVillage, CafeMom and others. Regular blogger for MSN and CafeMom. Portfolio can be found at http://www.SonaCharaipotra.com. Formerly senior entertainment editor at Teen People, where I assigned and edited film and TV coverage, and wrote larger features. Before that, for six years, I was a reporter at People magazine, covering music, film, and television. I can turn copy around on super-tight deadlines and am an excellent ideas person and multi-tasker. I also have three years experience assigning and editing celeb advertorial and PR bios. Experienced in covering celebrities, film, TV, music and the South Asian Diaspora.
Expertise
Editor
4 Years
Reporter
10 Years
Writer
10 Years
Specialty
Entertainment
10 Years
Travel
1 Year
Other, Specify
3 Years
Industries
Mainstream Feature Film
3 Years
Magazine - Large Consumer/National magazines
8 Years
Other
3 Years
Total Media Industry Experience
10 Years
Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)
Teen Magazines (TeenPeople, M, QuizFest, YM) (10+), People (10+), CafeMom (10+), Teen People (10+), American Way (10+), MSN (10+), Modern Bride (3-5)
Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)
People Marketing Advertorial (10+), RoadRunner Records (Press Kit Bios) (1-2), Capitol Records (Press Kit Bios) (1-2)
Other Work History
Agented Screenwriter; Five years experience in research and fact-checking at a major national weekly magazine.
Foreign Language Skills
Fluent in Hindi, proficient in Spanish
Unions
Time Inc. Newspaper Guild
Computer Skills
Microsoft Office, CMS skills, content management systems, Omniture, InCopy, Quark CopyDesk, MAC OS 10, Windows XP
Equipment
Laptop, digital camera, HD video camera, audio recorder, kickass Rolodex
Work Permits & Visas
10 Year Valid Visa for India
References
-Liz McNeil, NY Bureau Chief, People
-Ericka Souter, Writer, Us Weekly
-Jessica Jones, Associate Editor, American Way
Associations
-South Asian Journalists Association, Member, 1999- Present; Board Member, 1999-2003
-Asian American Journalists Association, Member, 1999-Present
-Phi Beta Kappa
-ASME Intern Program Alumni, 1998 (PEOPLE)
-Golden Key