I graduated with a BA in Psychology and English (Hons), and an MA (cum laude) in Cultural and Media Studies, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

My master’s thesis, Globalised Girlhood: The teaching of femininity in Cosmopolitan and True Love, considered whether women’s magazines (in the then-absence of teen titles) act as informal learning devices in the passage from girlhood to adulthood. Through text analysis and focus-group research, I compared the magazines’ content, tone, brand extensions and reception among teenage girls in Durban. (You can read a shortened version here.)

After working as a bookseller (Waterstones) in the UK, I returned to my alma mater to work as an editorial assistant to Professor Keyan Tomaselli. I helped research and edit the professor’s book projects, conference papers and journal articles, edited master’s theses, and tutored subjects including Public Relations, Film, and Measuring Media Audiences. I also started writing during this time: I was the Durban representative for ‘webzines’ represent.co.za, millertime.co.za, and rage.co.za

The magazine industry beckoned, and after a stint as sub editor at Country Life SA, I headed to Cape Town to work at O, The Oprah Magazine SA,the only sister publication to O US (Hearst).

In my time there, I worked my way up from copy editor to chief copy editor / books editor and, finally, senior features writer / books editor. I learnt loads about producing a high-quality print publication at O, from pitching ideas to signing off final proofs. As an Oprah brand ambassador, I was responsible for ensuring the brand’s quality and tone was consistently represented across features, issues, supplements, brand extensions and events.

Highlights while working at O included:

• Interviewing subjects for stories, as well as international and local authors.
• Initiating O’s book-club events, at which I acted as emcee and author interviewer for audiences of 60+.
• Screening entries for O’s writing competitions, liasing with judges, who included Maya Angelou, Alexander McCall Smith and Lauren Beukes, on the selection of winners.
• Receiving and reviewing the latest must-reads.
• Acting as a bi-monthly book expert on Chai FM radio.
• Copy-editing content by the likes of Elizabeth Gilbert, Lionel Shriver, Martha Beck, and many more.
• Working with the best in the business on a global brand with a big heart and noble mission.
• Meeting Oprah in Chicago 

A year before the magazine closed, I stepped into the freelance world of opportunities. Since going freelance, I’ve worked on custom magazines, textbooks, corporate copy and fiction. As a writer, manuscript reviewer and copy editor, I have assisted technical writers, magazine editors, digital editors, BDMs, content generators, academics and fiction publishers.

As an ideas person, I enjoy hunting for stories, anticipating the zeitgeist, and studying human nature. As a words person, I love linking ideas and creating compelling, convincing and ‘clean’ copy. My interests include pop culture, lifestyle/human interest stories, travel, health, mental wellbeing, history, advice, parenting matters, gender issues, food, entrepreneurship, literature and film.

If you’re looking for a writer, editor or reviewer, feel free to contact me.