Skills Summary

Barbara Shine is a writer-editor and trainer with nearly
30 years’ experience in creating, editing, and publishing
nonfiction articles, journals, and books. She is a co-
author and the overall editor of The Pen Is Mightier Than
the Broom: Memoirs, Stories, and Poems, by the Stromboli
Streghe (iUniverse, 2006).

Ms. Shine is now developing a series of personal essays
for her memoir on rape trauma and recovery. She has
also lent her creative abilities to design and produce
educational and promotional materials for volunteer
programs in Maryland and Virginia.

As a freelance writer-editor and consultant, Ms. Shine:

  • writes articles on health topics and topics in
    creative writing for print and online periodicals;
  • leads writers and editors in workshops for basic
    and advanced creative writing skills;
  • edits articles and book manuscripts for authors
    whose work is nearly ready for publication;
  • provides liaison with graphic designers and printers
    for self-publishing authors; and
  • coaches writers on their book concept, organization,
    creative efforts, and self-editing.

Ms. Shine is also a public speaker on the subjects of
creative nonfiction, intimate partner violence, and sexual
assault. Since 2005, she has been a certified trainer of
advocacy personnel in the field of sexual and domestic
violence.


Recent Publications and Presentations

  • "Writing Our Lives," Lancaster Women's Club,
    Lancaster Court House, VA, October 11, 2006.
  • The Pen Is Mightier Than the Broom: Memoirs,
    Stories, and Poems, by the Stromboli Streghe,
    Barbara Shine, editor, iUniverse, November 2006.
  • "First-Person Literature: When Truth Trumps Fact
    and Fiction," Books Alive, Northumberland Public
    Library, Heathsville, VA, November 28, 2006.
  • "Fending Off the Flu," Northern Neck Buyers Guide,
    December 2006.
  • Reading from The Pen Is Mightier Than the Broom,
    The Art of Coffee, Montross, VA, December 8, 2006.
  • "Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating," Northern Neck
    Buyers Guide, January 2007.
  • "Spotlight on Hearts," Northern Neck Buyers Guide,
    February 2007
  • "The 'Eyes' Have It!" Northern Neck Buyers Guide,
    April 2007
  • "Finding Your Flock: How to Find or Start a Writing
    Critique Group," WOW-Women on Writing e-zine,
    April 2007.
  • "View of Haven's Spreading, Sheltering Branches,"
    Northern Neck Buyers Guide, May 2007.
  • "Spring is Here: Blessshhhoooo!" Northern Neck
    Buyers Guide, May 2007.
  • "Gender Does Matter: Focus on Men's Health,"
    Northern Neck Buyers Guide, June 2007.
  • "Keep Cool to Stay Well," Northern Neck Buyers
    Guide, July 2007.
  • "You Can Be Your Doctor's Favorite Patient: Five
    Sure Steps," Williamsburg Health Journal, July
    2007.
  • "How to Work with a Critique Group," WOW-Women
    on Writing e-zine, August 2007.
  • "Bug Bites and Stings," Northern Neck Buyers
    Guide, August 2007.
  • "Women Writing Our Lives," presentation and book
    signing for Women of St. Stephen's Church,
    Heathsville, VA, September 6, 2007.
  • "How To Choose  a Gynecologist: Specialty Care for
    Changing Needs," Williamsburg Health Journal,
    September 2007.
  • "Be Aware of Domestic Violence in Our Region,"
    presentation to Northumberland County
    Democrats, September 10, 2007.
  • "Partner in Your Health Care," Northern Neck
    Buyers Guide, September 2007.


Recognition and Awards

Ms. Shine's essay, "Through the Applewood Door," won
second place for nonfiction writing at the 2005 Writer's
Conference at Christopher Newport University in
Newport News, VA. Her profile of her mother-in-law in
"Behind Julia's Eyes" earned second place at the
Chesapeake Bay Writers' All-Stars event in November
2005.

Two of Ms. Shine's essays, "Living on Planet Drum" and
"Behind Julia's Eyes," were awarded first and second
place, respectively, in the category  "essay or book
chapter"  in Virginia Press Women's 2007
Communications Contest. Her book (co-authored and
edited), The Pen Is Mightier Than the Broom: Memoirs,
Stories, and Poems, was awarded second place among
edited books in the same contest. "Living on Planet
Drum" was subsequently awarded first place for "essay or
book chapter" in the National Federation of Press
Women's contest.

In the Virginia Press Women's 2008 Communications
Contest, Ms. Shine was awarded a first and a second
place certificate for materials written especially for the
Web.

Prior Technical Experience

Ms. Shine has written on topics ranging from cancer
prevention and treatment to cystic fibrosis to crisis
intervention for sexual assault victims. She has written
public education materials for virtually every Institute of
the National Institutes of Health as well as for the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
Substance Aube and Mental Health Services
Administration, and the Food and Drug Administration.


Professional Affiliations


To see examples of Ms. Shine's publications, click on Work
Samples.


Professional Experience
bshinewrites.com