WRITING

"I have worked with Kathy for several years on a variety of projects, both in the field and after the field work is done. She has been an indispensable member of the team, and a great and supportive assistant as we have juggled a variety of requirements for books, articles and reports intended for scholarly and popular publication, as well as for the Internet. I could not have done it all, or on time, without Kathy's eagle eye, keen skills, and supportive and on-time style."
~ James P. Delgado, Ph.D., Maritime Archaeologist, President of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology

"Working with Kathy on a manuscript allowed me to focus on the story while she perfected the flow and mechanics. Her participation in all my writing, including web pages and promotional flyers, has significantly elevated the level of my work."
~Vince Capone, M.Sc., Side Scan Sonar and Marine Technology Expert, Black Laser Learning®

Writing a book or article for publication?
Leave it to me to be your objective second pair of eyes. I can proofread, edit, or draft copy in your style and your voice. I can also perform the meticulous and detailed task of ensuring your manuscript adheres to the publisher's requirements.

Need to put together promotional materials?
I can work from a blank canvas or roughed-out key points and create web copy, newsletters, press releases, media kits, and more.

My Writing Experience Includes...

I have the ability to quickly comprehend material and put it into easily readable form. Though I may not be entirely familiar with scientific or technical terms, I can still decipher what's needed and write accordingly.

A key specialty I have is the ability to transform academic language into layperson's terms.

With over 19 years writing experience, you can trust me to deliver. I have written web copy, newsletters, articles, press releases, reports, brochures, media kits, website sales pages, marketing emails, and more. I have over 60 non-fiction articles in a variety of health and business publications, and have recently ghostwritten a self-help book for a U.S. author.

I am also working on my first non-fiction book on a maritime archaeology theme.

View my "general" writing portfolio

Writing Specific to the Maritime Industry...

I have worked with Dr. James P. Delgado on several of his books and articles. My job includes proofreading, editing, checking reference and image listings against the manuscript, ensuring the manuscript adheres to the publisher's guidelines, coordinating with other contributors when necessary, and helping keep projects on deadline.

I assisted Dr. Delgado on the following books:

Currently, I am assisting with Iron, Pearls and Gunpowder: The Incredible Saga of a Lost American Civil War Submarine

Nuclear Dawn: The Atomic Bomb from the Manhattan Project to the Cold War
(released Sept. 2009)
Acknowledgement reads: "The review and editing of my assistant, Kathy Smith, once again made the task of writing easier. I owe her my usual debt of gratitude."

Gold Rush Port: The Maritime Archaeology of San Francisco's Waterfront (released Jan, 2009)
Acknowledgement reads: "My assistant Kathy Smith was another invaluable member of the team as a dissertation became a book."

Khubilai Khan's Lost Fleet: In Search of a Legendary Armada (released Oct, 2008)
Acknowledgement reads: "I am grateful for the review of the manuscript and suggestions made by...and my assistant Kathy Smith."

I assisted Dr. Delgado on the following articles:

Publication: Journal of Field Archaeology (published Spring, 2009)
Title: Survey of the Steam Yacht Fox at Qeqertarsuaq
Acknowledgement reads: "Kathy A. Smith prepared the manuscript for publication, for which I am most grateful."

Publication: American Journal of Archaeology (published April, 2008)
Title: Nautical and Maritime Archaeology, 2006-2007 Seasons
This newsletter-style article presents brief reports on nautical and maritime projects from around the world during this time frame. I was the point-of-contact for the contributing authors, helped edit and proof their submissions to Dr. Delgado, prepared the piece according to the AJA guidelines and worked with two AJA editors to complete the final version that appears in the April 2008 edition.

I assist Vince Capone with writing and editing website and promotional materials.