Leah Elizabeth Shapiro

901.573.5756 leshapiro22@gmail.com shapirowrites.com

Editing & Communications Experience

Editing, Content Creation & PR Specialist, JB Media Group, LLC
August 2016Present
Write optimized articles, blogs, and landing pages that reflect the client's brand and voice while supporting the SEO
and/or content strategy developed for the client
Revise created content as requested by clients, the director of content creation, and director of content strategy/SEO
Edit client created articles, blogs, and landing pages for writing and optimization
Contribute to content creation for JB Media Group including blogs and landing pages as requested
As primary editor of content, ensures quality and continuity across the deliverables the JB Media team produces for
clients and the companys own marketing.
Serve as primary contact with local media on behalf of JB Media Group and our clients
Conduct industry research and review past media coverage for new and newly assigned clients
Create PR strategies and campaigns that meet client's goals and are coordinated with other services
Create, edit, and deliver reports or report sections to assigned clients based on the requirements defined in the contract
and scope of work.
Editor, The Laurel of Asheville Magazine | Asheville, NC
April 2016August 2016
In addition to responsibilities of community editor, I also oversee all content creation and production of monthly
magazine as editor-in-chief (~80 articles);
Hire and manage team of 13 writers and 6 photographers;
Provide final edits; proofread final print markup, and submit changes to InCopy before going to print
Community Editor, The Laurel of Asheville Magazine | Asheville, NC
May 2012April 2016
Take photos, conduct interviews, and write articles on regional arts and culture (~30 articles per month);
Update and develop ongoing website design and content as member of the web development team;
Contribute to graphics and layout selection; edit selected articles for planned page layout;
Manage content on all social media platforms: Facebook (increase from 300 to 4,409 followers),
Instagram (nonexistent to 2,071 followers), Twitter (200 to 3,952 followers), and Pinterest;
Hire and manage 57 editorial and photography summer interns and 8 monthly freelance writers;
Assign and edit ~100 articles to interns for publication each summer; schedule and run all meetings;
Co-create the editorial manifest, developing time-sensitive stories on a range of topics;
Update and develop ongoing website design and content as member of the web development team;
Stay up-to-date on all local happenings and represent the magazine by attending fundraisers and community events;
Maintain and grow relationships with regional businesses, organizations, and individuals
Publicist, Poet R. Flowers Rivera | Asheville, NC
July 2014May 2015
Booked 25 readings at bookstores, community centers, libraries, and universities across the Southeast;
Provided Rivera with detailed itineraries for her travel;
Created and distributed press releases, media packets, and poster announcements to publicize appearances
Publicist, Sacred Fashion Anna Gordon, LLC | Asheville, NC
Created marketing text, including mission statement and tagline;
Assisted in label branding for ten items in first collection of clothing

Nov 2013Feb 2014

Freelance Writer
Travel + Leisure Magazine, Online
The Laurel of Asheville Magazine

June 2016Present
JanApril 2011

Editorial Intern, The Laurel of Asheville Magazine

MayAug 2011

Editorial Intern, Lark Books/Sterling Publishing | Asheville, NC

Sept 2011Dec 2011
Edited five Pixiq (photography) how-to book manuscripts in Adobe Acrobat X Pro and Microsoft Word;
Devised manuscript indexes and resolve customer service issues

Community Involvement
Crisis Response Advocate, Our VOICE | Asheville, NC

Jan 2016Present

ESOL Tutor, Literacy Council of Buncombe County | Asheville, NC

July 2013Present
Presenter, Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs Conference
May 2015
Featured Reader, Juniper Bends Reading Series (2013, 2016); Poetry Cabaret (2015 2016); West End Reading Series
(2015); Stories at Ole Shakeys Series (2016)
Co-creator, Friends with PUNefits Zine
Feb 2015

Education
B.A. in Literature | Minor in Psychology
University of North Carolina at Asheville | Asheville, NC
GPA: 4.0; Summa Cum Laude; Distinction in Literature; University Scholar

Dec 2011

UNC Chapel Hill Honors Program Study Abroad | London, England

Jan 2011April 2011