Resume

Alan K. Lipton
Fictioneer, Script Writer, Content Developer
Berkeley, CA
email: fiction@lmi.net
voice: 510.528.4960
web: http://users.lmi.net/fiction>

MY MISSION
I offer my writing skills, descriptive ability, and imagination to those who would educate or entertain with their message, product, or presence. I thrive creatively in many contexts, whether defining a big picture or filling in small parts of it. I believe in collaboration. People can do astounding things when moved by a common vision.

AN INDEX OF MY WRITING SKILLS

• Identifying your story
• Invention, strategy, and story plotting
• Flexible writing style, including:
  • Naturalistic dialogue
  • Sensory description
  • Direct, unusual prose
  • Broad verbal and cultural vocabulary
• Line and content editing
• Attention to fine details
• Speed, efficiency, and multitasking
• Hands-on learning
• Healthy respect for deadlines
• Excellent client relations

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

• 2005 - 2007: Developed marketing industry thought leadership pieces for Questus (New York/San Francisco) and High Voltage Interactive (Sausalito, CA).
• 2005 - 2007: Wrote and edited audience metrics related site copy, case studies and direct email for Questus.
• 2004 - 2006: Wrote advertorial pieces about online degree programs for High Voltage.
• 2000: Wrote product design story and created voice of Adidas site for Leagas Delaney, Inc. (San Francisco).
• 1999: Developed print, web, and radio campaigns for Collaborate Advertising and Strategy (San Francisco); clients included ActionAce, eBags.com, Franklin Templeton, Kiddo!, and Zing.
• 1999: Developed and wrote "Spychaser" game for 3Com web site by Phoenix Pop Productions (San Francisco); site won 1999 Communication Arts Award of Excellence for Interactive Advertising Design.
• 1999: Developed identity material for SpotLife video sharing web site by Phoenix Pop Productions.
• 1997 - 1998: Developed and wrote script for Norton Utilities software demo by Medius IV (San Francisco).
• 1997: Developed story and characters for MasterCard web site and scripts for Excite! radio ads by Digital Artists and Writers Group (San Rafael, CA).
• 1997: Wrote brochure text for Diesel Design (San Francisco).

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• 2007 - present: Currently writing and sending monthly B2B newsletter (via Constant Contact) and semi-monthly press release (via MarketWire) for On the Path Productions (San Francisco).
• 2004 - 2005: Rewrote early-draft lifestyle industry press releases for Glodow Nead Communications (San Francisco).
• 1999: Wrote executive leadership history and bio for client of Knowlton Productions (Sausalito).

EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS

2004 - present: Currently editing health-related interview transcripts into long and short format "Life Love & Health" and "Body Language" radio and webcast scripts; researching topics and writing dialogue; and line-producing show series for On the Path Productions.

2004 - 2006: Researched and wrote gossipy biographical articles on 20th century cultural figures for a book project.

2004: Developed daily story line for popular social agent in "The Diet and Exercise Private Tutor" title by Healthy U of Delmarva (Salisbury, MD).

2000: Contributed to script of "Office 2000 for Dummies," a Learning Company title by Jinx (San Francisco).

1999: Wrote voice over script for "Arthur's Kindergarten: Arthur's Treehouse Adventure," a Learning Company title by Presage Software/Human Code (San Rafael).

1997: Wrote interactive script for a language instructional title by IMSI (San Rafael).

WEB/SOFTWARE-BASED ENTERTAINMENT

• 2005 - present: Currently writing daily themed horoscopes for The Astrologer.com (San Francisco).
• 2004 - 2005: Wrote short political satire pieces for EVOTE.COM, an Ideacast Network channel (Concord, MA).
• 2003: Reviewed language flow and character consistency for English translation of "La Pucelle: Tactics," a PlayStation 2 RPG by Mastiff Games (San Francisco); title won IGN Editors' Choice Award, May 2004.
• 2000 - 2001: Wrote and edited weekly newsletter about Mondo Mini Shows animation features (including buttons, banners, and user questionnaires) for Mondo Media (San Francisco).
• 1998: Researched and wrote voice over narration script and text copy for "James Cameron's Titanic Explorer" title by CircumStance Design (San Francisco) for Fox Interactive; title won 1999 Communication Arts Award of Excellence for Information Design.
• 1998: Contributed voice over dialogue for "Starship Troopers" title by MicroProse (Alameda, CA).
• 1997 - 2004: Wrote an assortment of themed daily, weekly, monthly and yearly horoscopes for Astrology.com, an iVillage channel (San Francisco).
• 1997: Developed story, characters, and dialogue for a Titanic dramatic web site by CircumStance Design.

INSTRUCTIONAL WRITING

• 2007 - 2008: Wrote short How To articles on various subjects for eHow.com, a brand of Demand Publishing (Santa Monica, CA).
• 2000: Developed friendly, enabling copy for SparkCharge financial service web site by Phoenix Pop Productions.

EDITING

• 2008 - present: Currently copy editing for Resume Writer 1 (San Francisco).
• 2007: Edited and ghost rewrote portions of romance novel manuscript.
• 2006: Edited and creatively rewrote investor prospectus for lifestyle product startup.
• 2006: Edited juvenile storybook manuscript.
• 2004 - 2006: Edited direct mail collateral and packaging copy for Ad MOO (El Cerrito, CA).
• 2002: Edited presentation scripts for a Macromedia software demo by Odopod (San Francisco).

PRO BONO WORK

• 2007 - present: Currently supporting middle school students on classwork assignments through WriterCoach Connection program (Berkeley, CA).

EARLY WEB PROJECTS

• 1996 - 1997: contributed written content to:
  • Faith Popcorn site by CircumStance Design.
  • Nightspot review feature for CitySearch (San Francisco).
  • Microsoft site for Ikonic Interactive (San Francisco).
  • www.santana.com for Michael Morgan (Pacifica, CA).

INTERNSHIPS

• 1996: Brainstorming/Talent Scout Intern for Brainworks.net (San Francisco).
• 1996: Internet Research Intern for Morgan Interactive (San Francisco).

"OLD ECONOMY" EMPLOYMENT

• 1984-95: Managing Editor and Business Manager for EKS Publishing Company (Oakland, CA), a small press that developed and sold Hebrew educational materials.
• 1982: Wrote text-based computer adventure game, and contributed to proposals for PC and arcade games and educational software by Caliban Research Labs (Concord, CA).
• 1981-87: Freelance music journalist, publishing 96 music reviews and articles in BAM Magazine, Calendar Magazine (now SF Weekly), The Daily Californian, and Bay Area Live.

PERSONAL PROJECTS

• RADIO DRAMA
  • 2003: Worked with Pagliacci's Fools' Radio Project to adapt my short story "Death and Taxidermy" for audio; aired on KPFA-FM in July, along with an extensive live interview on my ideas about writing.
  • 2000: Worked with Pagliacci's Fools' Radio Project in live production of my audio play "The War That Never Was;" aired on KPFA-FM in April 2001 and July 2003.
  • 1992-93: Developed script writing skills at regular sessions of the Invisible Theater Radio Workshop; two scripts slated for production by popular vote.
• LITERATURE
  • 1996: Completed Butterbean's Cafe, a collaborative young adult/all ages fantasy novel.
  • 1992-93: Contributed original news items to FAX 21, a British alt.future zine.
  • 1991 - present: Wrote, designed, and self-published nine issues of Information Sickness, a literary/science-fictional/satirical zine; project currently moving online.

RELEVANT BACKGROUND

• BA in English Literature from UC Berkeley.
• Longtime musician (guitarist, singer, composer, improviser).
• Creator of photo, text and audio collages.

RATES AND REFERENCES

Available on request.