MELINDA K. MAHAFFEY

email: melinda.mahaffey@yahoo.com

EXPERIENCE

Freelance Writer
Dallas, Texas
Publications include National Geographic Traveler, Outside, Outside Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Away.com, and the Santa Fean
See www.melindamahaffey.com/clips for a selection of writings

Managing Editor
Southwest Spirit magazine, Dallas, Texas, November 2006-July 2008
Since the relaunch in January 2007, oversaw and scheduled the production of the magazine from story assignment to final production
Hired and managed intern and outside fact-checkers; coordinated fact-checking assignments
Edited assigned sections, including FOB pieces, monthly travel feature, and a fictional series
Researched and wrote monthly FOB stories, profiles, and features

Assistant Editor
2006 Outside Buyer's Guide, Santa Fe, New Mexico, November 2005-May 2006
Researched and wrote gear reviews, athlete Q&A’s and company profiles
Fact-checked, wrote reports, and worked closely with senior editors and writers on gear reviews
Coordinated and maintained inventory for over 250 pieces of gear

Intern/Researcher
Outside and Outside Traveler, Santa Fe, New Mexico, April 2005-October 2005
Researched and wrote short articles, service pieces and celebrity and athlete profiles
Fact-checked, provided additional reporting, and worked closely with senior editors on fob articles and features
Interviewed sources and wrote weekly news stories for Outside Online

Lead Youth Coordinator
Norwegian Cruise Lines, June 1998-July 2004, contract-to-contract basis
Designed, organized, and implemented onboard youth and teen activities
Supervised up to seven staff and coordinated high-volume activities for up to 500 kids per week
Publicly presented Youth Program to 200 families per week; emceed adult activities and theme nights
Itineraries: Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, and South America

Writer/Intern
Magnolia Media Group: Fort Worth, Texas, Shuz and PetLife, Ft. Worth, Texas, March-June 2003
Copyedited and fact-checked feature articles for three in-house magazines
Contributed features and package pieces for three in-house publications; subjects include relocation guide, NFL player John Randle, and 2003/2004 CVB Guide calendar

EDUCATION

B.A., Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, 1998
Major: English, cum laude, with concentration in film theory
Significant other coursework in Spanish and art history
Features and sports writer, The Amherst Student

Universidad de Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Spring Semester 1997

SKILLS & INTERESTS

Near fluency in Spanish and French, written and spoken
Basic knowledge of German, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian
Experience with QPS, InDesign, HTML, digital photography, and the Internet
Advanced Open Water Diver, certified September 2001; more than 70 logged dives
Traveled to more than 45 countries, particularly in the Caribbean, South America and Europe