You may of noticed the lack of new content. It’s been a busy couple of months.The last couple of months have been a transformative journey where I went from being an aspiring writer to a freelance professional getting plenty of work.

So, what’s new? The answer can be summed up in very few words: a lot. Those of you that want to get frequent updates on what’s going on with my writing should follow my facebook page if you haven’t already.

When I finished university and joined Adone Magazine my intended freelance specialty was arts writing. It’s still arts writing but circumstantially my specialities broadened because of my blogging and social media savvy. Freelance social media and blogging are both an in demand contemporary freelance service and  emotionally satisfying. Many business owners are smart people that are great at marketing their product but either lack the time and/or the skills to market their work via the web. By taking care of their blog and social media for them they can focus on what they’re good at: the product or service they specialize in. One of my favourite projects for a small business so far was a blog I’m working on for Toronto Service Center, a Scarborough based company that specializes in moving and storage services for people across Ontario and Quebec. My only instructions: make the blog as friendly, colourful and packed with blog posts as possible, and write from the customer perspective on moving related topics. You can find that blog via the following link: https://torontoservicecenter.wordpress.com. I did my best to give TSC a friendly image and I feel confident that my efforts were successful. It’s a long term gig/project that gives me the potential to do a lot of good for their business.

I’ve also got really good at reviews. I wrote and submitted my first book review to a indie literary magazine called Rusty Toque back in September and  I’ve also done a lot of  arts reviews over the long term. The most intense but rewarding  arts reviewing experience was back in September when I wrote TIFF movie reviews for Fame Culture blog. It’s a writing projects I’m so proud of that I consistently use it as a writing sample when pitching ideas to potential writing clients. It was an experience where I learned a lot cause deadlines were tight and my schedule was out of whack and I didn’t have time to get out much.

I have two new book reviews coming out in the new year. The one I’m the most excited about is my review for Winnipeg Review Of Books. My review copy came in the mail yesterday and I read the first ten pages. I love it so far and I’m excited to write about it because one of the things I love doing as a writer is helping and promoting other local, contemporary Canadian writers. It’s a short story anthology called “Pull Of The Moon” by B.C based writer, Julie Paul. She’s  an easily accessible and interesting person to follow on twitter so if you get the chance and you have a twitter account look her up @julie_paul . I’m also working on a review of a non fiction book for a York University based publication called Public Arts Journal. It all started because a pop culture writer I’m a huge fan of, Lynn Crosbie had something published in their Trauma issue. That’s when I knew I had to try to get my writing in their magazine. Working on two reviews, while juggling multiple gigs, and reading multiple books at once is a bit like being an English major again, a good feeling overall.

A poet that made a huge impact on me is Sylvia Plath. I did a project on her in university and ever since I’ve tried my best to get my hands on everything she’s every written. A memorable summer 2014 memory was when I read her infamous novel that was published shortly before her suicide, The Bell Jar. I won’t provide spoilers but the ending is the most thought provoking, open ended endings I’ve ever read. In my spare time I’ve been also reading passages from Sylvia Plath’s Ariel. I’m working on a poetry manuscript that’s poetic commentary on crushes and friendship, which I’m aiming to complete in time for the Robert Kroetch Award deadline in January and Sylvia Plath’s writing is a major influence on the work featured in this manuscript. If I don’t win the next step is Indiegogo or Kickstarter funding for the project.

Well, that’s all for now in terms of updates. Check out my blog’s about me page, my facebook page, and follow me on twitter @rosiemay_r  if you want more in depth info about me as a writer. I set up my  facebook page a day ago and I’m going to do my best to post updates as frequently as possible. Although I’m a busy professional freelancer now I also aim to get better at posting more frequently on my blog. Want to hire me to do freelance arts writing, blogging, and/or social media work for your company? The link to my LinkedIn public profile is available via Rosie Writing Space’s “about the blogger” page and you can reach out to me via my website’s email: rosemary@rosiewritingspace.ca . I’m also  part of the freelancewritingjobs.ca “Find A Writer” listings.