rachel watts
Perth, Australia, 6101 -| LinkedIn -
WRITER
Core Competencies
Articles ● Book reviews ● Interviews ● Editing
Social Media ● Content creation ● Research
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION Perth, Australia
June – July 2 2016
Declaration vote and interstate vote issuing officer (pre-poll and election day)
Customer service in a highly pressured environment.
Delivered complex information to voters clearly and concisely.
Careful monitoring of ballot papers and data entry.
Reconciliation of ballot papers and votes issued at the close of each day.
Demonstrated willingness to work and calm attitude in a stressful working environment.
TRACTION NEWS(brand newsroom)New York, NY (telecommute from Perth, Australia)
October 2015-December 2015
Freelance Writer
Write journalist quality content for start-up automotive news website.
Delivered informative copy for site launch and on an ongoing basis.
Adhered to brand newsroom standards of quality.
Follow briefs as supplied by editor.
Delivered copy to meet strict deadlines across multiple time zones.
COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER GROUP (local newspapers)Perth, Australia-
Social Media Editor (Perth, Australia,-)
Launch of social media presence for Community Newspaper Group including establishing Facebook presence for all 17 mastheads.
Managed problems, advised editors and ensured all accounts were active and engaging.
Drove page hits via Twitter and Facebook.
Content management for news website inmycommunity.com.au.
Reported to Editor in Chief on progress, risks and opportunities.
Editor, Fremantle/Cockburn Gazette (Perth, Australia,-)
Identified, delegated stories, advised designers and lay out sub-editors.
Newspaper PR, responded to problems, representation at public events.
Strategic planning and staff training.
Rachel Watts, Page 2
EXPERIENCE, continued
Editor, Southern Gazette, Canning Times, Western Suburbs Weekly (Perth, Australia,-)
Identified, delegated stories, advised designers and lay out sub-editors.
Newspaper PR, responded to problems, representation at public events.
Strategic planning and staff training.
Senior reporter, Melville Times, Weekend Courier, Western Suburbs Weekly (Perth, Australia,-)
Senior reporter. Acting editor when necessary.
Wrote an award winning series of feature articles on mental illness published in Western Suburbs Weekly.
EDUCATION
Masters Degree, Media, Communication and Cultural Studies (ongoing)
Social media studies, Skillpath Seminars, Perth, Australia
Frontline management training, Australian Institute of Management, Perth, Australia
Country Press Australia, post cadet program, Deakin University, Adelaide, Australia
Graduate Diploma, Journalism, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia
Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Political Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
PUBLISHING CREDITS
Tincture Journal To appear September 2016
Too Big To Hold In Your Heart
Lost Online June 2016
Reinvention on the Flat-track
Island 145 May 2016
We Are All Stories
SWAMP Writing April 2016
At the End of the World
Kill Your Darlings April 2016
Notes on the Death of a Child
Ghostlight: The Magazine of TerrorApril 2016
Lived in
Slink Chunk Press March 2016
Innovative Storage Solutions
The Big Issue March 2016
The Breakup
Riding Light Review Halloween Edition October 2015
The Beast
DM Du JourDecember 2015
Blood
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
SWAMP Writing (post-graduate zine)Present
Prose Editor
Review submission of prose from writers.
Indicate strengths and weaknesses of submissions.
Part of a small team to decide upon acceptance or rejection of work.
Work with writers to edit and compile works for publication.
LEATHERBOUNDPOUNDS (book website)2011-present
Reviews of literary fiction, science fiction and fantasy.
Creation of engaging content for readers and authors.
Respond to requests for review from authors, publishers and publicists.
Promotion via social media.
WA ROLLER DERBY (sports club)
Coaching second-in-chargePresent
Support Head of Coaching in operational matters.
Act as Head of Coaching when needed.
President-
Managed a team of 22 volunteers.
Co-ordinated and drive committees to pursue better coaching, finance and event management.
Communicated to a league of more than 100 people via social media, email and in person.
PR/Marketing co-ordinator-
Managed website and social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube).
Drove publicity through mainstream and industry media. Responded to media enquiries.
Identification and pursuit of new and emerging platforms (Pinterest).
REFERENCES
1. Matt ZisCommunity Newspaper-
