Editorial Assistant, Writer

MAYA KIKUCHI

808-***-**** ****.***.*******@*****.***

EDUCATION

Swarthmore College May 2020

BA with Highest Honors in English Literature, minors in Japanese and Education

University of Tokyo

Semester abroad Sept 2018 – Jan 2019

Coursework in Japanese language/culture, Japanese education, and public opinion

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Editorial Assistant, Milkweed Editions Jan 2020 – present

Review full-length manuscripts (fiction and non-fiction) and proposals from agents

Write reader’s reports synthesizing information on the author, summarizing the content, and comparing the manuscript to other publications in the genre

Recommend rejection or further reading with detailed explanations and tactful feedback for the head editor to relay to authors and agents

Assistant Editor, BrickHouse Books Jun 2018 – Aug 2018

Read novel submissions (100-250 pgs.) and poetry submissions (60-100 pgs.) and wrote reader’s reports for the head editor

Corresponded directly with authors and provided feedback on plot, writing style, and overall cohesiveness of the work

Admissions Assistant, Swarthmore College Jun 2017 – Aug 2017

Represented Swarthmore College in hour-long presentations at campus information sessions

Lead over 100 guided tours for prospective students and families visiting campus

Wrote eye-catching and informative content for the SwatStories blog for prospective students using WordPress

Contribute to several promotional admissions projects; was the lead writer for a virtual tour and description of campus buildings

Head of Videography and Marketing, Hawaii Education of the Arts Summers 2013 – 2016

Filmed, edited, and produced promotional videos for the non-profit’s youth summer music program to be posted on the organization’s Facebook page and used for local news coverage

Wrote press releases on the upcoming summer musical for the local newspaper

Worked other various roles including sound technician and childcare provider

LEADERSHIP

Writing Associate, Swarthmore College Writing Center Sept 2018 – May 2020

Conferenced with student writers in every academic discipline from the brainstorming to finalizing stages and provided feedback on organization, structure, flow, tone, and clarity of writing

Engaged writers in honest, supportive conversation to troubleshoot and cooperatively develop plans of action for revision

Worked with professors of writing courses to establish writing goals for students, discuss rubrics and criteria, and identify common concerns in the students’ writing

Head Music Writer, Swarthmore College Music & Dance Dept. Sept 2016 – May 2020

Researched upcoming music events and wrote engaging articles to increase public awareness and interest

Conducted interviews of students and faculty for profiles and human-interest articles

Adapted to shifts in newsletter distribution from MailChimp to the Swarthmore Music & Dance blog

Guest Teaching Artist, Chester Charter Scholars Academy Mar 2019 – May 2019

Developed creative writing curriculum for high schoolers centered on empathetic communication and storytelling

Taught an 11th grade class on poetry using Gwendolyn Brooks’ We Real Cool and provided the written lesson plan for other teachers to replicate

Assisted the head teacher by tutoring students one-on-one on their homework assignments during independent work time

SKILLS AND INTERESTS

Creative writing (fiction and poetry)

Writing pedagogy and humanities education

Japanese language and translation (advanced speaking, reading, and writing)

Musical theater and voice

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