Informed Storytelling

"Everyone has a story to tell. Because Janet is genuinely interested in what moves each person to pursue their passion, her subjects respond positively to her. That response is reflected in her stories, which are carefully researched and thorough, yet sensitive—a somewhat rare combination."

Gretchen Piston Ogden
Managing Editor
Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors

Resume

Janet Mendelsohn is an author and freelance writer and editor for national and regional publications, colleges and universities, healthcare organizations, and nonprofit organizations. Based on more than 20 years as a writer, media relations specialist and public affairs adviser, Janet is a writer who understands the needs of editors and the interests of readers.

 

Books:

 

Art & Oddity (working title), an introduction to Maine’s museums, will be published by Countryman Press, a division of W.W. Norton Co.  (Spring 2011, Forthcoming)

 

A Legacy of Excellence: A History of Mount Auburn Hospital  

Part V: 1987-2008  (2008)

 

Selected Freelance Writing:

 

The Boston Globe ─

Globe Correspondent

 

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors, the Magazine of the Coast─

Contributing Editor and frequent writer of

·         “The Unexpected Legacy of Celia Thaxter’s Island Garden” (MBH&H November 2006)

·         “Flying Fingered, Solo Swimmer” (MBH&H February 2007)

 

ACCENT Home & Garden─ Feature writer with emphasis on the arts 

 

Bentley College/McCallum Graduate School of Business – Freelance publications writer

 

Bunker Hill Community College – Freelance publications writer

 

Massachusetts General Hospital

Contributing writer:  MGH Psychiatry Dept. Mindscape newsletter and MGH Cancer Center Synergy magazine

  

Employment History:

 

BENTLEY UNIVERSITY, Waltham, MA                         Fall 2009-

Lecturer, Expository Writing

 

BENTLEY COLLEGE, Waltham, MA

Director of Public Affairs                                                   July 1997- February 2004

 

As Bentley’s chief liaison to the news media, achieved highest national press attention in college history in such outlets as Fortune, US News & World Report, The New York Times, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, The Financial Times, ABC.com, The Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press based on creativity and depth of understanding about what reporters and editors need.

 

·         Silver Medal Award – 2000 CASE Circle of Excellence for media relations, presented by Council for Advancement and Support of Education in US and Canada.

 

WELLESLEY COLLEGE, Wellesley, MA

Acting Director, Associate Director of Public Affairs    June 1994 – July 1997

Editor and writer                                                                    July 1989 – June 1991

 

COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPIES, Boston, MA          June 1991 – May 1994

Senior Writer

 

LEONARD MORSE HOSPITAL, Natick, MA                               February – November 1998

Public Relations writer and consultant

 

MOUNT AUBURN HOSPITAL, Cambridge, MA              September 1987 – February 1988

Community Relations writer, Acting Director

 

 

Additional Photography Credits:

 

Community Involvement:

 

·         Island Alliance Strategic Marketing Committee

2001 – Advisory board, Boston Harbor Islands Partnership, BHI National Park Area

·         Board of Trustees, Kittery Art Association, Kittery, Maine, 2004-2007

 

Education:

BA in Journalism and Sociology ─ Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Communication

MFA in Writing – Vermont College (January 2006)