Alicia is an experienced editor and specializes in many kinds of writing: academic, advertising, blog posts, catalog copy, email newsletters, journalistic articles (news and features), press releases and website copy. She believes in well-organized, well-researched writing that is eloquent yet easily understood.
Whether working for clients or gardening, Alicia is intent on doing a great job. She is an avid wildlife gardener specializing in drought-resistant landscaping that attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds and beneficial insects. Indoors, she tends an ever-enlarging collection of succulents. Alicia is passionate about reading, public libraries and spending time with family and friends. Improving her photographic skills is another favorite pastime.
Undergraduate degree in journalism with minor in drama. Worked on independent student newspaper, The Daily Californian.
Post-graduate work in teaching English as a second language.
Alicia is an experienced gardener who has taken a number of classes at her local botanic garden. She has written hundreds of gardening and landscaping articles, blog posts and catalog descriptions for online publication. Drought resistance, xeriscape, and wildlife gardening topics -- such as protection of pollinators and beneficial insects -- are her areas of particular expertise. However, she is knowledgeable about a broad range of gardening and landscaping subjects, including annuals, perennials, growing conditions, home composting, cold hardiness zones and nationwide garden design and planning. Alicia excels at making technical and scientific information accessible to a wide range of readers.
Green living is one of Alicia's favorite topics in home gardening, horticulture and construction. She has written articles on composting, conserving water, avoiding pesticides, LEED construction, reducing home energy consumption and finding ways to reuse and recycle materials. She strives to simplify complicated subjects, such as the impact of climate change on coastal erosion and Monarch butterfly migration. She also enjoys writing about unusual repurposing projects, including use of old hubcaps to decorate Christmas trees and create art.
Alicia has written a broad range of real estate blog posts covering questions about home improvement, purchases, sales, rentals, property management, remodeling, staging, historical restoration and zoning issues. She has covered stories about condos, single-family homes, master-planned communities and multi-family housing. She has produced numerous community and neighborhood descriptions, including details about local history and amenities.
Alicia has written blog posts and articles for many education websites. The subjects have included tech education topics, such as STEM/STEAM education and MOOC courses, as well as instruction in academic subjects including basic reading, English as a second language, history, literature and math. She has covered adult education, homeschooling, and instruction for students from preschool through college. Along with academics and assessment, her topics have included affective education and anti-bullying programs, education grant projects, school closures, parent participation, field trips, student transportation and fun on the playground.
Writing for blogs and online publications, Alicia has produced articles on nutrition, pregnancy, menopause, gluten intolerance and celiac disease, the difference between food allergies and sensitivities, heart health and mental health. While working in public relations for a natural foods retailer, she edited a diabetes cookbook and wrote health-related advertising, direct mail, newsletters, press releases and public service announcements.
Alicia's entertainment topics have included: art, book and movie reviews; ticket sales for concerts and other performances; and library programs ranging from dancing dogs to lectures. Alicia especially enjoys spreading the word about library programming.
Construction is a regular subject of conversation at home for Alicia, because her husband and daughter are architects. She has written a number of articles about architectural styles, asphalt, the construction permit process, concrete, cool roofs, enviro-friendly building materials, foundation problems, historical restoration, HVAC, LEED requirements, remodeling and other construction-related topics.
Alicia has written many articles about the impact of digital transformation on industries including advertising, agriculture, animation, chemistry, construction, education, information storage, marketing, trade show management and security. She is a careful researcher and writer, who strives for clear, lively copy.
Over the years, Alicia has owned a number of cats, dogs and hamsters. She loves animals and enjoys writing about them. She is also deeply indebted to the veterinarians who have provided her pets with tender loving care. And that's why she has written so many blog posts, web pages and press releases for veterinary hospitals.
Alicia has written hundreds of articles for both print media and online publishers covering topics including the arts, books, business, construction, digital technology, education, family life, food, gardening, landscaping health and you-name-it. She strives for clear, lively writing and dependable research.
Alicia regularly blogs about construction, gardening and horticulture, real estate and high technology user experience at home and work. Her other topics have included book reviews, education, food and nutrition, health, marketing and pets. She can change style from formal to relaxed dependent on the needs of a website or publication and is always careful about research and attribution.
Alicia has written many product descriptions for the catalog of a horticultural company and for a large online distributor similar to Amazon.com. These posts have covered a items ranging from plants and hardware to high heels and horror movie memorabilia.
Alicia has written press releases for many kinds of businesses including a horticultural farm, a healing arts specialist, a natural foods grocer and veterinary hospitals as well as retailers of bedding products, furniture and window finishes.