Author Journalist
Specialty Subjects : Transportation, urban planning, real estate development, land use planning, criminal justice
Book Credits : Torn: True Stories of Kids, Career & The Conflict of Modern Motherhood (Contributing writer to New York Times-acclaimed book of essays about work-life balance)
Enter your professional bio here : I am an award-winning former Washington Post staff writer with 25+ years of journalism experience telling stories and explaining complex subjects to diverse global audiences in ways that capture attention and have impact. As a journalist, I have developed a wealth of expertise in transportation, urban planning, real estate development, education, crime, courts, politics and government. I can get up to speed quickly on almost any subject to ask the right questions, find the most interesting story angles, and frame issues in a national context. I have tracked down and interviewed thousands of academics, industry experts, public officials and everyday people, from ticked off commuters to reluctant crime victims. I thrive under pressure, write and edit quickly, and rigorously fact-check to ensure accuracy. My specialty: Using deep reporting and clear, vivid language to simplify the complex, humanize the technical, and find the interesting in the seemingly mundane. In addition to freelance journalism, I help organizations tell their stories through op eds, press releases, speeches, hearing testimony, reports, newsletters and other written content. My favorite compliment from a Washington Post editor: ''Katie has unique ideas that allow us to tell stories not reported elsewhere...When Katie is in charge of a story, I'm at ease because I know high-quality work will be the result.'' Website & portfolio: www.shavercommunications.com Please reach out at katherine@shavercommunications.com.
Awards and Recognition : Virginia Press Association Virginia Press Association - 2016 Winner of Government Writing award for large-circulation daily newspapers. Recognized for writing about a light-rail construction project ''in such a way that draws the reader in, painting a picture with great detail while also not overwhelming the reader with technical details or too much information.'' Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association - 2009 1st Place & ''Best of Show'' in Local Government coverage for investigative series into a major water utility's failing pipes.
Skills (Select all that apply) : Annual reports, Articles, Blog posts, Communications strategy, Conference/meeting coverage, Donor communications, Editing, Essays, Feature writing, Ghostwriting, Investigative reporting, News releases, News, Q&A, Web copy, White papers, Media relations, Publicity
Professional Membership