Services
Words matter. But let’s face it – even the best writers stumble over a blank screen. Sometimes, we just don’t know where to start. Or we’ll realize halfway through a piece that we’ve lost track of the point. Putting pen to paper (or pixels to a screen) can be intimidating, infuriating, and frustrating. But it should never stop you from trying.
I’m here to help you get started, develop a content plan, edit work, and bring your vision to fruition. I’m here to encourage you, to inspire you, to bring out the skills you already have. I am also available to speak, create conference programming and to judge wine competitions.
Editing
Every writer needs a good editor—me included. No first draft ever comes out perfect. (And if it does, let me know…hell has frozen over.)
Editors are essential to any piece of work. We come in with fresh eyes and new perspectives to help you find gaps in your arguments, bring important prose to the forefront and, yes, do a spell check. But more importantly, we know how to keep your voice. I’ll help you strengthen and project it.
My editing mantra is simple: Make the piece the best it can be, while showcasing the writer’s voice and expertise.
Working on a book? Let’s look at your novel’s structure and character/plot development. If you’re working on non-fiction, let’s make it the most engaging and informative possible.
I’ve been editing articles for as long as I can remember, and this is where I’ve made my career. If you need a second set of eyes, a thorough restructuring or just a copy edit, I’m here to help.
Coaching
With the guidance of someone who loves the written word and experience in coaching and careful critique, you can develop work you are proud of.
Inspiring writers and non-writers alike to hone their crafts and gain confidence in their work is my way of giving back. I’ll work with you to create a schedule, gauge your strengths and weaknesses, guide you through outlines and keep you on track. Plus, I’ll edit any work produced, ensuring I’m here to encourage you, to inspire you, to bring out the skills you already have. You have the talent, so I’ll help you produce something you’re proud of.
Conference Programming
No one wants to sit through another boring lecture or webinar. But you can have an event that keeps your audience engaged.
At Wine Business Monthly, it was my job to develop topics and sessions, find speakers, and guide them to produce a fantastic presentation. Since I took over, our audience satisfaction ratings have risen with each successive event—but my real accomplishment is looking out at the room and seeing phones and laptops put away.
Click below to see an example of a program I put together for the winejobs.com SUMMIT, a conference and forum for human resource professionals in the wine industry.
“Erin is one of the most effective moderators and conference programmers we have worked with. From thought provoking content to the most curated speaker list, Erin has managed to put together engaging and informative discussions, while directing the dialogue seamlessly. We can throw any situation at her and she rises to the occasion, demonstrating her experience and comfort as a host.”
Public Speaking
Speaker, Panelist, Guest Lecturer:
Some of the topics I cover include wine industry trends and best practices in winemaking, viticulture, business, sales, and marketing, as well as media, communications and public relations.
Past Engagements:
World Bulk Wine Exhibition 2020 (Amsterdam): Keynote Address, “The Bulk Wine Business in the United States: New Ways of Commercialization”
Dream Big Darling
2019 Annual Retreat (Paso Robles, Calif.): Panelist, “Finding Your Path”
Weekly “Ready. Set. Grow” Series: Workshop on Building a Better Resume (June 3, 2020)
2020 Annual Retreat (Virtual): Panelist, “Defining your Personal Vision: Knowing Your Values” and “Giving and Receiving Feedback, Asking Questions”
Commencement Keynote, Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute Graduation Ceremony, Aug. 8, 2020
Moderator
As a moderator, I know it’s my job to make the panelists shine. I perform plenty of research ahead of time and work with the panelists and conference organizers to ensure that all pertinent information is included, and attendees walk away inspired and more knowledgeable.
Past Engagements:
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium (Sacramento, Calif.): “Marketing Technologies: Apps and Services that Won’t Break the Bank”, 2019
”The ROI of Sustainability”, 2023Batonnage://Connect, 2021: Moderator, “Ladies, Let’s Start Talking”
Guest lecturer at Napa Valley Community College (2018) and the Culinary Institute of America (2017, 2019)
Moderator for numerous Wine Business Monthly conferences and seminars.
Emcee
Need someone to host a conference with enthusiasm? To introduce speakers and keep them on time? I’ve had plenty of experience emceeing both in-person and virtual events and enjoy the experience.
Wine Judge
Since 2016, I have served as a judge and panel leader at international, national and regional wine competitions and am familiar with the OIV model. In 2022, I earned my DipWSET and plan to continue my studies.
Past judging experiences include:
Catad’or Wine Awards
Santiago, Chile -July 2017
Central Coast Wine Competition
Paso Robles, Calif. June 2020-2023
Sonoma International Film Festival Wine Competition
Sonoma, Calif. - March 2020, 2021, 2022
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Plovdiv, Bulgaria - May 2016
Valladolid, Spain - May 2017
Beijing, China - May 2018
Aigle, Switzerland - May 2019
Concours Mondial du Sauvignon
Graz, Austria - March 2018
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