Schooling? A bit.

I hold a master’s degree (MFA) in creative writing (teaching emphasis) from the University of Montana, and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California.

(I was also in Mr Spidoni’s ninth-grade algebra class, but we weren’t able to teach each other anything.)

Steven has the extraordinary talent to make the mundane sound exotic and the tedious, interesting. He is also a superb editor, always finding the unique angle many other writers would miss entirely.

One of the most reputable, honest writers/editors I’ve ever met, Steven is lucid, articulate, creative, knowledgeable and, above all, humane.

- Paul Kelly, Paul Kelly & Associates

Experience? You bet.

I’ve been a working writer for over twenty years, having worked as a freelance journalist for numerous newspapers and publications in California, as a public information officer for the State of California, a travel writer for the French West Indies Tourist Board (New York) and as a senior script editor for an independent film production company in Beverly Hills.

I’m also an experienced teacher, having taught composition, business writing and creative writing in colleges and universities including the University of Montana and Massachusetts colleges Salem State and Stonehill. I have also taught - and continue to teach - a wide range of writing courses, workshops and seminars for business people.

Upon moving to my current home in Ireland, I edited a magazine for writers called Final Draft, then took a very rewarding job as communications director for Paul Newman’s Barretstown charity for seriously ill children.

My favourite part? This bit:

When I left Barretstown to set up my own business, Paul Newman wrote:

Dear Steven:

You performed monumental services in your time in Barretstown and have helped to build a place of healing that will not pass unnoticed by those upstairs in the Big Camp in the Sky.

You will be sore missed.

Best,

Paul Newman

(I'm the one in the tux!)

At Barretstown I produced a huge array of communications materials, including an award-winning video - narrated by Liam Neeson - and the award-winning newsletter Serious Fun (a tag-line I coined for the charity).

I also wrote grant proposals raising over €3.5 million in gifts, including a $500,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation - their first-ever gift to an organisation outside the United States. I also wrote letters, scripts and speeches for such luminaries as Paul Newman, Liam Neeson, Peter O’Toole, Kenneth Branagh and several government ministers.

‘Yeah. But what have you done lately?’

Upon leaving Barretstown, I set up Goldsmith Creative Copywriting to provide creative copywriting services for a wide range of companies, especially start-ups, SMEs and community and voluntary organisations.

Why ‘Creative?’

Anyone with basic writing skills should be able to write with correct syntax, spelling, punctuation and structure. (They should be able to, but they usually aren’t). It takes years of experience and (I’ll just come out and say it) talent to conjure the kinds of creative touches that make your communications sparkle.

I work very closely with my clients, getting to know their unique business challenges and helping them to clarify their key messages …

Hmmm. Let me recast that sentence. (Rewriting is the secret to good final drafts).

I work very closely with you, getting to know your unique business challenges and helping you clarify and articulate your key messages.

See why that’s better? This is what I do. I look for ways to connect your message with your specific audiences in ways that encourage action.

Like this: STOP READING!! You must be convinced by now. Contact me now, and we’ll talk about how I can help you Make a Splash!

Writing Samples

Because my work is so varied, and usually confidential, I only provide writing samples upon request, choosing (with permission from clients) those most closely related to your project.

Which English?

I always write for a particular audience. I use the form of English appropriate to your readers. I can also ‘translate’ your communications from American to British or Irish English (yes, there’s a difference) and vice versa, for your customers and clients in different markets.