Elizabeth Collins

Senior digital and magazine editor with 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in publication management, magazine production, and editorial operations for specialty Federal agency publications. Skilled at managing print periodicals and digital media, including the complete magazine lifecycle of specialty publications like national military magazines. Expert at providing high-level editorial support (copy editing, formatting, and quality assurance) and ensuring compliance with Section 508 accessibility requirements, Federal plain language rules, and multiple style manuals (GPO, DOD, Chicago, AP, and New York Times).

Proven ability to maintain version control and coordinate complex approval chains and multi-stage review workflows with authors, designers, SMEs, clients, and other stakeholders throughout the publication cycle. Award-winning writer with advanced professional training in editing, style compliance, and Government communications; master’s degree in nonfiction writing; secret security clearance.

Writer/Editor - Freelance

(2011-08)

• Produced blogs, articles, web content, and essays that appeared on various websites, in literary magazines, and in two books: Through the Hourglass and Destinations and Discoveries.
• Supported a major annual report for the Cleveland VA Medical Center; highlighted work during the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine trials; interviewed doctors, patients, and researchers; translated medical topics into accessible stories.
• Edited articles, books, websites, press releases, academic papers, etc. for private clients, publishers (Gray & Boardman), PR firms (the Ballast Group), and tech companies (T-Worx, ResQ), assuring compliance with AP, Chicago, and New York Times style guides.
• Wrote and edited hundreds of auction descriptions and promotional items for large annual fundraising events; helped raise more than $750,000 and co‑led a volunteer team of more than 25.

Writer/Editor — DOD Office of Financial Readiness (contract) - The Bowen Group — a GTSC Company - Remote

(2023-12 - 2026-01)

• Wrote, edited, and managed end‑to‑end editorial workflows for articles, infographics, websites, and 20-60 page reports, ensuring Federal and DOD Section 508 accessibility compliance for all content.
• Coordinated with writers, designers, and strategists; executed strict version control, tracking updates through multi‑author and multi‑stage review chains that included SMEs, technical reviewers, and legal counsel.
• Ensured accuracy and publication compliance through technical editing, proofreading, formatting, fact‑checking, and calculation verification.
• Led full lifecycle production of three monthly newsletters; managed production schedules, workflows, content intake, topic development, test sends, document control, quality checks, and approval processes to ensure on-time, high-quality publication; tripled subscriptions in a year; maintained 60%+ audience engagement while meeting production deadlines.
• Created editorial calendar; researched financial topics and trends; developed newsletter content pipeline; planned issues.
• Coordinate between writers, reviewers, and design teams to develop a new, in-depth newsletter combining three previous audiences that featured benefits, savings, debt, consumer rights, and more; newsletter debuted at a 65% engagement rate.
• Revamped client style guide to align AP and DOD style requirements.

Senior Writer/Editor — All Hands Magazine (GS 12) - Defense Media Activity, U.S. Department of Defense - Fort Meade, MD

(2016-12 - 2019-04)

• Oversaw daily print and digital production for national-level Navy periodical.
• Conducted quality assurance on magazine proofs, layouts, imagery, and web content; reviewed, fact-checked, and copy edited content for AP style, military style, spelling, and grammar.
• Tracked workflows and managed complex review processes involving authors, SMEs, policy makers, commanders, public affairs officers, and more.
• Wrote 40-plus profiles, battle narratives, obituaries, blogs, and features about technology, sexual assault, and history.
• Conducted in-depth interviews and extensive research via the National Archives, the Library of Congress, Navy investigations, Congressional reports, and primary source letters and diaries.
• Approved final release of articles; formatted and uploaded content to Navy.mil; applied SEO best practices.
• Developed style guide and training materials; enforced editorial standards; conducted writing/journalism training for 30-plus junior sailors; advised on interview questions, techniques.
• Served as print awards advisor; selected and shaped submissions for DOD journalism awards; helped one new writer become Enlisted Journalist of the Year in 16 months; served as Navy-level award judge.

Writer/Editor — Soldiers magazine (GS 11) - Defense Media Activity, U.S. Department of Defense - Fort Meade, MD

(2008-08 - 2016-12)

• Produced 120-plus long-form features for national-level Army magazine about science, quality of life programs, veterans, TBIs, and behavioral health; managed the full editorial lifecycle from research and content intake through final production.
• Participated in editorial boards and special issue planning.
• Interviewed subject matter experts, policy makers, and Medal of Honor recipients.
• Conducted extensive primary source research using LexisNexis, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, Army investigations, Congressional reports, oral histories, letters, and diaries.
• Coordinated with designers to produce award-winning layouts; selected and edited thousands of modern and archival photographs.
• Fact-checked and copy edited magazine proofs and website to ensure all content adhered to AP and military style, as well as Federal publishing standards.
• Reprinted on websites and in publications worldwide, including 1001 Things to Love About Military Life book.
• Recognized with dozens of writing awards, including DOD Civilian Print Journalist of the Year.

Writer/Editor — Army News Service (GS 9) - Soldiers Media Center, U.S. Army - Arlington, VA

(2007-08 - 2008-08)

• Wrote and edited hundreds of news, sports, and feature articles for global wire service; reprinted on websites and in newspapers worldwide.
• Responsible for release readiness and final signoff of content as backup managing editor; assigned and selected stories; performed final edits and quality assurance; formatted and uploaded content to Army.mil for distribution.
• Maintained rapid-turnaround workflows with multiple reviewers.

Public Affairs Specialist — Army Public Affairs Intern Program (GS 7) - Communications-Electronics Lifecycle Management Command (CECOM), U.S. Army - Fort Monmouth, NJ

(2006-04 - 2007-08)

• Authored articles for weekly paper; wrote press releases, speeches, communications plans, and web content.
• Coordinated interviews, media queries, and speaking engagements.
• Served three months at Army Office of the Chief of Public Affairs (OCPA) at the Pentagon; coordinated events and produced official communications.

M.A. - Nonfiction Writing - The Johns Hopkins University

Honors B.A. - English; minor in History - The College of William and Mary

Public Affairs Qualification Course - Defense Information School

Writing About Trauma, Conflict and Loss - Duke University, Center for Documentary Studies

Summer Program - English - Cambridge University

Copy Editing and Digital Journalism Certificates - Mediabistro