Read it, of course.
You soon may notice I mostly talk about language and its uses; events and issues pertaining to Ann Arbor and Detroit; random occasions in my life; beer and food; books, movies, and music; and what I call the zeitgeist – the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of our time. That's just how I roll.
Leave a comment, too, or more than one, should the mood strike you.
If you have a communications project you're working on, consider hiring me to help you research, write, edit, and/or proofread it. I have a range of experience, but in particular, here's an idea of who especially should contact me:
In any case, thanks for visiting my site and enjoy.
How to Use This Site
Client List
Below is a representative listing of the clients I've worked for, generally in the areas of research, writing, substantive editing, copy editing, and proofreading.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Midland, Mich.
New York, New York
Harrisburg, Penn.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Midland, Mich.
Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
If you need someone to help you produce top-notch communications that impress (or sell or persuade), whether it's research and writing, content or copy editing, or simply a sharp set of eyes to catch grammar goofs or typos before you publish, please contact me with your project goals, budget, and/or other details. I'll get back to you ASAP.
Who I Am
I could tell you where I was born and what I wanted to be when I grew up (astronaut, of course), but that's not the point.
For more than a decade, I've been researching, writing, editing, and/or proofreading copy for a range of corporate, small business, and nonprofit communications. I've worked, directly or indirectly, for large companies such as Borders and Dow Chemical, as well as for small creative agencies and nonprofit organizations. (View my résumé.) My writing has appeared in well known publications like the Detroit Free Press and (much more often) in niche periodicals and websites. (View my samples.)
What all of this means is: If you need someone to help you produce top-notch communications, whether it's research and writing, content or copy editing, or simply a sharp set of eyes to catch grammar goofs or typos before you publish, I'm your guy.
And in case you were expecting something more personal: I like books, movies, music, craft beer, and free-market economics. I have an abiding interest in the city of New Orleans, but I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where I work from home with lots of help from my hard-working staff of two cats, Sam and Max (pictured right, working hard).
Contact me today to discuss your project and how I (and my staff) can help you achieve the communications results you want.
Or feel free to just browse my blog, where I comment on everything from the craft of writing to the state of the economy to what I ate for dinner.
What I Do
I'm a wordsmith. That means I write, edit, copy edit, and/or proofread the full spectrum of the glorious English language.
More specifically, I have experience with everything from book-length manuscripts to blurbs, printed materials to emails and online content, and sales-oriented copy to scholarly writing. I've made my mark somewhere in the world through the following communications channels:
This is by no means an exhaustive list. (See my samples for real-world examples of what I've worked on.)
My niche is in matters of economics and public policy – particularly from a free-market, libertarian perspective – but my range of experience makes it likely that somewhere, somehow, I've produced or been involved in producing something similar to what you need done.
Contact me to discuss your specific project goals. Each individual project is, of course, its own thing and subject to unique factors, etc., etc., but for a ballpark figure of what I charge for particular services and such, please see my fee schedule.
(Photo credit: "magnetic poetry" by surrealmuse.)
Work Samples
Below are selected examples of work I've done as a writer and/or editor. Please note this is just a small sample of my work over the years; see What I Do for a fuller idea of my services and specialties and what I can do for you.Writer
Op-eds, Detroit Free Press, 1999 and 2001
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The Downtown Midland Newsletter, 2003
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MidMichigan Health System Profiles newsletter, 2004
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Westshore Medical Center Across the Generations fundraising brochure, 2004
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Book, The Seven Outs: Strategic Planning Made Easy for Charter Schools
by Brian L. Carpenter, 2008
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Email, Borders Weekly Shortlist, 2007 and 2008
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Op-ed, National Review Online, 2001
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Mackinac Center for Public Policy IMPACT! newsletter, 2001
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Anything look familiar? Contact me to discuss how I can help with your communications project.
Testimonials
It's one thing for me to talk about what I can do, but as anyone who has ever had to make a decision to hire someone knows, what really counts is what others say. So I'll let my clients, employers, and co-workers speak for themselves:
"Dave has now edited two books for me, both of which were very nicely done. In a virtual world of self-proclaimed experts, Dave is a breath of fresh air, for he truly is expert at what he does. I can't wait to hire him again for my next project."
— Brian Carpenter, Former CEO, The National Charter Schools Institute
"During his time on my staff, Dave Bardallis was a highly proficient editor, working quickly and meticulously in an environment where drop-dead deadlines were the norm. Dave is a calm and steady sort, with an eye for detail and a keen sense of diplomacy. Over the years at Borders, he demonstrated a strong ability to edit our content with consistency of brand voice and format, along with a sense of style and semantics. Dave knows his stuff, and I recommend him highly as an editor."
— Rich Fahle, Former Vice President, Borders.com & National Events, Borders Group Inc.
"Dave is a first-rate writer and editor who knows how to meet deadlines. He's a man of solid integrity and reliability, and I recommend him without qualification."
— Lawrence W. Reed, President, Foundation for Economic Education
"Dave is an editor and proofreader extraordinaire. He really knows the ins and outs of grammar and is a stickler for details. As a writer, he is undaunted by complex technical subjects, yet also has the ability to add a humorous tone when appropriate. Versatile, thorough and conscientious, Dave is a great resource to consider for copywriting, editing and proofing."
— Greta Bolger, President, Bolger + Battle Inc.
"Dave is not only expert at catching the usual typos and mistakes, he can fix problematic or uninspired writing while still maintaining the appropriate voice. Sending an email to more than 20 million subscribers is an unnerving proposition, but I always felt confident knowing that Dave had given it his OK."
— Matt Nelson, Content Manager, Email & Social Media, Borders Group Inc.
"Those who may come to read recommendations are probably accustomed to a degree of hyperbole, but let me say in all candor that David is one of, if not, the finest writers and editors I have known. His work is so tightly written that if you should displace one comma or hyphen there would be diminishment. David Bardallis has my highest recommendation."
— Michael LaFaive, Director of Fiscal Policy, Mackinac Center for Public Policy
"David is simply the best writer/editor I've worked with. Even though we both left the Mackinac Center many years ago, I continue to seek him out to do work for me at the Commonwealth Foundation. You will be hard-pressed to find anyone better than David!"
— Matthew Brouillette, President & CEO, The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives
"Where to start when talking about Dave? He brings editing and proofreading skills you can lean on, and lean on hard. He is a great writer – able to stay within the straight and narrow if that’s where a client needs to be. Or he can guide the client into new territory with copy that sings a whole new tune. Dave’s writing is crisp and clear – not only because his command of the language is outstanding, but because his thinking is sound. Beyond his skill set, Dave is a pleasure to work with. Very funny (I hate when he gets the last laugh) and a great person. If you find yourself plummeting toward a tense deadline, take the ride with Dave. The results will be great and the ride that much more enjoyable."
— Jesse Traschen, Senior Copywriter, Bolger + Battle Inc.
"Dave did a very thorough proofreading job on our ESL catalog and kept to the schedule in delivering the marked-up first-pass pages. I would definitely use him again."
— Mary Sandre, Associate Marketing Manager, ELT/Education, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge University Press, Americas
If you're convinced, contact me to find out how I can help you with your writing, editing, or other communications project.
Contact Me
If you need someone to help you produce top-notch communications that impress (or sell or persuade), whether it's research and writing, content or copy editing, or simply a sharp set of eyes to catch grammar goofs or typos before you publish, please use the form below to contact me with your project goals, budget, and/or other details. I'll get back to you ASAP.
(Note: Each individual project is, of course, its own thing and subject to unique factors, etc., etc., but for a ballpark figure of what I charge for particular services and such, please see my fee schedule.)Contact David Bardallis – Freelance Writer and Editor
My Résumé
David Bardallis
www.davidbardallis.com
Ann Arbor, Michigan • Contact
Career Profile
Professional Experience
Freelance Writer and Editor
Provide copy solutions for a variety of business and nonprofit clients, from original writing to content and line editing to proofreading and more.
Copy Editor
Maintain brand voice and provide QA for variety of customer-facing print and e-commerce communications, including monthly in-store shopping guides; weekly web updates; monthly emails; and the Borders Shortlist, distributed weekly to 23 million inboxes.
Copywriter
Create and develop marketing materials for clients ranging from global Fortune 100 companies to regional nonprofits. Write, edit, and proofread copy for client internal and external communications including ads, brochures, newsletters, emails, video scripts, web sites, and news releases.
Education
Managing Editor of Publications
Oversee production schedule for economic research and educational institute’s publications, including two quarterly journals, quarterly contributor newsletter, monthly commentary series, special op-eds, reports and studies, and daily web updates. Write, edit, and/or proofread all of foregoing as necessary. Assist with development of promotional materials including fundraising letters, marketing brochures, and event support.
You can also download my résumé as a PDF or Word doc. Or contact me with questions or comments or to talk about how I can help you with your communications project.
