About
According to my mom, I wrote my first poem (a little ditty about moonbeams) when I was four years old — and I haven’t stopped writing since. I’ve worked with a range of people from small business owners to multinational corporations like General Motors, Cleveland Clinic, Navy Federal Credit Union and Coca-Cola. My essays and poetry have appeared in publications like Catapult, The Kenyon Review, Brevity magazine and more.
I graduated with my Master’s degree in Creative Writing at the end of 2016 and have received several awards for my work in creative nonfiction and poetry. When I’m not reading or writing, I like taste-testing different French fries (the best are here, IMHO), gardening, listening to records, sending notes to my 20+ pen pals (hi, #penpalooza pals), knitting and binge-watching the Great British Bake-Off.
Come say hi to me on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. And if you’re a book lover, sign up for Shelf Stories: my sporadic newsletter with reviews, themed roundups, standalone book or author spotlights, the occasional literary essay and more.
Work
I’ve been providing magazines, small business owners, independent authors, and multi-national corporations with writing and editing services for more than 15 years. If you’re interested in learning about my rates and seeing a full list of content offerings, I’d love to hear from you.
Resume
Download my resume for an overview of my education, professional experience, and featured skills.
Portfolio
Browse examples of my brand writing for AAA Life, General Motors, Cleveland Clinic, Navy Federal Credit Union and more.
Writing Coach
I have limited availability to take on a few more coaching clients. To find out more about these services, please email me.
Featured Writing
Take a look at some of my favorite published work.
©Martin Vorel, via LibreShot
How Affirmations Ground Me in Baking and Parenting - Catapult Magazine
I learned to make bread in the middle of one cold fall day when my daughter was two years old. Almost immediately, I loved everything about it: the sifted flour, the bubbling preferment, the small ceramic bowls filled with raisins or jams, the way my mind cleared as I kneaded the dough and shaped it into loaves. I still remember my first loaf the way some people remember their first kiss: It was dense and chewy in all the ways it wasn’t supposed to be but spiced with nutmeg and warm on my tongue. “It may not be perfect,” I wrote to a friend. “But I love this ugly little loaf of bread like it was my own child.” Keep reading…
Photo by Brendan Beale on Unsplash
Pantoum for the Fourth Trimester - trampset
If we are only flesh and blood, bones and organs,
how is my body still here and whole?
Earthquakes ripping through my chest
My thighs laid out like thick roadways through charred forests.
How is my body still here and whole?
I can see my history evolving
Stretched skin laid out (a thick roadway through charred forests)
where my daughter swam en caul, nestled between my organs.
Keep reading...
©Rob Rogers, via Flickr
A Review of Sarah Menkedick’s Ordinary Insanity - Literary Mama
The summer I gave birth to my daughter, I was so afraid to leave my house with her that we didn’t even go on neighborhood walks alone. I remember letting her sleep in the bassinet while I took my dog outside, paralyzed by fear and foreboding: What if she chokes on her spit up and dies while I’m gone? What if she suffocates in her sleeper? What if she cries so hard the blood vessels along her nose split and flood over her milk-white cheeks?
I thought: If she dies, I die. Keep reading…
Kind Words
Michael Guest
Associate Creative Director at MRM
Stefanie is hard-working, diligent and collaborative. She is passionate about providing thoughtful, well-written words that put the user experience at the forefront. She treats interface copy and error messaging with the same standards of excellence as the highest level brand copy, which makes her an extremely rare and valuable asset to the Digital Owner Services team.
She brings a professional grace and positive attitude into every situation, even ones that could easily be construed as unclear, unfair or overwhelming. Her work is consistently well-received by colleagues and clients alike. And she has earned the confidence and trust of the entire team.
Beyond her day-to-day assignments, Stefanie has demonstrated that she can write effective and impactful copy for other mediums. She successfully tackled video, print and email projects, learning the nuances of writing effectively for each.
Sima Succar
Account Executive at MRM
Working with Stefanie has been an amazing experience. Stef has a knack for crafting content that really resonates, whether it’s digital, print, or technical writing. But beyond the skills, it’s her passion and positive energy that make her a joy to work with. If you’re looking for someone who’s not just talented but also brings a great vibe to the team, I can’t recommend Stefanie enough. I feel truly fortunate to have worked with someone so talented, kind, and passionate.
Sarah Boyce
Professional consultant and independent writer
Stefanie is a treasure. I've written independently for years, but I didn't have the confidence to put my work "out there" until she began coaching me. In addition to providing feedback on my work, Stefanie helps me achieve my goals by co-creating a roadmap that encompasses tools, techniques and sometimes a kick-in-the-pants approach to think bigger than I ever did on my own. Over the course of five sessions, I've picked up and iterated several stalled pieces. Last week, I even submitted one to a literary contest for the first time in years. I'm looking forward to keeping the coaching relationship going as my projects evolve.
Lena Duffy
Associate Creative Director at MRM
Stefanie is a pleasure to work with and a true master of her craft. Her passion for writing shines through in every project, as she approaches each assignment with meticulous care and creativity. She has a keen eye for detail, thoughtfully interpreting briefs before weaving her magic into compelling content. She's a quick-thinking problem solver, and if any challenges arise, she always finds a way to enhance the outcome. Beyond her professional talents, Stefanie's bright smile, enthusiasm, and genuine warmth make her a joy to collaborate with, turning any team into a close-knit group.
Rachael Sanowski
Author of the book "Loved Fearless"
Stefanie edited my manuscript with a writer's eye and a disciple's heart. She kept her eye on grammar, audience and contextual integrity, while also looking to learn from and be true to the content. I felt listened to AND led to deeper and clearer forms of expression. She convinced me that my work was good AND coached me toward a more excellent end product. I am really grateful.
Meg Swinter
Senior Writer at MRM
Stefanie was one of my first mentors when I started my career in writing, and I’m so grateful for everything she taught me. Not only does she know how to write to any medium, but she crafts copy that is very thoughtful and human. She’s also a joy to be around – with a positive attitude that’s 100% contagious. Any team would be so lucky to have her, and I can’t wait to see what she does next!
Paige Rosas
Senior Art Director at MRM
Stefanie is an outstanding team player with a positive, can-do attitude that makes collaborating with her a pleasure. She brings serious range to the table—whether it’s technical writing, poetry, or punchy social copy, Stefanie nails it every time. She’s always ready to dive in and deliver exactly what’s needed, and she consistently goes above and beyond. Her dedication shows in the way she researches topics, crafts thoughtful content, and hones in on the little details that capture the brand’s voice perfectly. Stefanie is a true go-to for any team.
Publications & Awards
Publications
2024 - Pantoum for the Fourth Trimester - trampset
2024 - Rule of the People - Black Stone / White Stone
2021 - How Affirmations Ground Me in Baking and Parenting - Catapult Magazine
2020 - A Review of Ordinary Insanity: Fear and the Silent Crisis of Motherhood in America - Literary Mama
2019 - On Randon Billings Noble’s Be with Me Always - Kenyon Review Online
2019 - A Review of Lyz Lenz’s God Land - Brevity Magazine
2018 - What Happened on June 21? - Essay Daily
2018 - Finding My Way Back to the Beginning - SheLoves Magazine
2018 - Swallows of Capistrano - Under the Gum Tree
2015 - Dancing Partners - The Wayne Literary Review
2013 - Jaundice - The Wayne Literary Review
Honors & Awards
2022 - Ekphrasis Poetry Award - 1st Place for “Anne and Billy”
2022 - Nominated by my local agency for the Better Together award from the MRM Global Honors Program
2021 - Side Show Award - Bronze for “How Affirmations Ground Me in Baking and Parenting”
2016 - Tompkins Award - 2nd Place for "Night Side of Life"
2015 - Christopher T. Leland Endowed Scholarship for Creative Writing
2013 - Tompkins Award - 1st Place for "Sappho's Song"
Speaking Engagements
2023 - MRM Subject Matter Expert presentation: “Erasure Poetry as Creative Practice”
2019 - MRM Subject Matter Expert presentation: “Literary Citizenship: Important Community-Mindedness or a Failed Economic System for Writers?”
2014 - PCA/ACA National Conference for the paper "Male Homosocial Bonding and Women of Silence in The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket"
Say Hello!
Please reach out about writing and editing assignments, book reviewing, coaching and any other queries you might have. If you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here or via X (formerly Twitter).
I'm also booking for virtual and in-person events in 2024 and 2025, so please send a note if you're interested in having me teach a writing course or seminar.