MARGARET MAY
WRITER | COPYEDITOR | CREATOR
SIMPLY PUT, MARGARET IS A CREATIVE CLOSE-LOOKER.
She graduated cum laude and with Phi Beta Kappa honors from the University of Vermont, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a concentration in writing, and double minored in art history and nutrition & food science.
Originally from Wilton, CT, Margaret returned to the Fairfield County area post undergrad, where she worked as an English and electives teacher/mentor at Fusion Academy Fairfield, an individualized private school with a one-to-one teaching model. While teaching, she also began freelance copyediting. It was during that time that she was started working as a contributing copyeditor for Golf Magazine, a position she still holds.
Margaret is currently based in the Tri-State area, where she continues to expand her skill set and gain interdisciplinary experience across numerous industries. Along with her continued copywriting and copyediting contracts, she self-publishes a series of personal essays on her Substack: Here, There, Everywhere.
Last minute need-to-knows about Margaret: She's down to eat any and all Asian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; she loves a clever pun; art history factoids make her giddy; and she is a passionate proponent of the Oxford comma.
"[Margaret] is smart, professional, and hardworking. [She] undertook any research or writing task I threw at her—often on short notice—without complaint, and delivered excellent results every time.... Her writing style is fluid and informative and editorial suggestions were accepted with grace.
Margaret is also a very organized and thorough individual with excellent communication skills. She knows how to prioritize, has a keen eye for detail, and is able to anticipate editorial needs."
— Megan Smith-Harris, Former Editor of Wilton Magazine
WORDS | WRITING & COPYEDITING PORTFOLIO
FREELANCE COPYWRITER/EDITORIALIST FOR MARQUIS WHO'S WHO
August 2023 - Present
"Marquis Who’s Who was established in 1898 and promptly began publishing biographical data in 1899. More than 125 years ago, our founder, Albert Nelson Marquis, established a standard of excellence with the first publication of Who’s Who in America."
As a contracted copywriter by Marquis Who's Who, Margaret crafts 10-15 comprehensive press releases (at roughly 1,200 words per piece) per week for persons of note, writing to highlight their education, career, civic engagements, awards and achievements in their field. She self edits and incorporates feedback from others to ensure clarity of meaning, adherence to AP style and the in-house style guide.
HERE, THERE, EVERYWHERE
November 2022 - Present
"Writings from a young woman as she travels abroad (and back home), into the recesses of her own mind, and down rabbit holes. In other words, a newsletter with so many foci, it's here, there, and everywhere all at once."
Check out Margaret's self-publication, born of her desire to embark on a writing project and grounded in her traveling abroad and into the recesses of her own mind.
COPYEDIT OF MACHADO DE ASSIS: THE WORLD KEEPS CHANGING TO REMAIN THE SAME BY MARIO HIGA
Book release: 2022
Copyediting contribution: Mar. - Aug. 2021
Margaret supported Higa in the early stages of his manuscript writing. She was contracted to provide heavy copyediting and reader feedback on the academic manuscript to ensure a clean a copy was received by publishing house.
To view (and purchase) Higa's book, along with Margaret's acknowledgement, click the button below.
"WHERE CAN I SHOP LOCALLY AND SUSTAINABLY?"
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"HOW CAN I LIMIT MY EXPOSURE TO RADIATION FROM MY PERSONAL ELECTRONICS?"
Wilton Magazine
March/April 2019 issue
Published by Moffly Media (formerly TownVibe)
Two sidebars that appear in the "We've Got Answers" section, responding to questions on sustainability and the environment.
"I LIVE LIKE A CARRIER PIGEON"
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"FAMISHED"
Vantage Point
Spring 2018 issue
Two poems featured in The Gist (formerly Vantage Point), UVM's Literary and Visual Arts Journal.
"I live like a carrier pigeon": p. 45
"Famished": p. 54
Issue Citation:
Point, Vantage (2018) "Vantage Point: Spring 2018," Vantage Point: Vol. 4 : Iss. 1 , Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/vantagepoint/vol4/iss1/1
"CHIAROSCURO"
Vantage Point
Fall 2016 issue
A poem featured (on page 23) in The Gist (formerly Vantage Point), UVM's Literary and Visual Arts Journal.
Issue Citation: Point, Vantage (2017) "Fall 2016," Vantage Point: Vol. 2 : Iss. 2 , Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/vantagepoint/vol2/iss2/1
ART | VISUAL PORTFOLIO
To see what Margaret is creating in her free time, visit the hashtag #visualsby_mm on Instagram.
 InterlacedOriginally featured in The Gist (formerly Vantage Point), UVM's Literary and Visual Arts Journal. Issue Citation: Point, Vantage (2017) "Fall 2016," Vantage Point: Vol. 2 : Iss. 2 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/vantagepoint/vol2/iss2/1 |  The Canvas Out ThereOriginally featured in The Gist (formerly Vantage Point), UVM's Literary and Visual Arts Journal. Issue Citation: Point, Vantage (2017) "Fall 2016," Vantage Point: Vol. 2 : Iss. 2 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/vantagepoint/vol2/iss2/1 |  Nature Administers a Rorschach TestRepublished in the November 2019 Issue (Nonfiction, Volume VII) of Plain China, Virginia Commonwealth University's online anthology of the best undergraduate writing nationwide (https://plainchina.org/2019/11/01/beauty-sleep/). Originally featured in The Gist (formerly Vantage Point), UVM's Literary and Visual Arts Journal. Issue Citation: Point, Vantage (2018) "Vantage Point: Spring 2018," Vantage Point: Vol. 4 : Iss. 1 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/vantagepoint/vol4/iss1/1 |
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FREELANCE SERVICES
From contracted creation to collaboration to instruction, Margaret offers a wide range of services to meet your needs.
Note: Rates can be offered on a sliding scale. Contact Margaret to discuss the nature of your project and needs.
TUTORING
(WRITING, ENGLISH)
Do you want to sharpen and fine tune your written communication skills?
Do you want your child to improve upon their current writing skills?
Does your teen need support and feedback on their college essay?
Are you a college student looking for essay feedback from a certified CRLA writing tutor?
Want Margaret to host a writing workshop at your place of work, school, or community center?
One-one-one tutoring sessions start at $120 per hour or are offered on a sliding scale. For a customized quote, press the button below.