Portfolio / Testimonials

“Jill – Your story is terrific – exactly what I was looking for – and the photos turned out great as well. Thanks for everything.”
–Matt Kelsey, GateHouse Magazine

Travel writer: Although Jill has worked as a freelance writer and magazine editor for more than 20 years, six years ago she began traveling the USA by train (and plane) writing feature articles and a series of guidebooks. While traveling Jill seeks out what foods are indigenous to an area, the local food scene, outdoor activities, wine & spirits, and wellness modalities. She is a Kansas City expert as well as train travel expert. Readers of her stories have come to expect an intimate look at authentic travel experiences.

Local Foods

Everything You Want to Know About Pecans
USA Today

Finding the Best Tacos in Kansas City, Kansas
Travel Awaits

Plus:

Train Expert

8 Great Stops To Make While Riding Amtrak’s Southwest Chief
Travel Awaits

Plus:

Outdoors

Low Pressure and Prime Conditions Make 2021 The Best Year to Book a Bucket-List Fishing Trip
Field & Stream

Lessons I Learned From My First Fly Fishing Experience

Travel Awaits

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Bass Angler Magazine (print edition):

Wine/Spirits/Liquor Trends

The Craft Distilleries and Breweries at the Heart of Reno’s Revitalization
Wine Enthusiast

Contributor Pages:

Plus:

“Having outsourced numerous projects, Jill is one of the most professional and enthusiastic writers and editors I have ever worked with. I am very impressed with her prompt response, active engagement to come up with creative solutions and ability to manage projects without supervision. She has effective communication skills and always seeks to clarify instructions. Jill even volunteered to work over the weekend in order to meet my launch date. I am looking forward to working with Jill on future projects and recommend her whole-heartedly.”
__Lei Wang, Pay No Advertising Campaign

Interviews/News/Essays

The Checkup (reported essay): Controlling the Uncontrollable: OCD during a pandemic
Shawnee Magazine: Shawnee and Her Sister Cities
Pitch Weekly: Debora Green Back in Court
Branded Content: Tips and Tricks for Grilling Sausages
Evolving Magazine: Calm During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Shawnee Magazine: Crafting Cocktails
Business Insider: Unemployed States of America
Business Insider: Unemployment Diary
Travel Awaits: Traveling Solo Over 50
Huffpost Personal (essay) Grandma at 35
Travel Awaits (essay): A Lesson Learned on the Southwest Chief Train
Shawnee Magazine: A Journey Toward Excellence

Freelance writer: More than 20 year’s experience writing for magazines and agencies creating content for print and online. Regular Contributor to Kansas City Star “Simplify Your Life” department for two years. Previous Food Writer for Gayot.com. Heavy focus on interviews/profiles, news, wellness, liquor trends, travel, and food writing.
Content creation includes venues for a travel app, feature articles, interviews, and blog posts for several agencies. Worked with Morning Star Communications, WDS Marketing, and most recently, BigWing, Matcha, and Porter & Sail.
Jill’s writing has appeared most recently in Business Insider, Wine Enthusiast, USA Today, Business Jet Traveler, Chilled Magazine, Shawnee Magazine, Old Liquors Magazine, Evolving Magazine, Bass Angler Magazine, and at HuffPost Personal, Matador Network, Travel Awaits, TripSavvy, Outbound Collective, Real Food Traveler, and Women Who Explore. Previous credits include Kansas City Star, Kansas City Business Journal, Osawatomie Graphic, GateHouse Magazine, and numerous others. Jill is currently writing the first of 12 train travel guides: “Ride the Southwest Chief.”
News experience includes reporting for Business Insider, Kansas City Star, Shawnee Magazine, Disaster News Network, Dos Mundos, and Osawatomie Graphic, Pitch Weekly, Kansas City Business Journal, and sports writing for The Gardner News and Kansas City Sports Calendar.

“Jill is meticulous at meeting deadlines and producing jaw-dropping results. She has an amazing integrity that is reflected in her manner, her work, and her communication with others. Although I have worked with Jill on multiple projects, her multi-talented nature comes through in all capacities. She can as easily apply creative reasoning as she can detailed follow-through. I recommend her highly. Always.”
–Trace Shapiro, Thriving in the Heartland

Additional Travel Stories

“Jill contributed several stories to GateHouse magazine as a freelancer and served as an expert for topics in both Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties. She is capable, dedicated and timely, and she produces clean, engaging copy that adds to the overall editorial voice of a publication. I plan to work with her more, and would certainly recommend her for a variety of freelance projects.”
–Katy Schamberger, editor