About

About This Blog

I am more than casually interested in many subjects and activities. Although I am no Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, nor da Vinci, I can draw clear parallels in my diversity of interests when compared to these men and thereby claim to be a “renaissance man.” This is not to boast. It may very well be a case of Adult ADD!

With that in mind, you will find posts on a widely diverse set of topics in my blog. Look for categories that relate to history, travel, food and restaurants, flying, growing up, etc. I enjoy writing and relating personal stories and experiences, usually within the context of one or more of the categories mentioned.

One specific goal of my blog is to capture stories of my youth—growing up on a farm in Virginia as an only child for my daughters and grandchildren.

If you are really interested in my motivations for this blog, check out my posting titled: “Who Am I and What am I Doing Here?.”

I am actively seeking writing and photography assignments. A more detailed description of “What I want” follows the Update section below. I am also an active member of Outsource.com. 

 

About Jeff

I have retired to a home in Middle Tennessee. I am an active writer and photographer, and my wife and I enjoy traveling, especially travel camping. I am actively seeking writing and photography assignments. Here is what I want and what I have to offer:

What I want
I am officially retired after 30 years of professional writing, editing, and photography.
Am not, however, dead! I am actively seeking writing and photography assignments.

Here is what I want to do:

1. With Regard to writing: – I am seeking assignments for publication, blogs or technical writing for proposals or technical reports. Will consider full time as long as I can work from my home office most of the time (travel as needed is perfectly acceptable).

1A. Specifically, I want to write:
i. Short articles on science and technology news and products
ii. Travel articles, especially focused on unusual places and/or obscure (and potentially interesting) historical places. Also interested in unique and small museums
iii. Ghost write, edit, revise, rewrite to improve message clarity and content of my client’s message.
iv. Act as a proposal manager and/or content writer for technically oriented RFPs, SBIRs, or Grant applications.

1B. What I have to offer

i. Thirty-plus years of technical and general interest writing experience on a wide variety of topics, including advanced technologies, science topics, travel destinations, and general interests topics.
ii. Strong vocabulary with the ability to write accurately, supported by extensive research skills that allow me write precisely and clearly about an assigned topic.
iii. The ability to listen and/or read to clearly understand and deliver my client’s message, as well as understanding potential customer interests and motivations.
iv. Can work to short deadlines
v. I know my limitations. I will not accept an assignment unless I am fully confident in my ability to meet my client’s needs.

1C. References and Demonstrated Experience

i. Review postings on my blog: Renaissance Musings, launched in January 2014 with more than 330 articles posted as of March 2016.
ii. Professional references available upon request
iii. My professional resume is posted below

2. With regard to Photography

2A. I am seeking assignments as your product and/or destination photographer

i. Clear, sharp images of products, especially new products where the intent is to allow the viewer to understand the benefits of the product visually
ii. Interpret your business (tourist attraction, destination, estate, business) to create interest.
iii. This includes photography of animals (show horses and livestock and pets), antique restorations, unique products, etc.
iv. Literary (“magazine”) photography to illustrate your articles

2B. What I have to offer

i. Professional photographer for more than 40 years
ii. An extensive portfolio
iii. Experience in technical, product, editorial and advertising photography
iv. Strong understanding of light, color, texture, background, and framing and how they enhance an image
v. Equipment and experience for professional photography and digital image corrections and enhancements
vi. Can work to short deadlines
vii. I know my limitations. I will not accept an assignment unless I am fully confident in my ability to meet my client’s needs.

2C. References and Demonstrated Experience

i. Review postings on my blog: Renaissance Musings. Most of the photography illustrating the articles is mine.
ii. Look at Photographs of the Week posted every Wednesday beginning in 2015.
iii. There are also two galleries of both personal and professional photographs.

Contact
Contact me via email with a brief description of your requirements and contact information. I will respond promptly to requests.

Jeff Richmond
Email: merlinjr01@msn.com

Note: The “Merlin” in my email address refers to the name of the aircraft that I personally built and flew.
Pricing and expenses are based on those customary and usual as published by Writer’s Digest

Questions or comments, email me at Merlinjr01@msn.com (that is “zero” one)

Resume Follows

Writing Resume of Jeffrey Richmond

Email: Merlinjr01@msn.com Telephone Upon Email Request

Summary
Professional Writer/Writing for Publication since 1980, with more than 150 articles published in consumer, trade, and corporate publications. Areas of strongest experience and capability are travel, aviation and aerospace (including experience as Air Force, Airline, and General Aviation pilot), defense technologies, and transportation. Also wrote and published a novel, Vision of Treachery in 2005.

Most recently, writing for a personal blog, Renaissance Musings on a variety of categories: (1) “I Grew Up on a Farm in Virginia” that records my youth, primarily as a record for my children and grandchildren: (2) “The Renaissance Bucket List” that focuses on travel and adventure articles, and (3) “The View from Pelham” which includes some political and other personal observations on life in the United States.

Aviation/Aerospace Writing and Journalism
Articles have appeared in the following Popular/Aviation Magazines and Publications (1975 to Present—freelance and on assignment): Science and Technology, Popular Mechanics, AOPA Pilot, EAA Sport Aviation, Aviation, World Aerospace/Defense, High Technology, Military Logistics Forum, International Defense Images and others. As a writer working on assignment and as a proposal writer, I am comfortable working to deadlines, under pressure, and “when news happens.”

Other Relevant Experience

Proposals, Public Relations and Marketing Writer, Lockheed Martin, New Jersey.
I was responsible for managing the proposal process in response to government requests for proposals, editing proposal text, and ensuring responsiveness and compliance with customer requirements. I also wrote press releases and tech briefs that are used to report company accomplishments and showcase their technologies. (2001 – 2012)

Public Information Officer, Oak Ridge Associate Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
ORAU is a consortium of universities and a contractor for the Department of Energy. It was here that I met Tim Crawford and his Long-EZ N3R. His office was assigned to ORAU for accounting purposes and that is where I wrote the Sport Aviation article. I managed the corporate news letter as managing editor and wrote many of the articles. I also set up and managed company Web sites. This involved use of Web authoring programs and light HTML duties. (1989-2001)

Director of Research and Managing Editor, Forecast International, Newtown, Connecticut
Senior editor for an aerospace and defense market research company—now associated with Janes. Managed a staff of nine editors and responsible for publication schedules and deadlines. Attended and reported on international air shows (Paris, China). Personally researched and wrote a comprehensive analysis of emerging aerospace markets in China in 1986. (1984-1986)

Proposal Writer and Editor, Pratt and Whitney (United Technologies), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Wrote and edited proposals and technical reports. Was Technical Volume lead on the Advanced Tactical Fighter Engine proposal (now the F-22 Raptor)—a contract that P&W eventually won. (1986-1988)

Proposal Manager, DME Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (1989-1995)
Managed proposal process, planned and edited proposal text. Responsible for responsiveness and compliance with customer requirements. Also wrote manuals and technical data sheets for a variety of commercial airline safety equipment produced by the company.

Photography Experience

Have been an avid photographer since high school. Ran my own photography business for two years, concentrating on commercial and industrial product photography. Found that the best way to sell my photos was to write articles about the subjects—thus photography was the door to my writing career. Also have done professional aerial and air-to-air. Equipment includes both film and digital Nikon cameras with good capabilities. I have PhotoShop™ experience and capabilities to crop, clean up and repair old photos.

Aviation Background

Civil Air Patrol – High School and College

US Air Force 1969 – 1975. Undergraduate Pilot training (T-37 and T-38). Navigator Training wing, pilot and captain, Convair 240/T-29. Air Force Instructor and Stan/Eval Pilot. Also, Airfield Operations Officer concurrent with flying duties.

New England Aeronautical Institute/Daniel Webster College – Taught basic aeronautics, flight physiology, Federal Aviation Regulations, and related aviation courses for flight and Air Traffic Control students. Flight instructor (basic, advanced, instrument, ground). (1975-1980)

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Taught basic aeronautics, flight physiology, Federal Aviation Regulations, and related aviation courses for flight students. Flight instructor (basic, advanced, instrument, ground). (1980-1984)

Captain, Precision Airlines. A local commuter airline providing service to Boston, Massachusetts from airports in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York. (1977-1980)

Built and flew my own Merlin GT aircraft, and have been directly involved in other aircraft construction projects. Am familiar with fiberglass/composite and tube and fabric construction.

Merlin GT Aircraft, built in 1995 and flown in 1996

Flight experience includes:

Ranges in performance from Merlin GT (85 mph on a good day) to T-38 (Mach 1.3)
Single and Multi Engine Land and Sea, Instrument, Instructor, Commercial Single Engine, ATP Multi Engine. Aerobatics and Formation experience (both military and civil).
5,000 plus hours PIC.

More stories than most (non-aviation) people can handle

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