Well, hello there! Welcome to my blog, where you can follow my adventures in journalism. I’m a writer, editor, and former newspaper designer in Richmond, Virginia.
WHAT I DO
I’m a freelance writer for a variety of lifestyle publications and brands. Currently I write about architecture and interior design for publications like Apartment Therapy, Lonny, Dwell and The Washington Post. I also create SEO-driven home improvement content for Angi and HomeAdvisor. Occasionally I dabble in public relations as well; and currently am helping watercolor artist Kelly Ventura with copywriting and media relations for her recent product launches.
Want to take a gander at my work? Check out my portfolio.
JOURNALISM
I have written about my travels for The New York Times and Southern Living; journalism and career development for MediaBistro; leading restaurant professionals for Plate Magazine; the state of the organic industry for Delicious Living; interior design for Domino, Dwell and Lonny; and Swedish food and culture for The Kitchn and Umgås Magazine.
TEACHING
I teach workshops to writers interested in pursuing freelance writing as a career at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. The three-hour intensive covers the ins and outs of freelancing: brainstorming and pitching stories, the etiquette behind communicating with editors, negotiating and selling your writing, how you can turn one story into many (AKA more $$$), and the rewarding editing and publishing process.
SIGN UP FOR MY WORKSHOP!
CONTENT WRITING
I also create content for a variety of companies and big brands, including Angi, Choice Hotels, HomeAdvisor, Larson’s Jewelry, Shutterfly’s Wedding Paper Divas, Swedish Match’s Umgås Magazine, Trulia, Wells Fargo, Yelp and Zillow.
MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS
Along with a background in writing, I also have experience in marketing and communications, in the past working with nonprofit organizations, art galleries, contemporary art shows, high-end art auctions, and higher eduction institutions. I believe that the arts are vital to our community, which is why I also commit a portion of my time to Richmond’s vibrant arts scene.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
In my spare time I serve on the Visual Art Center of Richmond’s Craft + Design Show committee and Modern Richmond’s programs committee. And in the past I served on the junior board at The Faison Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and providing resources for people of all ages who have autism.
Interested in hiring me? Check out my resume.
AWARDS
1st Place – Front cover – Richmond Magazine – Virginia Press Association 2013
2nd Place – Design and presentation – Richmond Magazine – Virginia Press Association 2014
MY PATH IN JOURNALISM
Gulfshore Life + Gulfshore Business magazines intern — Naples, Fla.
Boston University journalism student — Boston, Mass.
University of Colorado at Boulder journalism + Nordic studies student — Boulder, Colo.
Colorado Homes & Lifestyles intern — Denver, Colo.
Ski magazine intern — Boulder, Colo.
5280 magazine intern — Denver, Colo.
Boulder Weekly special editions editor — Boulder, Colo.
Media General copy editor + page designer — Lynchburg, Va.
Breathe Magazine editor — Charlottesville, Va.
Richmond magazine associate editor — Richmond, Va.
R•Home managing editor — Richmond, Va.
Freelance writer + editor — Richmond, Va.
Marissa Hermanson 
Nice lifestyle ! I can see why you are successful because you have followed your passion of writing and life’s experiences. Great smile in your photo.