Barbara Bloom presents herself in SMALL CAPS but thinks in italics. She is a thoughtful writer and a thorough and enlightening editor. Barbara brings more than twenty years of successful publishing and communication experience to her work. She has worked for Simon & Schuster Trade and Wayne State University Press and managed the publishing program at the Norton Simon Museum.
VERSATILITY
Barbara’s diverse career has spanned trade and academic publishing, health care, philanthropy, museums, and the performing arts. She has written and/or edited books and manuscripts, reports and newsletters, biographical profiles, press releases, brochures and direct mail, grants and proposals, radio and print ads, essays, catalogues, program notes (music), and audiobooks.
NAME DROPPING
Barbara has worked with such companies and organizations as Borders, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Gooding & Co., Wayne State University Press, Lawrence Technological University, PPG Industries, Dove Audio, Toyota Commercial Finance, SmartFinds Marketing, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Auto Art Magazine, and Little Professor Book Centers, Inc.
She has also assisted authors, artists, and musicians in developing book and grant proposals, artist statements, and media materials.
CALLING THE SHOTS
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
As director of foundation giving, Barbara wrote grant proposals as part of the hospital’s $500 million capital campaign. She also led, trained, and evaluated her team of grant writers.
Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, CA
Managing the bookstore and publication program, Barbara also worked with designers, printers, and manufacturers through all stages of product development.
Simon & Schuster Trade, New York, NY
As a sales rep for S&S, Barbara presented seasonal lists to and shared marketing strategies with national accounts, wholesalers, retailers, and specialty accounts. She also trained colleagues in sales presentations and reporting and led author tours.
In addition, Barbara has educated board members and volunteers of various nonprofits about the art and science of fundraising.
PARCHMENTS AND CONNECTIONS
University of Michigan, BA with distinction, art history
University of Chicago, certificate, manuscript editing
University of Michigan, certificate, book publishing
Guide to Self-publishing (Editorial Services)
Literary Market Place-approved (Editorial Services)
WritersMarket.com (Editorial Services)
Editorial Freelancers Association
COMMUNITY
• Heart of the City Festival, Vancouver (2023), performing with the Vancouver Squeezebox Circle Orchestra a musical interpretation of Annie Proulx’s Accordion Crimes.
• Speaker (2016-2019), Bloomfield Township Public Library and Bloomfield Township Senior Services, “You’ve Finished Your Manuscript, Now What?”—a 90-minute workshop detailing next steps in the publishing process.
• Picturing Michigan’s Past, crowdsourcing project, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan.
JUST FOR FUN
Photo by Chalmers Knight
Musette, tango, klezmer, and more . . .