SJF Writing in the Huntsville Times!
As seen in the Madison Spirit section of the Huntsville times, this article is also online at al.com:
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Writing service helps get the message out
by Gregg L. Parker
Savannah Foley’s book knowledge finds many uses
Co-workers and bosses often asked Savannah J. Foley for help with writing. She developed a let-me-help-you attitude, which led to founding her own business.
SJF Writing provides technical and creative writing services, along with editing.
By fourth grade, Foley was exchanging her obsession to be an astronaut with writing and storytelling. At 14, she wrote her first novel, “Antebellum.” “Though it has nothing to do with the Civil War,” she said.
Two years ago, Foley finished her fifth novel.
In June 2008, she became administrative assistant to Joe Uptain, president and chief executive officer of Medco Services Inc. She soon founded the company newsletter. “I became the ‘go-to’ girl for document cleanup,” Foley said.
During Medco training, she met Dr. Larry Little, director of The Enrichment Center, a non-profit counseling organization. They collaborated on his self-help book, and Foley realized the potential market for “literary guidance on corporate or personal projects.”
Proofreading accounts for the bulk of Foley’s work. She checks press releases, corporate letters, thesis papers and technical documents. “Even e-mails that need a second opinion.”
She also writes newsletter and brochure articles and speeches. Foley helps writers find a literary agent.
Currently, she’s working on a media guide for Rocket City United, a non-profit soccer organization going to playoffs.
Foley assists with autobiographies. “My grandparents had amazing life stories. I recall a few but most of their lives are truly lost to me. Most people have an incredible story to tell.”
What’s a manager’s worst mistake in writing? “Wasting their time fighting with it,” Foley said. Her clients are usually excellent communicators verbally but aren’t comfortable with writing.
Currently, she is the sole employee but hopes to employ a team of writers. Her goal is to create “an industry” to give full-time projects to freelance writers and offer internships and part-time jobs for high school and college writers.
“Breaking into the writing industry is so hard,” Foley said. “I’d like to give talented young adults the chance to live their dreams and get some real work experience as paid writers.”
Diversity is her work’s prime asset. “Some days I’m proofreading proposals and other days I go out and conduct interviews,” Foley said.
“Huntsville and Madison are experiencing some wonderful growth, and I’m very proud to meet the demands of the community,” she said.
A native of Washington state, Foley moved with her family to Chicago for a year before settling in Madison in August 2007. “Living in the South has been wonderful,” she said.
“I literally met my fianc here in an ‘enchanted forest.’ ” Foley is engaged to Christopher M. Horlick with The Enchanted Forest garden center.
For more information, visit the Web site www.sjfwriting.com.
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* I would like to note that Chris does not work at The Enchanted Forest; I was working there when we met.