Publications & Speaking

I am an accomplished freelance writer, journalist, public speaker and managing editor based in Charlottesville, Virginia. I currently hold a fulltime position in marketing and communications, occasionally accepting freelance assignments on the side.

My writing has appeared in many published anthologies as well on New York Times, Washington Post, Redbook and other places.

Contact me

In 2019, after writing for seven years on allisonbarrettcarter.com, I took a hiatus from freelancing to take a full-time position at the University of Virginia.

Other ongoing assignments I have had include:

  • In October 2016 I became the Web Editor/Staff Writer and then the Managing Editor for North Brunswick Magazine and South Brunswick Magazine, part of Carolina Marketing Company‘s publications and services.
  • For over a year, I wrote for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, engaging clients by proposing content schedules and writing insights articles.
  • Beginning September 2016, until summer 2017, I was a regular contributor for StarNews, writing the Passages/Celebrations articles each week. (Those articles are not listed below due to their frequency. Special StarNews assignments are.)
  • I was the first Web Editor and Social Media Manager for Grace United Methodist Church.
  • For one year (or 4 issues), I was the writer and content creator for the North Carolina Tippaper, the marketing newsletter for Triple P Parenting, a positive parenting organization.
  • I was Co-Founder and was Managing Director of the NC Blogger Network.
  • I was editor for International Quality Assurance for two years.

Education:

I am a freelance writer who graduated With Distinction from the University of Virginia in 2000. My concentration was English with coursework in Journalism.

In May 2022 I completed my Nonprofit Management Certificate from Harvard Extension School, with concentrations in communications and marketing.

Writing & Freelance Articles:

2022

2020

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Anthology appearances:

  • Double Bind: On Women and Ambition (2016)
  • New Hanover Residents Share Their Views (2016)
  • The HerStories Project: So Glad They Told Me (2016)
  • The HerStories Project: Women Explore the Joy, Pain & Power of Female Friendship (2013)
  • The HerStories Project – My Other Ex: Women’s True Stories of Losing and Leaving Friends (2014)
  • Motherhood May Cause Drowsiness (2014)
  • Motherhood May Cause Drowsiness II (2015)
  • Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas (2015)
  • Lose the Cape: Never Will I Ever (2015)

Positions & Professional Development:

  • Web Editor/Writer for Carolina Marketing Company (September 2016 – May 2019). Oversee relaunch of North Brunswick Magazine & South Brunswick Magazine websites. Implement and write original content plan for site.
  • Columnist for StarNews (September 2016 – May 2019). Write the Sunday paper’s weekly Passages & Celebrations column.
  • Senior Content Strategist for BP Studios (2014-2015).
  • Columnist and Staff Writer for Chapelboro (2014).  Bi-weekly column on recommendations for family outings in Chapel Hill and Carrboro as well as news reporting for family interest topics.
  • Managing Partner at Triangle Moms on Main (2012-2013). Joined founder Kristen Bagwell at the end of November 2012 and left in mid-2013 when the decision was made to stop publishing the website.  The website had 1,370 Facebook followers.  My writing and articles ran a gambit of topics, all related to parenting.
  • Founder, editor, and primary writer for the website Mom in Chapel Hill.
  • Columnist and contributor to Carolina Parent.
    *    Featured web article September 2012: “Triangle Offers Quick Dinner Solutions for Healthy Family Meals.”
    *Wrote a regular column for the website from October 2010 to March 2011.
  • Columnist for Chapelboro.com. Wrote a bi-weekly column from April 2011 to February 2012 that focused on parenting my toddler.
  • Columnist for Triangle Mom2Mom, the online family site for the News & Observer. Wrote a weekly column from August 2010 to December 2012 that provided families recommended activities for the weekend.
  • Writer for the University of Virginia’s student newspaper The Cavalier Daily. Wrote articles for the paper on assignment from August 1999 to May 2000.
  • Writer and intern for the Smith Mountain Eagle. Wrote articles for the newspaper on assignment from May to August 1998.  Work also included photographs to be published with articles.

Featured Writer/Blogger:

Photography Appearances:

  • Provided original photography for many StarNews pieces to accompany articles September 2016 – current.
  • Reposted on Instagram by Southern Living Magazine July 2015
  • Winner Salt Magazine InstaContest April 2015
  • Reposted on Instagram by: Out About NC, NC Blogger Network, What the Flicka?, ILMBeer
  • Instagram photo from Puerto Rico featured & syndicated on Marriott Hotels’ feed on November 10, 2014
  • “Your Best Shot” photograph, Chapel Hill News, June 30, 2013.

Notes and Accolades:

  • A Modern Mrs Darcy pick of the week
  • Featured essay on Listen to Your Mother for cast alumni
  • Sample essay for the new Her Stories Voices column.
  • Featured Tweet in the Chapel Hill Weekly in October 2013 as @godansker.
  • Featured Tweet in the Chapel Hill Weekly in August 2013 as @mominchapelhill.
  • Mama Kat’s pick of the week twice for creative writing.
  • Mom in Chapel website nominated as a Best of the Triangle by Triangle Moms on Main readers 3 years running.

Volunteer Work & Relative Community Involvement:

  • From 2020-2021 I was on the Outreach Committee for Loaves + Fishes Foodbank, the PTO for multiple schools (helping one convert to online mail management systems and segmentations) and I lead efforts to streamline and ehance communications for my Homeowners Assocation.
  • Founder (2016) and Managing Director (2016-2018) of Cinderella’s Closet-Wilmington, an organization that takes in gently used formal wear and creates events to bring local high school girls in need love and everything they need for their prom.
  • Blog Editor for Grace United Methodist Church, including writing original articles September 2016 – January 2018.
  • Manager of the Vend Raleigh Bloggers’ group 2013-2014.
  • Emily Matchar’s travel writing course in 2009 at UNC’s Friday Center.

Public Speaking and Presentations:

I enjoy the opportunity to share my experiences in practical ways and enjoy public speaking. Past speaking engagements include:

  • How to Travel 5 to 9: Wanderful community May 2022.
  • As Operations Director of the Center for Effective Lawmaking I spoke at events of all sizes including the Sorensen Institute for Emerging Leadership, AAUW’s Roanoke chapter, and Smith Mountain Lake Democrats.
  • Writers and Blogging panelist at the Wilmington Write to Publish event 2016.
  • “Just Keep Writing: Create Content that Connects” in October 2014 at the SITS Girls’ Bloggy Boot Camp in Atlanta.  This 30 minute presentation offered a 5-step program on how to make sure blog content is its best.
  • “Don’t Play Hide & Seek with your Website: SEO” in October 2014.  Presented a 45 minute presentation as part of the Vend Raleigh Illuminate committee for small businesses.
  • Digital Marketing for Business 2014: Presenter on Blogging for Business, Panelist on Storytelling and Content in May 2014.
  • Blogging for Business: Small Business Version in March 2014. Presented a 2 hour presentation to 30 women small business owners about the power of blogging, how-tos, and content marketing ideas.
  • Social Media: Best Practices 101 in January 2014. Presented an in-house powerpoint show 1 hour in length to a client’s entire staff regarding best practices for social media platforms, tips, and tricks. 
  • Featured Presenter at the Triangle Family Expo in March 2013..  A 1-hour presentation on Adventure Ideas for families focused on Geocaching, Letterboxing, and outdoor scavenger hunts. 
  • Interview for My Carolina TV.  Recommended and discussed newest trends in baby shower gifts on December 12, 2012.
  • Live radio interview on WCHL news. Discussed life raising a toddler in Chapel Hill/Carrboro in July 2012.
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