Melissa Walsh
A writer and editor with nearly 30 years experience, I tap my expertise to deliver quality print and online content to target audiences, meeting today's media and market needs.
My writing services include: journalism (hard news and lifestyle); ghostwriting; blogging; copywriting; and proposal- and report-writing.
My editorial and publishing services include: copy editing; developmental editing; fact-checking; proofreading; XML mark-up; editorial project management; and print and ebook publishing.
I began my professional journey as a project editor for a large education and reference publisher. Later, I served the automotive industry in service operations and requirements management. I also worked in the defense industry, managing operator and maintenance logistics for ground combat systems. During my years working around vehicles, I returned to school for applied engineering/automotive technology training. I became a wordsmith who can turn a wrench and use a scantool.
I’m also a hockey player, a level-4 USA Hockey coach, and the mother of four grown hockey players. Putting my writing cap on around the rink, I have contributed articles, columns, blog posts, and a book to the hockey market.
Off the ice, I’m an avid Great Lakes sailor and a history nerd frequently with her nose in a book. When I find an opportunity to disappear to write poetry, fiction or creative nonfiction, I take it.
Recognized for my work as a freelance news reporter, I'm the recipient of the 2018 second-place award by the Michigan Press Association in the weekly media B news feature category.
Demand for quality writing and editorial services grows as markets become more competitive. My writing and editorial skills bring extra strength to organizations with the wisdom not to treat written communication as an afterthought.
I’m available for work onsite in metro Detroit or remotely from my home office.
~Melissa Walsh
Detroit's Challenge the Wind Program Adjusts Its Sails
Great Lakes Scuttlebutt March 2021 Spring Issue 2021 (March-April)
Detroit's Goat Yard: A Sailor's Dream
Lakeland Boating January 2021 January 2021 issue, pages 32-35
The Return of The Goat Yard
Detroit River Living April 2020 "The Return of The Goat Yard"
GETTING STARTED WITH THE GREAT LAKES’ BEST WINTER TOY
Great Lakes Scuttlebutt November 2019 Getting Started In Ice Boating
Led by Laura Mendoza, Detroit’s Firewalkers serve up smoldering throwback R&B
Detroit Metro Times August 7th, 2019 Music section
Going Green for Blue Waterways
Great Lakes Scuttlebutt July 2019 Summer Issue 2019 July/August
Stay Safe, Fear the Lake
Great Lakes Scuttlebutt May 1st, 2019 Summer Issue 2019 May/June
Thomas Hardware marks 100th anniversary
Grosse Pointe News March 21st, 2019 News section
Detroit Sailor, Filmmaker Presents Racing's Common Goal
Great Lakes Scuttlebutt March 2019 Spring Issue 2019 (March/April)
Officials urge, 'Build the seawall'
Grosse Pointe News February 28th, 2019 News section
‘Ice dog’ on Lake St. Clair: Lone coyote using iced-over lake to travel
Grosse Pointe News February 14th, 2019 Features section
Driver rescued from lake
Grosse Pointe News January 3rd, 2019 News section
Grosse Pointe Yacht Club grows partnership with Challenge the Wind
Grosse Pointe News August 16th, 2018 Grosse Pointe News - News section
The boat ride
Grosse Pointe News August 16th, 2018 Grosse Pointe News - OpEd section - 'I Say'
Seawall fix creeping forward
Grosse Pointe News July 19th, 2018 Grosse Pointe News - News section
Grosse Pointe Equestrian: Less club, more community
Grosse Pointe News June 21st, 2018 Grosse Pointe News - Features section
An Hour With... Candice S. Miller
Hour Detroit Magazine May 2018 An Hour with...
I Say: Truth-telling: Lessons in ‘voir dire’
Grosse Pointe News April 26th, 2018 I Say
Blues/jazz artist reawakens Detroit’s musical past
Grosse Pointe News March 15th, 2018 Pointer of Interest
America 'undragoned'
Grosse Pointe News March 1st, 2018 I Say: American 'undragoned'
Day to stand trial for home invasion, sexual assault
Grosse Pointe News February 8th, 2018 Feb. 8, 2018 issue
Service dog earns First Star at ‘Power Play for Heroes’
Grosse Pointe Magazine January 2018 Grosse Pointe Magazine - Jan.-Feb. 2018
Work like a dog
Grosse Pointe News January 18th, 2018 Grosse Pointe News - Jan. 18, 2018 - I Say column
Woods author uncovers secret Detroit
Grosse Pointe News January 4th, 2018 Pointer of Interest
The literature of civic life
Grosse Pointe News December 28th, 2017
Farms signs ordinance amended for First Amendment protection
Grosse Pointe News December 7th, 2017
My rock hammer of curiousity
Grosse Pointe News October 26th, 2017
Residents raise concerns about yard-sign ordinance
Grosse Pointe News September 14th, 2017
The Wild West of Automotive Technology and ‘White Hat’ Hacking
Powerplay Communications July 2017 'Content Solutions' blog post - The Wild West of Automotive Technology and ‘White Hat’ Hacking
Enterprise Content Management presentation
Melissa Walsh March 23rd, 2017
A Phenomenal Day for Hockey
Pointe Media March 2016 Grosse Pointe Magazine - March/April 2016 Issue
Driverless Cars and the Cost of Active Safety
Powerplay Communications March 3rd, 2016 Driverless Cars and the Cost of Active Safety
A Big Tilt for Grosse Pointe Community
Pointe Media January 2016 Grosse Pointe Magazine - January/February 2016
The Reel Deal
Service Truck Magazine September 2015 The Reel Deal
Grosse Pointe's Super Novices Hit 'The Brick'
Pointe Media July 2015 Grosse Pointe Magazine - July/August 2015
Rivertown Survivor
Hour Detroit Magazine December 2013 Rivertown Survivor
Grosse Pointe Public Schools: The details on our impressive high schools
Pointe Media August 2013
The Fountain of Youth Is the Frozen Pond
Powerplay Communications April 17th, 2013 Hockey Mom Sense blog: "The Fountain of Youth Is the Frozen Pond"
10 Things Good Hockey Parents Know About Hockey
Powerplay Communications January 17th, 2013 Hockey Mom Sense: 10 Things Good Hockey Parents Know About Hockey
The Rookie Hockey Mom: How to Play the Game's Toughest Position (author & publisher)
Powerplay Communications 2012 Rookie Hockey Mom website
Capitalize on Experience e-mail blast
Powerplay Communications May 2012
Detroit's Big Three Play the Game with Heart
Powerplay Communications January 2011 Detroit's Big Three Play the Game with Heart
Warrior/Brine lacrosse equipment retail display signage & brochure
Graphic Resource Group October 2010
TIS Techstream marketing communications materials
Toyota Motor Sales 2007 TIS Techstream website
CeCe Winans
Gale Group 2006 CeCe Winans
Detroit Music and Things that Start with 'D'
Self 2005 Essay - Detroit Music and Things that Start with 'D'