Valentine J. Brkich - Freelance Writer

  • Services
  • Samples
  • Killer Web Copy
  • Names & Taglines
  • Résumé Re-Do
  • All About You
  • Write Your Book!
  • About Me
  • Contact

About Me

April 30, 2014 by valbrkich

Val photo

I first began writing as a kid, long before I knew you could actually make a living on it.

Over the past decade or so, I’ve published three books of my own and ghostwritten several more. I’ve also written and published dozens of magazine articles, booklets, ebooks, and blog posts. I’ve also written Web copy, press releases, radio commercials, print ads, brochures, video scripts, executive speeches, technical manuals…you name it, I’ve written it.

My speciality is storytelling. Whether it’s a feature for a magazine, an About page for a website, an executive bio, or a guest post on a blog, I love meeting new people, discovering their unique story, and then sharing that story with the world through my words.

I also love helping people achieve their dream of becoming a published author. Today is THE BEST TIME EVER to be a writer. Period. No longer do we have to let the powers that be determine whether or not we’re good enough. We have all the control. I can help you finish your book and make it become a reality.

I graduated with a B.A. in English from Westminster College in 1997. Throughout my professional writing career I have worked as a copywriter for a nationally known radio station; as a PR writer for a regional health care system, and as Senior Writer for Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh (7 years). This diverse background has given me experience writing for such areas as retail advertising, nursing, healthcare, business, engineering, fundraising, entertainment, education, and more.

I am also the father of two young children, whom my wife and I are raising in the small town of Beaver, Pa. You can read all about my fatherly misadventures at SmalltownDad.com.

I love meeting new people and finding ways I can help them. I’d love to do the same for you.

ADVANTAGES

  • 10+ YEARS OF PR/MARKETING EXPERIENCE – I understand what works.
  • DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO – Consider me your one-stop-shop for all your writing needs.
  • I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT YOU – I listen to you to learn about your dreams and goals.
  • STORYTELLING – I leverage the power of story to capture the attention of readers.
  • NO JARGON – Just honest, clear, compassionate communication.

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All About You

April 30, 2014 by valbrkich

Is your professional bio a real bore? Is your elevator speech bringing you down? 

Don’t come across as blah. Capture your audience by telling them The Story of You with my….

It’s All About You Package!

For just $750, I’ll work with you to create a complete bio package that will intrigue readers, make them want to learn more about you, and help you sell yourself at a moment’s notice. The package includes:

  • 500-word Executive Bio — For use on your website, in your book, on your LinkedIn profile, etc.

  • 30-second “Elevator Pitch” —  A personal commercial for when you only have a few seconds to tell ’em all about you

  • Professional Intro — A brief yet professional bio others can use to introduce you when you’re speaking, accepting an award, etc.

  • Professional Byline — A concise yet powerful attribution to use at the end of articles, blog posts, e-blasts, etc.

Don’t miss any opportunity to let the real you shine through!

To get started on your story, contact me today at val@valthewriter.com.

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Contact

April 29, 2014 by valbrkich

I’d love to speak with you about your particular writing needs. Please contact me today and let me know how I can help you:

val@valthewriter.com

Twitter: @valentinebrkich

724.601.0919

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Samples

April 29, 2014 by valbrkich

Web content, feature articles, blog posts, radio spots, books, ebooks, brochures, speeches, scripts—you name it, I’ve written it. And with such a diversified portfolio, I know I can help you with your particular writing project.

Here are just a few of my writing samples:

FEATURES

A Friend Indeed (Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine, Summer 2017)
The Business Of Art – New vitality, challenges and opportunities emerge for artists and galleries (Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine, Fall 2015)
Plan a DIY Amtrak writer’s residency (The Writer Magazine – July 2016)
Fox Chapel Country Day School Joins Shady Side Academy (Shady Side Magazine – Winter 2017, pg. 28)
The Return of Shady Side Academy’s Seven-Day Boarding Program (Shady Side Magazine – Winter 2016, pg. 20)
Learning Through Service (Shady Side Magazine – Summer 2015, pg. 10)
Our People: Our Teachers (Shady Side Magazine – Winter 2015, pg. 21)

On a Wing and a Prayer (RMU Foundations Magazine)
Changing the World One Cup at a Time (RMU Foundations Magazine)
Simulations for Success (RMU Foundations Magazine)
Dreaming Higher (RMU Foundations Magazine)
Spreading Goodwill (RMU Foundations Magazine)
Reaching New Heights (RMU Foundations Magazine)
Springboard to Success (RMU Foundations Magazine)
Keeping the Faith (RMU Foundations Magazine)
Strawberry Ridge Golf Course (Golfer’s Lifestyle magazine)
The Light Fantastic (Designing Home Lifestyles magazine)
Show Me the Money! (Designing Home Lifestyles magazine)
The Outdoor Living Room (Designing Home Lifestyles magazine)

BLOGGING
Small-Town Dad (my humor blog about being a dad in small-town America)
“Not Just Another Pretty Face” (post from the RMU Blog)
“A Night to Remember at RMU” (post from the RMU Blog)

RADIO SPOTS
Medic Rescue (Bridgewater, Pa.)

PRESS RELEASES
Industry Weapon (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

WHITE PAPERS
Industry Weapon (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

BROCHURE COPY
Russ Medical Massage (Beaver, Pa.)

MY BOOKS
Cageball, Poker, and the Atomic Wedgie (2003)
Bridgewater: A Narrative History of a Pennsylvania River Town (2010)
Get Yourself An Inflatable Baby Sitter: And other survival tips for first-time dads (2013)
Achieving Mediocrity: Surefire Strategies for a Lackluster Life (2014)

MY RESUME
LinkedIn Profile

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Killer Web Copy

March 26, 2014 by valbrkich

Although  I’m a writer, one of my favorite things to do, funny enough, is something I like to call “unwriting.”

I love taking what others have written, chopping it down and fine-tuning it to make it clear and concise, and giving it a little attitude to boot. You may call it editing. But unwriting is way more than editing–it’s supercharging your writing to make sure your voice and your message is getting through to your readers, loud and clear.

I offer two different web copy Unwriting Packages, depending upon your needs:

BASIC – $99*

  • Review 3 pages of your website (or the equivalent of 1,500 words max)
  • Proofread for grammar, spelling, typos
  • Evaluation of each page with suggestions on how you might improve them
  • One page “unwrite” of your choice

PREMIUM – $149*

  • Review 5 pages of your website (or the equivalent of 2,000 words max)
  • Proofread for grammar, spelling, typos
  • Evaluation of each page with suggestions on how you might improve them
  • Three (3) page “unwrites” of your choice
  • Custom “About” copy for your business’ Facebook page
  • Custom “Bio” copy for your business’ Twitter profile

*Plus $5.00 service charge

Supercharge your website’s copy today! You can purchase your package by clicking on the PayPal button below and then sending $104 ($99 + $5 service charge) for the BASIC package, or $154 ($149 + $5 service charge) for the PREMIUM package:




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Why Hire Me?

February 4, 2014 by valbrkich

I’m a writer. Always have been. It’s what I do. And I’d like to write for you, too. I want to get to know as much as I can about you, your project, and your business, so I can get your message across clearly, creatively, and in a way that grabs readers’ attention.

ADVANTAGES

  • 10+ YEARS OF PR/MARKETING EXPERIENCE – I understand what works.
  • DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO – Consider me your one-stop-shop for all your writing needs.
  • I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT YOU – I listen to you to learn about your dreams and goals.
  • STORYTELLING – I leverage the power of story to capture the attention of readers.
  • NO JARGON – Just honest, clear, compassionate communication.

Writing services >>

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Work

Author Consulting

Self-publishing and ebooks have revolutionized the publishing industry, making it possible for you to share your talent with the world. I can help you navigate all the available options and choose the method that's best for you.

Speaking Services

Looking for a speaker for your next meeting or event? I can provide anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour on various topics including ebooks, fatherhood, writing, self-publishing, local history, and more.

Retail Photography

Need some cool photos of your store and products to use on your website or on your social media accounts? Let me tell the story of your small business through eye-popping photography.

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