Hi there. Don’t let all the car stuff fool you. Stories are ultimately about people, always.
Writing & Editing
I currently produce work for Avants Magazine, a carefully-curated, visually-stunning automotive lifestyle magazine. Most of my assignments have me on-location, poking around dusty vintage race shops or off-roading on muddy, wooded roads.
My early creative endeavors were rooted in poetry and non-fiction narrative. Thus, you’ll find intentional, imagistic language and form scattered throughout my freelance work, whether it’s about a custom-built cyclecar or how to manage traction in a hairpin turn.
Program & Project Management
My 9-to-5 embeds me in graduate programming in higher education. I manage the end-to-end graduate student program experience, with a heavy emphasis on recruitment, retention and programmatic development. Much of my work relies on leveraging effective and intentional messaging in marketing and user support processes.
Performance Driving
There is a direct connection between a light hand on the wheel at 100 mph and negotiating the demands of professional projects and partnerships. My love of driving a slow car very fast on the racetrack has connected me to a community of creative, bold, and ambitious professionals. It may come as surprise, but I consistently talk process, poetry, podcasts, and Greek philosophy with some pretty hardcore gearheads.
How in the world did a word nerd end up on a racetrack? I’ll tell you.
Contact Me
I can help you craft a story that inspires. Or, how about we just edit what you already have, teasing out some lovely language and well-placed em dashes?
Let’s talk about your project goals and how to create something thoughtful together.
Reach out: michelegraaff@gmail.com
The Nuts and Bolts: linkedin.com/in/michele-graaff/