Virginia St-Denis

Plain language specialist helping non-profit organizations move from draft content to clear and accessible online or print publication — Writing, Editing, and Formatting.

Examples of what I have delivered:
* Increased readership and advertising revenue for print publications
* Launched a plain-language academic journal as a one-person production team
* Raised the profile of a psychiatry journal through plain-language media content

I am a publishing professional with 35 years of experience in writing, editing, desktop publishing, and managing online and print publications. I help organizations package information into useful, engaging content that keeps their audiences coming back.

Having started my career as a reporter-photographer at a daily newspaper, I became a professional storyteller and plain language specialist before those things became essential for marketing and communications. Connecting with my readers — so I can understand and tell their stories and meet their information needs — has always been my priority and my passion. Readers tend to have the best story ideas.

My work earned me a promotion to editor, first at a weekly newspaper and then at hobby magazines. With my editorial strategy, their readerships increased, which increased their advertising revenues.

My skills allowed me to be a one-person production team to launch a plain-language academic journal. I worked with guest editors, an editorial board, authors, and peer reviewers to ensure articles met academic publishing standards. Once articles were approved, I edited them for clarity before laying them out and sending files to the printer and webmaster.

That gave me the experience I needed to become the managing editor of three medical journals, leading a team of editors, a graphic designer, and a desktop publisher. I further honed my plain language skills by transforming psychiatry research papers into media advisories, increasing the journal’s profile in Canada.

I am a proud member of Editors Canada, Plain Canada Clair, Plain Language Association International (PLAIN), and Indigenous Editors Association (non-Indigenous member). These organizations not only provide excellent networking opportunities, but they also help me keep my skills up-to-date. I also share my knowledge and expertise by giving webinars and becoming a mentor.

If you have written something, I can help you make it clear, concise, and accessible — so your readers can find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information. Whether you are working on a research paper, article, or web content, I can support you in preparing it for publication. If you have a project in progress and would like support, I would be happy to hear from you.