Meredith Sell

Last year was an odd year of work for me. In late March, I left freelancing for a full-time job that ended up not being a great fit. I quit that job in early December to return to freelancing and am currently in the process of rebuilding my client list (if you need editorial support, reach out). Thankfully, through my time as an employee, I was able to maintain editorial connections and take advantage of some new opportunities.

In August, the New York Times (!!) reached out with a reporting assignment, which I accepted, leading to my first byline in the paper of record. That was the second time in 2024 that an editor randomly found me and reached out with an assignment, and it felt like a comforting pat on the shoulder telling me it was okay to quit the job, there would be work for me on the other side. It took me a few months to follow through, but I’m now a month out from my last day and I know leaving — and returning to freelancing — was the right decision. It will take some time before I have a full workload, but I’m happy to be back in the freelance saddle and excited about what 2025 may bring.

Projects

Journalism

5 Cities. 13 Schools. 47 First-Day Looks. New York Times for Kids

I contributed reporting to this feature published in the September issue of New York Times for Kids, a monthly supplement. Interviewing middle school students at two Denver schools on the first day of school was the most fun I’ve ever had reporting. 6th graders in particular are hilarious, though some of my favorite quotes didn’t make the cut. See the PDF version here.

Alpine House Made of Beetle Kill Pine. Dwell

I’ve been interested in writing about architecture and interior design for a long time, so I was pumped when an editor from Dwell reached out with this assignment. I wrote about a tandem A-frame cabin in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, built mostly from beetle kill pine.

The Making of a Mock Avalanche Rescue. 5280 Magazine

A behind-the-scenes look at how search and rescue teams in Colorado prepare for some of their toughest rescues: avalanche rescues. Search and rescue is one of my favorite areas to report on. The volunteers do incredible, important work.

Meet the Colorado Duo Creating Intricate Collages with Pressed Flowers. 5280 Magazine

I originally wrote this story for print in 2023, but the magazine it was supposed to run in, 5280 Home, stopped publishing so I asked the editor if we could run it online at 5280.com instead. I made some significant updates and the story went live in May.

Branded Content

Moving Along with Tim Musch. The Physiologist Magazine

A profile of the new president of the American Physiological Society, a long-time faculty member at Kansas State University who has seen the field of physiology change over the decades.

Climbing Another Ladder. The Physiologist Magazine

A profile of Xenia Tigno, the associate director for careers at the National Institutes of Health Office of Research on Women’s Health.

History Colorado 2023 Annual Report

I researched and wrote the bulk of this report on the programs and activities of History Colorado, the State of Colorado’s historical society.

Environmental Stories for New Directions. National Jewish Health

I wrote two closely connected stories for New Directions, a twice-yearly print newsletter published by National Jewish Health’s Development office.

Innovators Circle Email Newsletter. National Jewish Health

I wrote three email newsletters, one for April, August, and December, for National Jewish Health’s donor audience. Each newsletter highlights recent discoveries and accomplishments of the hospital’s faculty members, demonstrating how their work is on the cutting-edge of their respective fields.

Patient Story for Annual Report. National Jewish Health

I wrote this branded patient story for the annual report of National Jewish Health, a leading respiratory hospital that specializes in finding answers for patients who have struggled to have their conditions properly diagnosed and treated elsewhere.

Personal and Volunteer Projects

Advent Devotional. The Heights Church

I was invited to contribute to my church’s advent devotional and ended up writing three entries. You can download the entire devotional here.

Women’s Barbell Club

I continue to write my newsletter on women and strength and fitness. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from 2024:

• Olympic Weightlifting Tips from Gold Medalist Olivia Reeves
• My Roommate Got Her First Pushup (and You Can Too)
• An Olympian Like the Rest of Us
• The Motivation Series (start with the bottom article and work your way up)
• Let’s Redefine Athleticism
• Pippi Longstocking is the strongwoman we didn’t know we needed

Looking Ahead

In 2025, my goal is to do a healthy mix of marketing communications, editing, and journalism, working with companies and organizations that are seeking to better their communities and the world. If your organization is looking for a reliable communications partner for the short or long term, reach out. I’m happy to help at any stage of the process from ideation and strategy to execution and production.