Val-Rae Lindenau
Danville,VA
Summary
Writer, researcher, content creator, independently published author with a diverse background in a variety of writing environments, including novel-length and short story fiction, creative non-fiction, technical, essay, and biography for books, websites, blogs, newspaper, and magazines. Experienced professional passionate about creating compelling content and driving engagement. Talented at crafting dynamic stories, informative articles and persuasive copy that resonate and inspires readers.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Content Writer/Researcher
Friends of the Old West End/OldWestEndVa.com
03.2018 - Current
- Researched, wrote, and edited high-quality content and visually impactful articles under deadline pressure with exciting, captivating, and authentic approach.
- Enhanced website traffic by creating engaging and shareable blog posts, articles, and social media content.
- Subjects covered the people, places, and events that have shaped Danville throughout the last two-and-a-half centuries, as well as networking with and interviewing those who have chosen to relocate here.
- Built an email and subscriber following from the ground up with high click-through and engagement rates from nearly 2,000 followers.
Novelist/Writer
Captive Press Publishing/Self
08.2010 - Current
- Achieved critical acclaim through the diligent research and incorporation of accurate historical context into novels.
- Utilized a deep understanding of human nature and psychology to create characters that are complex and whose conflicts resonate with readers.
- Enhanced storytelling through the development of dynamic dialogue and descriptive imagery, resulting in a more immersive experience for readers.
- Crafted compelling narratives by developing engaging storylines that closely examine how the struggles of the past compare and are often too similar to those of the modern era and what we can thereby learn from them.
- Composed highly relatable, imaginative, and well-researched and constructed prose to engage readers, resulting in six independently published novels, including two best-sellers.
- Leveraged the expertise of social media and marketing experts to generate visibility and readership.
- Engaged with readers to encourage word of mouth recommendations and book club participation.
- Built followings on reader-based social media and storefronts, with 750,000 sales, 4-star and higher ratings, and thousands of loyal readers and followers.
Content Writer
Evince Magazine
02.2024 - 06.2025
- Utilized interpersonal skills to interview local artists and worked closely with them to create engaging content highlighting their unique skills, perspectives, and talents.
- Leveraged time management and multi-tasking skills in order to manage several projects at once.
- Worked with artists, editors, and magazine publishers to bring attention to Danville's thriving art scene.
- Coordinated with local library and other art venues to provide a physical showcase space for artists and their work.
- Worked with twelve artists over a twelve month period.
Field Scholar
Storied Capital-Ina Dixon
02.2020 - 06.2020
- Successfully and efficiently surveyed 300+ properties for inclusion in historic resources database in a record and seemingly impossible amount of time.
- Compiled comprehensive files on each property which included plat maps, inventories of building materials, description of building styles, and a concise and detailed written description of each according to a predetermined style and format.
- Utilized knowledge and understanding of construction techniques and historic house styles, as well as analytical thinking and expert communication skills to create articulate, detailed, and precise entries for the Virginia Department of Historical Resources database.
Content Writer
Danville Register and Bee
01.2013 - 08.2015
- Compared previously written content and condensed it to create a short, concise, and yet descriptive and informative biography of some of Danville's most recognizable homes and the people responsible for their construction.
- Researched and discussed the efficacy of grass roots historic preservation movements, particularly in a metropolitan demographic like Danville, Virginia.
- Leveraged storytelling skills combined with analytical studies of social and extra-urban development trends to describe the benefits of revitalization and to encourage the public to engage with those efforts by preserving history, shopping local, building community, and embracing change.
Education
3-year Professional Associate Degree - Interior Design
Brigham Young University, Idaho
Rexburg, ID05-1995
High School Diploma -
Elma High School
Elma, WA06-1992
Skills
- Analytically minded
- Task/project oriented
- Empathetic communicator
- Tenacious and skilled researcher
- Resourceful and creative
- Persuasive and engaging writer
- Skilled grammarian
- Deadline-driven
- Dependable and reliable
- IQ over 120
Timeline
Content Writer
Evince Magazine
02.2024 - 06.2025
Field Scholar
Storied Capital-Ina Dixon
02.2020 - 06.2020
Content Writer/Researcher
Friends of the Old West End/OldWestEndVa.com
03.2018 - Current
Content Writer
Danville Register and Bee
01.2013 - 08.2015
Novelist/Writer
Captive Press Publishing/Self
08.2010 - Current
3-year Professional Associate Degree - Interior Design
Brigham Young University, Idaho
High School Diploma -
Elma High School