What I Do
I help businesses, associations, government agencies, and nonprofits create engaging and clear communications.
I’m available for both project-based and ongoing contract work. Below is a partial list of the kinds of writing and editing I do:
- Copy editing, substantive editing, and proofreading of all document types, including fiction and non-fiction books, reports, research papers, articles, web content, etc.
- Video and audio scriptwriting
- Web content creation and blog posts
- Long and short-form article writing
- Report writing and executive summaries
- Resume and cover letter creation and customization
- Reviews and profiles of businesses, restaurants, hotels, etc.
- Newsletters
- Speechwriting
- Ad copy writing
If you don’t see your project on that list, I’d still love to hear from you. If you need words, I can put them together for you. If you’ve already got words, I can make them clearer, sharper, and more fun to read. Drop me a line or give me a call and let’s talk about how we can work together to tell your story and make you look your best.
About Me
I’m a writer and editor with a journalism degree from Carleton University in Ottawa. I’ve spent the last 22 years working with not-for-profit organizations, writing and editing web content, news releases, restaurant and hotel profiles, arts programmes, ad copy, newsletters, video scripts, speeches, articles, and more. I still wake up every morning excited to play with words all day long.
I speak four languages and dabble in a few more. Someday I will learn Latin. Carpe diem. In my spare time I love to read, cook, travel, and plan vacations.
Testimonials
I have had the pleasure of working with Alison for five years, both as a team member at CAUBO and as a sub-contracted writer. Following her resignation from our Association to pursue a career as a freelance writer and editor, we seized the opportunity to engage with Alison for speech and script writing as well as content development for promotional and awards brochures.
Alison’s passion is writing. She has the unique ability and skill of taking an ordinary message and bringing it to life by carefully selecting colourful and active words. She can write with a professional tone when required or be more playful with words when appropriate. She can also adapt the tone and style of her writing to align with that of an individual or altering it to fit a specific target audience. Alison articulates facts concisely while garnering the reader’s interest. It is an art.
Tamara Nemchin
Associate Director, Canadian Association of University Business Officers
Alison Larabie Chase has been one of our regular freelance editors since 2015. Her work has always been excellent. She has never missed a deadline. She ticks all the boxes—dependable, professional, and a pleasure to work with. I am happy to recommend her.
Craig MacLaine, Supervising Editor, The Conference Board of Canada
Portfolio
My current and past client list includes the Canadian Association of University Business Officers, the Conference Board of Canada, Elections Canada, Espresso Communications, Meta4Films, Ottawa Tourism, Pickering College, Salesforce, Sandbox la boîte à films, and more.
I recently edited the début novel of author Christine D. LeBlanc, The Wrong Man, published by Iguana Books.
I edited the TSPA Project report Opening the World of Trade to Women: How Gender Affects Trade Benefits for Indonesian SMEs
I edited The Conference Board of Canada reports Wellbeing by Design: Lessons From the Pandemic on Canadian Communities and the Built Environment and Beyond Exclusions: Sustainable Finance for Nuclear Energy
I served as volunteer communications chair for Laine Johnson’s successful campaign for Ottawa City Councillor in College Ward.
I helped write the voiceover script for Historica Canada: Who We Are.
I am a Senior Editor and regular contributor to Apartment613, an Ottawa-based arts and culture blog. Some recent articles:
- Coconut Lagoon chef launches his first cookbook
- Six local spots for creative non-alcoholic cocktails
- Visit Vanier and take a trip to Ottawa’s urban sugar shack
- Pushing Patio Season: Joe’s Italian Kitchen
Ottawa Life magazine – I wrote food and restaurant features for this Ottawa lifestyle and culture magazine’s website, including the following:
- Beechwood Gastropub’s Kitchen is Transparent—and Really, Really Talented
- Chef Ana Martorell Wants to Bring the Flavours of Mexico to the World
- Return to Oz for More Delicious Adventures
- Carben Matches Elegant Food With a Relaxed Atmosphere
Espresso Communications/MSN Canada – I write regular slide galleries for MSN’s lifestyle, travel, and food sections. Here are some samples:
- 20 Ways to Feel Richer
- 20 Best Ways to Enjoy Your Freedom After a Divorce
- 10 Things That Impact a Car’s Resale Value
- How Today’s Crisis Will Shape Tomorrow’s Workplaces
I wrote the voiceover script for Statistics Canada—Behind Every Number.
For Legal Services Vermont, I wrote several voiceover scripts for instructional videos on small claims court:
Contact
Blog
T/ED Talk
Hello there! I’m back to resurrect this blog with a question from a reader (hi Jenn!): What’s the deal with verbs that have more than one version… Read more “T/ED Talk”
I’ll never know everything
I recently volunteered to write a (non-credited) pilot test of a certification exam for the Editors Association of Canada. It was their copy editing exam, and it… Read more “I’ll never know everything”
Contraction conundrum
My friend Jackie texted me a question a few weeks ago that got me thinking about the weirdness of English again. She wondered if one should prefer… Read more “Contraction conundrum”