Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Benson N. Kimathi 1st Benson N. Kimathi Writer, Publications Editor, Book Indexer, Proofreader, Marketing Communications Specialist at Magazine Makers KenyaPublic Relations and Communications Current Magazine Makers Previous Pawa254, Mtaani Initiative, Kapwell Enterprises, Magazine Makers Education USIU-Africa 500+ connectionsSend a messageEndorseMore options Background Summary I am a Kenyan writer, publications editor, book indexer, proofreader and marketing communications specialist. My work as a writer and publications editor involves preparing written material for publication. As a copy editor, I spend most of my time poring over text, looking for mistakes and correcting them. Here, what I do might be termed article rescue: I take stories and, through careful repair, turn them into masterpieces of literature. I especially love to be involved in editorial work whose overall theme might be termed “communicating for social change.” Among the editorial projects on which I have worked are analytical commentaries, features, news, press statements and releases, speeches, books and compendia. I also work on ad copy, speeches, as well as business and marketing communications. Many individuals and organizations are realizing that website content is as important as the design, and are turning to communications professionals like myself to craft their business messages to industry standards. An award-winning writer, I previously worked at Nation (newspapers) as a writer for more than three years, and as an editor at The Standard (newspapers) for five years. A book author, I am currently the proprietor of Magazine Makers, a Nairobi-based firm that offers editorial consultancy services. [Magazine Makers is the professional writing division of Winfred Marketing and PR.] I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a Master’s degree in Psychology. For more about my writing and editorial consultancy services, visit my website at www.magazinemakers.net. (Also see 'Services at a glance,' below; click to read.) Services at a glance Services at a glance Experience Writer, Copy Editor, Proofreader, Marketing Communications Specialist Magazine Makers October 2010 – Present (3 years 4 months)Nairobi - Kenya Professional writing, copy editing, proofreading, preparing written content for publication, shaping business message to suit target markets, ad copy writing, website content writing and editing, book editing, general business print communication. Consult me for e-mail marketing communication services that include creation and maintenance of e-newsletters (online newsletters) and tracking of customer response through reports and surveys. Writer, Publications Editor, Book Indexer, Proofreader at Magazine Makers Magazine Makers Publications Editor, Writer Pawa254, Mtaani Initiative 2011 – 2013 (2 years)Nairobi Copy editing, re-write editing, literature searches, website content editing, preparing of speeches, press statements and releases, general writing, editing and proofreading. Consulting Editor Kapwell Enterprises 2012 – 2012 (less than a year) Editor (print - magazines, newspapers) Magazine Makers January 2003 – September 2012 (9 years 9 months) Publisher / Editor Editor The Standard Group (newspapers, Kenya) November 2003 – November 2008 (5 years 1 month)Nairobi Preparing written material for publication, general copy editing, content editing, story scheduling, caption writing, photograph selection. Editor The Standard (newspapers) November 2003 – November 2008 (5 years 1 month) Copy editing, Revise editing Reporter, Feature Writer Nation Media Group September 1999 – November 2002 (3 years 3 months)Nairobi News writing and reporting, feature writing Public Awareness Officer Kenya Agricultural Research Institute February 1999 – September 1999 (8 months)Nairobi Newsletter writing, editing of annual report, writing and editing for assorted institutional publications Publications The Psychology of Tribalism, racism and xenophobia(Link) Smashwords, USA. July 1, 2013 One of the reasons why ethnic intolerance is so difficult to manage is that intolerance involves human relationships, which can be quite abstract and formless. Many times, intolerance is expressed in a disguised manner that leaves no tangible clues about how it was executed. At the place of work, in school, and in the neighbourhood, intolerance and prejudice continue to simmer, in ways that leave everyone feeling helpless about a monster that we wish we could eradicate, but which appears to be here to stay. Yet to ably manage intolerance, we must conceptualize it in ways that give it structure and coherence. The mission of this book is to give form and structure to the concept of ethnicity, which is a very unclear but potentially explosive problem, especially in Kenya. The book will enable leaders, policy makers and opinion shapers to understand the problem in ways that make it amenable to active intervention. The problem, even for leaders, is that most people look at ethnicity through a defensive, one-sided lens that antagonizes and alienates others. Outreach campaigns stemming from such a perception inevitably fail before they even get off the ground. This book will conceive ethnicity in a manner that is unselfish, responsible and professional, a manner that gives us a firm grip on this elusive problem. Until we can convince Kenyans that the gains pursued through tribalism are achievable otherwise, Kenyans will continue to live in what has been described as “an uneasy calm,” with ethnic suspicions and fears of civil war “simmering.” At one time praised by the world media as one of Africa’s most peaceful nations, Kenya could again degenerate into a place of chaos, a place of running battles, a country torn down the middle by ethnic clashes? less numerous articles(Link) Nation newspapers, The Standard Between 1999 and 2010, I published more than 100 news and feature articles in both Nation and The Standard (the two leading dailies in Kenya) Rhoda's Gun - The stranger behind (fiction)(Link) Smashwords, USA. July 1, 2013 Who would want to kill a woman as sweet as Sylvia? When Sylvia’s housemaid, Miss Mwingo, warns her of the Stranger Behind - this tall, thin man who has apparently been following them - Sylvia dismisses the caution, irritably attributing the alarm to the girl’s overactive mind. One day, as she steps out, Sylvia encounters the menacing stranger, who must have a score to settle with her. Before she can comprehend the events that unfold, her little boy, Kevin, gets kidnapped. It is then that she enlists the services of private detective, Rhoda Makuyu, of the fledgling detective agency, Rhoda’s Gun. As things turn out, Sylvia’s anguish may have to do with her choices. Initially, it is not clear who wants her dead or why anyone should take Kevin hostage. It is also unclear whether her lover, Rex Ngare, has a hand in her agonies or what exact role he may play. Ultimately, the woman must set aside her assumptions over whom to trust or have doubts about. Significantly, Sylvia must shake off her fears and face her troubles squarely. Fast-paced and most engrossing, this psychological thriller, which is set in Nairobi, Kenya, will keep you guessing until quite close to the end. less Nobody Likes Prisca: Bringing down Westgate and America's Embassy in Kenya(Link) Magazine Makers November 26, 2013 This book's theme may be summarized as follows: 'The making of the Westgate mall attack.' Its title is 'Nobody Likes Prisca: Bringing down Westgate and America's Embassy in Kenya.' The e-book is a gripping satire of Kenya's culture of corruption and impunity, which made the Westgate mall massacre possible—all packaged as a fast-paced thriller. Genre: fiction, crime, suspense, thriller, terrorism. Did reports from the Westgate mall killings leave you hanging? This thriller will fill in the blanks. (Price U.S. $4.99.) less Languages English, Kimeru, Kiswahili, French (a few words) Skills & Expertise Most endorsed for... 11Copy Editing 8Editing 7Publications 7Books 7Magazines 4Copywriting 3Feature Articles 3Editorial 3Newsletters 2Journalism Benson N. also knows about... 1Website Development 1Ap Style 1Storytelling 1News Writing 1Newspaper 1Marketing Communications 1Email Marketing 1Content Writing Writer: proposals,... Blogging Publishing Web Content Proofreading Press Releases Education USIU-Africa Master of Arts (M.A.), Psychology 2004 – 2006 Daystar University Bachelor of Arts, (Mass) Communication 1993 – 1998 Nkubu High School Additional Info Advice for Contacting Benson N. http://www.magazinemakers.net/ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Magazine-Makers/484627951610856 Tel.: 254 0722-722275,0755-974927 Recommendations Given (1) Peter, would you like to recommend Benson N.? Recommend Benson N. Ernest Langat Ernest Langat Ernest works well with clients and offers accounting advice in a simplified, professional manner, explaining complicated matters in a language that helps. He understands not just the technical aspects of accounting but also the legal dimensions of this important profession. I recommend him to anyone seeking professional accounting services. August 27, 2013, Benson N. was Ernest's client See More ConnectionsShared (9) Cordelia SalterCordelia Salter1st Communications Coordinator, Committee on World Food Security, FAO, Rome Halima Claudia AquinoHalima Claudia Aquino1st Communications Strategist & Producer (Open to Opportunities With Larger Team) Graham WrightGraham Wright1st Group Managing Director at MicroSave - a leading technical service provider to financial institutions in Asia & Africa. Susanna J Dodgson BSc(Hons), PhDSusanna J Dodgson BSc(Hons), PhD1st Publisher at DrSusanna.org Jacques L. HamelJacques L. Hamel1st International Adviser at World Association for Sustainable Development Gerald WalterfangGerald Walterfang1st Director, Strategy & Transformation at WDS Africa Kiama KaaraKiama Kaara1st --Development Policy Analysis/Research Jared Akama OndiekiJared Akama Ondieki1st Executive Director at Center For Partnership and Civic Engagement Lisa Beardmore, MBA FAADOMLisa Beardmore, MBA FAADOM1st VP Operations at Northern Horizon Dental PreviousNext Groups Business Aspects of Indexing Business Aspects of Indexing Join Copy Writing Specialist Copy Writing Specialist Join Editors and proofreaders Editors and proofreaders Join Harvard Business Review - Reader's Forum Harvard Business Review - Reader's Forum Join Kenyan Business Network Kenyan Business Network Join Teenagers for Responsible Living Teenagers for Responsible Living Join The African Food Exchange The African Food Exchange Join The Network Kingdom The Network Kingdom Join Following Deloitte Management Consulting Follow Professional Writing Services (Magazine Makers) Writing and Editing