Michael S. Spence

Qualifications

Creative and Technical Writer-Editor with a diverse background that spans grant, fiction, and article writing; editing/proofing; and teaching/instruction. A highly talented and proven professional who consistently completes projects on time, is able to explain technical information in accessible language, and illustrates ideas in a clear and inventive manner. Possesses outstanding language, grammar, and communication skills as well as demonstrated expertise in client relations, proposal preparation, research, speech writing, public relations, website/content maintenance, and social media.

Professional Synopsis

• Published fantasy short stories (many in collaboration with Elisabeth Waters), plus sketches in support of other authors.
• Contributed scripts and performed audio sketches for podcasts featuring science fiction and fantasy novelists Scott Sigler, J.C. Hutchins, Chris Lester, and others.
• Currently narrating for Audible.com project.
• Author guest at Balticon 44 (2010).
• Designed and maintained the website for Grace College and Seminary’s Office of Institutional Advancement and provided editorial and proofreading expertise for related projects (annual reports and greeting cards).
• Wrote and edited the proposal that resulted in the renewal of Grace’s contract with the Indiana Department of Corrections, providing Grace degree programs in the State prison system. Taught courses in those programs.
• Created articles (praised by the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communication) for the quarterly GRACE magazineEdited a book and reviewed another for Abingdon Press as well as material for Bible commentary for Thomas Nelson; provided copy-editing services for Thomas Nelson.
• Wrote 18 articles for a Bible dictionary published by the Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
• Presented two papers at Evangelical Theological Society meetings.
• Proposed and won selection of Meharry’s “I Have a Future” teen-pregnancy-prevention program as one of President George H.W. Bush’s “Thousand Points of Light.”
• Revised and edited newspaper articles as well as speeches for Meharry Medical College’s President; wrote and edited articles for College publications along with letters for direct-mail solicitation.
• Represented Grace Theological Seminary at three presidential inaugurations at other schools.
• Taught the Communication Skills course to incoming graduate-level Allied Health Professions students at Meharry (two summer sessions).
• Taught an adult education course and served as a grader/substitute lecturer at Dallas Theological Seminary.
• Wrote and edited major grant and gift proposals to corporations, foundations, and private donors for Grace and Meharry; reported to granting agencies concerning the use of their grants. Completed federal funding applications for Meharry’s School of Dentistry and School of Graduate Studies and Research.

Career Track

Consulting Writer/Editor/Representative, MARS Creative Projects (current position)
Grant Writer, Grace College and Seminary
Director of Corporate & Foundation Communications, Meharry Medical College

Education

Ph.D., Theological Studies — Dallas Theological Seminary (Dallas, TX)
M.Div. / Th.M., Christian Theology and Apologetics — Grace Theological Seminary (Winona Lake, IN)
A.B., English — Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)

Contacting

Please feel free to contact me via LinkedIn.