Nicholas
John
Nelson
Education
University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Class of 2025
M.A., Linguistic Diversity and Digital Humanities, Cognitive Science
In this two-year degree instructed in English, continues my passion for academia in the nation consistently ranked as the best education system across the globe. In addition to my work here, I intend to study their education system and their academic publishing industry.
Denver Publishing Institute, Denver, CO
Class of 2019
Graduate Certificate of Publishing
DPI is an intensive four-week course dedicated to the introduction of publishing: from acquisitions editor to production of embargo titles. We created and mastered reader’s reports, marketing copy, press releases, use of the Chicago Manual of Style (17th Ed.), copyediting, and proofreading.
Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
Class of 2016
B.A., English Writing; German minor
During my time at Concordia College, I worked in the English department, the Concordia Language Villages offices, and as an editor on both campus journals, Afterwork and Djembe. At the end of my sophomore year, Dr. Karen Babine invited me to join her on Assay: A Journal of Nonfiction Studies, where we have continued to work together on various projects, even several years after graduation.
Professional Experience
Member of Minnesota Book Publisher's Roundtable
March 2020 - Present
Freelance Copyeditor/Proofreader
Upon entering the pandemic, I've been available to pioneer my own work, from writing book reviews to offering my editorial talents more widely. The various types of materials I've worked with include new age, scholarship, apparel catalogues, membership directories, magazines, story-mapping, author bios, and web-based content.
August 2020 - August 2023
Cream & Amber - Bookseller, Counter Staff, & Writer
Responsible for taking orders utilizing the Square system, beverage making at coffee bar, food preparation, general customer service including greeting customers while processing drink and food orders, and book recommendations as needed. Since November of 2020, I've partnered with the owners to continue their weekly blog on new releases, book lists, and other various celebrations. This part time position allows me to continue my freelance work as necessary.
August 2019 - March 2020
E&M Consulting, Inc. - Copyeditor/Proofreader
Responsible for leading the editing team in weekly meetings, partnering with supervisors to improve interdepartmental communication (graphics and editing), copyediting and proofreading copy in Adobe Suite and Microsoft Office, copyediting directories and magazines using AP, Chicago, and various other style guides.
November 2018 - August 2019
E&M Consulting, Inc. - Administrative Assistant
Responsible for partnering with superiors to research companies and contacts nationwide, data mining as necessary, writing appropriate copy for effective communication within the team, mass-emailing using various templates and communication styles, general office organization, time management, and typing skills.
January 2018 - Summer 2018
Richfield Lutheran Theater Company - Music Instructor/Vocal Coach
After playing Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat the summer before, I was welcomed into Richfield Lutheran Theater Company (RLTC) as a Vocal Coach, lending tips and tricks for a middle school production of Aladdin! and Legally Blonde. When RLTC ran The Wizard of Oz, I was the sole music instructor leading fifty children with varying talents through complicated music. With leadership, patience, and collaboration the production went off without many problems.
October 2017 - November 2018
Prime Therapeutics - Pharmacy Technician
Responsible for reviewing prior authorizations; reporting to pharmacists; adhering to company, state, and federal standards for pharmaceuticals; calling physicians and clinics nationwide requesting additional information; providing continued feedback for peers; and partnering with team leads to create an organized user guide for future employees.
August 2014 - October 2017
Assay: A Journal of Nonfiction Studies - Remote Assistant Editor and Remote Editorial Assistant
Responsible for leading and managing a small team of editors; giving input to Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Karen Babine; reading submissions; maintaining relationships with contributors; designing online copy of articles; writing; and blogging. This also included a major research project on The Best American Essay series, which consisted of a list of journals that appeared the most in the series, both reprinted and notable essays. This project is currently hosted by Assay.
May 2016 - October 2017
Barnes & Noble - Bookseller
Responsible for building customer relationships, up-selling front- and backlist titles, cash handling, answering phone calls, and organizing throughout the store. I helped open the new concept store in Edina, MN, which changed guidelines throughout the company, having to learn quickly, communicate effectively, and be flexible when adhering to ever-changing standards.
February 2012 - October 2016
Caribou Coffee - Team Member
Responsible for expert customer service, hand-crafting beverages to the customer’s satisfaction, cleaning duties as assigned (sweeping, mopping, scrubbing), abiding by general cash handling policies, organizing both front of house and back of house, general inventory for ordering (milk, bulk coffee, frozen foods, cups, etc.), and following close direction from superiors and shift superiors.
Qualifications and Skills
-
Writing and Editing, Copyediting and Proofreading
-
Microsoft Office, Word, Powerpoint, and Outlook
-
Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Acrobat
-
Advanced Knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style
-
Knowledge of HTML and CSS
-
Strong Communication
-
Administrative and Organization
-
Strong Attention to Detail
-
Problem-Solving
-
Creative Thinker
Groups
Church Council - Outreach Rep.
An elected position at Richfield Lutheran Church, working closely with the Outreach Director, Mary Beth Weibel, representing operations of growing membership through events, social media, and working with the community.
The Write Place - Instructor
I organized and lead six sessions (craft, experience, journaling, beginnings, middles, and endings) with group discussions and free writes for a small group of adult writers. This was hosted at Richfield Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN.
Richfield Lutheran Theater Company - Member
From 2010 to 2018, I played various roles in RLTC both on stage and behind the scenes. I was an actor for several plays, a pianist for two, a voice coach for two, and the music instructor for one. My time with RLTC taught me determination, compassion, professional flexibility, and leadership.
Concordia College Choir
From 2012 to 2016, I was a member of several choirs. Männerchor, Chapel Choir, and the Concert Choir (The Concordia Choir) were the three ensembles I was a part of during my time on campus. Rehearsing every day, I learned the most about dedication during my time in Concert Choir and Chapel Choir.
AfterWork - Literary Editor
For the 2015-16 academic year, I was part of the editing team selecting and editing fictional short stories, poetry, and nonfiction essays. After reading all submissions, the group collectively voted on what pieces to include based on story and execution. We worked directly with contributing authors on edits and workshopping.
Djembe - Web Specialist
I managed a small group of students to complete archiving previous editions of the journal. This specific project required advisor approval and was completed in less than two months.
Burnsville Marching Band - Drum Major
Lead the marching band at Burnsville Senior High School for two consecutive years (2010–12), providing leadership during band events, sharing expertise and knowledge as a musical leader, and acting as a spokesperson for entire group.
Awards and Honors
Invoice Star Award
E&M Consulting, Inc
2019-2020
Every month, one employee from the invoice team (consisting of roughly 20 individuals) is awarded this achievement for retrieving the most amount of funds from open invoices. From the years I was employed by E&M, I received the award a total of five times. From consistently contacting with excellent customer service, following up appropriately via email, and coordinating with the accounting department, I was able to contribute thousands of dollars into our company and bottom line.
Music Scholarship Recipient (Vocal)
Concordia College
2012-2016
This award is given to prospective students of Concordia College who "exhibit excellence in vocal or instrumental performance and/or composition." A large pool of applicants come to campus to sing and perform for various judges, while only a select few are given this scholarship. Through this award, it helped me stay active in my studies and pursue music (vocal/choir) during my time at Concordia. While maintaining a 3.0 GPA, this award remained active my entire college career.
Broadside Contest Winner
Concordia College
Spring 2015
The winner of this broadside contest has their short-short or poem reproduced onto 28 pages, including one for display in the English Department. The art was done by a senior art student on campus. This annual contest showcases various styles for English students to explore different mediums of text and storytelling.
National School Choral Award
Burnsville Senior High School Choir Program
June 3, 2012
"In recognition of singular merit, ability, and achievement, of outstanding contributions of the success of the school vocal program, and of an unusual degree of loyalty, cooperation and high qualities of conduct, by the general consent of the music faculty, school officials, and others..."
Director's Award, Singers & Swingers
Nicollet Junior High
2008-2009
An award recognizing achievements in leadership of an extracurricular group, Singers & Swingers, dedicated to performance and musical expression through singing and dancing. This group met before school every Thursday for a half hour to an hour.
Director's Award, Drama
Nicollet Junior High
2008-2009
An award recognizing achievements in leadership of an extracurricular group, the drama group, dedicated to performance and musical expression through singing, dancing, and acting. This group met after school every day for rehearsals until performance weekends.
The Stage
I've played several roles in community theater, where I utilized my strengths in leadership and dedication to create a safe and encouraging atmosphere of professional and skill development.
References available upon request.
We ourselves see in all rivers and oceans. It is the image of the ungraspable phantom of life; and this is the key to it all.