Word Jones Who We Are

Jim Moore started Word Jones from scratch in June 1999, billing an impressive $3,500 that year. But the first major client signed on in 2000, word of mouth spread, and now we have plans for word dominance. In addition to straight-up word work, we’ve branched out, and now use a network of like-minded and talented independent writers, proofers, graphic artists, photographers, Web designers and others.

Here are some of the regular players:

Jim Moore One-Man Creative Band

		Jim has had a word jones seemingly from birth. He was reading books aloud at the age of four, proofreading the family-owned newspaper at 10 and writing about the local sports scene at 14.

Other kids used to tease him by saying that he read the dictionary to look for mistakes in it. Hmm. Jim’s previous careers as a high school English teacher and college sports information director eventually clued him into the idea that he might really want to be a writer. From copywriting, it was an inexorable progression to “What I really want to do is (creative) direct.” These days he still wonders about the fact that people pay him just for his ideas and words, but he’s learned to roll with it. He’s a semi-fanatic cyclist and a relentless traveler, and don’t get him started talking about movies.

LeeAnn Kriegh Word Worker

		LeeAnn remains certain — as she has been since her stunning loss in the third-grade spelling bee — that “tragedy” should be spelled with a “j.” She rose from the ashes of her defeat to achieve academic excess: two majors as an undergraduate, two master’s degrees and a Rhodes Scholar nomination.

In what appears to be a classic case of overcompensation, she has become a highly skilled and experienced writer, editor and proofreader. Despite her credentials, LeeAnn’s campaign for “trajedy” has, like her support of serial commas and Joey Harrington, fallen on hard times.

Erin Codazzi Mistress of Languages

		Erin’s affinity for words emerged at a young age: Her parents found her talking to an audience of stuffed animals in languages they were sure didn’t exist. Fearing she’d start speaking in tongues, they encouraged her to study language and explore the world.

With degrees in German, Italian and African studies, Erin delights in confusing eavesdroppers with her trilingual tongue. It’s a skill that came in handy during her prior career in corporate cube farms, where she wrote and edited along with managing marketing communications teams. When she’s not weeding out misplaced apostrophes in client copy, she’s mastering a fourth language – lingua canis – to reel in business at her side business, LuffDog.

James Turner The Wizard of Web

		In an era when the “business card” that really counts is your Web site, James is a valuable asset for Word Jones clients. His graphic arts/Web design background enables a delicate, essential balancing act between capable Web geek and savvy layout artist.

Not only are his sites (including this one) navigable and glitch-free, but they look good, too. James would probably make a handsome living playing soccer if he didn't love Web work so darned much. See some more of his work at www.JamesLTurner.com.

Geena Min Design Diva

		Geena is another highly creative type who had to get out on her own and see what the freelance world has to offer. She’s an innovative designer who’s adept at everything from straight-up technical illustrations to vibrant, funky layouts.

Geena is the owner of Diggy Dog Design, the devoted owner of an undeniably gorgeous canine named Cosmo, and in demand internationally as a stock-photography model.

Sarah Cook Guru of Graphics

		It’s probably good that someone who is absolutely compelled to line things up, add white space and tweak copy found a professional outlet for her neurosis; otherwise she’d go ‘round the bend every time she looked at a bad billboard or a voter’s pamphlet.

Sarah has worked as a designer for small agencies and big corporations, and she’s got a few ideas about how things should be. (Trust us; they’re good ideas.) From logos to catalogs, she’s your gal. When not fretting over kerning she’s outside hiking with her dog, doodling characters that make you go “Awww” or running to work off that second (OK, third) piece of pizza.

Terry Poe Ace Photographer

		After more than 15 years as a professional (and award-winning) photojournalist, Terry decided that a steady paycheck was just too confining and predictable, so he struck out on his own and founded Terry Poe Photography.

OK, actually he wanted to stretch creatively; living with the boom-and-bust economy of freelancing is just a bonus. Terry has the enviable ability to make a photo look great whether it's of a hotel room or a breathtaking scenic vista. He shoots for all Word Jones projects that need something visual to break up all the beautiful words. Check out Terry's work at www.poephoto.com.