David M. McCandless
8057 Anthony Highway
Waynesboro, PA 17268
717-749-7383
717-749-0107
for2nato@cvn.net
www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/9147/resume.html


Career Goal: To obtain a contract or permanent position
as a technical writer, with additional opportunities
to develop Web, programming, and graphic arts skills.


SKILLS
Platforms include DOS, Windows 3.1, and Windows 95.
Software includes Word 6.0 for Windows, WordPerfect,
XyWrite, cc:Mail, Fortran 77, XPL, Turbo Pascal,
Pascal, Basic, HTML, JavaScript, Adobe Illustrator,
Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe FrameMaker,
SerifPlus, and Adobe Acrobat. Web background includes
ForEverWorld Books (professional), The Thinking Pot
(personal), form and table development, graphic
and GIF animation creation, graphics processing,
and page-design tailoring based on material/audience.


EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY

1996-1997  Fed Services, Inc. (www.fedsvcs.com)

  * Wrote and edited topical magazines Electronic
    Government (distribution 60,000: 65% civilian,
    35% military) and Insight (distribution 60,000:
    100% military), focused on technological issues
    such as DMS, the World Wide Web, and the Year
    2000 problem.
  * Developed articles for each magazine, from conception
    through writing and editing.
  * Interviewed government agency officials and
    computer vendors.
  * Evaluated outside product and topic submissions.
  * Wrote advertorial magazines (containing product
    articles and success stories) for clients such as
    Adobe and Novell, geared towards government,
    educational, and major markets.


1995-Current  ForEverWorld Books, Inc. (www.foreverworld.com)

  * Published role-playing game (RPG) materials,
    including sourcebooks, adventures, stories
    and game mechanics, as part of a private
    hobby venture.
  * Evaluated outside submissions and potential
    staff writers.
  * Determined content and submission guidelines.
  * Directed product concept and development,
    wrote material, and combined other submissions
    so as to conform to final product concept.
  * Handled desktop publishing chores for products,
    ranging from book design through layout
    and Postscript file delivery.
  * Developed Web design and focus, implementing HTML,
    PDF, and graphics files.


1990-1996  Professional Book Group, The McGraw-Hill Companies
  (www.pbg.mcgraw-hill.com)

  * Was responsible for over 100 computer-focused
    products during tenure.
  * Performed necessary edits, from light to extremely
    heavy (sometimes reorganizing and rewriting material).
  * Routinely solved book content difficulties
    and layout problems, from the time of submission
    until release to the printer.
  * Acted as liaison between authors and McGraw-Hill
    during the editorial process, working towards
    the best interests of both parties.
  * Modified book design to accommodate each manuscript's needs.

    1993-1996  Associate Managing Editor

    - Hired, trained, and managed a pool of
      freelance copyeditors.
    - Designated money and time for each project,
      adhering to strict deadlines and costs.
    - Developed editorial procedure for handling
      book/disk packages.
    - Developed computer terminology style list
      for the freelance department. 

    1990-1993  Manuscript Editor
    - Performed substantial copyediting, style coding,
      and reorganization of computer manuscripts,
      from high-level C programming and LAN tutorials
      to online resource hunting and basic-level
      software guides.
    - Developed XPL macros in XyWrite to simplify
      the editing process, including help-key functions
      and a table of contents generator. 

    1991-1996  Assistant Network Supervisor
    - Aided users in the network supervisor's absence,
      solving routine problems and performing backups
      and other routine work. 


1989-1990   Lafayette College Academic Computer Center
  * Hired to write documentation, became a programmer after
    learning Fortran 77 on personal initiative.
  * As part of student programming team, developed and coded
    a career resource interview scheduling application, used by
    Lafayette seniors looking for full-time employment.


EDUCATION

B.A. in English at Lafayette College (Easton, PA), with a focus
on writing. Mathematics minor included technical coursework such as engineering physics, music theory, and structured programming.


conceptual   creative     analytical    objective
intuitive    autonomous   adaptable