NEWS RELEASE
WHO: Jessan Dunn Otis – Independent Writer
WHAT: 15th anniversary in business
WHERE: Providence, Rhode Island
WHEN: May 21, 2011
Jessan Dunn Otis, founder|owner of Jessan Dunn Otis|Independent Writer, based in Providence, Rhode Island (USA), celebrates her 15th year in business on Saturday, May 21, 2011.
While walking along the banks of the Providence River that day in May, 1996, Jessan had this thought – “I think I can do this for myself.” At that moment she did not know what “this” was. No website or portal. No business cards. No separate telephone line(s). No matter. With that thought the seed was planted.
Jessan’s background in writing goes back to her decision to major in English rather than Political Science or History, with a vision and goal to go on to earn a JD, specializing in international law and to, eventually, sit on the World Court, when she became a returned undergraduate at the University of Rhode Island in 1975. Jessan began her sophomore classes with that vision and those goals. Jessan graduated from Warwick Veterans Memorial High School (Warwick, Rhode Island) in the late 60’s.
Half way through completing her BA in English, Jessan was crossing the URI campus in Kingston, Rhode Island on another day in May. She was caused to stop in her footsteps as a one word question popped up – “Write?” Within one week, Jessan had talked with two writers and two lawyers. At the end of that week, her answer to that question was – “Yes.”
Writing more, to complete her course work and on her own, several months later there was a piece of writing that seemed “…an odd thing.” Jessan called Prof. Michael S. Harper, one of the two writers she’d turned to earlier. The two had met when Prof. Harper was one of the original faculty members of the first Alumni College at Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island), where Jessan had been on staff in the office of the Associate Vice President and Director of University Relations, with Robert (Bob) Reichley.
Prof. Harper stated that that piece was a poem and offered further constructive criticisms and advice; and, Jessan took notes and put that writing away. Subsequently, a second piece was critiqued by Prof. Harper with the observation that “…you’re finding your own voice.”
Graduating from URI in 1978 (Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Highest Distinction, Dean’s List), Jessan began her pursuit of the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Brown in September, 1979.
From a previous marriage, Jessan’s son, Alessandro, was born in August, 1980. Alessandro’s brother, Cesare, was born in June, 1983.
Jessan graduated from the Graduate Program in Literary Arts in May, 1985, with that MFA. Jessan’s poetry has been published since 1987.
In the Fall, 1988, Jessan began teaching at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)(Providence and Lincoln campuses) and (the then) Bryant College (Smithfield, Rhode Island), as an Adjunct Professor, Department of English. After almost a decade of teaching, Jessan’s career took another turn that May day, 1966.
Her project list has included assignments as wide-ranging as: consulting collaborations with SME’s to help them improve their overall communications, proofreading and editing a children’s book about dying, death and loss, researching and writing a series of articles about bonsai, news releases for the launch of a skilled craftsmen website based in the UK, many ghostwritten articles, creating custom content for websites and portals; and, social media and business networking consultancies.
Asked if she’d change anything about her somewhat curvilinear career path, Jessan’s reply was, “If anything had been altered, I would not be where I am today – doing something that I love and in which I have skills and expertise, collaborating with folks who are, also, trying to make it for themselves; and, working, in all senses of the word, for myself. After all, I’m the best boss I’ve ever had – and, I’ve worked with a few great ones over the years. I’m grateful for everything I’ve been given.”
With her husband, Albert (Al) Otis, and their Blue Merle Sheltie, Gus-The Wonder Dog, Jessan works and lives in Providence, Rhode Island (USA), having recently moved from Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
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CONTACT:
Jessan Dunn Otis
Independent Writer
73 Holden Street, 1A
Providence, Rhode Island 02908
+1 401.301.0638
jessan(@)jessandunnotis.com