I’ve been fortunate to work with terrific authors who bring unique perspective to their fields of expertise. The work requires me to get up to speed on subjects as diverse as credit default swaps, the tax implications of divorce, the chemistry of sugar addition and the twenty regions of Italy. Good research is fundamental to my job description, and it helps me tap into the author’s enthusiasm. The result? Stories told and complexities made clear through direct, compelling prose.
Do you or your business produce newsletters, blog posts or thought leadership essays to promote a brand? We can talk about a marketing campaign or book proposal. Let’s map out a year’s worth of content and pitches that will help your ideas remain relevant—and noticed. Past and present clients include MoneyZen.com, DiGennaro Communications and DailyWorth.com.
Why Iceland?
Click here to download a sample from "Why Iceland?" [PDF]
The Little Economy That Couldn’t
Off the Shelf (New York Times) | August 16, 2009
“There is a relatively new expression in global financial circles: “going Iceland.” It’s not an invitation to foreign tourists to enjoy a vacation on the island known for its geysers, glaciers and legendary Viking heritage. Rather, as Asgeir Jonsson explains, it denotes the sudden economic collapse of an entire country, a tale that larger nations might do well to heed. Mr. Jonsson details Iceland’s extraordinary roller-coaster ride from rags to riches and back to rags in his fascinating...book.”
“Matthew was prompt in meeting all deadlines and was more accurate in his editing skills than a full-time editor I employed to do the same job. Matthew was readily available, quick witted and had a delightful spirited way about him. He was interested in all aspects of the work and had no difficulty taking, or for that matter giving, criticism.”
—Robert Abel, Jr., M.D., Author of "Last Sighting" and "The Eye Care Revolution"
“Matthew...did an excellent job and was able to turn my second language, and rather technical, English into first grade text that was both witty and entertaining while not losing content nor its financial flavor. Matthew is very personable, friendly and always willing to run the extra mile for the best results. I also found him to be very reliable and easy to work with. I therefore give my highest recommendation.” —Asgeir Jonsson, July 22, 2011
Content Creation (blogs, articles, newsletters, social media, proposals)
Are you frustrated by the lack of support your publisher or public relations firm has provided for your book? Guess what: you’ve got company. Lots of it. The thought leaders and authors I see out in front are managing their own brands and outreach content. But the question remains: when do you make time to write the blog, press release, newsletter or article that generates clicks?
I have a better idea. Let’s talk about the platforms you’re interacting on and the goals of your book, brand or business. At the end of the day your material has to be compelling to readers. You have to tell stories. Fact: great writing and storytelling still are essential to success. Not all writers are great marketers, but I’ve never yet met a great marketer that wasn’t at least a powerful, effective writer. Don’t have time to make it happen on your own? Let’s talk.
Articles I’ve written for executives have been published in Fast Company, Forbes.com, Huffington Post, Fortune, Geico Magazine, the NYSE website and other online media. I help other clients maintain blogs and newsletters.
Is there an idea you’d like to test before beginning to write? We can craft a book proposal that agents will notice.
Developmental Editing/ Ghosting/ Co-Authorship,
Selected Books:
The Alpha Hunter
Click here to download a sample from "The Alpha Hunter" [PDF]
This book of investing advice is geared towards the 21st century and yet timeless: there will always be seasons for investing and others for waiting out a storm. How does a savvy investor know what is coming? Investing options strategist Jason Schwarz demonstrates how to read investment trends and emulate the thinking of innovators and crisis managers who anticipate market trends.
“[Matthew is] one of the best in the business.” —Jason Schwarz
Last Sighting
Click here to download a sample from "Last Sighting" [PDF]
Dr. Lauren Chandler, researching how the brain ‘sees’, discovers a method for retrieving images from the brain, post-mortem. It’s handy information for government agents on the trail of murderous assassins. A medical thriller that weaves together brain research, security technology and plenty of old fashioned seduction and treachery, this wild ride veers from New York to Nevada deserts, Israel, Yemen and Bonaire with barely a moment to rest.
Dr. Robert Abel, author of ‘The Eye Care Revolution’ (Kensington Press) is an idea machine. It was as fun to write this book as it is to read it; any writer knows that’s not how it usually happens!
Selected 2016 material under my own by-line
Visit my home page at O'Reilly Media for my most recent work on the Internet of Things.
Read about needs of veterans in The L.A. Times:
© 2014 | Matthew J. Perry
Editing | Ghosting | Content Creation & Strategy
2016 Update: Jonsson’s second book, an analysis of Iceland’s post-crash recovery, will be published by Palgrave Press in November 2016 — with another editorial assist from me. Originally intended as a straight, scholarly work, Ásgeir’s final submission to the publisher reads, in his words, like “a book that has been written by a very literate native English speaker with a perfect knowledge of the Icelandic economy and financial system.” For the record, Ásgeir’s English is fluent, but as the writing timeline was compressed into a few short weeks, my working knowledge of Iceland’s meltdown (see ‘Why Iceland?’) and his intellectual rigor helped keep the narrative alive, and worth reading.
So is Iceland a success? It’s not a simple question: pick up this book (Title TK) and explore!