About Nina Costanza: Writer/Editor/Consultant

Employment

• Writer/Editor/Researcher/Consultant (freelance since 1984): Diverse clientele. Academic research, books, articles, publicity, reviews, advertising, etc.
• City University of New York Research Foundation: Technical Writer (2004-05): Procedure/Policy Writer contracted to Human Resources Administration.
• Associate Editor: Habibi Magazine (1998 – present, published in Eugene, OR) International magazine/Middle Eastern culture. Write “In Focus” column: CD, video/DVD, film, book reviews. Responsible for writing, editing, soliciting contributors, and researching/selecting material for review.
• Editor-in-Chief: Arabesque Magazine (1989-1998, NYC): International magazine/Middle Eastern culture. Responsible for all aspects of production/publishing/office management: writing, editing, layout/ad design, staff supervision, procuring writers/articles, thematic content, press releases, client liaison, bookkeeping, and subscriptions.
• Private Investigator: Fidelifacts (NYC): Field and in-office investigations/research, surveillance, finding missing persons, extensive interviews/client contact, legal research/support, data analysis/compilation for a largely corporate and legal clientele.
• Governor’s Office of Human Affairs: Affirmative Action Reporter (Atlanta, GA): Hired for a research project on existing local AA programs as the basis of proposed human rights law: Research, task force development, data compilation, analysis and final report.

Education

• University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia): BA in Creative Writing. Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s List with Distinction, Mortar Board National Senior Women’s Honor Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Awarded “Outstanding Woman in Creative Abilities” and honorary membership by Philadelphia Alumna Society. Selected to study with Philip Roth.
• Mannes College of Music (NYC): Post Graduate Degree in Composition and Theory.
• Aspen Music School (Aspen, CO): Darius Milhaud Full Scholarship Award
• Ensemble Studio Theatre (NYC): Scholarship student in playwriting.

Professional Achievements and Memberships (Partial List)

• Member of Editorial Freelancers Association
• Short story published/ read in a symposium, “Four Published Writers,” sponsored by Amici Center for Italian Studies, University of Pennsylvania
• Play, “Distractions,” produced at Ensemble Studio Theatre
• Music Compositions performed at Mannes College of Music, Aspen Summer Music Festival, and WNYC (“New Composers”)
• Paper presented at the First International Conference on Middle Eastern Dance (Orange Coast College, CA)               
• Awarded the Magana Baptiste Achievement Award (CA) for “literary contributions as editor of a prestigious Middle Eastern Magazine”
• Professional Middle Eastern dancer/instructor/producer

Statement

After studying music for most of my life, I turned my attentions to creative writing. At the University of Pennsylvania, I received my degree in an independent major, Creative Writing. With Jerre Mangione as my advisor, I was selected to study with Philip Roth, Daniel Hoffman (US Poet Laureate), and Hiram Hadyn (former editor for William Faulkner). I returned to music to accomplish my post graduate degree in composition and theory from Mannes College of Music. I regard music as the organizing principle, the science, behind all that I do – including tennis!

I have been a freelance writer and editor for the past twenty years. I am a published writer. I tackle – and enjoy – any subject or project that comes my way, but my expertise lies within academic writing/research and journalism, particularly art reviews and interviews.

I was Editor-in-Chief of Arabesque Magazine, a journal of international dance published in NYC. The staff consisted, for the most part, of me and the publisher, which meant I handled all aspects of the publication including subscriptions, photos, layout, client contact, thematic content, editing, and writing many of the articles. It was a fantastic experience that lasted until the journal folded upon the passing away of the dynamic Ibrahim Farrah, publisher, in 1998. I am now Associate Editor of Habibi Magazine, also an international publication on Middle Eastern culture and dance. I write “In Focus,” which covers newly released music, videos/DVDs/films, and books. In addition to writing the majority of its content, I am additionally responsible for selecting and editing material, contributors, and any related art work for publication.

My experience is highly varied, and I work with individuals and institutions. As a writer, I am very attuned to the arts and academic spheres. As an editor, I am very attentive to detail, structure, grammatical correctness (GC!), and the look. As a journalist, I am astute to deadlines and requirements. Much my experience also includes ghost writing, and I am sensitive to the original writer’s voice and intent.

Additionally, I am a teacher and entertainer. I believe anything written is both as logical as a mathematical equation and as dramatic as a performance, if need be. In the written word, one must communicate thoughts and seduce the requisite audience. The written word is not passive. The word is active: It subtly – but precisely –directs its message, and – powerfully, viscerally – dances its way to mind and soul.