About Jen
Here’s my official bio:
Jen Richards is a writer, communications specialist, author and voice coach. She helps clients to craft the perfect message and deliver it well! As a writer, she specialises in making complex subject matter easy to understand. She brings a storyteller's perspective to corporate and scientific material to make it accessible and compelling without losing the nuance.
Jen has a special interest in agriculture and sustainable gastronomy and is part of the inclusive food media enterprise Easy Healthy Tasty. She has a Masters of Sustainability, a Bachelors degree in Russian literature as well as formal training as a voice and dialect coach. She loves old stories told in new ways, which is why she writes romantic historical fiction. After all, boy meets girl is the oldest story in the book!
And here’s what I say when people ask me what I do…
This is the way the conversation usually goes when I’m at parties. Imagine low background music, the tinkling of glasses and polite chatter happening in the background.
Them: So what do you do?
Me: I’m a writer.
Them: Oh, really. Interesting. What do you write?
Me: (Deep breathe.) Lots of things, actually. I’m a writer for hire.
Them: Huh?
Me: I work on a diverse range of projects for a variety of clients, which I love. I’ve done a lot of work in food marketing. But I also have a Masters degree in Sustainability. So I often write longer form stuff about food and––
Them: So, you’re a food writer! I bet you can give me some good restaurant recommendations.
Me: Well, not really. I do blog and I occasionally review things. But in that space, I write more about home cooking and the role that it plays in a sustainable local food system.
Them: What about recipes? I bet you have lots of those!
Me: Actually yes, that’s another one of the things I do! I write and ghostwrite cookbooks and develop recipes. I’m all about demystifying cooking and making healthy, sustainable food easy for people. I am part of an inclusive food media outfit called Easy Healthy Tasty.
Them: You must eat out all the time!
Me: I wish! But since I moved to Canberra, I’ve loved exploring the food scene here, especially when I find awesome local products that I can use at home. Follow me on Instagram for my recommendations.
Them: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Me: I’ve always been a words wrangler. But my first love was acting and voice coaching. I love helping people gain confidence in the way they speak, which is why I’ve started developing resources to help people read aloud well. You can read what my clients say about working with me here.
Them: Have you written any fiction?
Me: Funny you should mention that. I write courageous WWII romance under a nom de plume. You can find out more about Jennifer Mistmorgan here.