About Me.

My name is Payton and I am the creator of The Writers Noctuary. This place is for me to share all of the things that I love. Writing is something that I have found solace in and a dream to one day be called a writer. Often I find that my work is not ready, that it is too messy. Or more often, that I am too messy. But the problem is that if I do not share my inspiration or show off the beautiful things that I have been given she will stop sharing them with me. She has pushed me to be more creative and be more emotional, for her I have to push myself to be more brave.

I've been writing stories since I was in elementary school. I would spend my extra time writing stories and creating plays for my friends and family to preform with me. I would make them elaborate and I would find ways to make them come alive with costumes and accents. I would beg my dad to tell me stories that he knew from memory. He would tell me fairytales verbatim, he would mix up his own versions of Greek mythology, and the tales from is own childhood. I loved listening to people share their own stories, but my dad, his stories where the ones I could listen too all the time. It wasn't until my junior year of high school That I even thought a degree in storytelling was possible. I wrote a play of my own for my American literature class that made my head spin. I was so in love with the work that I did that I craved to do more. All the sudden I had stopped taking my medical prep courses and switched o reading and writing nonstop. Now as I prepare to leave for my MFA program I realized that this was what I was always supposed to do.

Now am I bound to be this amazing writer that does all of these cool things? I have no clue. I am certainly not built for it. It wasn't until my junior year of college that I got diagnosed with dyslexia. This made me feel as if what I had longed to do was a waste of time. I always knew that my grammar was a little weird and that I didn't fully grasp all of these "natural" writing techniques, but I thought that my creativity and story telling was enough. I don't know that it is enough, but what I do know is that my love is for the stories, the ideas that are conveyed with the literature.

So maybe I am not meant to be a writer, maybe I am meant to be a storyteller. How will I know either if I don't try.

CV/Resume

I am a freelance writer and editor helping brands, creators, small businesses, and non-profits bring their stories to life online and in physical print. I specialize in copywriting, blog content, social media strategy, grant writing, proposals, newsletters, brand development, and marketing materials. I create content that is clear, compelling, and tailored to you specific audience.

Education

2025-2027

M.F.A in Creative Writing and Poetics

2019-2023

B.A in English with an Emphasis in Writing, Theatre

Starting my first year of my MFA program.

Deans List | Tri Alpha (First Gen Graduate) | Alpha Psi Omega (Theatre Honors Society)
Student Leader for the English Major Blog from sophomore to senior year. Helped create, collaborate, and edit all posts and collections to highlight the program from a student perspective.
Publish multiple projects in the college's anthology for excellence in writing and creation.
Multiple classes in Non-Profit Writing, Business Writing, and Digital Creation and Management

Skills

Copywriting: Websites, Email, Product Descriptions, Social Media, Technical, SEO
Editing and Proofreading
SEO & Content Marketing
Branding & Tone Development
Style Guide Compliance
TikTok Analytics
Script Writing

Blog & Article Writing
Content Calendar Planning
Google, Microsoft, Notion, Canva, Wix, WordPress, Adobe
Grant Research & Writing
Report Writing & Impact Storytelling
Community Based Program Writing
Meta Business Suite
Creative and Fictional Storytelling

Experience

2020- Present

Freelance Writer, Editor, and Consultant

Writing & Editing

Edited and formatted technical reports, SOPs, grant proposals, and marketing content.
Applied style guidelines across multi-author documents; developed reusable templates and standards.
Coordinated with SMEs to produce clear, accurate, and consistent documents for print and web.
Integrated images, graphics, and diagrams into technical and promotional materials.
Edited and QA’d materials for consistency with style guides and client expectations.

Content Creation & Marketing

Wrote blog posts, newsletters, email campaigns, and website copy aligned with brand voice and goals.
Directed and created social media content, adapting messaging for distinct audiences.
Developed branded content, social media campaigns, and web copy for nonprofits, schools, small businesses, and podcasts.
Managed tone and messaging across platforms including newsletters, landing pages, and event promotions.

Web & SEO Management

Managed client websites via WordPress, including content updates, basic design changes, and SEO best practices.
Created and maintained the Central College English Department blog and website.

Grants & Fundraising

Secured $30,000+ in grant funding for youth development, small business, and arts programs.
Collaborated with executives and program leads to align program goals with funder requirements.
Tracked grant deadlines, managed submission calendars, and ensured timely delivery.
Maintained grant records and supported ongoing funder relationships.

2025- Present

Podcast Co-Host & Content Writer

Co-host a weekly podcast that blends humor, honesty, and storytelling to explore friendship, career, love, and navigating life in your twenties.
Write episode titles, show notes, and promotional copy that capture the podcast’s dynamic, conversational tone.
Develop and schedule social media content to connect with listeners and expand the podcast’s reach.
Collaborate with co-host on content strategy, guest coordination, and long-term brand identity.
Edit and polish episodes for clarity, pacing, and listener experience.
Track audience engagement and analytics to guide future episode themes and promotions.