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About Kevin

Hi, my name is Kevin Fox. Welcome to my freelance writing portfolio.

Do you occasionally need content from a freelance writer? Are you hungry for site content? How about content with a technical perspective?

I create engaging content for articles, social media posts, blog posts, and technical explainers. I have the research & writing skill, experience, and knowledge to break down complicated topics for general audiences. Check out my portfolio posts to read more.

Bio

I was a senior staff technical writer and editor from 2009 to 2022, specializing in energy sector industrial training and adult learning to support tradesman competency. My CV also includes writing commercial blog posts and for local groups and charity fundraisers.

Achievements as Senior Staff Technical Writer at Contendo Inc. (2009 – 2022)

  • Contributing technical writer on over 300 full-length (30-40 minutes) animated training videos depicting actual oil and gas plant processes.
  • Editor and contributing writer of Contendo’s Fundamentals of SAGD courses. These courses have been used as part of the Power Engineering curriculum at Keyano College (Fort McMurray, AB) and NSCC Marconi Campus (Sydney, NS).
  • Twelve years as Editor of all company technical documents, scripts, audio, and animation.
  • Acquired certification in Technical Writing from the University of Waterloo.
  • Team leader for a technical training development team, consisting of technical writers, graphic artists, animators, narrators, audio engineers, and IT support.
  • Developed a company quality assurance program for the creation of animated training modules.

Skills

  • Writing in English
  • Microsoft Office 365, Paint 3D, Clipchamp
  • Google Workspace
  • Remote work using meeting apps (clients’ choice, such as Google Meet, Zoom, or MS Teams)
  • Adobe Captivate, Audition, Media Encoder
  • Inkscape Vector Illustrator
  • FTP file transfer and cloud-based file storage
  • WordPress, Drupal
  • Engineering drawings (P&ID, PFD, Blueprints & Machinists Drawings, Electrical Schematics)

Education

  • Certificate in Technical Writing from the University of Waterloo
  • Power Engineer 4th Class License (current)
  • Certificate In Electronics from St.Clair College (Windsor, Ont)
  • Online courses for various software programs I use

Background

I have lots of different perspectives to choose from when creating general content. When writing, I try to draw on both my own views and the views of others. This lets me write from either perspective or from a third, outsider’s view. I developed this as a staff writer when I often was asked to write from a particular perspective. Of course, my work and life experience are what let me see these different points of view.

  • worked in the army, in industry, and in offices
  • good with woodworking, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical
  • fitness enthusiast interested in movement, nutrition and healthy aging
  • bar band guitar player, summer stock actor and much-cursed hockey referee
  • stationed and lived in Europe as a soldier
  • jumped out of planes and flown off the back of a friend’s motorcycle (so I can even write about the wind beneath my wings)

Some full-time jobs:

  • Soldier; served in Leopard battle tanks in Canada and NATO Europe
  • Steel Fabricator and Welder
  • 1991-2008 Operator at a chemical manufacturing plant (Power Engineer)
  • 2009-2022 Technical writer, digital creator

Some side hustles or part-time jobs:

  • Car, Motorcycle & Bicycle Mechanic
  • Woodworker
  • Bartender
  • Hockey Referee
  • Guitar Player
  • Actor

Current interests:

  • Writing
  • Animation
  • Website design & build
  • Tech
  • History and geopolitics

Path to Writing

I became interested in technical writing while part of a project at the chemical plant to achieve ISO Certification. I contributed to revising the facility’s Procedures, Work Instructions, Piping & Instrumentation Drawings (P&ID) and Operator Manuals, investigating changes made to the process over the years and incorporating them into the documentation.

I was part of a layoff when the plant closed permanently. I decided to leave the hard hat behind when I found a staff technical writing position.

I began exploring freelancing when covid lockdowns sent me home in March 2020. I built a home office and worked from there. I began writing outside of the technical sphere and posting to blogs. In 2022 I decided it was time I moved on from staff writing.

Now I’m a freelancer looking for clients who need content. If that’s you, contact me to see if we can work together.

Contact Me

Awards & Appointments

  • Military Special Service Medal for NATO service in Europe
  • Board Member of The Rod Harquail Fund (a registered charity)