Bethany Ritz is a freelance editor and writer with a background in ecological and cultural storytelling. She writes fiction, nonfiction, and communications content. As an editor, she works with both new and established writers to produce creative nonfiction essays from concept to publication. She offers writers editorial insight on their projects through well-considered developmental and line editing.
She was a co-founding editor for Emergence Magazine, the digital editor for Global Oneness Project, and a board member at BOMB magazine. After studying creative writing at Columbia University she organized and managed the launching projects for Climate Resolve communicating climate science across Los Angeles County, designed a storytelling template for TreePeople, and more.
Her involvement with nonprofits and organizations has evolved through collaborations or positions with The Calder Foundation, the office of L.A. City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, PlaNYC 2030, NYC Parks, the New York Center for Addiction Treatment Services for houseless HIV+ clientele, and UCLA’s Center for Sustainable Urban Systems.
BACKGROUND
•Co-founding Editor → Emergence Magazine, Inverness, CA, 2017–2020
•\Selection of awards for publication and stories:
_Webby Nominee for “Best Magazine” & “Best Editorial Writing” (2019, 2020)
_Webby People’s Choice Award for “Best Individual Editorial Feature” (2020)
_National Magazine Awards Finalist for “Best Website” and “Best Editorial Feature” (2020)
_European Design Awards Winner for “Best Magazine” (2020)
_Peabody nomination for the podcast “Language Keepers" (2020)
_Stack Awards Nominee for “Launch of the Year” (2019)
_Emmy Nominee, Oscar longlisted: Earthrise (2019)
•Digital Editor → Global Oneness Project, Inverness, CA, 2013–2017
•Associate Director → Climate Resolve, Los Angeles, CA, 2011-2012
•\Recognition
_Next City Vanguard class of 40-under-40 urban advocates