Strategic. Creative. Storyteller.
Marketing. Journalism. Screenwriting. Fiction. Non-fiction. Speechwriting. Content creation. Content strategy. Advocacy.
M.A., Communication, The Johns Hopkins University. Dual concentration: Public & Media Relations / Digital & Social Communication
B.A., Communication, Belmont University, minor in Studio Art / Photography
Forget “everything is copy.”
In the digital world, everything is story. And being able to tell a story is everything.
From investigative reporting to menu descriptions, poetry to speeches, ad copy to prose, influencer captions to screenplays, opinion columns to ghostwritten memoirs.
Tag lines. Cutlines. Headlines. And bylines in some of the best-known, most-read publications in the world.
Every well-crafted story begins with a plan for how to tell it. A roadmap to make sure you get there, without meandering too far off the course and without forgetting key points along the way.
That’s story and that’s strategy.
I craft marketing strategies and compelling copy for some of the world’s biggest brands.
Copywriting
Ad copy, web copy, emails, video scripting, long-and short-form storytelling, social media posts, catalog descriptions, headlines, tag lines, cut lines — whatever words you need.
Marketing Strategy
Envisioning your project and supporting with research from the earliest conception to the NPS scores.
Ghostwriting
Putting great stories into someone else’s words. It’s your voice, only better.
Screenwriting
Features, pilots, commercials, and corporate video scripts.
Journalism
A full-time journalist for nearly 20 years, I’ve won awards for Investigative Reporting, Feature Writing, and Non-Deadline Reporting and my byline has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, CNN.com, Military.com, Self, Maxim, USA Today, Self, Huffington Post, and many other publications.
Speechwriting
Putting your ideas into words you can use to move people. I’ve written speeches for Fortune 50 executives, top politicians, and key governmental leaders.
Creative Fiction & Non-Fiction Writing
My first love was fiction and I’m always working on something new: short stories, novels, and long form non-fiction.
Public Speaking
I’ve shared the stage at the White House with President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama and with numerous members of Congress and have been a featured speaker at dozens of events nationwide. Topics: military family experiences; women in business; parenting; leadership.
Non-profit & Advocacy Work
Through more than two decades of veteran and military advocacy, I’ve helped veterans and military family members get the support they need. I was appointed by President Biden to serve on the Board of Governors for the USO; I serve on the Advisory Board of Blue Star Families; I’m an Alumni Advisor for the Military Family Advisory Network, and frequently help with other organizations and efforts.
“Goodness, @rsanderlin can really write.”
—Yoni Appelbaum, Deputy Editor, The Atlantic
Screenwriting
Scripts available upon request.
Jane Wayne Day
Rock Cruise
Acts of Dog
Treatments
Books
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Perfect for fans of PERCY JACKSON and THE WARRIORS series’, BAD ELVES is the story of four relatable friends who embark on a thrilling quest of good versus evil, during which they collide with creatures from real global folklore and mythology.
After Santa evicts four clever, mischievous elves for accusing him of running a sweatshop, they find themselves navigating an exciting, dangerous, mystical world of magical creatures…until one of them gets kidnapped by the Krampus. The others then must set out on a race against time to save their friend, using all their wits and strengths to outsmart these cunning, fantastical beings, while learning the real story of Christmas as well as the secrets Santa has been hiding.
Crammed start to finish with nail-biting page turners and side-wink jokes, boys and girls alike will find themselves sucked into a precarious world of fascinating mythology, where every monster, fairy, and magical being exists to steer people right....or wrong. Working with—and against—these creatures, they traverse the globe in a fast-moving quest to save their friend, save Santa, and save Christmas, all before the Krampus and his forces of evil can turn the holiday into a very different occasion.
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COMING SOON!
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While their husbands are off fighting the worst people in the world, the wives of Special Forces soldiers are waging wars of their own.
CONTACT FOR MANUSCRIPT
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Rebekah has written books for other authors on topics that include fitness, nutrition, immigration law, and personal memoir. Contact for information on rates and availability.
Veteran and Military Family Support
I didn’t set out to be a military advocate, but the needs were obvious so I rolled up my sleeves. Here’s some of what I’ve done:
2003-2020 — Supported the Family Readiness Group for my husband’s units by hosting fundraisers and volunteering time.
2005-2010— Authored the “Operation Marriage” blog for The Fayetteville Observer newspaper, the first military spouse blog and a community gathering space for military spouses around the world.
2005 - 2019 — Volunteered on and led Care Teams to assist recent widows and children of U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers who died while serving.
2005-2007— Started Combat Comfort Corner, a weekly in-person social gathering for military spouses during deployments.
2006 — Helped start Fayetteville Cares, recruiting businesses and organizations in Fayetteville, NC to donate goods and services to military families in need.
2007 — Held fundraisers for the United Warrior Survivor Foundation, a non-profit to assist the surviving families of Special Operations personnel who died while serving, and helped create the organization’s website.
2008 — Helped conceive, plan, and host “Boots & Booties” in Fayetteville, NC, the first mass baby shower for expectant military spouses and service members.
2009-Present — Helped start Blue Star Families, a national military family nonprofit, and served on the National Leadership team and National Advisory Board.
2010 — Named “Person of the Week”and featured on NBC Nightly News for my military support efforts.
2010- 2012 — Served on the Board of Steps and Stages, a shelter for homeless women veterans and their children.
2009-2010 — Supported the National Fatherhood Forum by representing military families on an initiative to strengthen fatherhood opportunities in at-risk communities.
2010 — Joined President Obama on stage for the launch of the National Fatherhood Initiative, speaking about the struggles military families face in maintaining fatherhood connections during deployments.
2011 — Assisted First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden with launching the Joining Forces Initiative, a national effort inspired by Fayetteville Cares.
2012 — Top 5 finalist for Army Spouse of the Year, as awarded by the Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY) program.
2012 — Leadership team for the inaugural Heroes Homecoming event in Fayetteville, NC, honoring and celebrating the service of Vietnam veterans.
2012 — One of 30 military spouses honored by Oprah for volunteer work, featured in (and recipient of!) the “Oprah’s Favorite Things” televised special.
2013-Present — Helped start the Military Family Advisory Network, a research-based national military family non-profit; served on the first two advisory boards, and continue to serve as an alumni advisor.
2013 — Leadership team of the “Keep Your Promise” initiative, successfully persuading members of Congress to follow through on a promised cost of living adjustment for the pensions of military retirees.
2013-2021 — Interviewed hundreds of veterans with mental health concerns about their healing journey and distributed information at events and trade shows for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mental health awareness and suicide prevention campaigns: Make the Connection and the Veterans Crisis Line.
2014 — Spoke on stage with First Lady Michelle Obama at the launch of Joining Forces Philanthropy, a national initiative to recruit philanthropists to support military causes.
2017- 2020 — Co-led a battalion-level Family Readiness Group through two heavy combat deployments with numerous casualties.
2017-Present—Helped start and serve of the Board of Directors for Special Forces Shield Maidens, a non-profit for the spouses of Special Forces soldiers and veterans.
2018 — Volunteered time and advocacy services for SFC Rich Stayskal in getting The Stayskal Act passed by Congress, allowing service members to sue for medical malpractice.
2020 — Awarded the Martha Raye Recognition Award by the Special Forces Charitable Trust for efforts supporting the Special Forces Regiment and families over 17 years of volunteering.
2020-Present — Member and Communications Team volunteer for National Security Leaders for America, an organization of 800+ former senior military leaders, ambassadors, and cabinet-level officials.
2021-Present— Appointed by President Biden to serve on the Board of Governors for the USO.
2023 - 2024 — Advocated for federal level changes leading to President Biden’s executive order expanding job protections and resources for military spouses.
2024 — Leadership team of the successful effort to restore the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP), which had been abruptly gutted by the state legislature.
Stay tuned. I love this community and this list will continue to grow. :-)
CONTACT
Wanna talk rates? Brainstorm a project? See my portfolio or read some of my work? Fill out this form and I’ll get back to you.
