is a freelance writer with expertise in wine, food, profiles, and travel. Jan has published over 300 articles since she began writing professionally in 2004.  Prior to freelance writing, Jan taught English and writing and was the editorial manager of a digital publishing company. She also serves on the Board of Judges for Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, as she has done for the past 14 years, critiquing and judging collegiate literary magazines from all over the country. Jan graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with an M.S. in Education. Prior to earning her master's degree she graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Education and was the recipient of "The Outstanding Student" award. Wine Spectator Jan published three articles in Wine Spectator in 2005 including a "Collecting" department article entitled, "The Cellar Surgeon" on May 31. Her "Wine Talk with Jane Seymour" was featured on the home page of Wine Spectator Online from July 22 – 29, 2005. And Jan's five-page feature article, "Seventh Heaven" on Julian LeCraw, Jr.'s wine cellar and collection, which is one of the largest, private wine cellars and collections in the world was published in the December 31 issue. Jan's “Modern-Day Cave Men” was part of the cover package for the November 30, 2006 issue on Wine Collecting, which also featured an image from LeCraw's cellar on the cover.  Her “Collecting” department article “Improving on Perfection” was published in the November 30, 2007 issue. And most recently her "Collecting" department article "Garage Wines" was published in the June 15, 2008 issue. Jan at Auction Napa Valley   Jan at the Birmingham Branch of IWFS Winemaker Dinner at Hot & Hot Fish Club with Ron Wallace, Schramsberg Vineyards and J. Davies Vineyards' winemaker and vintner Hugh Davies, and Wimberly Miree, Jr. Jan and Beringer's Wine Master Ed Sbragia at Birmingham's 22nd Annual Evening of Wines. Weight Watchers Annual Recipes for Success 2006 Jan was the Successes Writer, writing the literary pages of Weight Watchers Annual Recipes for Success 2006 cookbook. The Forge: From Metal To Medicine Jan was a Profile Writer for this book, which chronicles Birmingham, Alabama's 135 year business evolution from a steel town to a diverse, healthcare-driven metropolitan area with a great quality of life and enormous promise. Health Jan's "Chick Sips" wine article was published July/August 2006. The Wine Report A frequent contributor to The Wine Report, Jan's past articles include a cover story on Chardonnay and features on wine cellars, wedding wines, and various varietals. Southern Breeze Jan is a frequent contributor to the "Cheers" column, writing articles about wine and spirits for readers on the Southern coast. Birmingham magazine Jan began writing for Birmingham magazine. And it remains her home base. Here she publishes seven monthly columns in Birmingham magazine—Spirits, Pairings, Reservations (find dining restaurant review), Chef's Secret, Real Food, One Dish, and Culinary Travels. These columns are also syndicated on BirminghamWine.com and BirminghamRestaurants.com, as is her annual restaurant cover story each November, "50 Favorites."  BirminghamWine.com Jan developed the site to keep the city wine savvy. A calendar of Birmingham wine events is found here. Jan's wine columns from Birmingham magazine are syndicated on the site. And she offers celebrating wines, sipping wines, virtual tours of private cellars in Birmingham, and a touring section featuring wine travel with interactive maps of wine regions. BirminghamRestaurants.com Exactly one year after launching BirminghamWine.com, Jan launched Birmingham's premiere dining site. This all-inclusive site features a Guide by Cuisine and by Location, Restaurant Profiles of the Greater Birmingham Area's finest restaurants, Restaurant Video Tours, Birmingham Menus and Wine Lists, Chef Profiles, and all of Jan's restaurant reviews and columns from Birmingham magazine. In addition, is sponsored by Birmingham magazine and also has their staff written reviews. BirminghamBrides.com Birmingham Brides is the premier wedding website for the greater Birmingham area's upscale wedding market. Jan designed the site for brides-to-be who want the best of everything for their special day and local businesses wanting to provide products and services to these brides. She can publish her own wedding website on BirminghamBrides.com, track gifts and guest RSVPs, and find the best vendors for everything from diamonds to honeymoons. Family, friends and guests visit the site to view her site, keep track of her events, RSVP online and view her Birmingham registries. Next, a gift can be found for the couple and securely purchased online. And local businesses will have the opportunity to market directly to each bride-to-be and her fiancé with static Banner Ads that link to their website or Business Profiles. Birmingham Home & Garden Jan has published features on wine cellars and organic gardening and department articles on gardening, antiques, and a homebuilder profile. Portico Jan's article for "Déją vu Dupont" was named among "The Best of Portico 2005." The Birmingham News News writing covered schools and people profiles.