Adventures in writing and living, from the shores of Portland, Maine.

welcome-to-maine-about
Sarah Holman, writes in Portland, Maine for many great people...

Sarah Holman, writer and cheese enthusiast

The Deets

I am a writer living and working in Portland, Maine… where the food is as good as the beer, the people are friendlier than the weather, and the ocean is closer than the Interstate.

I grew up in rural Maine and left to attend Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. A job at a small branding agency in the East Village introduced me to the possibility of a career in creative writing, though initially I pursued marketing and graphic design when I returned to Maine. My eventual transition to stay-at-home-mommy left me searching for a new creative outlet, and I began writing fiction. As time allowed (that is, as my stay-at-home-mommy job became less all-consuming) I took on freelance copywriting, editorial, and layout jobs. Currently I am a columnist and regular contributor for Maine Women Magazine, and I hope to add YA fiction author to my resume sometime in the next decade.


The Fluff

Things I devote non-writing time to include: running (in the woods), drinking coffee (at any hour), eating locally (cheese, please), treasure hunting (at thrift shops), worrying about climate change (not global warming), raising a daughter (she’s a tween!), exploring Maine (especially rural parts), and anything crafty (pass the hot glue gun).


The Work

I have written copy for publications, websites, brochures, resource guides, promotional pieces, and training materials for many companies, including:

  • Maine Women Magazine – Portland, Maine
    Monthly HOME columnist and regular editorial contributor
  • The Brand Collective – Auburn, Maine
    Freelance copywriter for multiple re-branding projects
  • Polychrome Collective – Portland, Maine
    Freelance grant writer for non-profit organizations
  • Birth Roots – Portland, Maine
    Contract layout designer and project manager for the annual Birth Roots Resource Guide
  • SlickFish Studios – Portland, Maine
    Freelance copywriter, project manager, and design consultant for this creative Maine website design company.
  • Management Research Group – Portland, Maine
    Freelance copywriter and layout designer for marketing initiatives and training resources
  • RF Sales & Marketing – Portland, Maine
    Freelance copywriter
  • Frawley Construction – Cape Elizabeth, Maine
    Freelance copywriter for marketing, print, and online materials
  • Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine – Portland, Maine
    Former Director of Marketing & Public Relations

Links to Published Articles and Columns

Fridge and Foto February
Maine Women Magazine, February 2020
How to make the most of being cooped up this winter…
read the story »
Comfort, Cost and Carbon
Maine Women Magazine, January 2020
How to stay warm this winter without breaking the bank, or the Earth…
read the story »
Financial Fitness
Maine Women Magazine, January 2020
Some people hit the gym in January. We’re all about reviewing our finances for a fresh start. Our experts weigh in on smart planning…
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Giving (and Getting) on the Appalachian Trail
Maine Women Magazine, December 2019
One woman hopes to realize a personal dream and professional goal on the trail…
read the story »
Finding the Perfect Hostess Gift
Maine Women Magazine, December 2019
December has the special honor of being the most anticipated—and most dreaded—month of the year…
read the story »
My Precious
Maine Women Magazine, November 2019
What do I do with this (really important) thing? Tips on preserving, protecting and displaying family heirlooms…
read the story »
Hammering Stereotypes
Maine Women Magazine, October 2019
Women in Maine’s lumber and building materials industry talk family business, gender bias and rolling with f-bombs in a business hardwired for sexism…
read the story »
Home Work
Maine Women Magazine, October 2019
Suggestions for those times when it feels stressful just to make time for stress relief…
read the story »
The Case for Slippers
Maine Women Magazine, September 2019
Scuffs, House Shoes, Fuzzies, Mocs, whatever you call them, they’re back and quite possibly, keeping us healthier…
read the story »
Give Me Space
Maine Women Magazine, August 2019
Creating (and demanding) space for creativity…
read the story »
Monson Makeover
Maine Women Magazine, August 2019
A major investment by the Libra Foundation is turning Monson, a nearly forgotten town, into a place where creativity flourishes and art is born…
read the story »
Planters with Purpose
Maine Women Magazine, July 2019
Multi-function gardens for division, privacy and nourishment…
read the story »
Roadtrip to Readfield
Maine Women Magazine, July 2019
Sometimes an adventure can take place in your hometown…
read the story »
The Dishware Dilemma
Maine Women Magazine, June 2019
Dishes are made to be broken. Here’s how to host without stress. OK, less stress…
read the story »
The Marie Kondos of Maine
Maine Women Magazine, May 2019
The Japanese declutterer is all the rage. But some of Maine’s professional organizers pre-date her. Others model themselves on her…
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Green Cleaning for the Win
Maine Women Magazine, May 2019
I’ve been buying natural, non-toxic cleaning products for years, but I also know labels can be misleading. And I have plastic-guilt every time I toss a bottle…
read the story »
Screen(time) Savers
Maine Women Magazine, April 2019
Last July the market-research firm Nielsen released a new study saying American adults are spending over 11 hours a day interacting with media…
read the story »
Pump It Up
Maine Women Magazine, April 2019
Exercise trends come and go, but with the backing of some compelling science, High Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT, may be here to stay…
read the story »
The Woods Wake
Maine Women Magazine, March 2019
When Diamond Duryea left North Norway for college 10 years ago, her parents took up mapling as an empty-nester’s hobby…
read the story »
Bring in the Green
Maine Women Magazine, March 2019
During the last official winter month, our thoughts turn wistfully toward open windows, ice-free sidewalks and reestablishing a relationship with the backyard…
read the story »
Activism Is All In This Family For These Women
Maine Women Magazine, February 2019
Her mom worked for the ACLU—and Ruth Bader Ginsburg—in the 1970s. Now Alison Beyea runs the ACLU of Maine and her daughter is planning a career in environmental activism…
read the story »
Mitten Mountains and Hat Hills
Maine Women Magazine, January 2019
How is it that every winter, despite my diligent efforts and family-wide reminders, I am constantly picking up mittens, hats, jackets, boots and scarves from all over the house…
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Beginning a Life Together
Maine Women Magazine, January 2019
Meet four couples who chose to mark their commitment to each other with a wedding—one that brought together the people they love in ceremonies that were as unique as they are…
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Cozy and Calm Decor
Maine Women Magazine, January 2019
Coming off the busy holiday season, January is a month for recuperation and renewal, a time when I want my home’s interior to support a calm, introspective state…
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Toni’s Touch: More than a Salon
Maine Women Magazine, December 2018
Drawing customers from around the state, Toni’s Touch in Portland is a beauty shop that feels like family…
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A Packrat’s Holiday
Maine Women Magazine, December 2018
Incorporating nostalgic objects—in all their imperfect, off-trend glory—into modern holiday decorating…
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Cool Home Finds
Maine Women Magazine, November 2018
Whether it’s something colorful on the wall or underfoot, or a repurposed antique that gives your space a unique flair, these neat finds at Maine shops are fun ways to make a room yours…
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Applications Scientist Heather Anne Wright
Maine Women Magazine, October 2018
“The biotech industry represents the interface between science and technology,” says Heather Anne Wright. “It’s a broad way to think about how research is translated and applied.”…
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Hydropower Licensing Consultant Sarah Verville
Maine Women Magazine, October 2018
“‘Large Maine corporation seeking attorney, 1-3 years’ experience.’ That’s all it said.” When Sarah Verville answered the vague employment ad, she was 29 and had a year under her belt at a small law firm…
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Don’t Get Lost in the Noise (co-writer)
Lumber Co-operator, September/October 2016
Page 70
read the story »
What is Your Story? (co-writer)
Lumber Co-operator, March/April 2016
Page 104
read the story »