Long-Form Content
John Fish and Son
Bryn Mawr’s Timekeeper
A seemingly small clock and jewelry store in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, needed a rather large project. The store is one of the oldest retailers in the Philadelphia area, going back to 1888.
Hired to write a 50-page book about this outlet and its relationship to the community.
Recognized need to communicate the reason behind the success of a family-run business, spanning four generations.
Conducted research primarily through interviews. Proprietor and patriarch David Fish gave spectacular insight into his family history as well as the founding of the Bryn Mawr area itself.
Conveyed the shop owes its success to exemplary service and recognizing its role in the community.
Highlighted Mr. Fish’s gift for storytelling in recounting first-hand anecdotes and family traditions of Bryn Mawr’s most famous residents—also clients!
Once completed in 2019, John Fish and Son started selling the book from its store on Lancaster Avenue. The Fishes have donated all the proceeds of the book, more than $5,000 in sales, to Bryn Mawr’s Ludington Library.
David Fish, Owner & Proprietor, John Fish and Son
“I highly would recommend Jim for any long-form copywriting project.
His one-on-one interviews and additional research allowed us to condense the history of our store into an entertaining and historically accurate narrative.
Jim not only wrote a story about our shop, but also one about the community it served for 130 years."
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
A Passion for Teaching
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is perennially ranked as one of the best pediatric hospitals in the nation.
Commissioned to write the most important segment of this book, A Passion for Teaching.
The section profiles the doctors, professors and researchers who had a part in shaping CHOP’s unmatched success.
24 biographies detailing the lives and accomplishments of these health care professionals.
Required extensive research, both in printed materials and through various interviews with the subjects and their colleagues.
CHOP and Dr. Stephen Ludwig, professor of pediatric medicine, distributed the first printing at new resident orientation.
The hospital has ordered multiple re-printings through its own press.
The Union League of Philadelphia
The Union League of Philadelphia has the distinction of being the No. 1 City Club in the nation for several years.
First founded in 1862, the Union League has a history few organizations can match. It played an outsized role in supporting the Union Army during the Civil War and has received multiple sitting and former presidents, including with Abraham Lincoln. The club also has one of the largest collections of art and artifacts in Philadelphia.
A Docent’s Guide to The Union League of Philadelphia
Provided a narrative component for a visual tour of the League clubhouse. Called A Docent’s Guide to The Union League of Philadelphia, the book is meant to be an approximation of one of the real-life tours one could receive as a prospective member.
Recorded several tours conducted by head docent James G. Mundy Jr. as main reference point. Conducted extensive research within the League’s own archives for detail on the art and artifacts inside the building.
Relayed extensive detail of the architectural features of the house as well as the paintings and sculptures.
Selected dialog snippets from Mr. Mundy’s records and passed these on to the designer to lend Mr. Mundy’s distinctive style to the manuscript. Inlays are branded with a bow tie, an accessory Mr. Mundy wears daily.
The League threw a reception for the completed 100-page volume at the clubhouse in October 2017. The book was handed out to members at the event and presented to prospective members after that point.
