About James
James Shea is an award-winning journalist, author and multimedia publisher. He has experienced firsthand the digital transformation of communications over the last two decades. He has worked at newspapers, magazines, book publishers, radio stations and in digital media.
The beginning
My communications career begins in 1995. I had written a few freelance articles and enjoyed writing. At the time, the microbrewery scene was taking off. So, I launched a beer and travel magazine.
The publication was successful and taught me a lot. I set the creative direction, sold advertising, coordinated production and wrote and edited articles. The publication grew a loyal following.
The venture was also my first experience with the web. A friend taught me how to write a few HTML tags, and I hand-coded the website.
The publication folded, but I had been bitten by the media bug. I went back to school and earned a second bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications.
The newspaper years
After college, I took a job as a publicist at Productivity Press. The company published books and training manuals in manufacturing. But then 9/11 happened, and I was laid off. I looked for a job in newspapers and was offered a position at a small-town newspaper in Trinidad, Colorado. I loaded everything I owned in my truck and drove to Colorado. I lived in an apartment above the newspaper. Within a few months, the entire staff left and I was named managing editor.
I eventually ran a small newspaper group in Monte Vista, Colo. and Montrose Colo. I moved to North Carolina and worked at newspapers in Hendersonville and Asheville. I ended my newspaper career at the Pulitzer-prize-winning Bristol Herald Courier. I was a great newspaper reporter. I won over a dozen writing awards and played a large role in shaping public policy.
During my newspaper career, the media landscape changed. In the early years, my newspapers did not have websites. But eventually, digital publishing, social media and media convergence dominated the industry. I began working in a CMS and posted content online daily. I attracted a Twitter following. Everyone was learning to understand the newspaper business in a digital world.
Digital Transformation
In 2014, I moved to Richmond and started working as an independent creative professional. I had experienced first-hand the transformation of communications from print to digital.
As an independent communications professional, I have done everything. I have designed websites from the ground up. I have done blogs, email newsletters, landing pages, media campaigns, white papers, infographics, and social media content. I have launched and run a podcast. I managed two business-to-business trade publications. My experience traverses the entire communications field.
I have also worked part-time at VCU in the public affairs department. I worked with a variety of subject matter to advance the university’s mission.
UX
As an independent creative professional, a large part of my work has been in SEO and website improvement through information architecture, design and user experience. I have begun doing work in UX and recently completed my UX for Designers Certificate by Google.
It is the next evolution in my communications journey.