Traci J. Mcnamara began working with SquidBooks as Co-Founder and Director of Content in 2015 and transitioned into full-time content wrangling with SquidBooks in 2019. In this position, she led teams of writers, editors, educators, scientists, and translation experts to create an NGSS-aligned science curriculum for middle school students, complete with science articles available at varying reading levels, quizzes, games, and educational resources.
In addition to leading the SquidBooks content crew, Traci co-authored SquidBooks Life Sciences, a winner of the 2022 Textbook and Academic Authors Association’s Most Promising New Textbook Award.
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From 2012–2019, Traci wrote for publications including Vail Lifestyle, EAT, Beaver Creek Magazine, Vail Health, Glow, and Vail Valley Home, among others. She also worked as an assistant editor for Water Environment Federation’s global water publications during this timeframe and directed all aspects of her writing and editing business, Wee Inspired, LLC, with services spanning writing, editing, blogging, website content creation, and social media.
2019
"Glamour & Grit." Beaver Creek Magazine, Winter 2019.
"Steep & Deep." Vail Lifestyle Magazine, Winter 2019.
"Cabin Fever." Beaver Creek Magazine, Winter 2019.
"Adventure: Your Way." Vail Lifestyle Magazine, Winter 2019.
"Vail Wedding Magic." Vail Lifestyle Magazine, Winter 2019.
Vail restaurant articles for EAT, Winter 2019: Grouse Mountain Grill, The 10th, Leonora, Gore Range Brewery, Zach's Cabin.
2018
"Exercise: The Elixir for Aging." Vail Health, Summer 2018.
"Follow Fido: Top Dog-Friendly Hikes." Vail Health, Summer 2018.
"A Joyful Table: Hygge Dining." EAT, Summer 2018.
"Mountain Medicine at the Top of the World." Vail Health, Winter 2018.
Vail restaurant articles for EAT, Summer 2018: Matsuhisa Vail, Maya, 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill, Green Elephant Juicery.
Vail restaurant articles for EAT, Winter 2018: Remedy, Flame, Minturn Country Club, eat + drink, and Green Elephant Juicery.
2017
"Weighty Goals." GLOW, Winter 2017.
"The Somms of Vail." EAT, Winter 2017.
"Inspired, Naturally." GLOW, Summer 2017.
"Mountain Maestro." Vail Lifestyle, Summer 2017.
"Bento-Style Your Summer Picnic." Vail Lifestyle, Summer 2017.
Vail restaurant articles for EAT, Summer 2017: Yama Sushi, Mixtura, Remedy, Flame, and Gore Range Brewery.
Vail restaurant articles for EAT, Winter 2017: Maya, Grouse Mountain Grill, and Terra Bistro.
2016
"Kid-Tastic Skiing at Beaver Creek." Beaver Creek Magazine, 2016.
"Howard Head on Location." Vail Health, 2016.
"Smooth-Sipping Shrub Cocktails." Vail Lifestyle, Spring 2016.
"Spring into Summer Fitness with Nordic Skiing." Vail Lifestyle, Spring 2016.
"Pink Vail: Skiing for a Cause." Vail Health, 2016.
"Food and Brew Tours Fuel Summer Adventure." Vail Lifestyle, Summer 2016.
"Nurtured by Nature: Gardens that Heal." HOME, July 2016.
"A Week of Sundaes." EAT, Summer 2016.
Vail restaurant articles for EAT, Summer 2016: La Tour, Flame, Sonnenalp, and Kiwi.
2015
"Animal Tracks Tell a Wild Story." Beaver Creek Magazine, 2015.
"High-Tech World Cup." Beaver Creek Magazine, 2015.
"Golden Standard: Beaver Creek's Race Crews." Beaver Creek Magazine, 2015.
"The Wild Edible Adventure." EAT, Summer 2015.
"The Man Behind the Monumental Aqueduct." A review of Water to the Angels by Les Standiford, High Country News, 17 August 2015.
"Grave Dangers and Satisfying Ends." A review of Crow Fair by Thomas McGuane, High Country News, 8 June 2015.
2014
"A Poetic Search for a Lost Father." A review of Crow Blue by Adriana Lisboa, High Country News, 24 November 2014.
"The Bloody, Brave Beginnings of the Northwest." A review of The Bully of Order by Brian Hart, High Country News, 15 September 2014.
"An Artist's Road to Redemption." A review of The Painter by Peter Heller, High Country News, 21 July 2014.
"More than Meets the Mountain." Vail Lifestyle, Winter 2014.
"Notes from a High-Altitude Gardener." Vail Valley HOME, April 2014.
Medium.com posts for Learnist: "Around the Globe on Foot: Four Adventurous Hiking Destinations," "Dining and Snacking Tips for the Gourmet Camper," "Cool Moments in Polar Exploration," "Colorado: A Hot Destination for Spring Break Skiers," "How to Catch the Olympic Spirit," "My Iceland Adventure," "Bikes Need Spring Cleaning, Too," "Fresh Ways to Bring Plant Life Indoors."
2013
“Exceptional Accounts of the Ordinary.” A review of Middle Men by Jim Gavin, High Country News, 2 September 2013.
“An Unlikely Penitent.” A review of On Top of Spoon Mountain by John Nichols, High Country News, 4 March 2013.
"The Collectors." Vail Luxury, Summer 2013.
Medium.com posts for Learnist: "Tips for Taking Ski Resorts Road Trips," "How to Take a Trip to a Colorado Backcountry Hut."
2012
“The Truths that Matter." A Review of Truth Like the Sun by
Jim Lynch, High Country News, 25 November 2012.
“Celebrating what Remains." A Review of The Dog Stars by Peter Heller, High Country News, 14 October 2012.
“How to Do Everything: Sharpen your outdoor skills this summer." Vail Daily, 11 May 2012.
“Eggstraordinary Benedicts: From classic to creative, Vail Valley eateries take this breakfast staple to mouthwatering heights.” Vail Daily, 17 April 2012.
“Preparing for a Potential Disaster: Local agencies, residents work together in response to environmental emergencies.” Vail Daily, 9 January 2012.
"The Innovators." Vail Luxury, Spring 2012.