nDash.com is a content creation platform that provides brands and agencies with access to the world's top freelance writers.
Straddling the line between informative and entertaining, I am a generalist that's diving deep into a slew of topics. Culture, science, entertainment, climate justice, travel, and finance are just a few topics I've explored for wide audiences. I hold an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from University of San Francisco and often bring wit and humor when space allows. Reach out via direct message or Twitter to learn more.
Body positivity is a passion of mine, so I was blessed to write this feature for Ask. The combination of photo editing and a passionate plea made this hit hard on the site's homepage.
https://www.ask.com/culture/body-issue-espn-magazine
One of Ask's top performers of 2021, I didn't know what Pine Island was until I saw it on a long list of keywords sourced by the data science team. This has been backlinked at over 100 different sites. I love bringing light to issues, trends, and places that don't always get attention.
https://www.ask.com/travel/pine-island-florida
This was so fun to write. Originally pitched by our Social Media Editor, I grabbed this story because it's so informative but also fun. Paris Hilton retweeted this article to her 16 million followers, so I'm glad it got so much attention.
https://www.ask.com/culture/11-surprising-copyrighted-or-trademarked-phrases
One of my first pieces for Ask Media Group, this informs readers on an event that was historic, underrated, and a little weird. Researching this was tough because the topic has been covered differently at many outlets, but we got down to the bottom of things.
https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/jellyfish-sent-to-space
While not much is known about the reboot of Fox's unexpectedly progressive hit, enough is known to cause worry in the show's longtime fans.
https://www.ask.com/entertainment/king-of-the-hill-reboot
An introductory guide to Fort Myers, FL. This was created using keywords sourced by AMG's data science team and was a top performer upon publication.
https://www.ask.com/travel/fort-myers-florida
Timely yet evergreen, this has legs at the end of the year and also (unfortunately) during global conflicts like the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
https://www.ask.com/culture/most-reputable-charities
With such an explosive fanbase, this piece about storytelling hit well with fans of the show and those who wanted to learn more what it is.
https://www.ask.com/entertainment/drag-race-untucked
Breaking in to Reference's top performers is hard considering the site has been around for so, so long. This one consistently performs well week after week, especially in direct navigation.
https://www.reference.com/geography/lake-tahoe
This breaks down climate change in the U.S. region by region. While some regions are affected in more severe ways than others, this illuminates why everyone should care about this issue.
https://www.reference.com/geography/regional-global-warming
No nonsense financial Info with a voice that's approachable and understandable.
https://www.askmoney.com/credit-cards/discover-it-card-rewards
A guilty pleasure of mine, this nostalgia-driven recap celebrated the iconic gaming franchise's 30th anniversary and coincided with a new game release.
https://www.ask.com/entertainment/kirby-at-30-forgotten-land
A brief explainer on a topic that continues to affect people throughout pandemic/endemic times.
https://www.reference.com/business-finance/what-is-coin-shortage
A piece providing guidance on how to improve one's mental health, especially during pandemic times.
https://www.symptomfind.com/healthy-living/overcoming-loneliness
An evergreen success, this is reshared every month on/before the night of a full moon and always performs well.
https://www.reference.com/science/full-moon-names
Published before Easter 2021, we found that people really like looking at animal content all year-round.
https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/all-about-bunnies
This was repurposed from a "virtual vacations" series into something more practical for travel...whenever it's safe to do so.
https://www.ask.com/travel/virtual-vacations-reykjavik-iceland
An editor and I came up with this series where we take weather terms that people may not be familiar with. I covered terms like "polar vortex," "atmospheric river," and "pressure gradients" in addition to this.
https://www.reference.com/science/naming-winter-storms
Celebrity meets the wild, wild West of personal finance. This explainer informs users on what physical NFTs and how that works.
https://www.askmoney.com/investing/flipkick-and-metamask
I love a historical observation, especially when accompanied by a movement to bring attention to revolutionary figures.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/susan-b-anthony-day
Bringing attention to a global environmental issue
https://www.reference.com/science/what-are-invasive-species-and-how-do-they-impact-the-environment
A little science and a lot of lux, this coincided with the holidays, Valentine's Day, engagement season, etc.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/diamond-clarity-guide
Okay, who doesn't love diamonds? Even more science in this one, this sheds light on what diamond creation is and why it's better from a humanitarian perspective.
https://www.reference.com/science/lab-made-diamonds
Health history of one of medicine's most important (yet underrepresented) figures.
https://www.reference.com/science/immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks
This secular history unpacks the story as told in holy texts and its greater impact on the world today.
https://www.reference.com/history/story-of-melchizedek
It's the end of the world as we know it...here I explained how the Christian Bible forecasts the world's end.
https://www.reference.com/history/book-of-revelation
Unpacking a word that's taken on a lot of different connotation in recent years.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/woke-definition
Here I helped Reference observed Black History Month by putting the spotlight on 10 established and emerging Black inventors and innovators that are active today.
https://www.reference.com/business-finance/famous-black-inventors
An explainer on the annual tradition that occurs for 6 weeks every Spring.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/meaning-of-lent
Another one to break in to Reference's consistent chart-toppers. This was designed to help readers learn the basics of what cybersecurity is and how to get started.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/cybersecurity-awareness
Greek mythology! This explainer is K-12 friendly and can also teach adults a few things about the lesser-discussed Greek deity.
https://www.reference.com/history/poseidon-adventures
History, technology and climate science intersect in this explainer about old-school electric vehicles.
https://www.reference.com/history/history-of-electric-cars
I don't love writing about war, but I love a challenge. Timely historic observances are important and I'm happy to shine a light on them.
https://www.reference.com/history/normandy-invasion-history
One of my editors shared my love for "weird news," and this is a prime example of that. A little bit of a climate angle, this odd event needed to be talked about.
Perfect for October/spooky season, this brought some history to a mystical, popular subject.
Space, science, and "goth energy," this strangely romantic piece was a joy to research and write.
https://www.reference.com/science/blood-bricks-space
Weighing in on why I think college athletes should get paid and using research to back up the claim here.
https://www.askmoney.com/budgeting/paying-college-athletes
When Biden announced that he was pulling out of Afghanistan, we wanted to weigh in on the subject while keeping it in the Ask brand. I love writing book roundups.
https://www.ask.com/culture/books-on-afghanistan
An explainer on robotic animals, particularly the cuddly seals that help elderly patients with memory issues as well as Spot, the security robot.
https://www.reference.com/science/robot-animals-help-seniors
Shedding light on some of the many, many labor movements that spawned during the pandemic.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/labor-movements-2021
An explainer on what the Secretary of Transportation position is actually for and what they do.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/secretary-of-transportation
Unpacking what superstorms are, how they affect the U.S., and looking into what could be done to prevent them.
https://www.reference.com/science/can-we-prevent-superstorms
Great for election, this dives into the mythologized idea of a silent majority among Americans.
https://www.reference.com/history/who-is-the-silent-majority
A political explainer and what the Green New Deal could be and why it's needed.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/green-new-deal
A roundup of football podcasts. Yay, sports!
https://www.ask.com/culture/nfl-football-podcasts
A little on the "weird" side, this was a roundup of archaeological discoveries was refreshed and added to a few times throughout the year. "Monkeydactyl" is my personal favorite.
https://www.reference.com/science/evolution-breakthroughs-2021
An explainer on the observations that experts are reporting from different types of birds adapting to Earth's changing climates.
https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/birds-evolving-after-climate-change
Coinciding with the anniversary of the event, this "look back" informed younger audiences on the strangeness of the event and reminds older readers of a different time.
https://www.reference.com/history/john-paul-assassin
To help Reference observe AAPI heritage month, this "who's who" showcases current leaders and some trailblazers from the past.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/aapi-political-leaders
A look at two airlines that emerged during the pandemic.
https://www.askmoney.com/budgeting/avelo-and-breeze-lowest-fares-flights
With two Olympic games within a few months of each other, this look back has a wide reach and a lot of mileage.
https://www.reference.com/history/olympics-canceled
Combining music and money, this was a fun read for the finance crowd.
https://www.askmoney.com/investing/billionaire-musicians
Historical myth-busting at its finest, especially during the billionaire space races of today.
https://www.reference.com/history/american-myths-space-race
More historical myth busting with some fall flavor.
https://www.reference.com/history/were-witch-trials-only-salem
Justice for Nikola Tesla!
https://www.reference.com/history/edison-lightbulb-myth
Post-pandemic allergies have been bad. This explains why and offers practical solutions.
https://www.symptomfind.com/healthy-living/itchy-burning-eyes
Explaining what this is and why it keeps "breaking the internet" and shattering box office records.
https://www.ask.com/entertainment/demon-slayer-movie
A journalistic deep dive into the world of a semi-pro football league that's for cops and firelighters, only.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/football-and-philanthropy
Can a videogame's design overturn the class structures of American class? You'll have to read this one to find out.
https://www.ask.com/culture/mario-kart-formula
More sports. Football is a passion of mine, so when the race norming scandal came to light, I wanted to explain this issue for Reference's audience.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/race-norming-nfl
A climate-heavy look at the dismal state of monarch butterflies and the nonprofits that are trying to change things.
https://www.reference.com/science/milkweed-and-monarch-butterflies
My first bylined piece at Ask. I loved letting people know about this Internet subculture.
https://www.ask.com/culture/what-is-bookstagram
Supported the company's flagship websites (Ask.com, Reference, SymptomFind, Ask Money) by writing quality content that was tailored for organic and SEO success in addition to the company's own search engine services. Articles were typically 800-1000 words. My first in-house writing position, I also sourced/edited all of my own photos, pitched content on a weekly basis, and updated/repurposed legacy content.
Company: Ask Media Group
I worked there from 3/2021 until 3/2022
When COVID-19 hit, I started publishing articles independently on Medium. With the world in such a strange place, I wrote about topics that gripped me at the time: publishing, movies, soap operas, books, health, and fitness. See ericpmueller.medium.com to see the places my brain goes and where passion lives.
Company: Medium
I worked there from 3/2020 until 3/2021
My introduction to writing for the Internet and SEO. Here, I wrote content for the brands flagship site, Mandatory.com, whose audience is Gen-Z aged males as well as ComingSoon.net, a popular entertainment website.
Company: Mandatory Media
I worked there from 8/2018 until 12/2018