A few words about Bill Horne

Taken at Mutianyu on the Great Wall of China in September 2006. I was sent to Beijing by my current contract employer, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, to represent HQ at a conference on avian and pandemic infuenza preparedness planning with several of our Asian embassies and consulates.

Born in Windsor Ontario, I discovered my love of English in Grade Five, when I was the designated English teacher for students coming from foreign lands.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics at the University of Windsor, and doing graduate study in Political Science, I began a 30-year career as a manager with Bell Canada, retiring at the Director level in 1995. Since then, I have worked as a consultant with Nortel, with two NGOs, and with CMHC as a web writer and editor, as well as completing many freelance assignments. Since December 2005 I have been working on a full-time contract with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, in their Foreign Affairs Communications Bureau. In all my various careers, writing has played a significant role. From regulatory documents to government websites to newsletters and sales brochures, I have always been happiest working with words.

I have extensive writing experience with newspapers, radio, advertorials, websites, brochures, sales training scripts, personal and family histories, and more. I have edited novels, scholarly papers, newsletters, etc. For my own personal writing, I enjoy creating short humourous pieces loosely based on real life experiences.

I am a member of the Association of Personal Historians, a Past President of the Ottawa Independent Writers, and Past President of a Business Network International chapter. I am also a member of SPELL, the Society for the Preservation of English Language and Literature.

Other passions include competitive running, cycling, community service and international politics.