Text and the City

Content

Text and the City, a writing practice founded in 2000 by journalist and content strategist Helen Johnson, produces creative content – in Dutch or English.

Concepts

Helen is an experienced editor-in-chief and writer of articles in newspapers and magazines. Coordinating and editing written contributions of others, is work that holds no secrets from her.

Editing

Magazine formulas, column series, multi-media communication strategies, Helen’s resourcefulness and target group sensitivity have enabled her to develop many creative editorial concepts.

Training

Helen is a certified English language teacher-trainer. She also studied public speaking, enabling her to host group training sessions, workshops and brainstorm meetings.

About Text and the City

Delivering content and editorial services constructed with creativity, care and integrity, is what Text and the City does best. I’ve been devoted to this goal from 2000 onwards and have since written and edited contributions for numerous print and online media – to mutual contentment, without exception. (Please see some of the references I’ve been given.)

In 2015 I added to my qualifications by obtaining a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (issued by Cambridge University) as well as a diploma in early English language development. Together with my partner Bianca Timman, I train and advise teacher teams in setting up English language curricula for their primary schools. For more information, please visit our website: littleacorns.nl

A few examples from my portfolio

Rush on Amsterdam Magazine 2010 | 50 years Anne Frank house
Article
Swoolish Garage | International material
Promotional content
Rush on Amsterdam 2009 | The world according to Cobra
Article
Rush on Amsterdam 2010 | Little Buddha Bar
Promotional content

View the portfolio

References

"Helen did a wonderful job as Runner’s World’s executive editor. It wasn’t a coincidence that we won Magazine of the Year during her era. She is highly organized, helped us adopt a new digital workflow and is a lovely colleague, to top it all off."

Olivier Heimel
hoofdredacteur Runner’s World
"Helen Johnson was wholly and solely responsible for Nieuwe Liefde magazine. She can think in concepts and guarded the visual style, the quality of writing and the content. She knows what she wants. She can set a course for the mid- or long term and stick to it."

Franck Ploum
Former director of De Nieuwe Liefde
"Helen is a talented researcher. She’s always prepared to go the extra mile to get the maximum result. She’s a great team player and very pro-active at that."

Frans Kotterer
Editor-in-chief of Kunststof radio
"Helen is a 'headline hero'. She uses language fantastically creatively."

Matthijs de Groot
Editor-in-chief of Columbus magazine
"I was a fan of Helen’s column in Esquire."

Olivier Heimel
Editor-in-chief of Runner’s World
"An interviewer like Helen only comes around every once in a while."

Marije de Jong
Former editor-in-chief of esta
"Helen convinced me instantly; her plan for the interviewseries The Seven Virtues had it all. One strong interview after another landed on our desks. Paula van der Oest, Xandra Brood, Will van Kralingen; everyone opens up to Helen, in those interviews that have such a strong own identity" (In: esta #12).

Tineke Verhoeven
founder of esta