Michael Strickland

Strategic Storyteller & Story Coach

Canada

I'm a freelance writer/editor, strategic storyteller and story coach. I've crafted news and features for newspapers, magazines and television. As the senior media relations professional at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo, I oversaw most media relation activities; trained spokespeople and writers; told an array of research, teaching and entrepreneurship stories; and managed issues and crisis communications. Today, I spend my time writing about beer, food and interesting people, as well as consulting and coaching.

Portfolio

Profile Writing

Lifestyle Writing

Grand Magazine
Great Room Reno

Removing walls in side split yields a lifestyle change as much as an esthetic one.

PEI Lifestyle

Salty
05/01/2019
VICTORIA-BY-THE-SEA: FROM SEAPORT ON A FARM TO FOODIE FAVOURITE

Village celebrates a historic two hundred years in 2019 Jenny and Jackie Myers dreamed of one day owning a business in the tiny village of Victoria. Born in nearby Tryon in 1967, their family moved to Ontario when the twin sisters were four years old.

Salty
08/01/2019
QUALITY FROM BEAN TO BAR

The Island Chocolate Company's focus on quality ingredients keeps customers coming back Linda Gilbert admits she's no fan of takeout. Especially when it comes to fine chocolate. The co-founder of family-run Island Chocolates in Victoria-by-the-Sea believes good chocolate deserves to be enjoyed and a

Beer, Spirits & Wine

Beer Bards
10/29/2025
Neustadt Springs Brewery

Neustadt 'mayor' Darell Peter taps his gavel against the table top, careful not to upset the full mug of stout delivered moments before 'council' comes 'to order'. The dozen or so councillors quickly settle, wrapping up their chit-chat or taking a quick swig of various beers, while I thank our waitress for the flight of...

The Grapevine
09/09/2019
Falconry at Featherstone Estate Wineries

A Harris Hawk named Amadeus guards the vineyards from starlings and other flying pests. "When you put a bird of prey in the air," explains Louise Engel, "everyone leaves, and it becomes very quiet."

Salty
04/01/2019
SUCCESS WITH ABSINTHE AT NATIONAL AWARDS

Uncommon spirit is awarded top honours at the 2019 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition last month There's a bit of ritual involved in properly enjoying absinthe. The distilled spirit-often mistaken for a liqueur, despite being up to 75 percent alcohol-is served with three parts ice water to cut the

Beer Bards
10/31/2025
Project Brew: Cyberpunk 2099

"The Future of Brewing" showed off their best beers at Cyberpunk 2099 They are the future of brewing. So, the newest graduates of the Niagara College brewery program leaned into it at their most recent public celebration of their final projects. This year's theme was Cyberpunk 2099: The Future of Brewing.

Business Writing

Exchange Magazine for Business
Building On Science

An early look at the need for an R+T Park in Waterloo

News Release Writing

Opinion Writing

Switchview Marketing Collateral

Miscellaneous