Hire the Best Historians in California

I help businesses, media teams, and leaders turn complex ideas into clear, compelling content. With a background in history and experience supporting presidential libraries and PBS American Masters, I bring depth, precision, and narrative clarity to every project. My work is grounded in strong research and sharp editing, shaping ideas into structured, engaging, and polished final products. I have supported organizations ranging from presidential libraries and PBS to fintech teams and entrepreneurs, bringing a careful, detail-driven approach to every stage of the process.

If you need anything written in the fields of history, politics, international relations, or sports: give me a shot. I'm a Top-notch academic writer and editor with a Ph.D. and several peer-reviewed publications. UCLA trained. I was a journalist for two decades. Have two best-selling Amazon ebooks and am constantly working on my skills to give my clients the highest quality outcomes.

Think of me as the "Sherlock Holmes" of writing - combining an eye for minute details with critical reasoning to provide a creative solution for your writing or research project. I provide writing, editing, and research consultation, primarily focused on the following subject areas: the Ancient Near East; Linguistics; and the Bible. Ancient Near East - The majority of my academic training at Harvard and elsewhere falls within the ancient civilizations and cultures situated along the fertile crescent (Mesopotamia, Syria, Israel/Palestine, and Egypt). I actively read the languages and scripts written by scribes in this geographic region (e.g., Akkadian cuneiform, Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, and Canaanite). I know the history (and archaeology) of this region from the introduction of writing (3000 BC) to the turn of the era (1 BC). My clients range from those working on the academic side of things to those focused on addressing a more popular audience. Linguistics - My ancient language training led me to the more formal study of linguistics. The development of languages and language change (historical linguistics) is my focus, but I have helped clients with various issues in linguistics, including language typology, computational linguistics, second language acquisition, sociolinguistics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Bible - The Biblical text (both Hebrew Bible and Greek New Testament) was my starting point in my academic training and most of the other areas that I have studied have served to deepen my understanding of that text and the world of which it is a part. I read both Hebrew and Greek fluently and maintain a massive library of the most up-to-date scholarship in Biblical studies. Some clients contract me to work on projects directed towards academic audiences, while others are looking for material appropriate for Sunday school or home Bible-study groups. As both an Evangelical Christian and a scholar, I know the concerns of the faith community as well as those of the academic community and have been able to successfully work with both.

I'm a digital and print designer with a passion for layouts, typography, and a refined aesthetic. I currently work as Senior Graphic Designer for Marquee Brands' Fashion & Lifestyle division, working on brands such as BCBG, Ben Sherman, Totes, and many others. I work remotely from San Diego, CA.

Story is one of our oldest rituals, and I am a fierce believer in its power—in the power of earnest study and of conversation; in the power language gives us to transcend the individual and to learn from the experiences beyond. To tell a story is to challenge presuppositions and to grapple with life's deepest questions—and to share this journey amongst ourselves, to learn from, to exhort, to empathize with one another. Most concisely, I suppose I love to study and relate with people, and what it is we do here. At six, inspired by the likes of Tolkien and CS Lewis, I resolved to be a fantasy author. For years this was my vision––and fantasy does still remain one of my greatest loves. As I've grown, however, I've come to see that there are deeper passions, which underpinned that initial interest: - What are we doing here? Can we find some meaning in life? Can we create our own? - Where is civilization headed? What will be the result of technological explosion? - How does our history affect us? How can we come to understand it better? - In what ways are we governed by our biology? In what ways might we 'transcend' or at least govern it? - How can we best manage relationships in this life? And so on. I am quite open to whatever interests me. I work in a range of mediums, including: - Novels - Personal development, philosophy, meditation, mindfulness (but open to other non-fiction genres) - Scriptwriting - Research and political writing (primarily geopolitics) - Speeches - Arguments, articles, essays . . . . essentially just studying, researching, discussing topics that touch upon human meaning and perception and relationship. I would love to partner with you, if you think I might resonate with your vision. To that end, I always request a skype call, or at least some detailed messaging, so that we can better get to know one another. You will find me highly communicative, empathetic, articulate, and attentive to detail. It is extremely important to me to understand your vision for your project. Outside of Upwork I work on some novels of my own, as well as a podcast/youtube channel which is only just beginning. I travel the world full time, and have known people of every sort of lifestyle, which has given me a very unique perspective on many dimensions of life. I've lived in 9+ countries across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. This has given me an extremely unique perspective regarding how human society evolves over time, and the differences (or lack thereof) that result. I understand how people communicate, how they share and interpret values and information. This understanding has greatly influenced my writing. Contact me if you wish for samples of my work! I will be genuinely honest concerning whether I think I am an ideal fit for your desires. I don't WANT a project unless it's enjoyable. Thanks for reading and I hope I may contribute to your vision! Blessings, Jesse Tate

√ Writer, proofreader, public speaker, editor; critic, author (fiction, mystery). √ Translator, interpreter; dual French-US national, 100% bilingual since childhood. √ Coach, mentor, resume writer. √ Fine art professional; multicultural in scope and experience (working and living). ______________________________________________________________ Hello ! I am glad you came. Here is what I can do for you, who I am, and what helps me stand out: (1) I will bring your ideas to life and make the content captivating. - Whether it's crafting engaging articles, short stories, or speeches; meticulously editing manuscripts, website pages, or product descriptions; or building convincing presentations, I excel at clear and powerful communication and attention to detail; and also, I might add, at human relations. - I am a very good listener and an effective coach. (2) My background is as rich as my writings. - As an accomplished writer and an author (90,000-word mystery novel, currently in the editing phase with my publisher), I possess a deep understanding of language and storytelling. - My high-quality education (Liberal Arts, Languages, BS, MBA) and broad experience on several continents (art dealer, art investing consultant, author, international finance executive and private wealth advisor) further equip me to tackle any project, starting with yours. (3) I'm a skilled communicator and collaborator. - My bilingual fluency (English-French) allows for seamless translation. - Beyond languages, I excel in research, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. And a great sense of organization. - And all of this not without a touch of humor if and when needed. (4) I have lived by deadlines for my entire career and I meet them, and I am available in my clients' time zones (5) Above all, I am passionate about words and language, and I never fail to respect the author’s meaning and intent in my work. If the above resonates with you in any way, I'll be happy to learn more about your project and discuss with you how I can help get it to where you want it - or maybe even better. Respectfully, Jean Tardy-Vallernaud