Shannon Ratliff

Shannon Ratliff

Creative Nonfiction, Applied: Writing your readers recognize.

Writer and editor in Austin who builds websites too. Fractional Head of Content for media brands

Book a Call See the Work
Brand Voice ✧ Web Development ✧ Search and AI Visibility ✧ Research Libraries ✧ Email and SMS ✧ Newsletters ✧ Creator Programs ✧ Video ✧ Content Systems ✧ Brand Voice ✧ Web Development ✧ Search and AI Visibility ✧ Research Libraries ✧ Email and SMS ✧ Newsletters ✧ Creator Programs ✧ Video ✧ Content Systems ✧
15+
years in editorial
30M+
readers reached
10+
websites built from the ground up
8,000+
studies read and translated
35
person editorial team led
19
industries and counting

Where I've Worked

Naturealm✧Shroomer✧Wide Open Media Group (acq. Publishers Clearing House, 2020)✧Clearscope✧Cratejoy✧Naturealm✧Shroomer✧Wide Open Media Group (acq. Publishers Clearing House, 2020)✧Clearscope✧Cratejoy✧

Industries

MediaWellness and BeautyCommerce and TechScience and Culture
Digital Media DTC Ecommerce Functional Mushrooms Med Spa and Aesthetics Search Software Subscription Commerce Sweepstakes and Giveaways Wellness and Supplements

The Common Thread

Every project starts with the same question. Who's your person, and where are they already looking?

Tell Me What You're Building

Editorial Intensive A deep read on your search and content, then a plan your team can run.

Book a Call

How We Start

1

A 20-Minute Call

We talk through what you're building.

2

A Voice Audit

A paid, written read on where you stand, with a blueprint for where to take it.

3

A 30-Day Plan

Then we build it together.

A Few Snapshots

A Digital Media Group

Grew 8 brands to 20M monthly readers, from country music to recipes to the outdoors.

A Supplement Brand

Turned the research into a study library, a species index, and interactive tools people actually use.

A Head Spa

Designed the new site, then led the move over, from page structure and SEO to the results gallery.

See It Live

My NewsletterAnalog Lava LampsBefore it becomes something else.Read → VideoShroomer on YouTubeScripted and produced, start to finish.Watch → Research ToolkitNaturealm LearnStudies turned into guides and tools anyone can use.Explore → Results GalleryElysian Before and AfterBefore and after photos and case studies that let the results talk.View →

Writing

Fiction and Essays

At work on a novel, a story collection, and a book of essays. MFA in Creative Nonfiction, Stonecoast.

✧ SemifinalistVoices Carry2026 Deborah Tall Lyric Essay Book Prize, Seneca Review Books

Good Questions

What does a Fractional Head of Content do?

I lead your content the way an in-house head of content would, for a set number of hours each month. That covers your voice, search, email, and site, plus direction for the writers and editors doing the work.

Do you work with brick-and-mortar businesses?

Yes, and I love it. I build digital presence for places people visit in person, like spas and med spas, from the website and local search to email and social. I've also spent years inside online-only media and DTC brands, so I can help a local business show up online like a publisher would.

What do you build on?

Shopify, Webflow, Framer, and Lovable, and I build custom tools with Claude Code. I choose the platform your team can actually run after launch.

What is a Voice Audit?

A written read on how your brand sounds across your site, emails, and social, where it slips, and a blueprint for where to take it. It's usually where we start.

Where are you based?

Austin, Texas. I work with brands anywhere.

Do you also write fiction and essays?

I do. My essays and stories have appeared in Seneca Review, Pleiades, Gulf Coast, Joyland, and elsewhere, and I hold an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Stonecoast.

Let's Talk

Tell me a little about what you're building. I read every note and reply within two business days.

This is some text inside of a div block.
This is some text inside of a div block.