Writer. Thinker. Problem Solver.
Michelle was born to tell stories. Seriously. Her maiden name – Novella – means a short novel or a long short story, so her first career choice, Supermodel, was sadly never in the cards. Other deterrents: having an ‘Italian nose’ and the grace of a cat on crack.
After her third grade teacher Mrs. Canape made a big deal out of a poem involving a mole and a barbershop pole, Michelle embraced her fate as a writer, storyteller and professional overthinker. Since then, she’s led creative teams, developed brand strategies, shaped positioning and voice, created campaigns and content platforms, and written everything from magazine articles and a humor column to three novels. In other words, she’s spent her career figuring out what a brand should say, why people should care and how to tell the story in a way that makes them feel something.
Her work has made people think, laugh, and strongly react. A bus poster with the word ‘Nipple-itis’ even got banned.
When Michelle married a hometown boy, she gave up that pen-perfect name (read all about that at Kiss My Sass) but gained an adventure-seeking family that includes three kids who don’t make other people scared to procreate.
Michelle is known to be wickedly sarcastic, occasionally sophomoric, and often insightful. Her three older brothers used to tease her by calling her a Brain, but she now thinks that might be a compliment. Aside from playing soccer, going to rock concerts and hanging with her family down the Jersey shore, using that brain of hers is still her favorite thing to do.
Pitch Winning Campaigns
“Michelle is a passionate and great writer. She over delivered on the assignment and her idea ended up winning the pitch. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.”
Jennifer DaSilva
President | Berlin Cameron | Girl Brands Do it Better
Award-Winning Copywriter
“Michelle is the BEST copywriter I ever worked with. Even when unpredictable rain interrupted our shoot and threatened our original World Cup ad, she was able to pivot the idea on the spot and come up with an even better concept that made all the difference despite the circumstances. She is very passionate about her work and blew my mind with the consistency and quality of her writing.”
Sidney Ngochi
Brand Manager | Procter & Gamble
Branded Web Content
“Michelle is smart, funny, always nails the hook and why people should care. She is also a pleasure to work with.”
Mike Berland
Founder | Decode_M
Startup Branding
“Michelle is one of the most talented people I know. No matter what the topic is, she has the ability to brilliantly find the right words and express those words in any style requested… from textbook serious to tongue in cheek sarcasm. Her endless creativity has given our new brand life & direction. She nails it every. single. time.”
Shannon Wamser
Founder | Recovery Care Products
TV Commercials & Digital Video
“Michelle is a visionary Creative Director who can write copy in minutes that will break your heart; she’s worked with the biggest and best and yet is still completely hands on and invested. She cares deeply about clients and is a great collaborator.”