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üma kleppinger
WRITER. STORYTELLER. RISK TAKER. CHANGE MAKER.
Stranger than fiction.
By day I’m a writer. By night I grab the nearest mic and tell stranger-than-fiction stories that make audiences laugh and cry, sometimes both at the same time.
Story is a way of connecting. We connect with others, to new ideas and perspectives, and perhaps most importantly, we connect with a deeper part of ourselves. My mission is to give good story.
about üma
THE BACKSTORY
I work with mission-driven entrepreneurs and business leaders who value their time and energy and want to play their strengths while also ensuring their brand strategy and content is well-crafted. Whether it’s ghostwriting leadership articles and ebooks, writing product copy, or building and executing email marketing from start-to-finish, my job is to write YOUR story for YOUR audience.
Before becoming a writer I was a graphic designer and art director in publishing. I still do the occasional branding or web design project, just to keep the skills sharp. And because once an art director, ALWAYS an art director.
I’ve lived on both coasts, but have made the Pacific Northwest my home since 2002—long enough to actually enjoy the rain and develop a dislike of intense heat. When I’m not working, I’m either on a bike, on a trail, or on a stage performing at a local story slam. I’m not great with small talk, but if you want to connect and talk about the meaning of life, the collapse of late-stage capitalism, or why following your bliss is TERRIBLE business advice, I’m all yours.
Believe the hype.
Üma is a 7 Deadly Sins fan favorite. Her unflinching self-awareness, keen awareness of the world around her, and hilarious style of deadpan humor always blend together to create a story cocktail that is equal parts authoritative, playful, and deeply human.
R. TOD KELLY
PRODUCER, 7 DEADLY SINS. PANTS ON FIRE
When Üma takes the stage, I know I’m going to get (at least) one very important thing: the TRUTH. Her fearless storytelling style and unabashed candor are infused with biting wit and self-deprecating humor. Üma’s stories take us to places we’d rather avoid, but we go and we are better off for it.
DAVE WILLIAMS
MOTH STORY SLAM PRODUCER
Üma is a natural storyteller—as comfortable on stage in front of a couple hundred people as she is sitting down with a friend. She’s fearless about sharing the hard, difficult parts of a well-lived life—the parts where meaningful stories come from—and exploring what she and therefore we can learn from them.
ANDREW DICKSON
MOTH STORY SLAM HOST
GET IN TOUCH
Looking for an ace content strategist, groovy ghostwriter, or savvy storyteller? I’m game.
Send me a message and I’ll get back to you in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
“In the end, we’ll all become stories.”
—MARGARET ATWOOD
SOCIAL / AWKWARD