Trista Pruitt Ridge is a passionate writer, editor, and storyteller with eight years of combined experience in writing, editing, digital marketing, and daily newsletter creation.

She resides in Chattanooga, TN and is currently writing her first novel.

I’ve always been in love with words. I told my fourth grade teacher I wanted to be a writer when I grew up, and I never looked back. It’s been a long road of filling up journals, developing marketing campaigns, and proving my salt as a journalist. Whatever the need, I truly believe that words, words, words are the way forward.

Freelance

2018– 2024

I started doing contract work for local businesses in Asheville, NC and continued upon moving to Chattanooga, TN. I helped local businesses and individuals find and use their unique voices via copywriting, editing, storytelling, communications, and digital marketing. I created blog and newsletter content, consulted with owners and managers to bring marketing in-house, worked with agencies, and crafted stories for branding and marketing purposes.

NOOGAtoday; 6AM City

2019 – 2021

OrthoVirginia

2023– Current

As an early Editor for this hyper-local newsletter, I helped grow NOOGAtoday’s reach in Chattanooga + assisted the parent company, 6AM City, with various projects ranging from co-producing the Editorial Ethics Policy and being a mentor for new editors to managing interns and leading sub-committees. 6AM is redefining the future of local media as the fastest growing newsletter-first local media company in the country. They deliver the most relevant need-to-know local news and events and aim to build communities driven by conversation, education, and activity.

I’m currently a Marketing Communications Specialist at OrthoVirginia, Virginia’s largest orthopedic practice. In this role, I write, edit, and publish internal news for 2,000+ OrthoVirginia employees. I also design graphics for both in-house and office use, as well as attend weekly meetings to assist in curating the practice’s social media presence.

Etc.

Outside of work, I am writing my first novel, which focuses on relationships—friendship, queer love, narcissistic abuse, and family bonds—and how the human psyche is a beast that will never be defeated, merely managed. When I’m not writing, I’m hanging out with my cats, usually with a book in hand, traveling the world with my husband, foraging in wild Appalachia, or goofing around with my nephew. I also love to try out new vegan recipes and recently got really into Formula 1 racing. You can find me at Sluggo’s, my favorite Chattanooga establishment, every Sunday for brunch. I almost always have a cold brew coffee in hand (my favorite is from Velo).