A L L A B O U T
E S S A Y E M C R E A T I V E
“Ess-a-yem”
see also: S. A. M.
A shortened version of my nickname, and temporary (turned permanent) name for my freelance business.
H E L L O !
I’m Samantha, a Nashville-based writer, and creative producer. An alumna of MTSU, I interned at Sony Music Nashville, before jumping headfirst into the music industry with stints on the reality show Nashville Star, and digital marketing agency, Hurricane Interactive Promotions.
I spent the next decade as a staff Writer and Producer at CMT (Country Music Television), a Viacom/CBS offshoot. I cut my teeth on everything from episodic promos to custom branded spots, premium launch spots for original programming, trailers, and brand presentations. I also directed several live-action shoots.
In 2018, I left CMT to pursue writing and producing projects independently and shortly thereafter started Essayem Creative to rein in that work.
Currently, I split my time as a copywriter and concept producer for branding agencies and small businesses, as well as a creative producer for creative-based production agencies.
When not on the grind, I’m an aspiring foodie (in as much I like cookbooks and visiting new restaurants); a “voracious” reader (and #bookstagrammer); an ardent supporter of independent bookstores; a newbie backyard gardener, and 2021 graduate of Steven Raichlen’s Barbecue University™.
I live in East Nashville with my boyfriend Josh and pitbull, Alley aka Printer’s Alley Dog.
FAQs
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
YOLO. But also, is there like, a plan for this?
WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO LIVE?
In the states, the Pacific Northwest, or Vermont. Abroad, Patagonia.
WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVERUSE?
I think.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE WRITERS?
Always evolving. Currently: Roxane Gay, Toni Morrison, Anne Helen Petersen, Ann Patchett, Hanif Abdurraquib, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Maggie Smith, Jabari Asim, Jesmyn Ward, Amor Towles.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES IN REAL LIFE?
My parents & Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?
I would love to play piano.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST OVERRATED VIRTUE?
Loyalty is weird.
IF YOU WERE TO DIE AND COME BACK AS A PERSON OR A THING, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
An astronaut, or a much beloved cashmere sweater.
WHAT OR WHO IS THE GREATEST LOVE OF YOUR LIFE?
All the dogs I’ve ever pet.
A T H O M E W I T H S A M
A L L E Y
Our pride and joy - she looks at me like this every single day. Josh met her as a malnourished stray on Printer’s Alley in Nashville. Nine years later, she is part angsty teenager and part puppy. She loves to be outside, tennis balls, her beloved squeaky blue ball, bones, and napping. She adores people but dislikes other dogs. Often, she can be found waiting for you to drop something.
J O S H
Josh is a mix and mastering engineer, owner of Nashville Mastering, and co-owner of Prime Recording Studio in Nashville. He may be the most amiable person I’ve ever met - he makes a friend of anyone. He loves to travel, quotes Seinfeld and Frasier apropos of nothing, has big opinions on how to properly grill, knows good music, how to fix most things, and can talk hockey for days.
N A S H V I L L E
I have lived in Nashville + the surrounding areas for over 20 years now and though I always imagined myself living further away, it has, for better or worse, become my home. Its politics are terrible, its summers unbearable, but there are plenty of folks doing their best to cultivate a great creative culture and that we love being a part of that magic.