Join community.
Are you a woman-led business or a creative? Are you looking to connect with other business owners? If you’d like to learn how to genuinely connect with the press, newspaper and magazine writers, radio and TV producers, bloggers, or podcasters, I invite you to my Publicity: Become A Media Darling ZOOM & Grant Finder Group. It's only $97 USD per month for up to 6 months (add 6 products) , or choose the number of months you prefer. You’ll receive a very helpful free press planner cheat sheet and Actions to Take Before Your Event Date, 20% off all other non-discounted services, and start to learn how to get the press’ attention, and how to approach grant funding, along with finding new creative inspiration. The Tuesday 10 AM PDT (1 PM EST) ZOOM group community is supportive, nurturing, and is designed for women entrepreneurs.
The ZOOM group covers press, EPK, keynote, grant, and publicity writing, self-publicity, timelines and scheduling, liaising with radio, television, podcasts, and blogging, brainstorming, and how to find the best opportunities in the USA, Canada, and Europe, or any country.
All LGBTQ1+ and persons with disabilities are welcome.
August 18 - Sept. 8, 2026 - Publicity: Become A Media Darling ZOOM - Bootcamp for Women
September 15 - October 6, 2026 - Publicity: Become A Media Darling ZOOM - Best Publicity Writing & EPK
October 13 - November 3, 2026 - Publicity: Become A Media Darling ZOOM - Radio, TV
November 10 - December 1, 2026 - Publicity: Become A Media Darling ZOOM - Blogs, Podcasts
December 8 - January 19, 2027 - Publicity: Become A Media Darling ZOOM - Grants
January 26 - February 23, 2027 - Publicity: Become A Media Darling ZOOM - Keynote & Guest Speaking
If enough men are interested, I will additionally run a separate Wednesday 10:00 AM PDT (1 PM EST) business Publicity: Become A Press Favorite ZOOM & Grant Finder Group for men. Message if you would like to participate at https://kerilie.com/contact. Subscribe to the newsletter above and here https://kerilie-mcdowall.kit.com/987c495388 to get the free publicity planner cheat sheet pdf and to get the groups' sign-up links.
About Me
Hello to you, I am Kerilie McDowall. I’m a part‑time mentor and coach supporting businesses, recording artists, writers, composers, and filmmakers with publicity, press outreach, music sync, branding, grant writing, and media strategy. I’ve worked with hundreds of musicians, including many JUNO winners and nominees, and I was one of Canada’s first female jazz bandleader‑guitarists, performing professionally in Vancouver from 1989–2000. I am a 14-time award winning short documentary TV filmmaker now residing on beautiful Vancouver Island.
Community work has always mattered to me. I’ve volunteered for 30 years at local organizations. I was grateful to be honored in 2025, when the Ladysmith‑Nanaimo community nominated me for the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
I’m also a guitarist‑composer and music graduate, teaching guitar students of all levels at my business Oceanview Guitar Studio & Creative Services on Vancouver Island. I coach many businesses, and mentor creatives, too. I’m a multi- awarded jazz filmmaker, guitarist, and an EASY JAZZ FM jazz radio host. Over 17 years, I interviewed many top Canadian jazz artists (Sonny Greenwich, Eleanor Collins, Jesse Zubot, Phil Dwyer, Christine/Ingrid Jensen, Don Thompson, Miranda Sage, Rick Kilburn). My short documentary In the Zone: Rick Kilburn reached almost one and a half billion IMDb Pro cast hits.
As a past TV Director, I screened films globally across the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. My volunteer work with the staff at Shaw Spotlight—seven years as TV Director, Host, and Producer—helped bring In the Zone: Rick Kilburn towards worldwide recognition.
I wrote for the USA’s DownBeat magazine for four years, still judge the Critics Poll, and write occasionally for All About Jazz. I also write my jazz and lifestyle blog In the Zen, contribute to Canadian Musician, INSPIRED 55+, Musicworks, Canadian Antique Phonograph Society, the Polaris Music Prize, and my Substack Musicians & Filmies Jam.
I founded Avebury Moon Music & Film while composing jazz sextet music for a debut album. In 2025–2026, I wrote 14 jazz ensemble works in seven months. I received the 2024 Creative Innovator Award from Nanaimo’s Women of Influence for my film work and have performed meditative solo guitar on many podcasts.
I’m preparing investor pitches for my first feature film and plan to distribute In the Zone: Rick Kilburn globally for educational and streaming platforms.
I judged the JUNO Awards from 2016–2026, the Polaris Music Prize from 2018-2026, and am currently on a break. I coach emerging and professional recording artists from the MiMc Music Awards, and also one- on-one helping them navigate the JUNOs, write grants, create EPKs, and gain press access to interviews across blogs, podcasts, radio, TV, and more.
I am happy to chat about the best press and writing strategy for your business and your career. (And guitar lessons, for the keen, too.) https://kerilie.com/contact I look forward to hearing about your work, bucket list, and career.