ACG Writes
Finding the heart of every story
Amy Carlson Gustafson
Hey! I’m Amy Carlson Gustafson, a freelance writer based in the Twin Cities. I began my career at the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota’s second-largest daily newspaper. After nearly two decades as an entertainment/pop culture reporter, I brought my writing and editing skills to higher education communications and corporate communications.
I started ACG Writes in 2023, specializing in people-focused stories. Whether you need a one-time feature for a consumer publication, an ongoing series for an alumni or employee magazine, or a short-term contract writer to fill in where needed, I would be happy to meet your needs.
I have earned numerous Page One Awards from the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists, including first-place honors for long-form and short-form feature writing. I received the Above the Fold Award from the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication Alumni Society Board. The award honors a select group of alumni under 40 who have made significant contributions in their fields. Full transparency, I’m no longer under 40.
I have bachelor’s degrees in journalism and sociology from the University of Minnesota. In journalism, I focused on features and news writing; in sociology, I studied aging, death and dying. I swear I’m fun at parties.
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During my tenure at the St. Paul Pioneer Press, my stories were picked up by media outlets across the country. My freelance pieces have appeared in AARP, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Bustle, Current, Minnesota Monthly, Next Avenue and Minnesota Conservation Volunteer.
In June 2025, I was one of 10 journalists from across North America chosen for the inaugural “How to Cover Aging” workshop at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
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I’m a former senior writer and strategic publications editor at Minnesota’s largest private college, University of St. Thomas. Recent higher education clients include the University of Minnesota (Law School, Carlson School of Management, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine and the university-wide alumni magazine), Carleton College, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Catherine University, Augsburg University and Luther College.
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As a senior brand journalist at Wells Fargo, I wrote stories that featured philanthropy, small business and employees. Recent clients include a major fast-food franchise, a leader in financial planning, an outdoors trade magazine and a nonprofit investing in Midwest initiatives.
Nice things people say about me
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"Amy is a joy to work with! I have been thrilled to collaborate with her on articles, feature stories, and profiles for Minnesota Law magazine and other written content needs for the University of Minnesota Law School. Amy asks thoughtful questions with each assignment, putting her subjects at ease while blending her enthusiasm for great storytelling with integrity, intelligence, and a dedication to her craft. The results prove it. Amy's ability to highlight the unique nature of each subject or topic she writes makes each story interesting and worth reading."
— Monica Wittstock, Director of Communications, University of Minnesota Law School
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"I had the pleasure of having Amy on my team at Wells Fargo. She is a wonderful storyteller and writer with a strong sense for characters, story development and crafting copy that engages the reader from start to finish. She's strategic, smart and collaborative. Everyone loved working with her and I know she would be a tremendous asset to any team or project."
— Amanda Lordy Kurgan, former Senior Vice President, Head of Editorial and Content, Wells Fargo
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"One of the things I learned quickly when working with Amy: when she brings a story idea to you ... listen to it! Amy is a highly gifted storyteller who has an eye for spotting compelling narratives that achieve strategic objectives with a strong dose of humanity. With her background as a journalist, Amy knows the best way to find stories is to establish meaningful relationships with people - and a big part of that is earning the trust of her contacts. Amy never looks at things transactionally; she gets to know people as humans first and this approach builds trusting relationships. As a result, her stories have a depth that keeps readers engaged. Her people-first approach also carries over into her day-to-day interactions in the workplace, making her one of the best teammates for which you could ever ask."
— Andy Ybarra, Chief Communications Office, University of St. Thomas -
"I had the privilege of witnessing Amy’s significant talent as a writer firsthand when we worked together at the University of St Thomas. Amy is an intuitively empathetic interviewer, who always approaches a story with careful consideration of, and respect for, the subject. Her storytelling shines brightest when given the space to bring a story fully to life. Her deep commitment to DEI, evident in the active role she played on our Representing Diversity with Integrity Committee, is foundational to her ability to build trust with her subjects and ensure she treats their stories with respect and care. Her work is insightful, compelling and interesting (I love her sense of humor). She tells stories I always want to read. She is a masterful relationship builder and content creator."
— Kymm Bartlett Martinez, CEO/Founder of Wilder Marketing Group and former Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, University of St. Thomas
Contact Me
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