LUELLEN SMILEY ADVENTURERS IN LIVINGNESS

Where Gaps of Expression are Liberated

ABOUT

Luellen Smiley is a creative nonfiction writer, author, columnist, and historian whose writing is deeply rooted in extraordinary personal history. She is the daughter of Allen Smiley, a close friend, associate, and business partner of notorious Las Vegas gangster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. Her father was sitting only feet from Siegel when Siegel was murdered in Beverly Hills on June 20, 1947.

That extraordinary childhood history became the foundation for Smiley’s first book, Cradle of Crime: A Daughter’s Tribute, published in 2017. The memoir explores what it was like to grow up as the daughter of a man connected to organized crime while trying to reconcile her love for her father with the secrecy, fear, and criminal world surrounding him.

Smiley’s work has appeared in publications including the New York Post, MORE Magazine, Southern California newspapers, and Authorlink. She wrote the newspaper column Smiley’s Dice—Adventures in Livingness, which earned a Blue-Ribbon Award from the California Newspapers Association for her Growing Up With Gangsters columns.

Her interest in her father’s history also led her to become a researcher and commentator on organized crime history. She has participated in television, radio, and documentary interviews and contributed artifacts connected with her father’s history to the Las Vegas Mob Experience.

Smiley is now developing Gaslighting Greta, a work of psychological and emotional nonfiction centered on manipulation, betrayal, friendship, and the struggle to reclaim one’s identity. Her own website describes the project as exploring a woman whose life is destabilized by gaslighting and psychological manipulation.

Her writing career reflects a recurring theme: using personal experience and research to uncover the truth behind complicated relationships and extraordinary lives. From the secretive world surrounding her father and Bugsy Siegel to the deeply personal territory of Gaslighting Greta, Smiley’s work transforms difficult experiences into stories of survival, discovery, and ultimately reclaiming one’s voice.

In short: Luellen Smiley is an author whose life has given her an unusual perspective on secrecy, manipulation, family loyalty, betrayal, and survival—and she uses that perspective as the raw material for her nonfiction storytelling.

RESUME


LUELLEN SMILEY (518) 859-7828 Ÿ loulousmiley@yahoo.com Ÿ Solana Beach, CA Ÿ LinkedIn

MARKETING & EVENTS STRATEGIST | Turning Creative Ideas Into Profit

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

A resourceful communications professional with a proven track record of curating high-profile exhibitions, managing multi-platform media campaigns, and producing award-winning written content. Combines creativity, research acumen, and a strong business sense to translate trends into opportunities for brand growth and audience engagement. Experienced in public relations, event management, content creation, social media, branding, and business development. Known for building collaborative relationships, maintaining integrity, and delivering results with enthusiasm and a clear strategic vision. Blue Ribbon Award for Smiley’s Dice in the 5000-10000 category | California Newspaper Publishing Contest. Retail sales experience selling art and clothing.

KEY SKILLS & AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Special Events Planning | Event Coordination | Marketing Strategy | Community Engagement | Content Writing  Copywriting | Social Media Management | Brand Development | Public Relations | Arts & Culture Promotion  Creative Campaigns | Expert Leasing Manager / Vacation Rental Owner and Management | Project Management | Vendor Relations | Advertising | Exhibition Planning | Email Marketing | Digital Marketing |  RETAIL SALES | DISPLAYS AND PROMOTIONS

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Curated and managed the exhibition strategy for a gallery, including marketing, public relations, receptions, opening night extravaganzas, advertising, and media planning; exhibitions featured iconic photographers worldwide: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Joni Mitchell.  
  • Awarded the California Newspaper Publishers Association Blue Ribbon Award for excellence in weekly column writing.
  • Founded and grew Odyssey of Adventures, a globally read blog featured in the New York Post and More Magazine.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The Scott Varley Team Keller Williams – Saratoga Springs, NY                                                                   2019 – 2025

Public Relations & Promotions Consultant

  • Owned accountability for media relations, promotions, event planning, and advertising for a real estate brokerage.
  • Implemented SVKW communications strategy with guidance from the Director.
  • Increased brand awareness and ensured consistent branding, voice, and messaging across all digital platforms.
  • Planned and executed social media campaigns to advance communication and engagement goals.
  • Identified and leveraged opportunities to raise awareness of SVKW initiatives, partners, and collaborators.

The Gallery Loulou – Santa Fe, NM, & Taos, NM                                                                                       2006 – 2018

Owner/Gallery Manager

  • Oversaw the development and execution of exhibitions and events related to photography.
  • Secured exhibitions with world-class rock & roll photographers and established the Southwest’s only gallery of its kind.
  • Translated vision into executable annual operating plans.
  • Served as an internal decision-making authority across contributing photographers.
  • Managed vendor relationships across framing, shipping, and cost analysis for all gallery functions.

Main Street Media – Del Mar, CA                                                                                                           2002 – 2007

Arts & Lifestyle Columnist

  • Authored a weekly column on arts, cultural events, character interviews, and personal lifestyle on travel and horse racing.
  • Collaborated with the art department, colleagues, and city-wide councils.
  • Utilized storytelling skills to cover news, including city council meetings, press conferences, and special events.

Galerie D Art International – Solana Beach, CA                                                                                         2005 – 2007

Publicist & Marketing Director

  • Managed all functions relating to external communications and media relations.
  • Coordinated media interviews for gallery artists and occasionally served as a spokesperson.
  • Supported division-level PR and media-related programs.
  • Originated the collaboration between the community theater and gallery to co-produce theater in the gallery.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: Leasing Manager at Terraces Condominiums | Founder of United Steps Dance Productions | Marketing & Leasing Director at Torrey Pines Science Park

Associate of Arts (A.S.), Art History and Literature | Sonoma State University                                                              

LouLou

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