Diane Paylor is a seasoned writer and editor whose journey began at just nine years old, when a community newspaper in her native Queens, NY, published one of her fiction stories. Driven by an early passion for storytelling, Diane studied journalism with a concentration in magazine production at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL.

 

A standout student, Diane earned coveted spots in highly competitive journalism programs. She was selected for the prestigious American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) internship and handpicked by the editors of Essence magazine to join their staff. She was also one of only three emerging journalists chosen for Time Inc. and the National Association of Black Journalists’ (NABJ) inaugural internship partnership, where she worked as an editorial assistant at Sports Illustrated for Kids.

​

Fueled by early career momentum, Diane made the bold decision to leave school before graduating to pursue professional opportunities. A chance encounter with Jane Pratt, former editor of Sassy magazine, led to Diane becoming the youngest—and first Black woman—hired as an Assistant Editor at the trailblazing teen publication. Within months, she was promoted to Staff Writer. Among her most celebrated features were a profile of Shannon Faulkner, the first woman admitted to The Citadel; an immersive piece chronicling 18 hours inside a maximum-security prison for violent teen girls; and a humorous account of auditioning for Wheel of Fortune.

​

After her time at Sassy, Diane worked as a freelance writer for numerous publications including Ms., Essence, Bust, YM, Vibe, and Campus Voice. Relocating to Los Angeles in the late 1990s, she pivoted into the entertainment industry, holding roles at RoundTable Ink, Tavel Entertainment, ABC Family, ABC Studios, Lakeshore Entertainment, and DreamWorks SKG.

​

Following more than a decade in entertainment, Diane returned to her writing roots as an independent creative strategist. She has developed content for digital and traditional media platforms, with clients including New York Times bestselling author Haylie Pomroy, Daytime Emmy Award-winning celebrity stylist Kiyah Wright, raw vegan chef and author Ani Phyo, and LA-based adventure company The Fantastic Race.

​

A self-described lifelong do-gooder, Diane is also a 500-hour certified yoga teacher. She has brought yoga and mindfulness practices to underserved communities in Los Angeles and worked as a trainer for Breathe For Change. She is the author of Yin Yoga: Essential Poses and Sequences for Balanced Energy (Rockridge Press).

​

With over 30 years of experience, Diane has earned a reputation as a creative powerhouse who excels at crafting compelling content across all forms of media.