Freelancing for Journalists

In this episode we explore what makes a winning pitch and how to improve your chances of getting a commission.Learn about the most common mistakes freelancers make when pitching as we chat with two experienced freelance journalists, Punteha van Terheyden who specialises in true-life stories and Flic Everett, a self-employed  journalist and editor.  The GuestsPunteha van TerheydenTwitter: @vTFeatures Instagram: @vtfeaturesWebsite: https://www.vtfeatures.co.uk/Flic EverettTwitter: @fliceverett Website: https://www.fliceverett.com/ResourcesPodcast on pitching https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/searchPunteha’s journalism handbookshttps://www.vtfeatures.co.uk/freelance-journalism-learning-handbooks-online-uk-part-timeThe 10-point pitching planhttps://www.vtfeatures.co.uk/affordable-freelance-journalism-handbooks-digital-ukUse the code FFJ33 to get a 33% discountFreelance RecommendationsLeah Hardy@LeahFHardy https://muckrack.com/leah-hardy/articlesIsabelle Jani-Friend  @ijanifriendhttps://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/cystic-fibrosis-coronavirus_uk_600e0a68c5b6a0d83a1c766c

Join Amelia Tait, a freelance feature writer known for her engaging takes on culture, and Ellie Levenson, a journalism lecturer specializing in creativity. They dive into the art of generating compelling story ideas, sharing personal anecdotes and the significance of real-life interactions. Discover how a museum visit sparked an article on nostalgic bubble bath bottles, and learn practical tips for capturing fleeting inspirations. They emphasize the power of curiosity and audience connection in crafting narratives that resonate.

It's series 9 of the podcast and we are going back to basics. In the first episode of the new series we discuss how to go freelance.How do you take the leap into the freelance world? What is the best way to do it, and how do you overcome the freelance imposter syndrome? Our guests this week, Laura Cooke and Charlotte Scotland, are experienced journalists who have both recently gone freelance.The GuestsLaura CookeTwitter: @lauracooke21Instagram:  @laura_cooke_journalistFacebook: Laura Cooke Journalist and Writer  Website: https://lauracookejournalist.wordpress.com/Charlotte ScotlandTwitter: @charlscotlandLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-scotland-6637b4b2Podcast: Beach Got NewsResourcesFreelancing for Journalists Course with Lily and Emmahttps://www.journalism.co.uk/vocational-skills-study/kickstart-your-freelance-journalism-career/s43/a750959/ Past Freelancing for Journalist podcasts relevant to this episode:Ghosting: https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/ghostingImposter syndrome: https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/imposter-syndromeSaying No:https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/saying-noFinances and getting paid:https://freelancing-for-journalists.captivate.fm/episode/finances-and-getting-paidTrello - a tool to manage tasks https://trello.com/enBranding for Freelance Journalists https://freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/p/branding-for-freelance-journalistsJourno Resources webinars https://www.journoresources.org.uk/events/Freelance recommendationsIsabelle CipriskaTwitter: @ICipirskahttps://www.opendemocracy.net/en/asylum-seekers-cost-of-living-uk-food-costs-40-week-suella-braverman/Latifa John BaptisteTwitter: @_LateefahJBhttps://www.lateefahjb.com/Sian Meades-Williamshttps://www.sianmeadeswilliams.com/The Pyjama Myth: The Freelance Writer’s Survival Guide https://unbound.com/books/the-pyjama-myth/

In the final episode of the series we chat to Terri White the former editor of Empire magazine and Time Out New York, about her first book, Coming Undone. The book is a brutally honest and moving memoir about her breakdown in New York and how her early life experiences shaped where she is today, both professionally and personally. Terri is currently a freelance journalist writing for a range of publications and has a column in the Sunday Times. We pick her brains about choosing to go freelance for a better work/ life balance and how journalism today is affected by a lack of class diversity. The AuthorTerri White Twitter: @Terri_WhiteInstagram: @terrilwhiteNewsletter: White Noise https://terriwhite.substack.com/BookComing Undone https://canongate.co.uk/books/2716-cPublisherCannongate https://canongate.co.uk/Journalism Grazia article about surviving on benefitshttps://graziadaily.co.uk/life/real-life/we-must-continue-to-protect-children-in-need/Big Issue https://www.bigissue.com/news/activism/terri-white-no-child-should-know-the-emptiness-and-ache-of-hunger/Sunday Times column https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/whos-that-banging-away-at-the-typewriter-look-out-heres-terri-zsks0jtddThe New Statesmanhttps://www.newstatesman.com/politics/media/2022/06/terri-white-media-response-strikes-working-class-journalistsEmpire podcast https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/empire-podcast-479-yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-jude-law-farewell-terri-white/Help to get into journalismLondon Film Festival critics mentorship https://www2.bfi.org.uk/lff/education/critics-mentorship-programmeThe Guardian Scott Trust Bursaryhttps://theguardianfoundation.org/programmes/scott-trust-bursaryArts emergencyhttps://www.arts-emergency.org/ Freelancing for Journalists work experience https://freelancingforjournalists.com/journalism-work-experience-initiative/

In the latest episode we speak to photojournalists Angie Simms and Stuart Quinn about their photography work and their self-published cookbook. The Australian couple, who are currently travelling across Oz, talk about taking control of their passion project and the importance of hiring a strong team and calling in favours.The AuthorsAngie Simms and Stuart QuinnInstagram: @stradbrokeislandphotographyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/angandstu/Website: https://stradbrokeislandphotography.com/ The bookEat, Drink and Be Straddie https://www.amazon.in/Eat-Drink-Be-Straddie-tastes-ebook/dp/B08QF5PBY3https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUI7AITYC4QPresshttps://seqfoodtrails.com.au/Redlands/Articles/Redlands-Article-4https://www.pebblesandpomegranateseeds.com.au/eat-drink-straddie-tales-tastes-island-sun/https://www.weekendnotes.com/eat-drink-be-straddie-cleveland-library/

In this episode we speak to Polly Morland, a documentary maker turned writer, about her new book which she wrote during lockdown. The book documents the life of a GP working in a rural practice. Polly chats about the benefits of long research chats and how to maintain the anonymity of contributors when needed. Polly is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines and also teaches part-time at Cardiff School of Journalism.The AuthorPolly MorlandWebsite: https://www.pollymorland.com/BooksA Fortunate Woman, a country doctor’s story (published 9th June 2022)https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/polly-morland/a-fortunate-woman/9781529071139Metamorphosis: How and Why We ChangeRisk Wise: Nine Everyday AdventuresThe Society of Timid Souls: Or, How to be Bravehttps://www.pollymorland.com/books/AgentPEW Literary https://www.pewliterary.com/author/polly-morlandPublisherPenguin Random Househttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/144648/polly-morlandPan Macmillan (Picador)https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/polly-morland/a-fortunate-woman/9781529071139Pollys’ documentaries:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2295934/

In this episode we speak to the author Lucy Waterlow about the process of ghostwriting. Lucy has ghostwritten four books including Nell McAndrew’s Guide to Running plus an additional guide to running and two running memoirs. Lucy is also a freelance journalist and writes for a number of different outlets including the Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mail, Women’s Running and OK! Magazine.The authorLucy WaterlowTwitter: @LucyRunningFeatInstagram: @runningfeatlucy BooksNell McAndrew's Guide To Running Run Mummy Run: Inspiring Women to be Fit, Healthy and Happy Ghostwriter of ultra runner Mimi Anderson's two memoirs: Beyond Impossible: From Reluctant Runner to Guinness World Record holder, and Limitless: An Ultrarunner’s Story of Pain, Perseverance and the Pursuit of Success https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lucy-Waterlow/e/B00T6PX7I2%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_sharePublisherBloomsbury https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/author/lucy-waterlow/Summersdale https://summersdale.com/sd-author/lucy-waterlow/Journalismhttps://muckrack.com/lucy-waterlow

In this week's episode we speak to prolific freelance journalist Chris Stokel-Walker whose work regularly appears in WIRED, The Economist and Newsweek. Chris has written two tech-based books, and we chat with him about the importance of making your ideas relevant and timeless when switching from journalism to book writing. The authorChris Stokel-WalkerTwitter: @stokel Instagram: @cstokelwalkerWebsite: https://www.stokel-walker.com/BooksTikTok Boom: China’s Dynamite App and the Superpower Race for Social MediaYouTubers: How YouTube shook up TV and created a new generation of starsAgenthttps://cmm.agency/view-author.php?AuthorID=79Publishershttps://www.canburypress.com/products/youtubers-by-chris-stokel-walkerhttps://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/Examples of Chris’s journalism: https://www.wired.co.uk/profile/chris-stokel-walkerhttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/chris-stokel-walkerhttps://www.newscientist.com/author/chris-stokel-walker/The New Statesman review of Chris’s book: https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2021/07/tiktok-boom-chris-stokel-walker-reviewWell told conference: https://welltold.org/about/

In our ‘Summer Reads’ podcast series, we chat with freelance journalists who have written successful books. Bringing the first episode of series eight back with a bang is Lisa Bradley, the author of two psychological thrillers – Paper Dolls and The Lesson. Lisa began her writing career in local news and subsequently worked as a freelance journalist for national papers and magazines. She is now a lecturer in journalism at the University of Sheffield. We chat about the importance of nailing your first draft and finding success after rejection.  The Author:Lisa BradleyTwitter: @lisabjournoInstagram: @lisabwriterWebsite: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/journalism/people/academic/lisa-bradleyLisa's books:Paper DollsThe LessonAgent:Anthony Harwood: http://antonyharwood.com/lisa-bradley/Publisher:Quercus Books: https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/contributor/lisa-bradley/Curtis Brown creative writing courses:https://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/creative-writing-courses/

We have a very special bonus episode of the podcast this week. We sat down with award-winning freelance journalist and writer Saima Mir to discuss the paperback launch of her fantastic novel, The Khan, which is currently Waterstones Book of the Month. We talked about diversity in publishing, the writing process and what journalistic experience she was able to draw on.The GuestTwitter: @SaimaMir Instagram: @ben_raf_remyWebsite: https://saimamir.com/ ResourcesThe Khan by Saima Mirhttps://oneworld-publications.com/the-khan.htmlThe Godfather by Mario Puzohttps://www.waterstones.com/book/the-godfather/mario-puzo/9780099528128Malcolm X Speaks by George Breitmanhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Malcolm-X-Speaks-George-Breitman/dp/0802132138Freelancing for Journalists by Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinsonhttps://www.routledge.com/Freelancing-for-Journalists/Canter-Wilkinson/p/book/9780367135553Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race by Reni Eddo-Lodgehttps://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/why-im-no-longer-talking-to-white-people-about-race-9781408870587/