A freelance writer's (not-so) secret links
Shhh... just don't tell anyone else! Resources for every budget that help me manage my work and writing
A couple of weeks ago, my phone slipped out of my soapy hands on its last fateful journey towards the parquet floor. This time, it didn’t bounce. The screen had shattered so spectacularly that I could barely scan my notifications between blurred black lines and splintered glass. I spent the next two days stalking around like a fugitive, with the phone numbers of my husband and sons’ nurseries scrawled onto a piece of paper. It was time for a new phone - early upgrade fee be damned.
Ten minutes into my call with Vodafone, the friendly sales guy asked what I did for a living. I thought it was banter, it was actually part of a credit check. Many minutes later, we were brainstorming ways he could quit his sales job and break into copywriting - “his Dream Job”. Keen to get my hands on that phone, I reeled off as many resources as I could think of. Training courses, where I found work, online writing communities… He jotted it all down. While I secretly resented his confidence in brazenly asking for the tricks and tips I’d spent a decade carefully squirrelling away, I wish someone had shared some of these links with me a bit earlier in my career. So here they are - some resources I use on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
Places to find writing gigs (generally UK focused)
Freelance Writing Jobs A weekly newsletter put together by the fabulous Sian Meades-Williams, summing up writing gigs and prizes. Lands in your inbox on a Thursday, for free. Priority Members pay to get the email a day early.
media beans Job alerts in writing, journalism and social - sent on a Monday.
Journo Resources A great one, especially for journalists. I love that Jem helpfully classifies jobs and gigs into categories such as “starting out” and “freelance”. You know exactly where to scroll to. Her weekly emails also include upcoming awards and events. Free - but you can upgrade for monthly events and early access to resources.
Places to chat and write online
London Writers’ Salon The OG writers’ hour - now so much more. Log on every weekday at 8am to write with the brilliant Parul, Matt and hundreds of community members. In the past five years I’ve seen the Writers’ Salon go from strength to strength - now it’s a truly global community offering workshops, prompts, writing rooms and interviews. Access to these depends on how much you’re able to pay - but the writers’ hour is free.
Doing it for the kids DIFTK is an online space to explore the trials and tribulations of running a business with children in tow. Having been a long-term member of Frankie’s free DIFTK group on Facebook, I wanted to support her move to Circle and now pay £14 per month to be part of the community.
Things worth knowing, by ex Elle and Cosmo Ed Farrah Storr. I joined for the writing group (don’t miss the monthly writers’ hour) and stayed for the nuggets of wisdom shared by Farrah and her fabulous friends. Anyone who knows me knows that “always pack a hot water bottle” is also my own mantra.
Places to learn and grow
Andy Maslen’s Breakthrough Copywriting I took this course when I knew I wanted to write more but lacked confidence in my abilities, having had little formal training. After completing this course, more than one colleague spontaneously commented on an improvement in my writing. It taught me so much about how to plan a writing project, structure and messaging. I still use Andy’s tips today. Currently £89.97 + VAT.
The Writers’ Coop A podcast where Wudan Yan and Jenni Gritters mull over the trickier, stickier aspects of freelance life. I love their frank chat about money, setting boundaries, and balancing work with personal priorities. No recent episodes but there’s a whole backlog to get through.
The Artist’s Way. I hesitate to mention this book, even though it has been genuinely life-changing for me, because I feel like everyone’s got a copy. However, lately I’ve met a few people who had never heard of it so I’m including it anyway. A mentor recommended it before I went freelance, and since then I’ve seen it crop up time and time again in all kinds of “inspiration for writers” forums. It’s a staple. If you’re a creative and don’t yet have this book in your life, run - don’t walk.
That’s all for me, folks. I would love to hear your own not-so secret links and resources, whatever line of work you’re in. Please share in the comments - I’m learning to “be more Vodafone guy” and asking directly for your good stuff.
So many good tips. A big thank you for sharing! Trying to start out as a freelance writer and changing careers from ICU-nursing so I really need all the tips and tricks. Will start listening to the podcast particulary!
lovely share here, thank you for insights :)