ELLIE is a London-based freelance journalist and speaker, regularly contributing to the Guardian, Independent and Cosmopolitan, among other titles.
She is a former editor of the Fabian Review and lectures in journalism at Goldsmiths College. Ellie also runs her own training consultancy. Find out more about her writing here.
Please describe your route into journalism, has it been easy?
My route was rather circuitous as I did a postgraduate qualification in periodical journalism and then got a job as a reporter on a business paper but didn't enjoy it. My next job was for a political think tank where I did a journalistic job - editing their magazine - but it wasn't journalism as we think of it - no reporting or feature writing.
While there I freelanced a lot which left me in a good position to start freelancing when I left. It wasn't easy but I'm not sure any career is - it's just a case of being tenacious and thick skinned, and building up contacts. I'd been 'networking' since I was on work experience placements as a student and working on the student paper too, so once I became a journalist it was more just doing the
same.
What made you go freelance?
Because I don't like office life - I hate the office politics and bureaucracy and endless meetings. And because I don't like being told what to do. But also I like writing all kinds of articles for all kinds of publications and not many jobs let you do the huge variety I do in my freelance life.
What’s the most important lesson you have learned about freelancing?
Everybody has fallow periods. Also be nice to other freelancers - they are your friends not your competitors.
What’s the most important advice you pass on to your students?
Be tenacious - those who succeed are those who keep trying. Also if your editor wants 400 words tomorrow they don't want 600 words next week.
Do you see the future offering more or fewer opportunities for freelance writers?
Hopefully more, but we'll have to change too as technology changes.
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