My kicker was 'MICROSOFT SAFEWORD' but the Sun's is better TBH.
Click on link to read.
UPDATE: Was also picked up by Toronto Sun.
Nice quirky one picked up by Mail and Mirror
Click on image to view
Favourite so far
An ex-Russian soldier called Anton Maltsev was being hounded by debt collectors. His response was... interesting.
With thanks to Crime Russia.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5288273/Russian-veteran-builds-Iron-Man-suit-fight-bailiffs.html
Reflections of a first-time freelancer
Well, I'm a few months into this venture now so I thought I'd share some of my observations about being a full-time freelancer.
1. No pics, don't bother. Unless the story is, as the Great Bard once said, an absolute banger it's going to be hard to place it if there are no decent pics. I was aware that this was the case beforehand, but it has still been a steep learning curve..
2. Strange what makes. Some stories I've put out I thought would be slam dunks have been ignored, while others I was less certain about have been used. It means I'm constantly having to think about and second guess what I'm putting out there. But that's no bad thing.
3. Positive reactions. News editors I've worked with in the past have been very positive and helpful about my new venture. The majority of those I don't know have also been very receptive. A big confidence boost in an uncertain time.
4. Scrap, kick, bite, gouge. Don't get disheartened. I've had days where nothing has been picked up and it can make you question yourself. But then you keep going, get a great reaction to a piece and you're up and running again. I've had many excited conversations with my retired journo dad when a story is picked up.
Here's a couple of recent hits. Click on pics to read:
First piece published
I had my first feature published since becoming a freelancer. It was actually a week ago but I've been busy this week and haven't had a chance to update.
It's on MailOnline and it's about the Wee House Company, which sells adorable pre-fab houses that take just eight weeks to build.
Click on the image to read it.
New start
Welcome to my blog.
After years living and working in London for national newspaper websites, I made the decision to strike out on my own and move back to the Midlands (which my former colleagues infuriatingly refer to as 'the North').
I will be focusing on news features and foreign coverage, but am available for call-outs throughout the Midlands, Wales and further afield.
On this blog I will showcase examples of my work and thoughts on goings on throughout the world.
Thanks for reading, hopefully see you again.