Freelance journalist Katie Nicholls Why did you choose to become a freelancer?
I became a freelancer after having my second child as it seemed like a good way to have autonomy over when and where I worked. The prospect of being able to work with lots of different people on varying projects also appealed.
If you trained, where? If not, how did you become a freelancer?
I graduated with an English degree and then got a job as editorial assistant on MOJO magazine. It had just launched and it was a really exciting time to be working in music journalism. I was taught how to write by some very talented and patient journalists working on the magazine. I also took myself off to the London School of Printing to bag myself some bona fide qualifications.
Do you specialise in any particular field and what areas do you write about?
I used to write exclusively about music but since becoming a freelancer I've enjoyed expanding my repertoire to write about careers, education, climbing and, more recently, European Union research projects.
Which publications have you been published in?
I've been published in, amongst others, Kerrang!, MOJO, Musician’s Union magazine, BBC Sky at Night magazine and The Guardian.
Which articles, in which publication, are you the most proud of?
The piece I’m most proud of is an article in The Guardian about my grandma. She was a stalwart peace protester until her 90s and friend to Bruce Kent. She was very inspirational and it meant a lot to me to see her story in print.
What are the best and worst aspects of freelancing?
The buzz of getting a juicy commission is undoubtedly the best part of being a freelancer. The worst is those tumbleweed weeks when no-one’s emailing you.
Do you have any interesting anecdotes in relation to your experience as a freelancer?
I was commissioned to interview Nancy Sinatra for MOJO magazine. I loved Nancy and Lee and couldn't wait to meet her. When I entered the hotel room I saw a tiny woman sitting in the corner, knitting with her slippers on. Not the femme fatale I had expected, but she was very lovely nonetheless.
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