Opening the Door to New Voices

This September I’ll be leading a free online workshop with Inclusive Journalism Cymru, all about the basics of freelance feature writing.

I’ve been freelancing for almost a decade now, and writing features for five years. While I’ve always loved writing and wanted to be a features writer for as long as I can remember, I lacked the confidence and the knowledge to make my career dreams happen. I’d studied some journalism modules previously, but what I learned didn’t seem to translate into the reality of the industry. On top of that, so many journalism opportunities required long periods of unpaid work - something that just wasn’t feasible for me.

I’m especially grateful to the spaces and people who have supported me along the way. Winning a place on Cosmopolitan UK’s mentoring programme gave me the tools and ways of working I needed to finally become a features writer. Black Ballad has championed my voice and offered me opportunities to write on topics I deeply care about. More recently, I joined a workshop run by Fiona Webster, which helped deepen my understanding of the industry. Her feedback and encouragement also gave me something I hadn’t realised I needed: reassurance that I do know my craft and that I can trust myself as a writer.

So many of these moments have shaped the direction of my career. They gave me the tools and confidence to start pitching stories I cared about, and eventually to see them published in places I once only dreamed of writing for.

That’s why this workshop feels important to me. It’s a chance to share some of the guidance that helped me get started, and to make the basics of freelance feature writing more accessible. I want others - especially those without a traditional background in journalism - to know that there is a way in, and that their voices matter.

The session is aimed at anyone curious about feature writing: whether you’re considering a career change, starting out as a freelancer, or simply want to build the confidence to share your stories.

You can find all the details and register through Inclusive Journalism Cymru.