Get started as a freelance writer

I offer 30-minute one-to-one calls to hear more about a pitch you’re working on.

If you’re not working on a story yet, I can also host a call to help you:

• Identify story leads so you can develop a pitch on your own

• Niches and specialisms for you to develop as a writer.

• Editors or titles for you to look for leads for and approach when you’re ready.

Drop me an email so I can arrange a free 15-minute intro call to hear more about your experience as a writer so far, and what you’d like your next steps to be.

I’m not a coach, but I’ve developed good listening skills over the course of my career and have benefited from paid writing coaching during my career.

I know the value of spending focused time discussing ideas out loud with someone you trust (in fact, most of my career is built on doing it!).

I want writers to have the opportunity to find out more about the reality of pitching features from someone with experience doing it.

I offer transparent pricing and want to ensure I can meet your needs before asking you for a fee for the session.

I offer 15-minute intro calls for free.

After that, a one-to-one online pitch clinic costs £30 for 30 minutes.

I can use Google Meet or Zoom for calls.

People I’ve worked with before have said:

• “It’s truly a joy to work with Ellie. Her work has been wide-ranging and tackled difficult subject matter in an engaging and digestible way. On mental health in particular, she’s explored innovative and challenging areas. Her work is of a consistently high standard, which is appreciated both by myself and our readers. I hope we’ll continue working together for some time to come.”

• “I have always been impressed with Ellie’s ability to bring complex subjects to life in her writing – and to spot interesting and original angles on a range of topics. She's also a pleasure to work with.”

• “Ellie has been a delight to work with. She is a talented writer who is very good at turning information into engaging and interesting news stories. I would recommend Ellie to any business looking for a skilled communications expert.”

• “In the time I have been working and getting to know Ellie, she has provided superbly efficient and professional support. We rely on Ellie’s expertise and skills not only as a great journalist but picking up the baton where she can.”

Sure! I share my latest work on Instagram and LinkedIn.

You can also read lots of my recent work using the ‘My work’ page on this website.

Not sure where to start? Try these:

• Therapy regret is more common than you think (the i paper)

• What to say when someone starts using therapy speak at you (Vice)

• How, exactly, therapy stops you body-shaming yourself 🔒 (Stylist)

• Move over, mindfulness: it’s time for ‘finefulness’ (The Guardian) 

• The yoga retreat subsidising breaks for refugees (The Independent)

• ‘Throwing yourself in cuts through everything’: winter swimming in London (Time Out)

That’s a genuinely great question, and something I can advise you about on an intro call.

It’s also a vital consideration that I come across every day as a freelancer. How can you pitch something that an editor HAS to commission from you, and won’t just assign to an in-house writer?

I can advise on about how to politely hold a boundary with an editor (such as how to phrase a refusal to provide certain details), as well as how to mask the details of a story while pitching something an editor wants to commission.

It probably depends on your experience so far.

• Got a pitch? Whether you’re waiting to pitch, or you have a story that hasn’t been placed yet, I can help. Let’s brainstorm which editors can run your story, and whether you have everything you need to pitch this story this year.

• Got a topic? Let’s look for the elements that would turn your idea into a story that an editor can commission.

• Got a specialism? If you’re an expert in a subject – or would like to become one – we can think of the next steps to turn your passion into a niche.

• Starting from scratch? If you want to start freelancing or writing but you’re not sure where to start, we can find a few approaches that will help you explore what motivates you, what transferrable skills will kickstart your writing, and how to develop your voice so you’re ready to start calling yourself a writer.

Sure! At the moment I offer time on a call-by-call basis but if you’d like to schedule monthly calls while you’re starting out, I’m more than happy to have an intro call to discuss long-term pitch development work or mentoring.

No, I don’t – and nor do most active freelance journalists.

• Almost all qualified writing coaches (and journalism tutors) leave the industry to pursue a coaching or teaching career.

• Unfortunately, this means it’s nearly impossible for coaches to have recent experience at the coalface.

• Journalism has changed massively since I qualified in 2010 and it is now changing rapidly in response to AI. The advantage of working with me is that I have current experience of pitching the specific editors that you, too, are pitching. I have experienced plenty of rejection and lack of response and can empathise with the challenges of working as a writer in the current climate.

That’s why I don’t market the pitch clinic as coaching – I’m not qualified to do so!

But for me, the trade-off between my experience and my lack of qualification is one I’m happy to live with :)

That’s Bruce, my neighbour’s chihuahua-Pomeranian cross (a Pomchi, to those in the know).