Earlier this year, Women in Journalism launched a new lunchtime series for freelance journalists.
We want to help freelance journalists who don’t have a lot of contacts in the industry and are hoping to cold pitch an editor and potentially get their first byline in national newspapers and magazines. But experienced freelancers are also very welcome to attend.
Donna Ferguson, who is head of the Freelance Chapter of Women in Journalism, is inviting top editors who regularly commission articles from freelancers they don’t know to talk to her about their regular slots and opportunities for freelancers, and explain how to write the best possible pitch for their section. Each session will last for 30 minutes and include time for questions and answers.
In June, Donna will be interviewing Lebby Eyres, Deputy Head of Lifestyle and Head of Health at The Telegraph.
She commissions features on health, first-person, family dynamics, and relationships. Lifestyle topics, including food and drink, cars, interiors etc, she can pass to the right person in Lifestyle.
The Telegraph is all digital first, so everything is commissioned for online, but Lebby’s commissions typically then appear in Weekend, Sunday features section or occasionally Daily Features in the paper. She’s keen on celebrity interviews with a health focus and she can pass on celebrity ideas for the ‘My Saturday’ and ‘Best and Worst’ interviews.
All attendees will get a crib sheet afterwards to help them pitch to Lebby.
Date
Thursday 18th June, 1pm.
The event will take place online via Zoom. Recordings will be sent to all attendees, along with the crib sheet.
Tickets
The standard ticket price is £20, but members of Women in Journalism pay just £10. You will get a recording if you can’t make it on the day.
Women in Journalism is a non-profit organisation that campaigns for equality and diversity in journalism. Membership costs as little as £30 a year. Become a member here.
