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.
At lunchtime on Monday 28th September, Donna will be interviewing Kirsty Major, deputy opinion editor at The Guardian. All attendees will get a crib sheet afterwards to help them pitch to Kirsty.
The masterclass will cover:
- when and where the articles Kirsty commissions appear, and the best days and times of the week to pitch to her
- real life examples of pitches she liked, including from freelancers she had never commissioned before
- the content of pitches she would most like to see more of, in an ideal world
- what she doesn’t commission (and doesn’t want pitches about) but often gets pitches about
- what regularly puts her off a pitch
- how far in advance you should pitch
- best email to use to pitch to Kirsty
- how much she pays per word
There will also be a chance to ask Kirsty questions.
Date
It will take place on Monday 28th September at 1pm online. Recordings will be sent to all attendees, along with the crib sheet.
About the speakers
Donna Ferguson is a multiple award-winning freelance journalist for national newspapers and Head of the Freelance Chapter for Women in Journalism, a nonprofit organisation that campaigns for equality and diversity in journalism.
Kirsty Major is Deputy Opinion Editor on the Guardian Opinion desk. She commissions for the regular Guardian series eg The Hill I Will Die On as well as a brand new upcoming series she will talk about in the masterclass about the internet. She also commissions more general opinion pieces.
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 which campaigns for equality and diversity in journalism. Membership costs as little as £30 a year.
