One year of Northern Natter and LOTS of freelance jobs
journo tips, podcasts, supporting regional voices & local journalism
From Katie B…
Last Friday we celebrated one year of Northern Natter! - one year, it’s flown over! Not going to lie when I saw the instagram Katie W had made, there were tears in my eyes. To think that we started this as a pandemic project and now we’re on our third series and have 20 published episodes is mind-blowing. Again, thank you for all the support - we wouldn’t be where we are now without you 💛
From Katie W…
Is it just me or has this week flown by? Or are weeks just merging together? It seems it has been a hectic one for everyone thanks to COP26, whether you attended a march, reported from the blue zone or the street or even from your own home - there is something for everyone to take.
It feels like such an important time for journalists now and observers. Already I spotted some fake news going about Twitter about a protest. Things were getting misreported and protesters and activists were calling it out. This is where local journalism comes in. While I’ve seen reports from BBC from the COP26 summit and drone footage of the marches, I’ve also seen some great work from journalists on the ground, slap bang in the middle of the marches, hearing from Scottish people and people who travelled far and wide to support.
I’ll admit I’m a bit jealous that as a trends writer I’m WFH during it all but it is so impressive to see the reports coming out this week that are looking behind the summit. Here’s to you all!
And also a MASSIVE congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted this week for the Press Gazette awards!
Journo tip of the week
This week got me thinking of the type of content I should be pitching.
I usually go in with a list of 7, that can change in the day with any major news outbreaks or something going viral but I’ve started to think ahead.
This probably sounds like an obvious thing to do, and I know it is but this week I actually put it into action and I have been pitching articles that can have a follow-up piece.
This then can kind of kill two birds with one stone and stops you scrambling for ideas the next day or week.
So that’s my little nugget I picked up this week and thought I’d share it with you.
Katie W x
NN Reacts - what we love:
Katie W: I have been re-watching KUWTK and I cannot cope with Kris Jenner’s love for Lamar Odem. It is weirdly iconic. What are your guilty pleasures?
Katie B: Olivia who was on our ‘getting into broadcast’ episode interviewed Lady Gaga!!
Who to follow
Kylie Noble - freelance culture journalist
Impact News - University of Nottingham’s student magazine
Chris Jackson - TV Presenter, investigative journalist + documentary producer
Song of the Week
Katie W:
Katie B:
Journo Jobs and Opps
FREELANCE: Tajja from Catapult is looking for essays for December and January. Tajja shared a great guide for pitches here.
FREELANCE: Ali is looking to bank Christmas and New Year content. If you’ve got festive ideas get in touch with Ali Pantony on ali.pantony@condenast.co.uk. £200 for standard pieces, £300 for more in-depth reports and investigations.
FREELANCE: I-D are open for pitches once again! Email roisin.lanigan@i-d.co
FREELANCE: Business Insider are looking for pitches too. Jack Sommers wants stories about money, careers, work/life balance and anything business, markets tech, or media related. Email jsommers@insider.com.
FREELANCE: Salt magazine is doing such a great job so far and is now able to pay writers £50 for a piece. They are an independent publication run by volunteers. They are now open for pitches.
FREELANCE: Are you a travel writer? Hidden Compass is commissioning. Email submissions@hiddencompass.net. You can read the guidelines here.
FREELANCE: Here’s one for the history buffs. Contingent Magazine is looking for pitches for their December series “A Thing Of The Past”. They’re looking for short essays (500–800 words) that explore the history of a distinct object you remember from childhood that you later learned the history of. Each author will be paid $150. See more info here.
FREELANCE: Lauren Martin from DJ are commissioning dance music writers, around the world. See their updated pitching guidelines here.
FREELANCE: Rachel Thompson is looking for pitches from UK-based writers for sex and relationships features. Email rachel@mashable.com. Rates are £146-£330 ($200-$450).
GLASGOW: STV are looking for a production executive for a 12 month fixed term contract. Closing date is 14th November.
GLASGOW: The Scottish Mail on Sunday is looking for a news reporter. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic self-starter with a good contacts book – and a desire to break exclusive stories. Closing date is 3rd December.
SUNDERLAND: Sunderland Creatives Agency are looking for a creative agency officer to join their team. £18k per annum pro rata, closing date is 21st November.
GOSFORTH: North East Updates are looking for a recent graduate to start a paid journalism kick-start role.
NORTHUMBERLAND: Citizens Advice are looking for a digital marketing and communications coordinator. £19,324 to £24,156 salary, closing date is 15th November.
NEWCASTLE: The NHS are hiring a communications and marketing assistant. £22,549 - £24,882 salary, closing date is 21st November.
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