so... ive decided to make this arts journalism thing work...

[poshgirlformerlymaggiesmama]

in brief...

my career trajectory pre-child was writing about arts (photography, literature, cinema etcetc) and philosophy. and, hideous though it is to say, i was pretty good at it.

when i had my child (i'm on my own) i put it down to be at home (for practical, financial and emotional reasons) and i have worked as an interior designer (ran a small company) and continued to develop property.

my dd (3.5) starts school this september and suddenly new possibilities present themselves. i am desperate to use my brain again, and to start writing again. my, hopefully brilliant, plan is to transfer those arts writing (researching, editing etcetc) skills to the media. dream job - to write on these areas in a 'sunday supplement' kind of a way. though, frankly, being paid to write about film for pretty much anyone would be pretty heavenly.

so... its time to try and get some work experience. but this isnt a world in which i have any hope of neoptistic leap-frogging. i would be hugely grateful for any mn hints/pointers/cv advice or, dare i say it, suggestions of contacts. all help gratefully received. but i am aware this is rather cheeky!

thanks
pg

[mylittlestar]

Haven't got any contacts but just wanted to say good luck and I hope it all goes well for you - just bumping this for you too...

[fireflyfairy2]

Do you have a copy of the Writer's & Artists year book? If you go & buy one (Or perhaps the library will have one) You will find some names & addresses of people to contact who may be ablle to help you

[Scootergirl]

Whereabouts are you? I've got friends on papers in Edinburgh if that's any help.

[Aloha]

You can advertise yourself to magazine commissioning editors at www.gorkana.co.uk

[treacletart]

If you'd like some articles published online you could try contacting www.24hourmuseum.org.uk . The editor, Jon Pratty's email is editor @ 24hourmuseum . org .uk (but without the gaps obviously). I doubt they'd be able to give you an immediate paid assignment - they use a lot of volunteers and student journalists - but it could help boost your portfolio. If you're based outside of London or the south east that may suit them even better.

[poshgirlformerlymaggiesmama]

oh my, thank you so much for replying. really didnt think anyone would.

will definitely explore your suggestions.

for what its worth, i'm in london. though, i guess with the world wide interweb thing, is not necesarily an issue. so, scootergirl, if you wouldnt find it too cheeky, perhaps a contact if for nothing more than advice, would be just wonderful.

thanks again all

sar

[poshgirlformerlymaggiesmama]

cheekily self-bumping incase anyone has anything to add. all help gratefully received. today, as it happens, i feel terrified!

[Scootergirl]

Leave it with me - I'll ask my mate in Scotland what the score is. Arts in general or something more specific?

[poshgirlformerlymaggiesmama]

just wanted to say thanks to everyone who replied. been writing a fair bit for 24hourmuseum. which is brilliant.

any other ideas always welcome...