Today we chat to the newly freelance Emily Manson. While she began her journalism career writing hard news for local press, Manson covered hospitality features and news across the industry as content editor for Caterer and Hotelkeeper. But what she really wants you to know is that she is now available as a freelancer, so please – get in touch!
About your journalism:
What do you write about?
I’m the former-content editor of Caterer and Hotelkeeper, writing news and features on everything in the hospitality industry, from celeb chefs and five star hotels to school catering and industry issues.
But I’ve also written about many other lifestyle subjects from Granny nannies and local breweries to perfect Christmas dinners and mummy groups. I cut my teeth on a local paper so I’ve done door-stepping hard news and local features too.
Where are we likely to see your work?
I’ve worked at Caterer for the last five years so most of my work is on caterersearch.com under ‘hotels, Emily Manson’ but I’ve also written for local London magazines like SW and The Green. A selection of articles can be found on my blog under published articles
emilymanson.wordpress.com/published-articles/. I’m branching out now as a freelance and have just written a piece for www.greenhotelier.org, which will be published soon, so hopefully more to come…
What’s the most memorable work you’ve done?
At Caterer I got to speak to so many incredible people with huge influence in the industry from Robin Hutson, Sir David Michels and Gordon Campbell Gray to Anton Mosimann, Robert Cook and Andrew Cosslett.
What interview or feature would you love the chance to do?
Does it sound too Miss World-y to say I just love people, as long as they don’t just go ‘yup’ and ‘no’ during an interview, I don’t really mind. One of the most interesting interviews I’ve done was with a head housekeeper of a top London hotel, she was just the most incredibly amusing woman with a fascinating life.
But if I had to pick someone in the hospitality industry, it’d be Ferran Adria or Heston. Failing that, Barack Obama.
About you and PRs:
Where do you source ideas for articles?
I get ideas from everywhere for lifestyle pieces but for hospitality related issues, I go to conferences, have news feeds, etc.
How can PRs be useful to you?
I’d like more PRs to know I’m now out on the market again and get them to send me their releases.
How and when do you like them to get in touch?
Anytime, by email emilymanson@hotmail.com.
Do you find press conferences, trips, parties and other events useful or an interruption?
Depending on what the issue is, they can be very useful.
If you could make one change to the way PRs deal with you, what would it be?
It used to be ‘don’t call on press day’ but that doesn’t apply anymore. I’ll wait and see now…
About you:
How would you pay the bills if you weren’t a journalist?
I’d like to think I could do some really high paid job for a big corporation and not care if it’s boring but I’m sure I’d end up back in hospitality as I love the buzz of service.
If we gave you £1000, how would you spend it?
Well, our boiler just broke and cost £4,000 to replace so it would just help us regroup from that!
What books are on your bedside table, magazines in your bag, or blogs on your screen?
I always have a copy of The Week by my bedside – it’s the only way I can keep up with what’s going on in the world. I’ve got Chris Evans’ biog on my bedside table, but it’s been there for a while, I’m just too tired when I get to bed, but I think that’s par for the course when you’ve got two kids under three.
[img|jpg|Emily Manson]
[lnk|http://www.journalistdirectory.com/journalist/XmzQz/Emily-Manson/|_blank|Freelance Journalist Directory: Emily Manson]