This week we talk to the author of ‘Wannabe a Writer?’ Jane Wenham-Jones, who shares her vast freelancing knowledge and most embarrassing moment…
About your journalism:
What do you write about?
The whole business of becoming a writer and how to get published. Am the author of Wannabe a Writer? (Accent Press) and am also the agony aunt for Writing Magazine.
How to network and the joys and pitfalls of self promotion – my book “Wannabe a Writer We’ve Heard Of?” comes out in October (Accent Press).
I have also written for women’s pages and magazines on relationship issues/being a mother/being a step-mother/being married to an older man/infidelity/second marriages/having crushes/mental health issues (from point of view of carer)/and why it’s always prudent to carry a vibrator 🙂
Where are we likely to see your work?
Please see my website www.janewenham-jones.com. Have written for the Guardian, Sunday Times, Daily Express, Sunday Express, The Sun, The Bookseller and numerous women’s magazines. Write regular columns for the Isle of Thanet Gazette, Booktime, Writing Magazine and Woman’s Weekly Fiction Special.
What’s the most memorable work you’ve done?
This was the most embarrassing. I forgot every teacher in the entire country reads The Guardian!! 🙂
What interview or feature would you love the chance to do?
Anything! But always happy to do humorous tips on becoming a writer, being a writer, publicising yourself, being a media tart etc and so on.
About you and PRs:
Where do you source ideas for articles?
Life, news stories, new products or events.
How can PRs be useful to you?
They can invite me to fab parties so I can network.
How and when do you like them to get in touch?
Any time – email or mobile.
Do you find press conferences, trips, parties and other events useful or an interruption?
Useful.
If you could make one change to the way PRs deal with you, what would it be?
I’d like them to offer me a fat product placement deal for one of my books or offer a sponsor for a fabulous launch party 🙂
About you:
How would you pay the bills if you weren’t a journalist?
Speaking, teaching, marrying someone very rich with a heart condition.
If we gave you £1000, how would you spend it?
I‘d have some “work” done.
What books are on your bedside table, magazines in your bag, or blogs on your screen?
Beside bed – teetering to-read pile including books by friends and books I need to read for the interviews I’m doing at the Guildford Book Festival. Always have Sunday supplement magazines to catch up on – esp ST mags and Guardian magazine, YOU and Times Saturday magazine. Twitter is on my screen I’m afraid :-/
More information on Jane Wenham-Jones can be found at her website: