Bio
My experience includes: Westminster Press Diploma in Journalism and the NCTJ Proficiency Test. Reporter at the Evening Echo, South East Essex. Assistant editor, The Cartoonist. Freelance sub-editor
My experience includes:
Westminster Press Diploma in Journalism and the NCTJ Proficiency Test.
Reporter at the Evening Echo, South East Essex.
Assistant editor, The Cartoonist.
Freelance sub-editor (including eight months as chief sub at Elle Decoration).
Researcher, BBC TV.
Associate editor (features), Homes & Gardens.
Author of 23 books.
Currently a freelance journalist: regular commissions from major consumer titles, including Coast, Country Living, The English Home, Homes & Antiques, Period Living, 25 Beautiful Homes and House Beautiful.
Specialist areas
My main area of expertise is anything to do with interiors, from colour and pattern to styling and writing house features, as well as all sorts of general/thematic lifestyle features - which might range from antiques to travel, craft to gardening. I have proper NCTJ training, which means I'm old-fashioned about things like accuracy and apostrophes, and during my career I have worked at a local daily tabloid, as a researcher at BBC TV, as chief sub at Elle Decoration and as features editor at Homes & Gardens. All of which means my experience includes interviewing, researching, collating information, editing other people's work, coming up with ideas, collaborating with designers, stylists and photographers, sourcing photography and, of course, creating beautifully written copy. I also undertake contract work, such as press releases, web content and brochures. Clients have included Dulux, Zurich, Ellesse, Classic Glamping, Betty Boyns, Birch's, Pure Nuff Stuff and Mrs Moore's Vintage Store.
