Too old to become a journalist: How I started freelancing



Before my NCTJ I did a couple of brilliant evening courses:



My First Pitch






Dear K,

on a glossy fashion magazine but what’s the reality like?

anything to go by!

Anne Hathaway as her long-suffering assistant.

at Conde Nast.

My name is Amy Oliver and I’m a freelance journalist.

Best Wishes

Amy Oliver


They politely declined.

Undeterred I pitched it to The Times.













6 thoughts on “Too old to become a journalist: How I started freelancing

  1. Pingback: Hur man säljer till The Times, och lite annat « Mötesplatsen Fred/bloggen

  2. Pingback: Do freelance journalists need to be formally qualified? : Spada Professional Services PR Firm


  4. Grace

    Dear Amy,

    I am basically trying to get in touch with you for some advice. I don’t know whether you will read this, but I am really hoping you will.

    I have got some work experience with a Conde Nast publication in New York, and I am trying to sort out the visas and forms needed.

    As a British citizen, I was told I would need an F-1 visa, an I-20 form, a credits letter from my university and a Social Security Number. How did you go about getting each of these things, and did you face any problems?

    From speaking to the U.S embassy, I was told I actually needed a J-1 visa. The F-1 visa appears to be for if you are studying at an American University. However, I am wondering if the credits gained towards my degree by doing the Internship mean it is under the F-1 category.

    ANY advice would be SO appreciated. I really don’t know many people to ask and after reading your devil wears prada article, I thought you may actually know the answers to my questions.


    Grace x

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