About Me

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I am a 69-year-old gay disabled amateur part-time writer living in Slough, Berkshire UK. I have published around 60 articles in 20 leisure and lifestyle magazines. I live with a range of health issues including heart disease, chronic kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, depression, atrial fibrillation and restless leg syndrome. (I'm working my way through the medical dictionary!). I'm a member of Slough Writer's Group which is interesting and informative. Latest News. 10th July 2023 Awarded 'The Sandy Lee-Guard Award for Endeavour' by the Slough Writers Group. 6th December 2023 Completed studying 'Writing for Magazines' with CityLit University. January 2nd 2024. Fell over in the lounge and fractured my left femur (whilst recovering from fracturing my right femur in July 2023). May 2024. Completed studying ' National Centre for Writing' course 'Creative Non-Fiction - An Introduction'. 3rd November 2024. Began studying 'Article Writing and Freelance Journalism' with 'Writing Magazine'. Expected duration 8 Weeks.

Sunday, 15 October 2023

Sunday 15th October 2023 PM

 Hi Writers. I just wanted to bring you 'up to speed' with my progress since I went back to writing non-fiction features for magazines.

First of all I 'brainstormed' for ideas to write about and magazines that would consider submissions from a 'new' freelance writer. I got my ideas by

A) Studying magazines on the shelves of WH Smiths and purchasing a copy of the mags that I thought I could write for.

B) Studying magazines listed in the 2024 editions of 'Writers & Artists Yearbook' (£30 approx) and 'The Writers Handbook' (£20 approx)'.

I compared the listings and found a few 'matches'. There was 'Able' magazine for readers with an interest in disability (physical or mental). Earlier, I'd made contact with 18-year-old Eliot who lived with with autism and other mental health conditions. He was supported by two 'Assistance' dogs. This, I thought, would make a good article for 'Able' magazine. I further realized that it would make a good article for a 'dog' magazine and after some research, it was also accepted by Dogs Today magazine.

 More research led me to displays that were going to be exhibited at Gatton Park Country Fair near Reigate. Called 'Newfs in Action' this group displayed and trained Newfoundland dogs rescuing people drowning. I contacted the display organizer and the editor of 'Dogs Today' and both said yes to an illustrated feature for their respective magazines.

In August and September, the articles appeared 'in print'. Seeing the magazines to which you've contributed on the shelves of WH Smiths and other stationers, gives a great feeling of satisfaction. A great buzz. It's also a fantastic feeling to know that YOUR ARTICLE will be read by approximately 100,000 people.

Wow!

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