Career Change Advice- journalism...?

The_TailGunner

The_TailGunner

The_TailGunner

Associate
Joined
17 Oct 2003
Posts
1,895
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Dublin
'lo folks

well- im getting thoroughly fed up with my current role, and have been thinking about changing for some time.

Im thinking about journalism- reviewing games and maybe hardware... now i know im probably due a few :rolleyes: , but i already write games reviews for an online magazine....however, it doesnt pay (apart from in free games, which is still a damn good perk)

Does anyone know anything about the industry- how to get in? what skills/qualifications are required and so on?

im not limiting myself to gaming/hardware (although those are my areas of expertise), and could happily write about theatre, cars or books as well.

so...anyone got any advice?

TG
 
Just write a review and send it in to PC gamer or other magazine.

Tell them that you want to get into that area and can they help.

PS: Where do you review for online??
 
I've just mentioned this in another thread so sorry for duplicating :D

I've always been interested in journalism, did an NVQ in journalism straight out of school but didn't finish it (family reasons) and then wrote ads and announments for the Manchester Evening News for a year. Got into IT somehow (don't ask) and stayed there for rather a long time. Got fed up, disillusioned, nearly had a breakdown cos I was so fed up and decided to pull my finger out and do something about it. Had written pretty much constantly - journals, observations, manuscripts, helped my friend when she wrote her sitcom (ended up on radio 4) and helped edit 2 books she got published... none of it worth a jot on paper tho.

Then I saw an ad for an journalist/editor in the paper for an on-line car mag, went to see them, begged for a trial, and within a week was taken on as editor and have been accidentally pimping for contributions in other threads :D

It's hard to get into but there are breaks. Get yourself a copy of the writers and artists yearbook and find publications that publish stuff similar to how you write then get in touch. You could also go via an agent, but that's your call.
 
a site called rewiredmind.com....i write pc game reviews....any of the ones by matt french...which is me...obviously... :D

i can just as happily write console reviews, but i prefer pc stuff...

if you go read them, and you feel the need to comment (good or bad- im certain there is room for improvement), my email is in trust :)

TG
 
brother got his break by basically writing in to magazines doing monthly 1 page features for them, whilst at the same time doing a crap job at the local rag. Job came about at the right time and they liked his style so took him on as a staff writer. Not looked back since ...
 
I know that you can expect to earn less than 20k a year in central London as a writer in computer journalism. Bear that in mind.
 
As some on here will remember, back in october I had an interview as a staff writer for PC Zone :)

Unfortunatly I didn't get the job, but according to the editor it was a very close call.
I have no journalistic experience as such, but was able to write a review in similar style to what they publish and show that I'm not a complete wassock in the interview. It very very nearly got me there. Just goes to show that you don't always need qualifications etc to get recognised, just talent.

So my tiny bit of advice would be to make yourself flexible and look at publications you enjoy reading, and learn their style. Try to figure out what you can offer a publication, which areas you can improve and what new ideas you could implement.

Good luck!
 
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