work

’I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.’ — Zusak

As a writer, I’ve donned many a hat to make ends meet. I’ve worked with clients ranging from one of the world’s oldest bookshops to the UK’s largest retail bank; the NHS, University of Oxford, Waterstones, and other freelancers who need a hand with words.

Now, I’m a senior account manager & content writer for an award-winning comms agency in Somerset — with a chunky to do list for my creative endeavours.

I’m currently taking on freelance work, too.

What can I be for you?

• proofreader
  
• editor
  
• copywriter
  
• project manager
  
• InDesign designer
  
• content planner / writer
  
• event & festival planner

How am I any different?

There are tonnes of talented writers out there. Why work with me? What makes my experience of life & work unique and, therefore, better-suited to the specific thing you need?

• Daily practice. Whether we work together or not (though I hope we do), I write (for work & myself) every single day. It’s what I love to do most: make sense of things, tell stories, connect, and, always, learn how to get better at it. I journal, map short stories, and pitch article ideas to a broad spectrum of publications — sometimes, I get published.
  
• ADHD. To champion & clarify my newly-diagnosed (2022, aged 31) neurodiversity, people with ADHD don’t have a ‘deficit’ in attention. Rather, it’s the ability to fixate on single pieces of work, spot opportunities & connections others won’t, and the craving for structure: clear, achievable plans to support a bigger strategy, meaning strategy + planning come an incredibly close second to writing as a love of mine. ADHD requires, above all else, things that are interesting — so it’s in our nature to create interesting things.
  
• Empathy. I have a distinct ability to not only identify the audience with which I’m communicating, but to understand the spot in which I & the client need to reach. So much so, I joined the UK’s largest retail bank on a twice-extended contract as an empathy communications consultant.
  
• Creative heart with big business skills. I know how to cater for intimate author readings, then win over a large room of global stakeholders. I know how to elevate and focus on the details, ensuring that time & money is well spent by feeding into something larger. I know how to put out the immediate fires, but not sacrifice the bigger picture.
  
• Qualifications & experience. Ten years.

Clients

I’ve had the immense pleasure of working with one of the oldest bookshops & first film schools on the planet; its most prestigious universities & human rights organisations; and two of the most crucial human touching points possible: the NHS, and the UK’s largest retail bank. Roles have always featured communications, content, or marketing; as a freelancer, I’ve avoided the self-appointed titles of word lord or supreme reader and opted for those listed below.

NHS, Hatchards & Waterstones, Lloyds Banking Group, University of Oxford, LSE, London Film School, Human Rights Watch, Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust, Mayor of London’s office, charities, creative agencies.

Since 2023, I’ve also submitted edits to a bunch of publishers & publications.

Penguin — 5 Jonathan Cape x5 **Everything Under* — Daisy Johnson x 5

Man Booker Prize (x1)

Who else could you work with?

• Transform. Whether you’re after communications, digital, or ESG support (that last one was new to me, too — it’s the environmental & social & governance standards set & actioned by a company), this cracking team have you covered. (As senior account manager & content writer for comms, I may be a little biased.)
  
• Tamsyn Gill. Charming illustrator & graphic designer.

Do you like coffee & cake?

If you’d like to work together, send details of what needs doing across to dnlchrlsklly@gmail.com and we’ll have a chat, in person or remotely — I’m open to big & small clients, across all sectors. If you’d just like to say hello, I’m on Substack & LinkedIn.