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London Writers' Salon
#138: Nicola Slawson – From Journalism to Book Deals: Pitching, Newsletters, and Building a Writing Life on Your Own Terms
Mar 29, 2025
Nicola Slawson, a freelance journalist and the creator of The Single Supplement newsletter, shares her inspiring journey of building a writing career on her own terms. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from journalism to authoring a book, emphasizing the importance of personal storytelling and audience engagement. Nicola reveals effective strategies for growing a newsletter and the emotional complexities of the publishing process. She also highlights the vital role of community in supporting writers through their creative endeavors.
01:11:25
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Quick takeaways
- Nicola Slawson emphasizes the importance of strategic pitching tailored to editors' needs for successful freelance journalism.
- Building genuine relationships in the writing community fosters mutual support and collaboration, enhancing the overall creative journey.
Deep dives
Nicola's Journey into Journalism
Nicola Slauson's path to journalism began in Shrewsbury, where she felt the limitations of her surroundings, as neither her family nor community expected her to pursue higher education. Despite these obstacles, she passionately aimed to become a journalist and actively engaged with student media during university, eventually becoming the editor of the student newspaper. Upon graduation, she faced financial barriers for internships but persistently sought opportunities, eventually discovering the Scott Trust bursary, which helped diversify journalism by supporting non-traditional candidates. This bursary opened doors for her at The Guardian, helping her transition into a successful journalism career despite having started with no connections.
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