1. So You Want To Be A Science Writer? Dan Jones Freelance Science Writer www.multipledrafts.com/sywtbasw 16 February 2009

2. About Me Degree in molecular genetics

3. About Me Degree in molecular genetics MSc in Science and Technology Policy Studies

4. About Me Degree in molecular genetics MSc in Science and Technology Policy Studies Worked in a number of editorial positions

5. About Me Degree in molecular genetics MSc in Science and Technology Policy Studies Worked in a number of editorial positions Started doing freelance work in 2005

6. About Me Degree in molecular genetics MSc in Science and Technology Policy Studies Worked in a number of editorial positions Started doing freelance work in 2005 Completely freelance since 2006

7. Some Past Clients

9. Plan of Talk

10. Types of scientific, medical and technical writing

11. Plan of Talk Types of scientific, medical and technical writing Routes into writing, with examples

12. Plan of Talk Types of scientific, medical and technical writing Routes into writing, with examples Freelancing

13. Plan of Talk Types of scientific, medical and technical writing Routes into writing, with examples Freelancing Writing for scientists

14. 1. TYPES OF WRITING Journalism

15. 1. TYPES OF WRITING Journalism Science/technical writing — steady employment — freelance

16. 1. TYPES OF WRITING Journalism Science/technical writing — steady employment — freelance All science journalists are science writers, but not all science writers are journalists

17. Journalism See the Association of British Science Writers’ guide So You Want to Be A Science Writer? (PDF available on my website)

18. Science/technical writing

19. Scientific organisations/institutions (RI, RS, British Psychological Society, Natural History Museum, Wellcome Trust, British Science Association, Medical Research Council)

20. Science/technical writing Scientific organisations/institutions (RI, RS, British Psychological Society, Natural History Museum, Wellcome Trust, British Science Association, Medical Research Council) Charities

21. Science/technical writing Scientific organisations/institutions (RI, RS, British Psychological Society, Natural History Museum, Wellcome Trust, British Science Association, Medical Research Council) Charities Research funders/universities

22. Science/technical writing Scientific organisations/institutions (RI, RS, British Psychological Society, Natural History Museum, Wellcome Trust, British Science Association, Medical Research Council) Charities Research funders/universities Pharmaceutical industry

23. Science/technical writing Scientific organisations/institutions (RI, RS, British Psychological Society, Natural History Museum, Wellcome Trust, British Science Association, Medical Research Council) Charities Research funders/universities Pharmaceutical industry Medical/science communication agencies

24. Science/technical writing Scientific organisations/institutions (RI, RS, British Psychological Society, Natural History Museum, Wellcome Trust, British Science Association, Medical Research Council) Charities Research funders/universities Pharmaceutical industry Medical/science communication agencies Publishing

25. What does scientific and technical writing entail? Charities/scientific organisations — PR/press work — Science Information Officer

28. Other jobs in science communication Scientific/medical copywriting for advertising Medical education Report writing internally for pharma Healthcare PR Project editor

29. Publishing Editorials News and analysis Opinion and commentary Research summaries (In Brief/Highlights) Features

30. 2. HOW TO GET INTO SCIENCE WRITING? Jobs pages in Nature/Science/newspapers/ recruitment agencies Association of British Science Writers blog Internships Writing competitions

43. Once you’ve got a foot in the door… ….possibilities open up.

44. 3. FREELANCING - Opportunities Science communication and writing for scientific organisations/institutions Online content of various sorts Journals and magazines – features – news – commentary/ opinion Copy editing

45. Freelancing - How to get into freelancing? Have to put yourself out there Helps to have a springboard to launch from: -A job that provides opportunities to gain relevant experience -Create a freelance portfolio -Write a blog

46. If you fancy trying your hand at freelancing, do it!

47. Freelancing – What does it involve? A day in the life of a freelancer: Get up, log on, check e-mails- set up interviews - respond to editor queries - look at press releases/ToCs - general reading (blogs, news sites etc) Do interviews/speak with editors Write/edit/revise works in progress Read papers/books Admin

49. Freelancing – Practical issues Isolation (blessing or curse?!) Earnings-likely to be low at first, and perhaps never great -irregular, uncertain (helps to have a wealthy partner, or to be independently wealthy!) Tax issues, pension, holiday cover, health insurance etc.

50. 4.WRITING FOR WORKING SCIENTISTS Opportunities: -Opinion/commentary (Nature /Science/NewScientist, newspapers (Comment is Free@Guardian.co.uk) -Features (Nature/Science/, PLoS journals, NewScientist) -Books

51. Opinion/commentary If you’ve got something to say, and you think it’s important or interesting, why not say it?

52. Features ‘Stories, not issues’

53. Features ‘Stories, not issues’ Think about the needs and wants of journals and magazines, and the audience of each

54. Features ‘Stories, not issues’ Think about the needs and wants of journals and magazines, and the audience of each Get a sense of the latter by reading the relevant journals and magazines

55. Features ‘Stories, not issues’ Think about the needs and wants of journals and magazines, and the audience of each Get a sense of the latter by reading the relevant journals and magazines Journals and magazines also often provide guidelines for submitting proposals (essential to read these – see publication’s website)

56. Features ‘Stories, not issues’ Think about the needs and wants of journals and magazines, and the audience of each Get a sense of the latter by reading the relevant journals and magazines Journals and magazines also often provide guidelines for submitting proposals (essential to read these – see publication’s website) Some go even further - see NewScientist’s features guidelines

63. Books

64. The proposal (see PDFs on my website)

65. Books The proposal (see PDFs on my website) -Overview of book

66. Books The proposal (see PDFs on my website) -Overview of book -Sample chapter or two

67. Books The proposal (see PDFs on my website) -Overview of book -Sample chapter or two - Market analysis (existing and competing titles, target audience)

68. Books The proposal (see PDFs on my website) -Overview of book -Sample chapter or two - Market analysis (existing and competing titles, target audience) Royalties and earnings -Advance versus all royalties -Likely sales

69. In summary If you’re interested in science, but don’t feel cut out for life in the lab, science writing or editing might be for you

70. In summary If you’re interested in science, but don’t feel cut out for life in the lab, science writing or editing might be for you There are a lot of ways to make a living in science writing – and it can be a stimulating and rewarding path

71. In summary If you’re interested in science, but don’t feel cut out for life in the lab, science writing or editing might be for you There are a lot of ways to make a living in science writing – and it can be a stimulating and rewarding path Freelancing can be particularly liberating, but is also difficult

72. In summary If you’re interested in science, but don’t feel cut out for life in the lab, science writing or editing might be for you There are a lot of ways to make a living in science writing – and it can be a stimulating and rewarding path Freelancing can be particularly liberating, but is also difficult But there’s no reason why you can’t be a scientist and write too!

73. So You Want To Be A Science Writer? Dan Jones Freelance Science Writer www.multipledrafts.com/sywtbasw 16 February 2009