Freelance writer and editor
I’m a freelance journalist, based in east London. I write about all sorts of things but my passions are the environment and solutions journalism. I’m a regular contributor to publications including the Financial Times, English Heritage Members’ Magazine, Positive News and Atlas Obscura.
I’ve been doing this for a long time so my work has appeared in a very wide range of publications including the Guardian, The Economist, Smithsonian Magazine and BBC Countryfile Magazine. You can read my recent stories on Contently, or have a look through my archive for work going back to the beginning of my career. Because a lot of my work appears in print only and not online, you won’t necessarily find links to everything – happy to send pdfs if there’s a particular story you’d like to read.
Read my recent stories on Contently:
Baby Adventuring, my practical blog inspired by my travels with my children, covers everything from applying for passports to navigating public transport with a pushchair to surviving a night in a hotel room with a baby. That project is on pause for now, but there’s still a massive amount of really helpful content on there, so check it out and share with the gallivanting parents and carers in your life.
I’m also a copywriter, working with charities and commercial brands on sparkling content that attracts attention, generates leads and drives engagement.
When I’m not writing, I’m editing. I’m editor of The Environment, the members’ magazine of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, and Great British Theatre. Other regular editorial clients include Amnesty Magazine, BBC Wildlife, the Independent and World Finance Magazine. Previous editorial positions have included co-editor at Fest Magazine, contributing editor at Morris Visitor Publications and acting deputy editor at Whatsonstage.com. For a full list check out my profile on LinkedIn.
Testimonials
Feature writing
“Thank you ever so much for this. What a great read” – Charlotte Mackaness, The Field Magazine
“I’ve just read your article on wildfire in BBC Wildlife Magazine. I congratulate you on a comprehensive but balanced narrative, probably one of the best I’ve ever read” – Dr Alastair Leake, Game & Wildfowl Preservation Trust
“Thanks for this great feature, Jo, a really informative read. Nice as always to work with you” – Sarah McPherson, BBC Wildlife Magazine
“Congrats on the piece – we think it’s a really informative and comprehensive read” – Matt Hurst, Tree Council
“Delighted to see Citizen Zoo’s large marsh grasshopper reintroduction project featured in BBC Wildlife magazine and mentioned on the front cover. Some lovely quotes and insight from myself and the other Citizen Keepers who
reared the hoppers from eggs to adults! Thanks Jo!” – Amy Stocking, Citizen
Zoo volunteer
“Just wanted to say a huge thank you for your article including Tap’s story. It’s a really lovely write up and probably my favourite we’ve been included in to date. Thank you for capturing what we do so well” – Tess Taylor, Tap Social Movement
“Thank you for the Pumphouse feature. You achieved significant coverage for us, which has gone down well, and is much appreciated. If you’re ever heading up to N. Essex, let us know and we’ll buy you a beer” – Richard Evers, Pumphouse Community Brewery
Editing
“Thanks so much for all the work you have been doing. It has been much valued and is a great help to the team” – Maggie Paterson, Amnesty Magazine
“A job well done and a difficult client made happy. It’s a real joy working with you, Jo” – Richard Willcox, World Finance
Report writing
“It’s been great working with you. I hope we can call on you again for any further assignments of this nature” – Katie Griffiths, Institute of Osteopathy