Career Help

[DraiodoirX]

Does anyone know how I can get involved in music review for magazines or papers, also games and gaming reviewing...

[andy hughes]

Persistance, and when you;ve got that, you need to be persistant, and for good measure, make sure you are persistant! Really, that's how it works. Loads of music lovers fancy themselves as writers, but they enjoy the easy bit, listening to the album or watching the band, and steer clear of the hard bit - writing. I know, I've been doing this for nearly twenty-five years, and it doesn't get any easier! Where you will score is by being good, and reliable. You'd be amazed how many freelancers are too flakey to get copy in on time, so make sure you are organised. Start with your local paper - offer to work for free, just to get experience. If you seem to be getting somewhere, and you have studied the style of your fave mag, or paper, e-mail the Reviews Ed. and offer to cover something that's local to your twon. Send in a list of gigs, and offer to cover any / all of them. Remember, they are really busy people, and get these kinds of offers hundreds of times a day, but cream does rise to the top - if you are good, and did I mention being persistant (!) you can get there. As for games and gaming - an area I know nothing about, but the principles are the same. offer to cover Game Fairs, or ask for some review product and offer to review it free, and take it from there. It is simultaneiously the most heart-breaking and exhilerating hobby I've ever known, and I'm hooked - so you can be too! Best of luck!

[andy hughes]

Oh, and spell-check! You can't on here, but you MUST before you send copy in - or you'll be straight out of the proverbial door!

[DraiodoirX]

Thanks for the advice andy, do you mind if I ask which paper/mag you review for...

[andy hughes]

Not at all. I started off with 'Zig Zag', then I was Midlands Correspondent for 'Melody Maker' for two years. Since then I've freelanced for loads of magazines - too many to list here, but covering every style from pop -'Jackie' to rock - 'NME' to metal - 'Kerrang!' and i currently contribute regulalry to two musician titles - 'Drummer' and 'Guitar' - both of which are available at your local WH Smiths. The September issue of 'Drummer' has my Chad Smith interview as its cover feature. Thanks for your interest. Regards, A.H.