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Regional press freelancer pens guide to becoming a journalist

Nick RennieA freelancer working in the regional press has written and published a career guide for those interested in becoming journalists.

Nick Rennie, pictured left, has penned How To Become A Journalist, which is aimed at adults who wants a career change as well as trainees, school leavers and university students.

The book includes templates which show aspiring reporters how to write news stories and features in a journalistic style.

There are also chapters on how to use social media and how to take press photographs, plus advice on covering court cases and preparing for job interviews.

Nick began his career at the Melton Times, in Leicestershire, in 1988.

He later spent time at the Suffolk Free Press, Bucks Herald, Colchester Gazette, Rutland Times and the Leicester Mercury.

More recently he has worked for Johnston Press titles in the East Midlands, including the Rutland and Stamford Mercury, Grantham Journal, Spalding Guardian, Lincolnshire Free Press and the paper where he began his career.

Said Nick: “I wrote the book because I was often being asked for advice by people who were interested in becoming a journalist.

“I also thought there was a need for a book which provided guidance for trainees with nuggets of information you don’t always find in text books.

“News teams are much smaller now than when I started out so there is often not enough time for senior journalists to help guide the careers of trainees. Hopefully this book will help fill the void.”

He added: “I’ve learned from working alongside some great people and I am trying to pass on some of these lessons in this book.

“I’ve actually done just about every job in a newspaper over the last 20-odd years, including reporter, news editor, sub-editor, sports editor and, on occasions, I’ve even gone out to take the day’s photographs. And this has really helped me write such a comprehensive book.

“Today’s journalists have to be all-rounders and I’m confident the book will help prepare those coming into the industry.”

How To Become A Journalist is available on Amazon UK as a paperback or a Kindle eBook.

8 comments

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  • January 13, 2016 at 10:24 am
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    A few more much-needed career guides:

    How To Become a Coalminer
    So You Want To Be A Gaslamp Fitter?
    Opportunities in the Lancashire Textile Industry.
    It’s a Great Life Being a Door-to-Door Knife-Sharpener.

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  • January 13, 2016 at 3:36 pm
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    Walking ahead of a train holding a flag – how to get started.
    Become a lighthouse keeper.

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  • January 13, 2016 at 4:22 pm
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    Old Cynic,

    Your comment gave me the best laugh I’ve had in a long time!

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  • January 14, 2016 at 8:42 am
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    any mention of saying ” yes ” a lot,doing the work of 5 ex colleagues,
    scouring twitter and facebook for stories and leads and listening to the moaning and whingeing by the sales reps
    thought not

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  • January 15, 2016 at 3:02 pm
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    @Ad: I can it in one word: ‘DON’T’.

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