So You Want to Be a Journalist
Career, curiosity, code of ethics
You will not find a checklist here for becoming a journalist. There is no licence, no gatekeeper, no secret handshake. What you need is curiosity, clippings, and a working phone. Simon wrote these pieces for people at the start of the trade, the ones still working out whether this life is for them.
Start Here
Journalism Across Australia
Simon started his career on the NSW Central Coast. He worked in Sydney, moved through Melbourne for television, spent time reporting...
Studying Journalism in Australia
Simon did not go to university. He went to The Gosford Express at sixteen, and from there to the Sun, the Weekend Australian, A Current...
Be What You Want to Be
Reprinted with permission Be what you want to be Author: Juan-Carlo Tomas Publication: Sydney Morning Herald The point: You're fed up and...
The Complete Guide to Finding Ideas
4-page complete guide to ideas By SIMON TOWNSEND You are entitled to take great pride in having good ideas for articles. But I'm sorry to...
What the job actually is
Are You a Real Journalist?
Return To Simon Townsend With Next Assignment, Not By Itself STUDENT's NAME ??????????????????????????? What makes a REAL journo...
Characteristics of a Good Journalist
What are the tried and tested main characteristics of a successful freelance journalist? Well, my answers are all cliches, and...
Curiosity is Essential
Lack of curiosity is some students' downfall I love tutoring. But it has ups and downs. And the worst down is realising that...
People in Stories: The Most Important Lesson
People The secret of creating your SALEABLE articles By SIMON TOWNSEND, Senior Tutor THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTSHEET...
The Three Cosmic Rules of Writing
Reprinted with permission The Three Cosmic Rules of Writing By Dennis Palumbo As a veteran writer and a licensed psychotherapist...
The Journalist Code of Ethics
Code Of Ethics Members of the union MEAA engaged in journalism commit themselves to: Honesty Fairness Independence Respect for...
Breaking in
Clippings: The Only Proof You Are a Journalist
ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR 'MEDIA' (Thursday liftout) IN 'THE AUSTRALIAN' Clippings the only proof Do journalism graduates have job...
Be What You Want to Be
Reprinted with permission Be what you want to be Author: Juan-Carlo Tomas Publication: Sydney Morning Herald The point: You're...
Career Advice for Journalists
Career advice Can I advise you on what direction to take in your journalism career? Well, I can't advise anyone how to make up...
Do Editors Hire Journalism Graduates?
Editors: do they hire graduates of your journalism journey? Students often ask if your journalism journey is respected in the...
Will a Diploma Get You a Job?
Your qualification guaranteeing you a media job Many of my students ask me if winning their diploma guarantees a media job. You...
Studying Journalism in Australia
Simon did not go to university. He went to The Gosford Express at sixteen, and from there to the Sun, the Weekend Australian, A...
Finding Famous People
Finding the famous This is about finding famous people (or experts). That is, finding people to quote on the topic of your...
Famous column, wise advice
Famous Story, Wise Advice This is a famous column written way back in 1963. It led to the editors' wise saying: 'Always look for...
Process and practicalities
Copyright: A Simple Guide
Copyright: a simple guide Copyright should become clearer during the course. Essentially copyright is the author's ownership in...
Register and Protect Your Name
You referred to registering and protecting a name. FIRST you must carry out preliminary phone directory searches to see if it's...
Equipment Every Journalist Must Have
My equipment Equipment Mobile phone Message service on mobile Phone camera A quality digital camera Dictionary Thesaurus You must...
The Filofax: A Journalist's Contact Book
Filofax Contact Book Below is a Filofax (pictures from its website). Filofaxes were developed by a British army officer who...
The Complete Guide to Finding Ideas
4-page complete guide to ideas By SIMON TOWNSEND You are entitled to take great pride in having good ideas for articles. But I'm...
The Hardest Article to Write
Student: You have eight fingers and two thumbs with which to TYPE your work. You might be smart enough to have become a touch...
When an Editor Explains Rejection
Editors owe you nothing Well, an editor is not a teacher. He's not there to help you or to foster your career. That's my job. Use...
Excuses about getting back
Excuses: making them to yourself People not 'getting back' to you is one of the great frustrations of journalism. This is what I...
Resourceful journalist, how to be a
The most valuable advice you'll ever receive about being RESOURCEFUL By SIMON TOWNSEND This might be the most valuable piece of...
How to Choose the Right Publication
Choosing a publication to write for Every journalist has to decide which publications to target. 'What should be my target...
Specialisms and career paths
How to Become a Columnist
How to be a columnist A columnist is a person who has a regular spot in a publication and usually writes on the same topic each...
Investigative Journalism
You as an investigative journalist Being an investigative journalist is exciting, prestigious, well-paid - and important work...
Getting Into Book Publishing
Book publishing Sorry, I can't help you with direct advice or information on book publishing, or literary agents. I know little...
Journalism Across Australia
Simon started his career on the NSW Central Coast. He worked in Sydney, moved through Melbourne for television, spent time...
Simon Townsend's 10 Rules for Freelance Journalists
Simon Townsend 's 10 Rules for being a productive freelance journalist and staying successful Rule 1: Manage your fear of...
Simon Townsend's Biography
Biography updated January 2009 Born to be a journo Simon Townsend's personal and professional biography By G R Hart Simon...