Freelancer of the fortnight: Nicci Talbot, Hastings

Click here to look at Nicci Talbot's full freelance profile on Journalism.co.uk

Why did you choose to become a freelancer?
I wanted to break into the women's magazine market so I moved to London to freelance after finishing my training with Emap in Peterborough.

If you trained, where?  If not, how did you become a freelancer?
I did an NCTJ diploma in magazine journalism then went travelling and freelanced for a travel magazine in Australia. When I got back I applied for a magazine journalism diploma course with Emap/PMA and was accepted. It included a placement on Country Walking magazine and I did stints on Motorcycle News and Garden News.

Do you specialise in any particular field and what areas do you write about?
I'm interested in female sexuality, health&wellbeing, women's lifestyle - keeping sane as a working mum and juggling baby and career, something I'm learning how to do right now!  I'm planning to start an erotic online magazine next year. 

Which publications have you been published in?
Scarlet magazine, Eve, The Sun, newwoman.co.uk, femin.co.uk, coco-de-mer.co.uk, Here's Health, Fresh Direction, MCN, Garden News - all sorts!

Which articles, in which publication, are you most proud of?
I had a Yoni (genital) massage with an escort/Ayurvedic practitioner and pitched it to Scarlet magazine, who loved it.

I'm also proud of the books I've written: Orgasm, Fast Sex - how to master the art of the quickie, Unzipped, Get over your Break up, and Movie Star Magic, a beauty book for tweenies. 

What are the best and worst aspects of freelancing?
Best aspects - working from home means I see my one-year-old daughter. Being able to go for walks during the day and choosing my hours of work.

Worst aspects - lonely at times, cabin fever, missing office chat, working all hours of the night to catch up when baby has gone to bed! Finding it difficult to switch off and relax. 

Interesting anecdotes in relation to freelancing?
I booked a hotel room for my Yoni massage article. However, the hotel was a little on the intimate side and I think the owners were a little suspicious when I invited a man upstairs in the middle of the morning.

We were half way into things (me naked on all fours on the bed, trying to relax enough to let him spank me) when the 'maid' let herself into my room. I freaked out, jumping off the bed and demanded to know why she hadn’t knocked. She apologised and beat a hasty retreat muttering something about thinking the room was empty. After she left, I tried to relax so we could carry on and five minutes later the fire alarm went off…

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