Q: I've got a problem. I've been living abroad in Japan for the last four years since 2002. And I haven't done anything journalism related since then.
I graduated from a fairly good school, did several internships and even had a job as a copy editor for a couple of months before I left for Japan. Now, after spending some time here as an English teacher and learning the Japanese language to an extent, I'd like to get back into journalism. More specifically, I'd like to do it here, in Japan with some of the English-language publications.
I'm determined to cold-call some editors and pitch them some stories/ask them for some assignments, but I'm not sure what the best way to go about that would be. My clips are limited and old and I haven't written anything for a long time. Of course I'm also trying to write as much as I can now for online publications and such, but in the meantime what should I do?
Jesse
A: Your English fluency may be one of your best assets.
Pitch story ideas. Editors are reluctant to give story assignments to unproven people, but will let them try to tackle stories that they think of themselves. Once they have had the chance to edit some of your work, they will have a better idea of how you operate. If you do well, you'll then get some assignments.
Fresh clips are much more important for people seeking full-time jobs than they are for people seeking freelance work.
