The Story-Finding Manual
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE TO FIND EXCLUSIVE STORIES OR HOW TO GENERATE ENDLESS IDEAS? Keep reading!
The second book in my expert journalism series, The Story-Finding Manual is now here!
Do you see articles written by freelancers you admire, in publications you love and want to know how and where they found those stories and generated those ideas? This book is perfect for you!
The Story-Finding Manual has been written by expert freelance journalist and editor Punteha van Terheyden for freelance or student journalists, those working in PR or media-adjacent industries who want to turn their writing side-hustle into a full-time career and earn a reliable income.
The Story-Finding Manual is packed with:
In-depth industry knowledge on the way editorial teams generate stories in-house and how you too can emulate that process.
What commissioning editors want to see from freelancers (and what they don’t).
How you can turn daily news stories into an endless stream of story ideas.
Where exactly to look for and find real-life and news exclusives.
How to do a Forensic Analysis on any publication you want to sell stories to so you can perfectly format your story ideas.
How to get editors coming to YOU for commissions.
The Story-Finding Manual is for you if:
You’re a journalism student, freelance journalist or junior staff writer wanting to supercharge your story finding/generating skills.
You’re working hard, but you’re not bagging juicy commissions or finding stories that blow your editor’s hair back.
Commissioning lulls make you want to quit freelancing.
You want a clear method for regularly finding stories or generating a liveable freelance income.
You’re not on staff and don’t want to cut your teeth on a regional agency/paper or national, or you’re finding it very hard to get your foot in the door.
You want to bridge the gap in your journalism knowledge that a practical, hands-on news or features job might have brought you.
You want to work part-time around illness, disability, your family, travelling etc. Or, you want to shake off the shackles of working a 9-5 and be your own boss!
You want editors to come to you and commission you to write for them instead of spending your days spinning lots of plates and pitching endlessly.
This book might not be for you if:
You’re already making a great living from your freelance journalism. You’re welcome to stay, of course, but you’ll likely already know most of what I’m sharing in this book.
You’re not interested in writing for national newspapers and magazines.