Some people have asked why I'm making this list of resources, specifically aimed at those working in the ELT industry. I say, why not? Isn't it about time there was a definitive list of resources available to ELT professionals? I'm hoping that, in time, the list will become invaluable to those of us in the industry and will help inform our practices, both inside and outside of the classroom. I've been thrilled with the response so far. This demonstrates to me that a list like

Is it too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year? Probably. But it's that start of the New Year that should signify new beginnings and possible changes. I'm now approaching my two-year anniversary of freelancing and although I thoroughly enjoy it, there are still some niggles that get me - like when is the next contract coming through? I'm at that stage of the year where I'm sort of in the middle of contracts. I am betwixt contracts. I am contract-less. Currently. This is not

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com It’s been a while since I last updated on here, so I thought I had better do so. It’s been about 18 months since I started freelance, and I have to say that I’ve done better than I initially thought I would. There is still the anxiety there, and being in between projects isn’t a good feeling, but I suppose that comes with the territory. However, I’m now on my second project from the Greek ELT publisher since meeting them in person in Athens, so

Some To the Lighthouse covers, which was first published this month in 1927 So, it seems my foray to the IATEFL conference in Liverpool was a success – having the confidence in freelancing has enabled me to be bolder, and so, at the beginning of June, I am off to Athens for discussions with an ELT publisher about doing more work for them. I’ve already completed a couple of contracts for them, and I love the working relationship I have with them, so this is a super opportunity

Virginia Woolf was such a prolific writer of intense thought and process, and often I see her quoted in memes on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. It was, of course, inevitable that over time and through use, the quotes would be misrepresented or misquoted, rather like the game of ‘Whispers’ from my youth. But what are these misquotes? 1. For most of history, Anonymous was a woman. Unfortunately, as much as we might use it (and I think I’m guilty here, too), this is not what W

Glinting under the glare of the softly flickering strip light, the blade taunts the very skin straining under the pressure. Years of painful self-loathing had finally come to this. A Sunday in the middle of spring in the house where it had all begun at least 34 years ago. It seemed ironic, no, hilarious that this room had barely changed since the beginning, Not strictly true – it had become crumblier – more cracked – more… dilapidated. The painted dull-yellow walls had lost t

I can’t quite believe how much has happened since I left teaching. I count the year from January 2018 when I made the decision to go freelance, but of course, by then I had already started volunteering with Aurora Metro. Here, of course, is also a shameless plug for my website. And don’t forget to like my page on Facebook. Let’s start towards the beginning of the year (be aware, long post coming). Between January to April, I was completing training and trying to get jobs as a

Well, the big contract has now officially finished, and I couldn’t be happier. I got full payment! I’m waiting for feedback on the last three tests I created, and then I can make any adjustments. It is my first big freelance contract done and I couldn’t be happier. The best news is that they have offered me another big contract, to be completed by the end of September. To say I am thrilled beyond words is an understatement. I never thought I would be creating content, but jus

Thankfully, it continues to be a busy time for me, which I’m very happy about. Currently, for Aurora Metro, I’m focusing on helping with the How the Vote Was Won exhibition. I was very pleased to help with some of the pop up banners forming part of the exhibition, two of which you can see some of above. There are a few venues confirmed, including: King’s Theatre, Portsmouth, 15 – 22 June 2018 The Feminist Library, London, 3 – 31 July 2018 There are also many more yet to be ad

Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com I love balloons. Not really the small ones, but ballooning. I’ve only been up once, for my late father’s 70th birthday. It was incredible to rise above the houses and countryside below in our home county. It was surprisingly quiet and serene, and I fully recommend it to anyone. I’m not a fan of heights, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if the landing was a bit bumpy. I’ve chosen this image to represent where I am at the moment: on the rise. It

Photo by Artem Bali on Pexels.com I feel I have finally broken through the barrier. You know, that barrier that seems to prevent forward motion? It seems to be all good news from here on in. The moderately-sized ELT publisher has approved my first sample test, and I will be contracted to create four more tests for them, which is absolutely great news. It’s something I’ve never done before, but it was quite enjoyable. It’s good to get the creative juices flowing, especially fo

It has been rather a momentous week. I learned that I achieved a distinction in the College of Media and Publishing course, Editing and Proofreading. I can’t quite believe it. I started the course way back in 2016 and had completed the first assignment. Then, in 2017, the sudden death of my father and the news of being made redundant were complete shocks. In order to process what was going on, I suppose I needed some time out to find out what was happening. Through this, the

My last post was full of hope, and to be honest, this one is as well but to a slightly lesser degree. The planned move, for this weekend, has been unavoidably delayed and now we don’t know when we will be moving. To quote a famous drag race show, ‘I’m shook!’. I hate living in mess at the best of times, but now it is all to be decided, I can feel the anxiety building up. Nearly all of my books are packed in boxes so I have a very limited amount of work that I can do. Especial

Yet again, I have stolen my title from a volume of Leonard Woolf’s autobiography. This is from the volume that looks from 1939 to 1969 and deals with the death of his wife, Virginia. Even though it isn’t particularly relevant to my research on Virginia and her life in Richmond, as a reader, I’ve only seen the letters and diary entries that Virginia made just before her suicide. As Leonard was such a major part of her life, I wanted to see how he dealt with the loss, just as I

As a fairly new entrant into the publishing industry, the London Book Fair is an essential. It is a perfect place to network, get yourself noticed and also to get a real feel for the publishing industry. I’m planning to get the most out of it. I attended LBF 2017, but due to personal circumstances and bereavement, I wasn’t properly planned and I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. I probably shouldn’t have gone as it was very overwhelming. However, this time I’ve had a year to

Come to the edge. We might fall. Come to the edge. It’s too high! COME TO THE EDGE! And they came, And he pushed, And they flew. Christopher Logue, 1926-2011 I only heard this poem yesterday, but it certainly describes something that many of us feel, especially those of us who are starting a new career or are considering something brand new to us. It definitely speaks to me. Starting something new is scary and daunting. However, this should not put you off. If you want it eno

Kew Gardens, ©Peter J Fullagar I’ve taken the title of this post from one of Leonard Woolf’s autobiographies; specifically, the one dealing with the years 1904 to 1911. The reason for this is that I think I’m growing, not only in reach, but in confidence as my freelancing journey continues. A little while ago, a friend of mine who currently works for one of the big ELT publishers got in contact, as she had seen that I was trying to start up as a freelance editor and proofread

This is the state of my kitchen table, and it’s been like it all day. I am thrusting myself into further Woolf revisions for the book which is due out later this year from Aurora Metro. I’m really hoping that the revisions I’m going to make will ensure that this book is the best I could have done it. I have some excellent guidance from Cheryl at Aurora Metro, and it’s great to be able to go into more detail concerning Woolf and the decade she lived in Richmond. I can’t see th

The above photo shows what I’m feeling at the moment. An uphill struggle, that famed cliché is very true. No matter how patient one might be, no matter how many setbacks one gets and no matter how many non-responses you get, determination is extremely important to get that important freelance career going. I often wonder how long it took experienced professionals to get what they would classify as their ‘first’ freelancing job. Was it a month? Two months? Less? More? On one p

I always knew that the road would be hard, and I’ve read about many experienced freelancers having their own troubles at the start, even commenting on my own posts. Most of their comments mirror my own experiences. It is so hard to get going. In a previous post, I mentioned an ELT publisher had responded to my speculative email, and I was full of hope. Since the second email, I’ve heard nothing. It’s very hard not to be discouraged by this and I’m trying not to be disheartene