Question Author
naomi - // AH, thank you for answering my question. //
You are most welcome.
//Amazing that with no formal credentials you are able to gain access to the rich and famous so easily ... //
You make me sound like a peasant who has bluffed his way into the palace to look at the king!
In my profession, virtually no witer has formal qualificiations.
What editors require is - in no particular order - an understanding of the subject, the ability to work alone, tenacity, a thick skin, an ability to write to style and length, and reliability.
You pick those up with experience, not qualifications.
// ... but I wonder why you don't sell the results of your labour to big name publications. Such articles are much sought after and bring in a rather lucrative income. Something you might want to consider. //
Major magazines and certainly national papers are closed shops.
They have their own writers, and they can gain access to anyone they want, so freelance work is really really hard to get - the only opportunity is getting something they can't, or can't at the time.
I offered my MF piece to the Sunday Times for their Day In The Life column - they declined.