Mumsnet Talk

Are there any freelance medical writers in Richmond area who are juggling family and running business, who would be prepared to impart any pearls of wisdom over a coffee?
I have been freelancing for almost a year and would love to make a few more local contacts.

bump
preety please

Not in Richmond but thinking about getting into medical writing.I am a GP with research background. How did you get started? What sort of stuff are you doing?

I am a non practising medic who crossed over to the dark side 10 years ago !! Its pharmaceutical communications writing as opposed to medical journalism - I focus on the sales and marketing pieces more.

Have a look at this site - its got some good introductory stuff.....
http://www.medcommsnetworking.co.uk/startingout/index.html

its not easy to break into but being a medic certainly will help.

Good luck

I'm in Richmond, freelance, and do quite a bit of health/medical PR writing from home.

I'm not a parent (yet), but husband is very broody so I keep on coming on here and panicking about how my business will keep on going when we have kids.

We're getting a dog as a trial run...

18 months down the line or should that be 27 months?!. DS1 is 18 months - it seems to be working...I work 4 long mornings a week and can extend hours with the CM if I get or want to book in a bigger job.

That said I am wracked with guilt most of the time about leaving him - but also thankful that I have the option to do well paid work.

Hi,

I am a medical writer desperately needing thinking of making the leap to freelancing, would love some tips if you have any.

How did you find work to being with? I have worked at two med comms agencies, and so do have colleagues and ex-colleagues who might be able to help me to built up a network of contacts.

But I am very worried that this will not materialise (as it's not their income on the line). How did you build up a network, and how many people do you currently work for?

And how do you cope with the uncertainty of having or not having confirmed work ahead?

Has freelancing ever gone horribly wrong for anyone you know?

Thank you!

p.s. should explain that my DDs are 2.4yrs and 6 months old, so once I hand in my notice and go freelance I would need more or less confirmed work to meet my childcare costs