Becoming a journalist

[TheHouseofMirth]

I've always wanted to be a journalist but for various reasons I ended up going down a different career path. I've been a SAHM for 5 years now and my thoughts are turning to returnng to work. I don't want to go back to what I was doing (marketing and business type stuff). I assumed I was too old (I'm 41) to get into journalism now but also feel I've got nothing to lose.

Does anyone have any advice?

Do your NCTJ and read/buy the Writers and Artists Yearbook.

You can pitch articles for Comment is Free on the Guardian as well - go to the page and look on the right hand side for a thread called "What Do you Want to Talk About".

And, depending on what you want to write and which marketplace... read the leading publications and get a feel for editorial style, columnists etc.

HTH