September 2005 - present   Freelance writing and sub-editing for a number of consumer publications across a broad range of subjects including interior design, green and ethical living, health and wellbeing, pop psychology, parenting, fashion and travel. Titles include The Daily Telegraph, 25 Beautiful Homes, Beautiful Kitchens, Wiltshire Magazine, Woman's Own, The Christmas Magazine, Jump and D Magazine, as well as web-based publications such as Magnificient Me. Research, interviews and writing copy for the government's parenting website Parentscentre.

Researching stories and producing press material on scientific research projects for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Freelance PR and communications projects for local businesses with press coverage achieved both locally and nationally, in print, TV and radio. Clients include 1230 The Women's Company, OMG Hair Design, Quintessential Soap and Malmesbury Town Council's Fairtrade Town initiative.

Voluntary press work publicising fundraising initiatives locally and nationally for The Alzheimer's Research Trust and Swindon Forget-Me-Not Centre; Malmesbury Justice & Peace Group and Great Somerford's Historic Allotments Bicentenary

I've also written, published and publicised a book on the history of the UK's oldest allotment site in Great Somerford, Wiltshire

March 2000 - September 2005   Practical Parenting: Deputy Chief Sub-editor, Feature writer and Acting Features Editor   All aspects of magazine production from first draft to the printed page. Flatplanning, commissioning and writing features on pregnancy, childcare, child development, health & beauty, news, travel and finance; copy/sub-editing using Quark Xpress and Indesign; writing regular news and work & money columns; ghost-writing regular pregnancy health & wellbeing features on behalf of parenting and health experts. Fielding radio and press interviews on behalf of the magazine and producing supplements.  

January 1998 - March 2000    Homes & Gardens - Senior Sub-editor

March 1995 - January 1998    Woman's Realm - Sub-editor, Senior Sub-editor; Woman's Realm Summer Special - Chief Sub-editor                        During this time I also helped organise and judge the annual Woman's Realm Summer Special short story competition

January 1992 - September 1994    Hodder Headline Book Publishing - Marketing and Publicity assistant

Freelance reviews, features and interviews for Southern Cross and TNT Magazines.  Voluntary work in the press office of the charity Tourism Concern

London College of Printing    Post-graduate Diploma in Periodical Journalism 

Nottingham University         BA (Hons) degree in History of Art

Chelsea School of Art            Various short courses in technical drawing and interior design

Between 1995 and 2000 I completed various courses in different aspects of journalism as part of IPC's ongoing in-house professional training scheme. I've also attended courses in corporate and brand marketing and writing for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).

I also have a foundation-level qualification in traditional astrology from The Company of Astrologers and am a member of the Bath Astrologers' Forum

Contact details: (01249) 720807 / 07946 856840 jillshearer@btinternet.com