1. What do you do? 

I’m a freelance copywriter and copy coach. I divide my time between writing for clients and running workshops and 1:1s for small business owners to help them nail their online messaging.

2. How long have you been freelancing?

This time around? Five years.

3. How did you get into freelancing?

I couldn’t bear another second in my in-house comms role! And, despite looking for years, I could never find another job at my level that I could flex around my family commitments. So back to self-employment I went.

4. What’s the best thing about freelancing?

Being able to set my hours is still the best part. The novelty hasn’t worn off. That and having control over my career, regaining the ability to keep learning and keep earning. There was no career path that excited me in my in-house jobs. But the possibilities of freelancing excite me every day. No limits!

5. What have you found most challenging about freelancing?

I’ve found quiet months hard to deal with. It’s not easy to relax and trust that the work will come. I started doing my Mighty Messaging workshops and 1:1s as a way to maintain a steadier income and now they give me so much joy. Sometimes hard times force you into trying cool stuff and you end up in a better place than where you started.

6. When are you most productive?

After a strong cup of coffee. Whenever that happens.

7. How did you find out about Freelancer Mag?

I discovered Sophie through the #ContentClubUK community on Twitter a few years ago, so I’ve been following and getting excited about the magazine since the start.

8. How did you come up with the winning theme idea?

The big heart and soul stories in Freelancer Magazine are always my favourites, so I chose a theme that I hoped would bring more of the big emotional stuff out. I’m just a sap really. 

      9. How did you feel when you found out you won the Guest Editor spot?

I did a big snotty cry for about five minutes before my other half could get out of me what had happened.

10. What have you enjoyed most about being Guest Editor?

Aside from getting to work with Sophie and having a nosey around behind the scenes, all of which I knew would be ace, it’s been the writing. It’s been brilliant. I haven’t written about things I care about this much for ages.

11. What did you find most challenging about being Guest Editor?

Getting Covid in the middle of proceedings!

12. What piece of work are you most proud of?

I’ve wanted to explore the topic of freelancer resilience for ages, so I’m really happy I got to cover that for this issue. I could have gone on for at least another ten pages!

13. If you could be another freelancer for a day, who would you be and why?

Emma Cownley. She’s got cool witchy stuff to play with in her office, I could try out all her eyeshadows, and I would be imbued with her awesome video-making and drumming skills.

14. What is success for you?

Time and space to create. Plus enough money to have a few nice things without worrying.

15. What piece of advice would you give to someone starting as a freelancer?

Get involved with freelancer communities, you’ll gain so much.

16. Cats or dogs?

Both, ideally.

17. Who is your inspiration and why?

Dolly Parton. Queen of getting good shit done.

18. What’s your favourite biscuit?

I embrace all biscuits, even pink wafers, but those chocolate biscuit selection boxes you get at Christmas make me go weak at the knees.

19. Work from home or a cafe?

I mostly work from home, but I do pop into my co-working space (the beautiful Assembly Bradford) from time to time. I live in Leeds, but it’s worth the commute.

20. What scares you?

Unpaid invoices.

21. What’s your hobby?

I persist in bothering the Leeds music scene by playing in multiple bands.

22. Print or digital version of Freelancer Mag?

Print allll the way.

23. What’s your favourite podcast?

I wish I was more consistent with podcasts. The one I tune in to religiously is Doing It For The Kids.

24. What book are you reading at the moment?

Faith Hope and Carnage by Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagan – Nick Cave’s brain is such a fascinating place.

25. Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset. Preferably somewhere spectacular, with friends.

26. Tea or coffee?

Yes please.

27. What’s your favourite film?

The Shining. I like scary, and I like ‘70s.

28. How do you start your day?

Still can’t give up my Wordle habit. I’m so 2022.

29. What other area of freelancing would you love to try?

I’d love to be a songwriter for hire.

30. What’s the one thing you’d like to achieve by the end of 2024?

To have written more of my own stuff.

Find Penny Brazier on Twitter and Instagram @PenTheMighty. Read Penny’s writing in Freelancer Magazine and get Issue #5, that she guest edited – The Phoenix Edition.