The great thing about being a freelancer is that your work is changing all the time - there's never a dull moment! A few years ago, I wouldn't have believed you if you'd told me that I would incorporate my business focused solely on my niche as a freelance ocean writer or that I'd have bylines in titles like Nat Geo, Scientific American, the Guardian, Sunday Times or BBC Wildlife. I'm so proud to have achieved all that and now I have my sights (/hopes) set on some other goals. I have no idea whether I'll meet these in future but here are a few of my hopes for my upcoming career.

Get more dream bylines

I'm now working with a range of brilliant editors at publications like BBC Wildlife, New Scientist and Live Science but I always love finding new publications to write for. If you follow me on LinkedIn, you might already have come across my Pitching Bingo: where I'm keeping track of whether I can get debut bylines in titles like Hakai, the Independent, BBC Science Focus and Smithsonian magazine.

Write a book

I've always focused on short-form writing (with the exception of meaty projects like annual reports and impact reports) but I'm starting to think it would be cool to write a book. And, spoiler, I've had an idea that I think is quite cool and am currently working on the book proposal. So keep your fingers crossed for me. Maybe one day I'll become an ocean author too!

Get back to travel writing

When I started out as a writer, my focus was on scuba and eco tourism. Over time, I've shifted to focus more on marine science and conservation and have drifted away from the travel writing a little (partly this was to due with the pandemic when I was landlocked in the UK for several years). But I do miss travel writing and would love to get back to it. Particularly because I think it's important to share how people can travel in a responsible way that benefits local communities and the environment. So if you're an editor looking for a marine expert to write about scuba diving, eco tourism or adventure travel, I'd love to hear from you.

Start writing for a scuba diving publication (again)

Similarly, I used to write for Diver magazine a lot when I first started out and I miss focusing on scuba diving. There's so many interesting topics to write about (not to mention I miss being in the water - it's been over six months since my last dive and I'm not happy about it) and I find it so frustrating when non-divers write about scuba and get all their facts muddled to create inaccurate articles. If you know of any editors of dive magazines who are accepting pitches from freelancers, please do let me know.

Visit some bucket list destinations

People often think that being a freelance ocean writer means I'm always in the water. Sadly, the reality is quite the opposite. I spend a lot of my days at the laptop, researching and writing articles and interviewing researchers over Zoom. But sometimes my niche does give me the opportunity to visit amazing destinations. I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't love to visit places like the Maldives, Galapagos and the polar regions.

Swim with basking sharks

A few years ago, I went up to Scotland to try to swim with basking sharks. I had a brilliant trip (Basking Sharks Scotland is ace) but sadly the conditions weren't right to see any sharks. I'd love to try again one day. Maybe next time I'll have more luck...

Guest on more podcasts

I always have great fun as a podcast guest and I'd love to appear on more. If you're looking for an interviewee and think I could be a good fit, please get in touch. I'd love to chat.

So let's see: will manifesting these things bring them to fruition? I guess only time will tell...