My freelance articles
have appeared
in a range of magazines and newspapers, on a variety of topics. A
selection
can be accessed in the archive, by subject:
I've successfully
completed a number
of projects for corporate clients, drawing on a range of skills
involving copy editing, proofreading and copywriting. Among my
corporate
clients have been the following organisations:
Telstra
(telecommunications corporation)
World Vision
Australia
(international
aid agency)
AAA Tourism (travel
publisher)
George Patterson
Y&R
(advertising
agency)
Sudler &
Hennessey
(advertising
agency)
Books
My
SF/fantasy thriller
novel, Mind the Gap, was published in 2009 and is
available
for purchase on Amazon.com.
For more details, visit the book's promotional
website.
Also,
as an author employed
by Lonely Planet Publications, I've contributed chapters to the
following guide
books:
Lonely Planet:
Eastern
Europe
(ed 9 & 10)
Lonely Planet:
Europe
on a Shoestring
(ed 5 & 6)
Lonely Planet:
Central
Europe
(ed 7 & 8)
Lonely Planet:
Poland
(ed 6)
Lonely Planet:
The
Europe Book
Apps
My iPhone app, Melbourne
Historical, was released in February 2010. It's a guide to items of
historical interest in the city, with over 100 entries. For more details, visit the app's promotional
website.
Courses
I occasionally teach
one-day courses
in travel writing at educational institutions in Melbourne. Details
of upcoming courses are posted here as they become available.
Talks
I'm available to present a
talk
on
travel
writing to libraries, clubs or any other public groups.
For
details, download
the PDF flyer here.
Media
Appearances
I've made regular appearances on media outlets to
talk about travel matters, including the following:
Various ABC Local Radio stations
ABC Radio Australia
Radio Hokonui Gold NZ
Radio 2GB Sydney
History Tour by iPhone The Leader, 26 April 2010
Once again I was on the other side of the laptop and
camera, being interviewed for Melbourne's Leader
group of local newspapers by freelance journalist Saeed Saeed, about my
Melbourne Historical iPhone app.
... and you can
see me talking about the app (and 19th century urinals) below:
Macfile The Age, 11 March 2010
My Melbourne Historical iPhone app received a great
review from Garry Barker in the Green
Guide section of The Age. Here's an excerpt:
"Richards has done a splendid job on Melbourne: bright text, some great
images and an easy-to-use interface and search facility. I particularly
like the 'Offbeat' section that includes places most Melburnians
probably don't know exist..."
Some Cash and a Credit Card... The Age
& Sydney Morning Herald,
25 November 2009
This is not
one of my articles; for once I was on the other side of the pen and
camera, being interviewed for the Money section by freelance journalist
Barbara Drury, about money strategies when travelling.
Here's an excerpt:
"A
freelance travel writer, Richards normally jets off in a hurry armed
with about $100 in local currency and a credit card that he's loaded
with enough cash to cover his expenses. 'It's remarkable how easy it's
become to find an ATM; I don't think I've been into a
foreign bank for years,' he says."
Ethics
I operate in line with
the code
of ethics endorsed by the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance
(Australia's union and professional organisation for media workers),
reproduced
below:
Code of Ethics
MEAA members
engaged in journalism
commit themselves to
Honesty
Fairness
Independence
Respect for
the
rights of others
1. Report and
interpret honestly, striving
for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. Do not
suppress
relevant available facts, or give distorting emphasis. Do your utmost
to
give a fair opportunity for reply.
2. Do not place
unnecessary emphasis
on personal characteristics, including race, ethnicity, nationality,
gender,
age, sexual orientation, family relationships, religious belief, or
physical
or intellectual disability.
3. Aim to attribute
information to
its source. Where a source seeks anonymity, do not agree without first
considering the source’s motives and any alternative attributable
source.
Where confidences are accepted, respect them in all circumstances.
4. Do not allow
personal interest,
or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine your
accuracy, fairness or independence.
5. Disclose
conflicts of interest
that affect, or could be seen to affect, the accuracy, fairness or
independence
of your journalism. Do not improperly use a journalistic position for
personal
gain.
6. Do not allow
advertising or other
commercial considerations to undermine accuracy, fairness or
independence.
7. Do your utmost
to ensure disclosure
of any direct or indirect payment made for interviews, pictures,
information
or stories.
8. Use fair,
responsible and honest
means to obtain material. Identify yourself and your employer before
obtaining
any interview for publication or broadcast. Never exploit a person’s
vulnerability
or ignorance of media
practice.
9. Present pictures
and sound which
are true and accurate. Any manipulation likely to mislead should be
disclosed.
10. Do not
plagiarise.
11. Respect private
grief and personal
privacy. Journalists have the right to resist compulsion to intrude.
12. Do your utmost
to achieve fair
correction of errors.
Writing Services
This page details the types
of
writing I've undertaken, and the services I can offer. If
you'd
like to engage me on a project, please get in touch via the contacts
below:
.
postal:
Tim Richards
507/225 Elizabeth St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
