I provide a range of writing-related skills including the following:

• journalism
• interviewing
• photography (see examples of my images)
• copy editing
• proofreading
• copywriting

Freelance Articles

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:

• Travel 
• Arts
• Life
• Science & Technology
• Pets

• Aerohaveno, Tim's travel blog
• Aerohaveno Nights, Tim's guide to Australian accommodation
• Travelroads.com

Corporate Writing

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

Courses

I regularly teach one-day courses in travel writing at educational institutions in Melbourne. Below are some upcoming sessions:

• Monday 18 January 2010 in the Melbourne CBD: 
  The Journey of Travel Writing
• Saturday 23 January 2010 in the Melbourne CBD: 
  Travel Writing in a Day

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.

• Various ABC Local Radio stations
• ABC Radio Australia
• Radio Hokonui Gold NZ
• Radio 2GB Sydney

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.