New horizons and fresh words

It's been a little while since I posted an update, but there's been plenty going on!

In May, I started a part-time position as assistant editor at Index on Censorship. It's a publication I've admired for so long, so it's a pleasure to be part of a team doing such important work. In fact, Index gave me my very first commission as a freelance journalist, and it's their work that got me interested in freedom of expression issues. It's a lovely "neat little bow" moment. And what better strapline than, "A voice for the persecuted"?

And the freelancing continues too. I've now got a lovely balance of working with an actual team half the week, and pursuing all sorts of exciting freelance projects for the other half. 

Here are a few new pieces you might have missed, which I've published recently.

We need to fight book bans, not just fear them for The Bookseller. I used to read this wonderful publication in the Waterstone's staff room when I was a bookseller, so it's a pleasure to write for them in my capacity as Index assistant editor.

When authorities dunked outspoken women in water for Smithsonian. I've had a little obsession with finding out about ducking stools, and luckily Smithsonian wanted me to follow my nose. In the hopes of piecing together the stories of the dunked women (there's a replica stool in my own town, pictured below), I discovered how they've been erased from history.

Culture can help in the fight against Putin - we must not limit it for Byline Lines. Ahead of the launch of my first issue with Index, I wrote an op-ed on the issue of cancelling the culture of an entire nation.

Pants of protest for New Internationalist. I hope you managed to get your hands on the July 2022 issue of New Internationalist, because I explored underwear-themed political protests. 

Nature, place and protest for Resurgence magazine (May 2022). I took a walk with author Nicola Chester through the setting of her book, On Gallows Down.