LEENA NORMS
FR EELANCE P R ODU CER , BOOK ACTIVIST AND P ODCASTER “I T ’S BEEN R EALLY GOOD TO M AKE MY WOR KING LIFE WOR K AR OU ND M Y N AT U R AL INCLINATIONS R ATHER THAN T RY I NG TO FIT M Y NATUR AL INSTINCTS I N TO A WOR KSPACE ENVIR ONM ENT.” Leena has been freelancing for four years, alongside full-time roles in publishing. Since May, she freelances around a part-time role as a producer at Vintage Books. She describes her day-today as a patchwork quilt - creative writing backstage for big brands, making video trailers, interviewing authors at festivals. PH OTO CRAI G SI MM O N D S
Her main motivation as a freelancer is having the time to do the things that no one would commission her to do - writing her first novel, writing poetry and creating thoughtful video essays on topics such as censorship in China and the treatment of obesity in magazines. Although she always found the traditional nine-tofive work environment counterproductive, Leena was cautious about taking the plunge. She realised although many of her contacts made freelancing look fun and easy, they often had secret sources of financial support. This wasn’t an option for Leena, who created a twoyear plan to transition from working full-time to freelancing, as she built up her savings, contacts and confidence. “As you get better at what you do, and you progress through an industry, you become more confident in your ability to do things, even if you’re not confident in the market itself.” Throughout her transition from full-time to freelance, Leena has experienced mostly ups. She has more time to look after herself and to work in a way that suits her. Leena notes that even salaried roles don’t equate to job or financial security.
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