United Kingdom Journalists

Emma McDonald

Writer and content creator

I'm based in Glasgow, Scotland and have experience of writing, copywriting and creating content for a variety of different media including blogs, podcasts and social media content. Currently working as Content Manager on CUE (Cards the Universe and Everything) with Avid Games. Including writing news, voice over scripts, creating video content, and coming up with cards and themes to feature in the game. Previous employers include Glasgow Film Theatre (including Glasgow Youth Film Festival and Glasgow Film Festival), Scottish Qualification Authority and Forbidden Planet International. In my personal projects, I am one half of The Yearbook Committee Podcast, I stream games on Twitch and I write fiction.

Leon Horton

Arts and Literature

Leon Horton is a writer, interviewer, and editor specialising in countercultural arts and literature. He is the editor of 'Gregory Corso: Ten Times a Poet' (Roadside Press, 2024), a collection of essays and memoirs in celebration of the legendary Beat Poet, and interviewer of Victor Bockris in 'The Burroughs-Warhol Connection' (Beatdom Books, 2024). His essays and interviews have been published by Beatdom Books, Rock and the Beat Generation, International Times, Beat Scene Magazine, Literary Heist, and Erotic Review. He is also a member of the European Beat Studies Network, an academic community of scholars, writers and artists studying the Beat Generation literary movement.

Cengizhan Sen

Artist, Writer and Producer

Cengizhan Sen (b.1998) is a London-based writer, producer, researcher and artist. A Goldsmiths, University of London graduate in BA Media and Communications, Cengizhan established a career in the creative sector. He played a pivotal role at the late Alexander McQueen’s Sarabande Foundation, supporting emerging creative talent and working with innovative brands such as AUROBOROS and a diverse range of creative practitioners. His diagnosis with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma inspired a writing practice exploring sickness, identity, their associative traumas and healing. He is currently supporting Trekstock as an ambassador and cancer advocate. Bridging narratives between creativity and health, Cengizhan established The Poorly Project - an editorial and curatorial initiative dedicated to creative practitioners contributing to the topics of sickness, health and well-being. Cengizhan is open to partnerships and collaborations with arts institutions, publications, curatorial programmes and philanthropic bodies dedicated to the aforementioned areas.

Dom Smith

Editor | Soundsphere, Screensphere and Wrestlesphere

Dom Smith (sometimes known as Dom Sphere) is a digital journalist, born in East Yorkshire who has completed a Masters in Magazine Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire. He was the National Diversity Award winner for Entrepreneurial Excellence in 2012, and has previously been voted one of the happiest people in the country according to the Independent on Sunday. He has also carried the Paralympic Flame for the city of York. In 2024, following a stint working in the US, as a Journalist in Residence for MIT, now based across Yorkshire and the North of England for work stuff, Dom runs the music publication, Soundsphere, and wresting platform, Wrestlesphere. Soundsphere (in online and print form) has held bases in Manchester, Chester and York before coming to Hull, and has worked on festivals including Leeds and Download in the UK, Sziget in Hungary, Exit in Serbia and SXSW in America. Soundsphere is funded by advertorial from clubs, bars and academic institutions looking to run work placements, and runs regular live music showcases, promoting national, and local charities including CALM (The Campaign Against Living Miserably), Accessible Arts and Media (York) and Samaritans (Hull). In addition, Dom works as part of Wobbling About and Rocking Out (promoting disability and mental health awareness). More recently, Smith has launched Wrestlesphere, for sports entertainment journalism, and Screensphere, to cover alternative film, TV and games. Throughout his career, Dom has had the opportunity to conduct regular workshops and talks around the country about entrepreneurship, media and journalism with students, and work regularly as a mentor for young people, working with The Warren Youth Project in Hull, and more. In previous years, Dom has written for Metro, Rock Sound magazine, WhatCulture, The Quietus, T3 magazine, NME.com, Stuff magazine, Metal Hammer magazine (and others), and has interviewed everyone from Rammstein, Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), Placebo, Alice In Chains and Judas Priest to The 1975, McBusted as well as emerging talent including Yungblud, as well as international entertainers including magician Dynamo, wrestler Ric Flair and many more. Alongside working on his own solo electronic music (under the alias, Dom Sith), Dom has been the drummer for blues rock band Stickybackplastics, York hardcore punks SEEP AWAY, Hull doom metal two-piece The Parasitic Twins and a post-punk studio project, Mary and The Ram. More recently, Dom has joined shoegaze/grunge band Strange Pink (with Sam Forrest and Edward Alan Logie). Dom is also a qualified BACP/NCS-registered counsellor, specialising in the music industry, and disability. Dom is also a former host on the Gimme A Hull Yeah wrestling podcast. Just hit the contact button and get in touch.

Nick Russell

London based content designer, copywriter and content marketing digital native. Old hand music blogger, conscientious creator and plant based advocate. Post graduate education in copywriting and user experience design.

nickjosephrussell@gmail.com Offering: 1. Broad experience working across the digital ecosystem (advertising, SEO, email, social media, PR, content production, copywriting, paid editorial). 2. Strategies to understand, engage and persuade readers of all demographics. 3. Ability to follow a brief, research extensively and provide the desired result. 4. A history of commissioning and producing editorial and web content for both pastime and profession. Employed by giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, Aviva, and Snapchat as well as the hottest start-ups in the finance, technology, creative and lifestyle sectors. From a young age, writing has been an innate passion. Since my early 20s I’ve been running a popular digital music platform (BlatantlyBlunt.com), writing short and long-form blog posts (organic and sponsored), persuasive press releases, engaging social media copy, promotional email blasts, and compelling content. Previous clients include The Smiley Company, The Arts Council, Relentless (Energy drink), Vice Magazine, UK Music, MTV, Complex Magazine and more. For an efficient, reliable and positive copywriting and content production experience, let's connect. References and more samples are available upon request.

Julia Rank

Arts writer specialising in theatre. Assistant Editor, Musicals magazine.