Welcome to Bold Types!
Adventures in journalism, from a genXy writer who walks—your weekly hit of optimism and grit.
Hiya 🤗
I'm Nika - a writer and solopreneur living on the Sussex Riviera (St Leonards on Sea is THE place to be!). Proud mama to Julieta, in her first year at uni so a free bird for now ;) - and ready for more solo travel adventures.
I’ve been writing online since 1999, self-employed since 2005, and publishing on Substack for six years - having a blast here - it’s the engine of my content business.
I’m building a portfolio business with multiple income streams that I can run from anywhere (and trying to stay sane in an AI world 😵💫). Meet Claude - my AI butler. Neo next!
My mission: Blending journalism and tourism. Travel inspires empathy - tiny steps towards world peace :)
Empowering women to travel solo - it’s the most transformative thing you can do.
I’m here to connect, collaborate, have fun. Build something bigger than myself and leave a legacy for my daughter and sisters around the world.
Bold Types is genderless, all are welcome here. I’m focused on helping women as it’s still a man’s world. Supporting my sisters at Women for Women International.
So, this is YOUR invitation to join Club Bold and help me co-create this space - a heart-first community for wander women exploring midlife reinvention.
Come on in, the water’s lovely!
Club Bold ✨
I send weekly postcards (Sundays) and share daily delights on Notes.
If you’re looking for more and to go deeper, I’d love to welcome you to the club.
I’ll connect YOU with like-minded gypsy souls. A home you can be part of, fly off from, and come back to.
Subscriber perks:
Monthly voice notes from your biz bestie. Short, personal updates on my journey building a portfolio business - pitches, learnings, creator opps, cultural recs. A friend in your ear.
In-person meetups - join our Writers’ Cafe (casual co-working and aperitivo hour) at Barnaby’s jazz bar in Hastings & St Leonards. Vitamin Sea!
Plus, you get full access to the archive, chat, biz trainings - LinkedIn, Muck Rack and more.
However you support me - THANK YOU. It means the world.
Special thanks to long-time founding member: Nige Cook, currently working on his first book about quantum physics. Go Nige!
Why Bold Types?
Bold Types started in 2020 as a letter from freelance land during Covid, and that still matters to me. Here’s why…
Because the world is chaotic. Journalism is a struggling industry, and freelance rates have been stagnant for YEARS.
We’re seeing a massive shift in how media gets made and who controls it. No more gatekeepers - the audience decides. The rise of creator businesses, the Substack Motel, platform promiscuity…
It’s fast, messy, a bit Wild West and also the most exciting and trusted space in journalism right now. People are paying for it. I’m here for all of it.
It’s not ‘Solo Vs Org’ though, it’s what we build between the two.
It’s a lesson for me, building in public and letting people in. Eldest child, 80s latchkey kid - lone wolf has been my default for years juggling self-employment and solo parenting. The stress of it all led to RA in my 30s. I need to get better at asking for help.
I believe we can achieve more collectively. The NUJ has been great for that - I’ve seen the power of community and trade unionism.
For the scenic, more rugged route (my 30-year career) pour a glass and go here 🍷
Nika xo
Gold star for reading this far! 🤩
If any of this resonates with you, let’s have a chat about ways to work together.
I help people find their voice and build presence—through writing, publishing, and place. → see my offerings.
I accept brand partnerships / sponsorships → see my Passionfroot store.
Wall of Love
I was impressed with how much you connected to people and the place when you were here. You’ve got a gift for it. Not everybody is comfortable striking up conversations with strangers. — Marianne Lehnis, CEO & Founder, Climate Marketplace, The Green Techpreneur
A really helpful newsletter for the intersection of writing, the digital world and entrepreneurship, which can be a lonely place for many of us. — Ann-Marie McQueen, Founder, Hotflash Inc.
Nika Talbot is a hidden gem on Substack—writing about the business of writing, and writing and AI—in a way that no one else is. — Sarah Fay, Founder, Substack Writers at Work.
Made in St Leonards magic ✨
