I’m Joe Wald, a freelance journalist and writer based in London. My work has appeared in Muddy Stilettos, Cherwell, Isis Magazine and The Oxford Student, focusing on culture, travel, lifestyle and long-form narrative journalism. I founded, produce and present The Simple Joys Podcast, and I write and perform stand-up comedy. Yes, that’s right, I am exceptionally brave.
I like to write about life’s oddities. I write every day – to unwind, to entertain myself, sometimes to share with people, and most commonly as a means to disentangle my thoughts and understand things. Because I so often write for myself, my approach is all about honesty and simplicity, where the ultimate goal is usually just to say what I mean, as best I can.
Travel writing is a particular passion of mine. I love going away, collecting tales, bringing them home and telling them in colourful ways. In 2025, I spent two months solo hiking the length of Armenia, meeting remarkable people and gathering stories as I went. I documented the journey on Instagram (@simple.joes) and am currently writing a book of short stories inspired by my experiences on the trail. It also inspired my nascent podcast, The Simple Joys Podcast, where I speak to fascinating people about the little things in their lives which bring them ‘simple joy’.
I also write regularly about music – I’m a gigging jazz musician and an general music obsessive, which tends to find its way into my work. Plus, I’m a relentless bookworm with a literature degree, so I write lots of (largely unsolicited) stuff about books.
When it comes to freelance work, editors can expect punctuality, diligence, and adaptability. I have worked full-time as a journalist before, as editorial assistant at Muddy Stilettos, where I was one of only a small central team running a publication with a 5.5 million monthly reach. I was across everything, from editorial to newsletters, to web design and social media; I learnt how these aspects fit together, and the importance of attention to detail and strict deadlines within that system. And as a 23-year-old man from London writing for an audience of 30-to-55-year-old women living in the countryside, it taught me to adapt my style to match a given tone of voice.
I am comfortable using WordPress, Mailchimp & Adestra, Adobe Audition, Photoshop & Premiere Pro, Adition, Canva and CapCut.
For some examples of my work, head to my portfolio or have a read of my blog.
I’m available for…
- Long-form features
- Travel
- Current affairs
- Culture (books, music, film, theatre)
- Lifestyle
- Newsletters (all that they entail)
- Radio/podcast production
- Researcher roles
- Copywriting commissions
If you’d like to commission a piece or discuss an idea, you can contact me at joewaldjournalism@gmail.com.