So, you've decided that you need medical writing support, and now you're looking for a freelance medical writer. But where should you begin?
The good news is that there are plenty of resources - both free and paid - that can help you find an experienced and skilled medical writer.
There's certainly no shortage of paid options. Recruitment agencies and specialist freelance platforms will all help you to connect with a freelancer and many will also provide support with contracting and invoicing. However, fees can be high and strict terms may be imposed that prevent you from working directly with freelancers for an extended period in the future. Many of the best and most experienced freelancer medical writers also prefer to work directly with clients, making them harder to find through third-party intermediaries.
However, there are plenty of resources where you can find a skilled medical writer or medical editor without incurring additional fees.
LinkedIn is one of the best starting points for finding freelance medical writers, as most professionals in the industry maintain an active profile. However, navigating the platform can be challenging due to the sheer volume of results. A simple search for “Freelance Medical Writer” will give you over 20,000 profiles, covering a wide array of specialisations such as publication planning and development, regulatory submissions, and medical copywriting.
👉 How to use it: Narrow your search by using specific keywords related to your project. For example, if you're looking for a UK-based writer who can support with the development of a congress abstract, you could search for "freelance medical writer publications CMPP" and filter the location to the UK, This will significantly reduce the results to a more manageable list of around 50-60 profiles (including mine!)
MedComms Workbook
This is a dedicated directory of around 270 freelancers with a strong focus on medical communications (MedComms). Most are based in the UK, although a small number are from Europe or further afield.
👉 How to use it: The service is free to clients. Simply fill in this form and your request will be circulated to all freelancers in the directory. Since freelancers pay a small annual fee to be listed, the directory tends to attract committed and professional writers.
If you're looking for freelancers with a MedComms focus, this is one of the best resources available. You can find out more about the MedComms workbook here.
Professional organisations
👉 The European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) and American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) all have directories of freelance medical writers. Freelancers pay an annual fee to be a member of these organisations and to be listed in their directories.
👉 If you're specifically looking for freelancers who specialise in publication planning and development, a good place to start would be the ISMPP (International Society for Medical Publication Professionals) expert directory.
Biome Professionals
👉 This is another directory of professionals in the life sciences industry, including freelance medical writers. Freelancers can create a free profile, but they can also pay a small fee for a premium profile. As well as searching the directory for a suitable writer, clients also have the option to post jobs on the site, which can further help attract freelancers suited to specific projects.
About me
I'm a freelance medical writer specialising in scientific publications and medical affairs. If you're interested in working with me, please take a look at my website to learn more about my fees, explore my portfolio and read my client testimonials. If I'm not the right fit for your project, take a look at the resources listed above, and hopefully you'll find the ideal writer for your needs.
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