AMWA Member Spotlight - Cam Simpson
Where can we find you online?
www.linkedin.com/in/campbell-simpson-82082421a
Link to your AMWA directory listing
https://www.medicalwriters.org/community/contact/1274/
Brief description of what you do
I freelance for clients that need a writer with experience in medical research and medical communication. This includes grant applications, clinical trial development, ethics approval, pharmaceutical product pipelines and journal article publication. My clients include medical professionals, peak bodies, CROs and pharmaceutical companies.
What led you to become a medical writer?
I’ve always enjoyed the reading and writing parts of medical research more than the lab work. I dabbled in biotech patent law and achieved much as a research manager for various institutions, but none of these pathways really ticked all the boxes for me. When a colleague asked me to use my experience to help them prepare a clinical trial application, I jumped at the chance. Word spread that I was keen to help, and I never looked back.
What do you enjoy most about being a medical writer?
I love developing research ideas, and I’m pretty good at finding and verifying information, which is a key part of the process. When a client asks for help, there is an intense period of getting to know the topic in question – I love becoming a semi-expert on every topic that lands on my desk!
What has been one of your career highlights as a medical writer and why?
I had the opportunity to write a medical expert book chapter. My client had been put in a position where they couldn’t say no to writing it but had no available time to do so. It was a huge job, but we finished it and my client was extremely grateful! Helping busy medical professionals communicate their expertise is very satisfying.
What has been one of the greatest challenges for you as a medical writer, and how have you addressed this?
Initially, finding the best method of getting my name “out there” was tricky. There are plenty of platforms that prey upon inexperienced writers, which can be expensive and unhelpful. AMWA helped with this, but I would say that knowing the worth of your own time and work is key to navigating these challenges.
The other challenge as a freelancer is the “discovery call” – the first time you talk to a potential client. First impressions really matter, so preparing properly is key.
What advice would you give fellow writers or people considering a career in medical writing?
Lean into the things you enjoy, but don’t shy away from stepping outside your comfort zone. As a freelancer, I have found most clients are supportive if I’m honest about my lack of experience in a particular field but that I’d like to take the work on anyway. If there are areas of the job that you aren’t sure about, don’t hesitate to reach out to groups like AMWA for advice.
What led you to join AMWA?
I came to AMWA after having been part of similar organisations overseas. Once my contact details were published on AMWA’s freelance directory, I immediately began fielding interest from new clients. It was not expensive and provided such a great return. AMWA's regular webinars have also been a great way to stay up-to-date and aware about things that impact our industry. It’s a great organisation that I will support any way I can.