Academics who have transitioned to medical communications (MedComms) find that there are many parallels between the two fields, leading to fulfilling and rewarding careers. Many of the skills honed in academia such as research, technical writing, and rigour are transferable to MedComms. Technical competence alone, however, is not enough. The transition from academia to freelance medical writing presents a unique set of challenges with a steep learning curve. In this article, four ex-academics share their transition journeys from academia to freelance medical writing, the challenges they encountered, and their learnings. Apart from the core business of writing, freelancers must wear many hats to be able to operate a successful business. Additional skills such as networking, marketing, and business manage ment are a fundamental requirement for success as a freelancer. Equally important is skilfully defining your niche for services and positioning yourself as an expert to potential clients.

Medical Writing. 2023;32(2):18–21. https://doi.org/10.56012/lswv5461