Sell Your Writing!

When:  Date TBD

Where:  Suzanne’s studio in Northwest Bend.

Registration: Contact Suzanne at 541-330-0609 or suzanne@suzanneschlosberg.com.

Course Description:  Learn how to turn your experiences, ideas and expertise into marketable magazine articles and Web content. We’ll cover the entire process—from developing and pitching story ideas to negotiating contracts to producing lively stories to working with editors. Along the way, you’ll learn the skills that distinguish a professional writer from a novice.

Materials:  The week before class, you will receive a packet via e-mail.

Week 1: Developing story ideas/writing query letters/researching
Before class: Read sample query letters in your packet. Come with three article ideas, including one full-fledged query letter for an article you will write for this class.
In class: PART I: Course overview, student introductions, what makes a story idea marketable, query letters.
PART 2: Reporting and researching basics: finding sources, conducting interviews, using the Internet, working with publicists. Assignment: Revise your query letter. Read assigned pages in packet.

E-MAIL YOUR REVISED QUERY LETTERS TO ME BY 5 P.M. FRIDAY.

Week 2: Anatomy of an article
In class: Critique of query letters. Organizing your material, leads, nut grafs, story structure, transitions, attributions, use of quotes, endings.
Assignment: Report and write your story.

E-MAIL YOUR ARTICLE BY 5 P.M. FRIDAY.

Week 3: Editing yourself
In class: PART 1: How to be an ax murderer to your copy, editing drills. PART 2: Critique of articles.
Assignment: Rewrite your article. Read assigned pages in packet.

E-MAIL YOUR REVISION BY 5 P.M. FRIDAY.

Week 4: The business of freelancing
In class: Where to pitch/sell your work, working with editors, negotiating contracts. Discuss wrap-up worksheet.