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.