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Pitching and writing for print media
April 28, 2019 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Getting your work published by major media outlets is easier than it looks – it takes three key skills that people in all fields can learn. Whether you want to get more coverage for your research or community project, publish op-eds or write full-length magazine features, this workshop will explain how to make it happen. Participants will learn to decode the inner workings of newspapers and magazines, to pick the right medium for their work – print, radio or TV – and to craft a pitch for quick acceptance.
Editors look for a couple of crucial writing ingredients and they avoid a couple of common pitfalls, and the workshop will teach both, using concrete examples. In-progress pitches are welcome and will get on-the-spot feedback.
Maisonneuve staff members are leading two workshops on April 28th at Sur Place. If you are taking both workshops, please use promo code TAKETWO for 20% off both workshops. The other one is Design and layout for print media.
If the cost of the workshop is a significant barrier to participation, please write to info@surplace.co.
What will be covered:
- Who to pitch: a guide to staff structures and daily workflow at newspapers and magazines
- Pick your medium: learn which elements make a story idea work for newspaper, magazine, radio or TV
- Writing a great pitch: how to structure a pitch, adopt a media-friendly writing style and include vital elements
- Writing a short piece: learn a few rules of media writing that will increase odds of acceptance for your op-ed, essay or any piece under 1,000 words
- Interested in a bigger project? How to decide if you want to commit to a full-length print feature or radio documentary and how to prepare for more in-depth pitches
- Examples of recent published work by non-journalists and the backstory of how each came to be
About the instructor
Selena Ross is a journalist who has written for the Economist, the Washington Post, the Guardian, This American Life and many Canadian outlets. She spent six years as a daily reporter for the Globe and Mail and the Halifax Chronicle Herald. She also handles many pitches and features by non-journalist writers as the editor of Maisonneuve magazine.