Magazine Writing

Magazine Writing Module 1
Learning the Business and Getting Started

With a constant need for freelance creations by magazines, the opportunities are abundant. Module 1 shares tips on how to assess magazines to find target markets for your interest, expertise and writing style. You’ll learn how to craft query letters to magazine editors, by far your best sales tool. This module prompts you to assess yourself, to ascertain your strengths and identify your weak points that need development. Students are encouraged to realize that good writers should never be baffled by rejections, because like all writing, the more you do, the better you become. The analyzing processes described in this module emphasizes the importance of getting a feel for each target publication so that you can slant your writing to match the magazine's style and generate a strong connection to the readers.

• What is a Magazine Article
• It Starts with You – A Self-Assessment
• Slanting to the Readers, or Analyzing the Market
• Writing to Your Readers
• Why Queries Are Necessary
• Query Writing

Magazine Writing Module 2
Creating Readable Writing

This module kicks-off with the topic of titles, how establishing the title first helps you boil down the essence of your story. You will learn tips on how to write all three portions of the article—the title, lead and the ending—in a clever manner which is vital to creating a superior magazine article. This module covers how to write readable copy by first deciding on a clear message for your article and using simple and concise language. You will discover that the main goal in writing magazine articles is to catch the eye of your readers and draw them in. Engaging your audience requires lively details, dramatic action, and a quote or two to make it come alive in their minds. An equally important goal that you will explore is selling your piece to an editor.

• Writing an Effective Title
• Writing a Lead
• Writing a Strong Ending
• What is Readable?
• The Details of Action
• Relationships & Intelligence

Magazine Writing Module 3
Developing Focus and Finding Facts

Module 3 emphasizes the importance of establishing a strong focus even before you craft a single word. With a strong focus, both research and writing is quicker, since you can limit it to the exact theme of the story. The module covers how to develop an outline to organize your research. If your article contains facts, you need to incorporate supporting evidence into your writing. You will learn how to prepare and select illustrations to include with your article and explore finding and adhering to illustration submission guidelines since every magazine is different. This module also includes how to put your best writing efforts in to creating compelling captions for your illustrations.

• Focus & and Outline
• Pinning Down Specifics
• The Importance of Illustrations
• What Makes a Good Illustration
• Writing Captions

Magazine Writing Module 4
Preparing Your Product

Module 4 covers the steps necessary to prepare and present a professional package to an editor, whether it’s in an electronic format, a hardcopy version, or both. A pleased editor is more likely to help you get your article published. You will learn how to develop a professional business approach to the field of writing and discover techniques for maximizing profits from your authoring efforts. Throughout all the modules in this course, you explore the importance of the writing process.  However once you have a draft, the real work begins. The key lies in the editing and rewriting and polishing of your article into a true gem.

• Preparing the Article
• The Cover Sheet, Illustrations & Extras
• Uninterrupted Time & Appropriate Tools
• Doing Your Homework
• Writing, Editing, Rewriting