Freelancing for Newspapers
Instructor: Sue Fagalde Lick
Length: 8 weeks
Course Fee: $125
Overview:
When most people think of freelance article writing, they think of magazines. Although magazines are wonderful markets, many freelance opportunities also exist in the newspaper field. Newspapers generally don't pay as much as magazines for freelance articles, but they have many other advantages. Local papers are a great place for new writers to break in and accumulate some clips. Also, because newspapers come out daily or weekly, they need more articles more often, and they publish and pay more quickly. Plus, nearly everyone reads the newspaper, so far more people will read and respond to your work. It is also possible to resell your articles to other non-competing newspapers or expand the same information into magazine articles.
Participants in this class will develop a list of freelance opportunities at their local newspapers, brainstorm ideas for the kinds of articles newspaper editors want and pursue one or more of those ideas all the way from a query to a completed article. They will also develop a plan for future newspaper freelancing, including possibilities for more article assignments, resale opportunities and becoming a regular contributor.
Session 1: Introduction: Newspaper Freelance Opportunities
* How freelancing for newspapers differs from freelancing for magazines
* Advantages of writing for newspapers: accessibility, visibility, timeliness
* Analyzing newspapers to see what types of freelance work they use
* Opportunities in special sections, such as food, travel, home and garden, arts and entertainment, op-ed, and regional features
Assignment: Study local, regional and special-interest newspapers and develop a list of freelance opportunities, along with editors' names and addresses.
Session 2: Developing Newspaper Article Ideas
* Where to find ideas
* Making sure your subject has not already been done
* Slanting your ideas for a particular newspaper
* Making sure you can find the information you need
* Can you/should you include photos?
Assignment: Using the list of freelance opportunities you developed last week, give me three or more article ideas. In one or two paragraphs, list a possible title, what topics would be included and major sources of information. Then tell me where you think this article might fit.
Session 3: Pitching Your Ideas
* How to write a query letter
* Clips and other supporting material
* How to make sure a busy editor reads your query
* Keeping track of what you sent where
* What if they say no? What if they say yes?
Assignment: Draft an article query, including the actual name and address to which it will go. List what other clips or supporting material you will send out with it.
Session 4: Researching Your Article
* Deciding what you want to know, listing possible sources
* Online and library searches
* Finding live sources and setting up interviews
Assignment: Draw up a list of questions to go with the article for which you wrote a query last week. Ideally, these questions will match the topics listed in your query, and they can become not only your research guide but the outline for your article. With your questions, include a list of sources you will use.
Session 5: Interviews
* Why interviews are essential for newspaper articles
* How to set up interviews
* How to conduct interviews
* What to do with your notes after you get home
Assignment: Interview someone. If you are not ready to do this for an actual article, try interviewing a friend or relative just for fun. Type up and turn in your notes.
Session 6: Writing the Article
* How to organize and outline your information
* Writing a catchy lead or hook
* Keeping the story focused from beginning to end
* Newspaper style
* How to get unstuck
* Editing, proofing and revising
Assignment: Draft an 800-word article. If you don't have an assignment--and you probably don't yet--this is it. You can write about one of the ideas from your list or write a piece from your practice interview.
Session 7: Rewrites
* Why editors ask for rewrites
* Making your story shorter or longer
* Finding the buried lead
* Supplying missing information
* What if they still don't like it?
Assignment: Rewrite your article. You will have received it from my by now, marked with questions and suggestions. Use these as a guide for your revisions.
Session 8: Where Do We Go From Here?
* Getting more assignments, becoming a regular contributor
* Getting paid, saving clips, keeping records for the IRS
* Developing a specialty
* Fitting freelancing in with your day job
* FAQs about newspaper freelancing
Assignment: Make a plan for where you go from here, and ask me your questions.
NOTE: I offer additional additional courses in writing reviews, opinion pieces, and columns for newspapers. Individual mentoring is also an option. E-mail me at suelick@charter.net for details.
Instructor Bio:
Sue Fagalde Lick, author of Freelancing for Newspapers, is a former newspaper reporter, photographer and editor turned freelance writer. In addition to articles, short stories and poems, she has published four nonfiction books and a novel and has taught numerous workshops for writers. Having worked on both sides of the editor's desk, she knows what editors need and how writers can fill those needs.
To sign up, e-mail suelick@charter.net with a writing sample and a letter stating why you want to take the course. If accepted, click back to the Classes page to register online.
