Course Details

Magazine editing sounds fun in theory-but what does the job really involve? This class is designed to give journalism newcomers a professional understanding of every aspect of magazine editing. Learn about the magazine industry, what kinds of magazines and editorial positions are available, and which one might be the best fit for you. What kinds of personality traits do successful editors share? Familiarize yourself with common terms and processes. Put yourself ahead of the competition by knowing what to say, what to do, and how to make any story a better read. Immerse yourself in award-winning stories and learn the editing skills-and the people skills-you need to land your first job in this very competitive field. Students will complete both reading and editing assignments; expect about three hours a week of outside-of-class work. We'll also role-play making writing assignments and pitching ideas in story meetings, learning the pitfalls in class so you don't make them on the job.

• What your options are, how to define your goals, and how to identify what makes top editors so fabulous.
• An inside view of the editorial process and the roles and responsibilities of the assigning editor, top editor, writer, fact checker, copy editor, and everyone else on a magazine's staff.
• How to read magazines (and the stories in them) like an editor, analyzing structure, style, audience, and why it does or doesn't work.
• Basic skills an editor should have to make copy cleaner and more compelling.
• How to build productive relationships with freelance writers and top editors.
• How to network and launch a job hunt. We'll critique resumes and write cover letters, learning from ones that really worked.

Instructor Bio

Jonathan Small's Courses

Jonathan Small is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. He is currently editorial director of Break Media, overseeing daily operations of Break.com, Holy Taco, Cage Potato, Chickipedia, and Wall Street Fighter. His advice column "Ask Him Anything" appears monthly in Cosmopolitan, and his weekly blog, "Diary of He", appears on Redbook's website. He contributes to Blender, Fit Pregnancy, Marie Claire, Maxim, Men's Fitness, The New York Daily News, The New York Times, TV Guide, and Women's Health. Jonathan is also co-author of the book The Best Places to Kiss in Southern California. He has appeared as a guest on CNN, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, UPN, and radio's WOR, and CBS News Radio in New York. Jonathan was also executive editor of Stuff and Twist, and has worked as a senior editor at Glamour, Fitness, and Child.

Testimonials

That precious Jonathan actually cares about his students! (A man who listens and gives feedback -- my heart be still!) Jonathan is doesn't play favorites. He knows his stuff. He cares. -- Sarah Vance, freelance copywriter


"Jonathan is clearly the cream of the crop among freelance writers and editors. I don't know which was more valuable: the behind-the-scenes intelligence from his time at legendary Glamour magazine, or his hard-won wisdom from the freelancer's side of the page. The man clearly knows his stuff, has done it all and written it all, and the most amazing thing is that he's utterly unselfish in sharing ideas and advice. [Writing for Men's and Women's Magazines] is a must-attend for those wanting to break into the world of glossy covers." -- Cynthia Willman, promotional writer


"The advantage of taking a course through mediabistro...is that these courses are taught by industry professionals who are currently in demand. [Still,] Jonathan was surprisingly humble, which made him easy to talk to." -- Eileen Parker, freelance journalist


"Jonathan is tough, but in a good way; if you can get a piece by him, you can probably get it by an editor. (And wouldn't you rather rewrite in class than read rejection letters?) I took his magazine writing course as a way of getting back into freelancing after a number of years in corporate communications. I slaved over a query to AARP Magazine until Jonathan was happy with it, even though other writers had told me that this publication 'with the largest circulation in the world' was an impossible goal for someone with no current clips to show. But the query did the trick: The article was just published." -- Shelagh McFadden, freelance journalist