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Boot Camp for Journalists

A rigorous reporting and writing class that will transform your portfolio

Course is closed.
Boot Camp for Journalists

DURATION/TIME
8 weeks
Mondays
October 23 - December 18
7-10 pm

LEVEL
Intermediate

LOCATION
Chicago 

PRICE
$499 ($475 for )
more info

Course Details

Congratulations! You've got a clip or two -- now you want more, in bigger, better publications, with bigger, better paychecks. You're ready for Boot Camp for Journalists.

 

Each week, you'll push yourself to research, write, and pitch a new piece. Classes will begin with your instructor's lectures, but will primarily be devoted to workshopping student writing. Lecture notes, handouts, reporting and writing tips, and examples will guide you outside class. By the end of eight weeks, you'll have a new portfolio of work and a new set of skills.

 

Assignments include a service/how-to piece, an arts and culture review, a profile, a metro section piece, an editorial, a business/news article, a personal essay, and two pitch letters.

In this class, you can expect to learn:
    • How to write a pitch an editor can't turn down
    • Which magazines are most freelancer friendly
    • How to edit yourself and manage tight deadlines
    • How to work with editors so they'll want to work with you
By the end of class, students can expect to have:
A complete portfolio of 7 publishable articles that will impress any editor, the ability to work under tight deadlines, and the know-how to create the career you want.

Admission requirements:
Students must have at least one published article. Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history), and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

Instructor Bio

Shane DuBow's Courses

No courses available at this time.

Shane DuBow
Shane DuBow spent 13 years as a full-time freelance writer. His nonfiction has appeared in numerous national magazines, including GQ, Glamour, Harper's, The LA Times Magazine, Men's Journal, National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian, Spin, and on the public radio program, This American Life. Shane's subjects have included everything from food and travel, to bank robbers, rugby players, dog fighters, farmers, prostitutes, horses, trains, and music. His work has been anthologized. Shane's received fellowships from the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and Columbia University's School of the Arts. He currently works in television writing, producing, and directing documentaries for The National Geographic Channel and A&E.

Testimonials


Shane's Advanced Freelancing seminar was excellent. I appreciated his focus on the craft and not just the business of freelancing, and his humorous approach. He was generous with his time and very accessible during breaks and after class. It was helpful to see the query letters that got him his assignments as well as the articles that resulted. I would definitely recommend this class. -- Rita Pyrillis, former student

"I really enjoyed Shane's seminar. I had met him at a previous panel and really liked his style and willingness to share what he's learned. The material was great and the handouts were terrific. It's always great to be able to leave with something tangible and be able to write notes on something specific." -- Jennifer Lyng, freelance writer

"Shane's Advanced Freelancing seminar was sensational. It was a shot in the arm that got me reinvigorated about writing again. Shane doesn't come across as a teacher, he comes across as a colleague with fresh ideas, sincerely motivated to help you master your craft and work out style concerns. The seminar paid for itself a thousand times. -- Jenny Davis, freelancer

"I enjoyed Shane's seminar very much. As someone who is new to freelancing, I had been concentrating a lot on the business aspect of it. Shane's class reminded me to keep my eye on the writing. His writing is great fun to read. I'm glad he took the time to copy so many of his pieces for us. Shane was an engaging speaker. Energetic and fast-paced, he presented options that could be molded for individual abilities and tastes. I travel to these workshops from the Indianapolis area and I would attend another workshop presented by Shane -- and I'm almost willing to say I'd attend regardless of the topic." -- Jeff Schafer, writer

"There is something in this class for everyone, whether you're a beginner or a more advanced journalist looking to expand your horizons and/or pitch big magazines, such as Harper's Bazaar, GQ, National Geographic. Shane DuBow did a terrific job covering many aspects in three interesting and entertaining hours. As a beginner, I now have more confidence, as well as a better idea of what I want and need to do next." -- Salima Benchoukroun

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