DURATION/TIME 8 weeks Tuesdays October 31 - December 19 7-10 pm LEVEL Intro PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info

Course Details

mb's Boot Camp is a hit, but it's an intense, advanced class. So what do you do if you want to break into journalism, learning from serious teachers who currently work in the industry? Enlist in Basic Training. Part lecture, part workshop, this class is designed to give you a professional understanding of both the editing and writing sides. If you're looking to get your start as a journalist, Basic Training will take your writing to the next level. Each week, students will receive a lecture on topics like the editing process, journalism ethics, what makes something newsworthy, note taking, fact checking, reporting, and more. Over the course of 8 weeks, you will fully workshop two pieces, including a perfectly polished, no-fail pitch letter. Your work can range from personal essays to profiles, from news stories to business or travel features. You'll also learn how to query a publication, who to call there, and where to pitch.

In this class, you can expect to learn:

• How to create captivating stories that editors will buy and readers will love
• How to write compelling pitch letters
• Which magazines will be interested in your story
• How to approach editors
• How to network
• All the basic skills any journalist should have

By the end of class, students can expect to have:
Two salable pieces, pitch letters to match, and knowledge enough to survive in the world of journalism.

Instructor Bio

Sara Lyle's Courses

Sara Lyle is a senior editor at Jane magazine, where she edits feature stories as well as multiple service and shelter pieces each month. Her first-person account of a long-time friend's struggle with cervical cancer ("I Hate Tumors," Jane, March 2006) recently won a prestigious Newswomen's Club of New York Front Page award in the category of Science, Medicine and Health. Prior to Jane, Sara worked at Budget Living magazine and YM, where she wrote and edited numerous lifestyle stories and profiles. She began her magazine career at Link, an indie publication for college students, and has been published in Time Out New York and ESPN the Magazine. A former American Society of Magazine Editors intern, Sara grew up in Fort Pierce, Florida, and likes to tell people she received a "B.S." in magazine journalism from the University of Florida. She lives in Spanish Harlem and enjoys getting out of the country as often as possible.

Testimonials

Sara Lyle was so patient and understanding...she spent so much time on each person's writing. She was very amenable to any topic we wanted to write about, and she helped us find the best media outlets to pitch our writing to, in addition to the right editor. She was energetic, inspiring, and encouraging every step of the way! Sara was very responsive and would go out of her way for us. Celene McDermott