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Feature Writing

Researching, writing and selling narrative-driven features

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Feature Writing

WHEN 4 weeks, October 2 - October 30
Online chats Tuesdays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online. Click here for more information.

LEVEL Intro

PRICE
$350 ($325 for )
more info

Course Details

Feature writing is a skill, like any other journalism. Some of the best narrative journalism appears easy to readers because they are wrapped up in the story. But that ease can mask the amount of work that goes into a long-form piece -- and the best examples are hardly noticeable. Long-form feature writing is a delicate combination of reporting acumen and creative writing skills. It requires a unique sense of organization, plotting, relevancy, and humanity that separates it from other journalism. Long-form feature writers get more space, and are expected to use it wisely.

So how can a reporter or writer enter the world of journalism feature writing? It's not as hard as you'd imagine. Most of the strongest magazines accept cold pitches and are starved for quality, artfully conceived articles.

In this course you can expect to learn:

  • What to put in pitches, what to leave out, and where to send them
  • Narrative techniques to keep readers interested
  • Tips on organizing long form pieces
  • How to handle a drastic rewrite -- and how to avoid the indignity of having an editor do it instead of you
  • Tips on how to bring ace reporting into feature writing
  • Fiction-writing tips that easily translate into journalism

By the end of the course students will have
A completed pitch letter and first draft of their feature

To Apply
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history).

The online classroom has several interactive components:
  • Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
  • Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
  • Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
  • Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Instructor Bio

Joe Pappalardo's Courses

Feature Writing – (Class starts January 12)

Joe Pappalardo
Joe Pappalardo is a writer and journalist at Popular Mechanics. He is a former associate editor at Smithsonian's Air & Space magazine. Joe is the author of The Secret History of Sunflowers. His writing has appeared in Time magazine, the Village Voice, the Dallas Observer, the New York Sun, and Spirit magazine. He is the recipient of a 2005 distinguished reporting award for domestic defense reporting from Military Reporters and Editors, and has been recognized for science writing from the Dallas Press Club and for short feature writing from the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors. Joe is also one of five finalists for the international Aerospace Journalist of the Year award.

Testimonials


Joe is practical, funny, and encouraging. He had so much material, he could teach two classes back-to-back, which I would definitely sign up for! -- Emily Schmitt

"This class was rewarding and gave my longer feature writing a kickstart for the future. Joe is a seasoned pro and his advice was on the button." -- Chesney Bradshaw

"Joe is a successful journalist who understands the essence of what makes a story compelling. He not only provides insights into the art of storytelling and reporting, but demonstrates how to analyze the market, sell pitches, and be a perpetual learner." -- Leyla Haidarian

"Joe taught an excellent class. He used his own published stories as examples, and showed students how to find and analyze features for technique." -- Patricia Shepard

"Joe is a fantastic teacher. I got a lot out of his weekly lecture notes and I still refer to them to this day. This guy is worth the money, and then some." -- Rebecca Lerner

"Joe clearly knows his stuff. The examples of feature writing he provided, including some his own, were very good. I learned things that really helped my writing improve while taking his class." -- Joseph Hight

"Joe is a great teacher and editor. He knows how to find the heart of a story and then make it come alive." -- Susan Mandel

AvantGuild* Discounts on mediabistro.com offerings are just one of the wonderful benefits of being in AvantGuild, our premium membership program. For just $55 a year, you'll receive instant access to our How to Pitch articles and other premium articles, transcripts from selected seminars and panels, and discounts on virtually everything we do (including eClasses and the Freelance Marketplace)! Click here to join now.