WHEN 4 sessions, May 24 - June 21
Online chats Thursdays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Digital Journalism.

DETAILS

VIDEO: Meet instructor Darragh Worland.

Good storytellers are hard to find. Good storytellers with multimedia skills are golden.

In this class you'll learn how to translate news stories into fascinating multimedia packages. We'll take a look at the best multimedia news stories on the web and get a feel for how photos, audio, and video can enhance the written word. You'll come up with a story you think would best be told in a multimedia format and create original content for that package including photos, slideshows, and short video and audio pieces all published on your own blog showcasing your work.

Each week's assignments are designed to advance you toward the the completion of a published multimedia package. You'll need access to an audio/voice recorder, a digital camera, the capability to record video, and a computer with enough speed and space to download some software.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Understand what makes an effective multimedia package
• Organize your story into a complete package
• Shoot video for the web
• Make an audio slideshow
• Determine where to get free and/or cheap online software to create an at-home studio
• Build a multimedia portfolio on a blog to show off your work

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete multimedia story package published on a blog showcasing your work.

The online classroom has several components:

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 8 sessions, May 24 - July 26
Online chats Thursdays, 10-11 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

You've taken your young adult manuscript as far as you can, but there's another level to reach before securing a book deal. This workshop is for writers who are seeking to do the serious revision that will bring a good idea to its fullest realization.

In this intensive workshop -- limited to 12 students -- a senior editor at Random House will help you hone your story arc, character development, setting, voice, point of view, level of diction, and every element of your manuscript. Each week you will receive detailed feedback from the instructor and your classmates as you work toward polishing your YA or middle grade manuscript for submission to agents and book publishers. You'll learn how to navigate the publishing world to be in the best position to get published.

By the end of class, you will have:
Up to 80 polished pages of your young adult novel and steps for submitting it to literary agents.
 
This class is purely workshop-based and does not contain written lectures.

Admission Requirements:
This class is for students working toward a polished manuscript. Apply with a note to explain your interest in this topic and goals for the course. Please include a two-page writing sample.

The online classroom has several components:

• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 4 sessions, May 29 - June 26
Online chats Tuesdays, 10-11 pm ET

WHERE Online

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Copy Editing.

DETAILS

Should a preposition be something you never end a sentence with? Which rules that were drilled into your head by your 6th grade English teacher are essential to good grammar, and which can you discard? This course will help you navigate safely through the overgrown thicket that is grammar, concentrating on both the philosophy and the practice of successful usage. We'll illustrate that using English successfully is more of an art than a science.

In this class, you will learn:

• A refresher on the various parts of speech
• How to make sure your subjects, verbs, and objects agree
• How to ensure that punctuation serves the sentence
• How to avoid creating undercooked as well as overblown sentences
• A definition of exactly what style is, and why it differs from style guide to style guide

By the end of class, you will have:
Training in the fundamentals of grammar and the ability to draft clean, concise copy.

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 6 sessions, May 29 - July 3
Online chats Tuesdays, 8-9 pm ET

WHERE Online

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Digital Marketing.

DETAILS

In order to run a successful online marketing campaign, you need to understand how to conceive, structure, and measure your efforts across several different outlets -- from landing pages to social media to mobile. In this course, you'll learn how to create an online marketing strategy, identify the appropriate distribution platforms, and use the web to successfully deliver your message.

We’ll review the fundamentals of online marketing including search engine marketing, keyword optimization, targeted display advertising, and mobile outreach. You'll develop the key components of a successful online marketing campaign while learning how to create display ads, distribute email newsletters, and develop a social media marketing strategy. We’ll also discuss how to measure ROI and track the effectiveness of your campaign.

In this class, you will learn:

• How the four pillars of marketing apply to an online campaign
• The basics of paid search and best practices of search engine marketing
• How to create successful display ads and track ROI on landing pages
• The anatomy of a successful email marketing campaign
• How to identify the appropriate social media and mobile applications for your marketing strategy

By the end of class, you will have:
An understanding of best practices to launch an interactive marketing campaign and how to use online channels to achieve measurable results.

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can’t participate.

WHEN 4 sessions, May 29 - June 26
Online chats Tuesdays, 8-9 pm ET

WHERE Online

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Public Relations.

DETAILS

As a PR professional, the relationships you create with editors, reporters, bloggers, and producers can make or break your next campaign and determine the media attention your clients receive. Getting your clients’ message on-air, in print, or online means knowing who to contact, what they're looking for, and how to make them listen. To make a real impact with the media, you need to understand the needs and motivations of journalists and producers and build a rapport that exceeds traditional media relations.

Learn how to target and pitch top media outlets and events, prep your client for appearances and interviews to make sure their message gets through, and establish your clients as reliable sources to ensure repeat bookings and interviews.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Pitch contacts using media lists, online databases, blogs, and social media
• Understand what producers, news editors, and segment bookers look for
• Master the media interview, from understanding types of interviews to developing questions and responses
• Develop and write briefing documents and talking points that keep your client on message
• Turn client participation in trade shows, conferences, and other events into coverage
• Follow up to land repeat appearances and build relationships

By the end of class, you will have:
Strategies and tactics to get media attention, a tailored media list and online media database sources, custom pitches that resonate with producers and journalists, a briefing document, and sample questions and answers.

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 4 sessions, May 29 - June 19
Online chats Tuesdays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Copy Editing.

DETAILS

Have you dabbled in freelance writing, but always dreamed of making it a career? If so, what's stopping you? Maybe it's the challenge of writing pitches, or the fear of successfully securing assignments. Or maybe you're daunted by the idea of submitting invoices and tracking freelance finances?

This course is for those who want to live as a freelancer, but don't know how to get started. It will cover basic freelancing skills, from coming up with ideas to effectively pitching them -- in addition to managing your career. By the end of class, you'll have the confidence to take the freelance market by storm.

In this class, you will learn:

• How to come up with salable freelance ideas
• How to find the best publication to target your pitch
• How write compelling pitches and communicate with editors
• How to maintain relationships with editors to secure long-term work
• How to track your freelance expenses, ensure timely payments, and submit invoices

By the end of class, you will have:
Two pitch letters and a list of well-crafted, salable story ideas.

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can’t participate.

WHEN 4 sessions, May 30 - June 27
Online chats Wednesdays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Ad Copywriting.

DETAILS

Working copywriters need to continually develop skills to stay sharp and competitive. Knowing  sophisticated techniques to execute a message on mark is crucial for inspiring your target audience to act, respond, and engage.

If you're a junior to mid-level copywriter or marketing professional looking to expand your skills, this class will show you the tricks of the trade and how put them into practice. We'll explore advanced techniques for how to make copy in your marketing materials pop across print, television, radio, Web, and collateral.

In this course, you will learn how to:

• Create concise messages that conquer short attention spans and distractions
• Differentiate between advertising and promotional copy needs
• Tailor marketing from traditional to new media while maintaining a uniform campaign
• Cater to search optimization needs to ensure the message is found
• Brainstorm and collaborate with art directors and account managers
• Build a portfolio that and leads to more assignments
• Stay current with trends and discern ones to incorporate in projects

By the end of this class, you will have:
Two to four samples to add to your portfolio and proven tactics for finding future assignments and clients.

Admission Requirements:
Apply with a note to explain your interest in this topic and your previous copywriting experience.

The online classroom has several components:

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 4 sessions, May 30 - June 27
Online chats Wednesdays, 8-9 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

The words project management are cropping up on job listings, as companies need dedicated overseers to keep complex projects on track. A project manager is the crucial glue that holds a project team together and keeps everyone successfully moving toward their goals. Knowing the skills and processes that successful project managers use can help you get your next job or move ahead in your current role.

In this course, you'll learn how to successfully manage an existing project or new product launch from conception to completion. We will cover the creative, analytical, and organizational skills you need to connect the dots between different departments and keep projects on task.

In this course, you will learn how to:

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of a project manager
• Oversee new product development from conception to execution
• Create specs, wireframes, and other key project management documents
• Collect feedback and implement improvements based on analytics, beta and A/B testing, and focus groups
• Manage an existing product or project

By the end of class, you will have:
An understanding of best practices used to manage new or existing digital projects and hands-on experience creating project management documents using Microsoft Project and Visio.

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 8 sessions, May 30 - August 1
Online chats Wednesdays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

Big publishers don't read unsolicited material. They depend on agents to muck through the slush pile in search of the gems. If you want to get a book published, knowing and using the correct format for a book proposal is paramount. Equally important is coming up with a great idea you are passionate about that will hook your intended audience. Put both of these components together and you have a great chance of winning over that agent, selling your idea, and securing a book contract.

Nonfiction books -- a market easier to break into than fiction -- are the backbone of publishing. Whether self-help, travel, health, memoir, business, current affairs, or any other number of categories, there will never be a shortage of readers for nonfiction that teaches, transforms, and captivates readers interested in a particular subject. In this class, you'll learn how to convey your idea in a winning book proposal and why taking the time to do so will make or break your chances of getting it noticed and sold. You'll also learn what is appropriate for writers who have an idea for a book, but would like to know the complete and correct execution of this vital marketing product.

In this class, you will learn:

• If your idea is a good one
• The essential ingredients of a book proposal
• What the format and overall look of the proposal should be
• How to write your proposal letter
• The nuts and bolts of the nonfiction publishing industry

By the end of class, you will have:
A marketable nonfiction book proposal package ready to send out to agents, including a query letter and sample chapter.

Students who have taken this class have published:
The Unconquered: In Search of the Amazon's Last Uncontacted Tribes (Crown), The Creative Girl's Guide To Having It All: How to Brave the Odds and Make Your Way in a Creative Career (Perseus/Running Press), The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming (Broadway), Cheer! Three Teams on a Quest for College Cheerleading's Ultimate Prize (Simon and Schuster), Something New: Wedding Etiquette for Rule Breakers, Traditionalists, and Everyone In Between (Simon Spotlight), My River Chronicles (Free Press), Read My Hips (Harmony), and more.

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 8 sessions, May 30 - July 25
Online chats Wednesdays, 8-9 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

Women’s fiction is hotter than ever, with more variety on shelves than ever. While the last several years saw the chick lit-based feature films The Devil Wears Prada, Something Borrowed, and P.S. I Love You, the genre has begun to drift in a deeper direction, drawing closer to women’s fiction standards with Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve, who consistently dominate the bestseller charts. Whether you call your writing “chick lit” or “women’s fiction", this is the class for you.

Learn what chick lit and women’s fiction are and how they differ from romance and other genres. We'll discuss where women's fiction is going, how it's expanding, and how the field is broader than you think. Best of all, you'll learn how to be a chick lit or women's fiction author and get your book published.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Draw on experience and imagination to write a great story
• Create compelling, likeable, realistic characters
• Write great dialogue and resolve conflict
• Revise, cut, and tighten your manuscript
• Find an agent and create a pitch package
• Market your book after it's sold

By the end of class, you will:
Be on your way to completing a first draft with a knowledge of how to sell it to agents.

Admission Requirements:
Apply with a note to explain your interest in this topic and goals for the course. Please include a two-page writing sample.

The online classroom has several components:

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 8 sessions, May 30 - July 25
Online chats Wednesdays, 8:30-9:30 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

You've taken your manuscript as far as you can, but there's another level to reach before securing a book deal. This workshop is for writers who are seeking to do the serious revision that will bring a good idea to its fullest realization.

In this intensive workshop -- limited to 12 students -- a former senior editor at Random House will help you hone your story arc, character development, setting, voice, point of view, level of diction, and every element of your manuscript. Each week you will receive detailed feedback from the instructor and your classmates as you work toward polishing your manuscript for submission to agents and book publishers. You'll learn how to craft an effective query letter and navigate the publishing world to be in the best position to get published.

By the end of class, you will have:
Up to 80 polished pages of your novel, a query letter, and steps for submitting them to literary agents.

This class is purely workshop-based and does not contain written lectures.

Admission Requirements:
This class is for students working toward a polished manuscript. Apply with a note to explain your interest in this topic and goals for the course. Please include a two-page writing sample.

The online classroom has several components:

• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 4 sessions, May 31 - June 28
Online chats Thursdays, 8-9 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

HTML is the essential language of the Web. Using a simple system of tags, HTML describes to browsers the structure and appearance of Web pages. Though everyone working in interactive media should understand HTML, you don't need a programming background to learn it.

Through lectures, assignments, and interactive chats, you'll gain hands-on learning experience and practice. Weekly chat sessions include live video presentations and demos through our webcast platform.

In this class, you will learn:

• The basic structure of HTML
• The most commonly used tags
• How to create fully functional web pages with images and hyperlinks
• How to work with cascading style sheets (CSS)

By the end of class, you will have:
Hands-on training in the fundamentals of HTML, and an understanding of how to use HTML tags to build a website.

Admission Requirements:
Photoshop experience is helpful but not required.

Note: We recommend using Adobe Dreamweaver to complete assignments. You can download a free 30-day trial at adobe.com. Email us with questions.

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 2 sessions, May 31 - June 21
Online chats Thursdays, 10-11 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

Do you have a great idea for a book but don't know how write it and get published? Maybe you've already written a book but are stalled trying to get the attention of agents and publishers. Whether you're just starting to develop your project or have already written the manuscript, this class will give you the tools you need to get your project sold and published.

Laura Mazer has helped many first-time writers get book deals, and she will share her secrets to help you finish, pitch, and sell a brilliant first book project. She will answer questions about how to break into book publishing and assignments will help you hone your book idea and elevator pitch and put you on the path to selling your book.

In this class, you will learn:

• How publishing houses are organized and make money 
• What agents are looking for, and how to land the right one
• How to frame the concept of your book into a solid pitch
• How to write a winning proposal
• The top reasons book proposals are rejected
• How to promote yourself to get noticed and sell your book
• The best practices for writing a complete, polished manuscript

By the end of class, you will have:
A proposal outline, a pitch, a query letter, and the resources to shop your book to agents and editors.

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN: June 3-7, 2012

WHERE: Hilton San Francisco Union Square, 333 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102

WHAT: Explore challenges and opportunities impacting technologists

DETAILS

SemTechBiz 2012 is the most authoritative conference on semantic technology for enterprise computing professionals. It covers every major technology and application are you'll need to know. Click here to go to the SemTechBiz site for the complete program.

WHEN 8 sessions, Mondays, June 4 - July 23, 6:45-9:45 pm ET

WHERE New York (Midtown East)

DETAILS

You're working on a memoir and you have 20 pages, or perhaps 200. But something isn't quite right -- your voice is too distant. You've nailed the middle but can't figure out where to begin or end. Or maybe you just can't get to the next page. You need help before sending it to agents and publishers, and you need it now.

Through workshop and assignments, your manuscript will become a sleeker, more salable version of the story you started with. We'll focus on heavy feedback and revision to create better narrative construction of scene, mining of memory, reporting and research, and the ever-elusive "truth." We will focus on pushing beyond the confessional and use first person experience and narration to illuminate a subject beyond the self.

In this class, you will:

• Construct and fine-tune your narrator
• Elevate your story by infusing it with a universal take-away
• Find the right structure
• Know what techniques to borrow from other memoirs
• Make every sentence an opportunity

By the end of class, you will have:
A polished chunk of memoir with clear steps to finish and submit your manuscript.

Students who have taken this class have published:
Lucky Girl (Algonquin Books), This Boy's Faith (Crown/Random House), Ten Minutes from Home (Random House), DogLife: Labrador Retrievers (TFH Publications), and have gotten agents at William Morris, Brandt & Hochman, and more.

Admission Requirements:
Apply with a note to explain your interest in this topic and goals for the course. Please include a two-page writing sample.

WHEN 12 sessions, Mondays, June 4 - August 20, 6:45-9:45 pm ET

WHERE New York (Midtown East)

DETAILS

You've had a great idea for a screenplay for years. You can write and have a good eye for a story. But you just can't seem to get from concept to finished product. What you is need an in-depth look at structure, dialogue, character, and development. And what do you need the most? To finish your script!

In this course, you'll work with like-minded classmates and veteran mb instructor D.B. Gilles (author of The Screenwriter Within) to finish and workshop a complete draft of your screenplay.

In this class, you will learn:

• The three-act structure of screenwriting
• How to enhance your storytelling abilities and create drama in every scene
• How to format and structure your screenplay
• How to create effective, memorable characters
• What to do with your screenplay when it's finished

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete first draft of your screenplay.

Students who have taken this class have published:
Bad Juju & Other Tales of Madness and Mayhem (New Pulp Press)

WHEN 8 sessions, June 4 - July 30
Online chats Mondays, 8-9 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

There’s a world of publishing opportunities available to food writers in print and on websites, blogs, and review sites. The key is knowing how to generate ideas, pitch your work, and execute pieces successfully to ensure repeat assignments.

In this class, we’ll review the plethora of online and print publications where you can pitch your work –- and how to land the assignments that will develop your reputation as a food writer. With the guidance of a seasoned instructor, you’ll learn the anatomy of a successful food piece, how to conceive of salable story ideas, and how to develop relationships with editors. You'll leave class with a portfolio of publishable articles and the confidence to kick-start your food writing career.

In this class, you will learn:

• How to read a food magazine or website with a critical eye
• How to write a pitch that gets an editor’s attention
• Which magazines and websites are easiest to break into
• Techniques for adapting your writing style to different platforms
• Strategies for positioning yourself as an authority within the food writing community

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete portfolio of articles including a food feature, a restaurant review, a personal essay, a recipe-driven story, and a profile of a food personality.

Students who have taken this class have been published in:
The NY Daily News, The Boston Globe, Time Out NY, the Village Voice, Relish, Vegetarian Times, Clean Eating, Edible Queens, and more

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

Read about Andrea's experience as a guest judge on Top Chef.

WHEN 4 sessions, June 4 - July 2
Online chats Mondays, 8-9 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

Grants from foundations, government agencies, and other institutions are the lifeblood of nonprofits. This class will cover the process of conceiving, writing, and submitting a grant proposal so you can access funding for your project or employer. Learn practical tips that will take you through the process of writing a grant and increase your chances of success.

Through weekly lectures and assignments, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how foundations work and how grant decisions get made. We’ll cover key aspects of fundraising writing, grant research, and how to apply your current skills to proposal writing.  

In this course, you will learn how to:

• Establish a writing and information gathering process
• Craft a well-structured proposal that includes an organizational background, executive summary, cover letter, attachments, and an inquiry letter  
• Create a needs statement, project description, and budget
• Pursue a career in fundraising

By the end of class, you will have:
An understanding of how to write grant applications and how to best interact with grantmaking foundations.

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.

WHEN 4 sessions, June 4 - July 2
Online chats Mondays, 8-9 pm ET

WHERE Online

DETAILS

WHEN 4 sessions, June 4 - July 2
Online chats Mondays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online

CERTIFICATE Use this course to earn a certificate in Digital Marketing.

DETAILS

Despite the widespread use of social media for businesses and brands, it's still incredibly complicated to measure the success of your online efforts. It's easy to get lost in the amount of data available and feel overwhelmed by how to present and apply it. What tools should you use? Which numbers really matter -- likes, followers, retweets, comments?

This class, designed for marketers, bloggers, community managers, and anyone wanting to learn the ins and outs of social media measurement, will show you how to set up tools to measure your social media activity and make sense of the data you collect. You'll learn how to sift through web analytics, Facebook Insights, and Twitter mentions in order to develop a comprehensive reporting and tracking system. We'll look at free and paid tools so no matter what your budget, you will have a strategy to measure results.

In this class, you will learn:

• Which metrics matter to your brand
• How to use web analytics to measure social media efforts
• The latest tools for measuring Twitter and Facebook
• Shortcuts to measure and monitor your online activity
• How to develop a social media measurement report

By the end of class, you will have:
A social media measurement report of your online activity and a comprehensive strategy to monitor and measure your social media efforts.

Admission Requirements:
Students should have access to web analytics and at least one social media presence.

The online classroom has several components:

• Lessons: Access weekly lectures.
• Homework: Share your work and receive instructor feedback.
• Discussion: Exchange resources and ask questions via discussion forum.
• Chat: Join a weekly group discussion via instant message. Transcripts are available if you can't participate.