WHEN: Monday, November 30, 6:30-10:30 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Everyone gets writer's block at one time or another. Maybe you just finished a manuscript and don't know what to start next. Maybe the only thing you're writing these days is emails and you want to try your hand at something more enduring. Maybe you've always thought you had a story in you, but you don't know how to get it out.

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Kendra Levin is an associate editor at Viking Children's Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), where she edits literature of all age levels from picture books to YA. She has worked with a wide range of critically acclaimed authors. An award-winning playwright whose work has been produced off and off-off Broadway, Kendra also works with writers as a certified life coach.

Kendra Levin's Courses
Get Over Your Writer's Block – New York
Young Adult Novel Writing – (Class starts January 12)

Testimonials

Kendra was truly awesome. She was professional, personally invested, and believed in every student's work. She offered never-ending encouragement and precise and helpful critique. Not only did she enhance my knowledge about writing for YA, she improved my writing quality as well. -- Jill MacKenzie

"Kendra really made an effort to find out what would help each student the best during our class time. She was very encouraging and helpful. I left her class feeling inspired and ready to write!" -- Elaine Emme

"Kendra was so engaging and inspiring. She was really able to get your creativity going in such a short time!" -- Jenny Darlington

"I loved Kendra's class! I learned more in four weeks than I have in the past three years! Kendra rocks!" -- Jill Unger

"Kendra has a great talent for bringing out latent creativity. After leaving Kendra's class, I had at least 4 solid story ideas to start me off. I thoroughly enjoyed her class!" -- Jenny Darlington

"Kendra's YA class is perfect if you're starting a young adult novel. She really helps hone ideas, think through structure, and offers much support and insightful feedback." -- Julie Sternberg

WHEN 8 weeks, November 30 - January 18 Chats Mondays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Chick lit is one of the hottest genres in modern fiction, and it's gaining even more momentum with the films In Her Shoes, The Devil Wears Prada and Shopaholic (all from chick lit books) hitting the big screen. At the same time, authors such as Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve are still dominating the bestseller charts with soul-searching fiction about everyday women. Maybe you've read books in this genre and thought, "I can write this!"

By the end of class, you will:
Be well on your way to completing the first draft of a chick lit or women's fiction novel. You'll also know how to sell it to agents and how to edit your own novel.

Admission Requirements
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 1,000 words).

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.

Course Syllabus

Novel Writing: Chick Lit (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Kristin Harmel is the author of How to Sleep with a Movie Star, The Blonde Theory, and The Art of French Kissing, all from Warner Books/5 Spot/Hachette Book Group and When You Wish, a teen novel from Random House. In August 2009 look for her fifth novel, Italian for Beginners, (Hachette Book Group). In early 2010 her sixth novel, After, (Random House) hits shelves.

Kristin is also a reporter for People magazine and a freelance writer for Glamour, American Baby, Woman's Day, and Health. Visit her web site at www.KristinHarmel.com.

Kristin Harmel's Courses
How to Write Chick Lit – Boston (Seminar on December 1)
Novel Writing: Chick Lit – (Class starts November 30)
Novel Writing: Chick Lit: Advanced – (Class starts February 1)

Testimonials

Kristin really wants her students to improve, and I benefited greatly from her kind but sharp critiques. She knows what she's doing in terms of writing and is intimately familiar with the publishing/agent world. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in taking their manuscript to the next level. -- Susan Dennard

"Kristin is a fantastic teacher. She gives constructive criticism that is motivational and precise. My manuscript advanced so much in this class and I couldn't have done it without her guidance." -- Colleen Quill

"Kristin is the most motivating and empowering writing instructor I have had the privilege to work with. I would highly recommend any class she teaches." -- Kristen Conway

"Kristin is truly a dynamo! She made herself available in and out of class. She is truly a wonderful person and teacher." -- Ellen Feig

"Kristin is a great instructor. She motivates you to get the idea from your head onto the paper and get your book done. I would recommend her to anyone." -- Linda Olatunde

"I could not have asked for a better instructor than Kristin. I've taken two classes with her and can honestly say I wouldn't have produced the pages I have without her guidance." -- Debbie Feit

"Kristin was fabulous! She far exceeded my expectations. She was very generous with her time and was so enthusiastic. I will definitely sign up for her online class." -- Kathy Goodman

"Kristin knows how to balance reality with inspiration. She left her students feeling they can conquer the publishing world!" -- Maureen Jenkins

"Kristin's enthusiastic no-nonsense approach encourages anyone with a good idea to tackle writing. Her energy and her generosity in offering tips has got me fired up to write!" -- Helen Mitternight

"Kristin is extremely knowledgeable about her craft. Her input was valuable, and her direction on characterization was inspiring." -- Lauren Bahlman

"Kristin is an engaging, friendly, and experienced instructor who knows her stuff and makes her students feel at ease." -- Rebekah Gordon

"Kristin is warm, funny, and well-spoken. She provided solid advice mixed with her personal experiences and perspective." -- Liz Grimes

"Kristin really helped me develop my manuscript and my writing. She had well thought out ways of helping students make progress and keep our projects on track." -- Ellie Parker

"Kristin has incredible amounts of energy and an obvious true passion for writing. It is truly inspirational to learn from her and I left the class feeling a renewed sense of drive to write my book!" -- Sara Mailloux

"Kristin's experience comes through in the lecture notes and chat sessions. She has a very casual, inviting style which makes her seem less like a strict instructor and more like a colleague. I would definitely recommend taking one of her courses." -- Christine Guerrini

"Kristin really knows what she's talking about and genuinely wants her students to be as successful as she already is. She's a great teacher who gives wonderful advice and plenty of encouragement." -- Meredith Bodgas

WHEN Tuesday, December 1, 7-10 pm WHERE BCA, Stanford Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116 DIRECTIONS Click here PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Is your real life stranger than fiction? Do you think, day after day, "this would make a great book"? This seminar will cover every step of the process of writing a chick lit novel, from the kernel of your idea to the publication of your novel. You will get a full overview of the publishing industry and learn how chick lit novels get published, along with the basic elements of crafting a novel that will sell. Whether you've just been on a ton of bad dates or are already beginning to write, this is the seminar for you.

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Boston, MA

Instructor Bio

Kristin Harmel is the author of How to Sleep with a Movie Star, The Blonde Theory, and The Art of French Kissing, all from Warner Books/5 Spot/Hachette Book Group and When You Wish, a teen novel from Random House. In August 2009 look for her fifth novel, Italian for Beginners, (Hachette Book Group). In early 2010 her sixth novel, After, (Random House) hits shelves.

Kristin is also a reporter for People magazine and a freelance writer for Glamour, American Baby, Woman's Day, and Health. Visit her web site at www.KristinHarmel.com.

Kristin Harmel's Courses
How to Write Chick Lit – Boston (Seminar on December 1)
Novel Writing: Chick Lit – (Class starts November 30)
Novel Writing: Chick Lit: Advanced – (Class starts February 1)

Testimonials

Kristin really wants her students to improve, and I benefited greatly from her kind but sharp critiques. She knows what she's doing in terms of writing and is intimately familiar with the publishing/agent world. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in taking their manuscript to the next level. -- Susan Dennard

"Kristin is a fantastic teacher. She gives constructive criticism that is motivational and precise. My manuscript advanced so much in this class and I couldn't have done it without her guidance." -- Colleen Quill

"Kristin is the most motivating and empowering writing instructor I have had the privilege to work with. I would highly recommend any class she teaches." -- Kristen Conway

"Kristin is truly a dynamo! She made herself available in and out of class. She is truly a wonderful person and teacher." -- Ellen Feig

"Kristin is a great instructor. She motivates you to get the idea from your head onto the paper and get your book done. I would recommend her to anyone." -- Linda Olatunde

"I could not have asked for a better instructor than Kristin. I've taken two classes with her and can honestly say I wouldn't have produced the pages I have without her guidance." -- Debbie Feit

"Kristin was fabulous! She far exceeded my expectations. She was very generous with her time and was so enthusiastic. I will definitely sign up for her online class." -- Kathy Goodman

"Kristin knows how to balance reality with inspiration. She left her students feeling they can conquer the publishing world!" -- Maureen Jenkins

"Kristin's enthusiastic no-nonsense approach encourages anyone with a good idea to tackle writing. Her energy and her generosity in offering tips has got me fired up to write!" -- Helen Mitternight

"Kristin is extremely knowledgeable about her craft. Her input was valuable, and her direction on characterization was inspiring." -- Lauren Bahlman

"Kristin is an engaging, friendly, and experienced instructor who knows her stuff and makes her students feel at ease." -- Rebekah Gordon

"Kristin is warm, funny, and well-spoken. She provided solid advice mixed with her personal experiences and perspective." -- Liz Grimes

"Kristin really helped me develop my manuscript and my writing. She had well thought out ways of helping students make progress and keep our projects on track." -- Ellie Parker

"Kristin has incredible amounts of energy and an obvious true passion for writing. It is truly inspirational to learn from her and I left the class feeling a renewed sense of drive to write my book!" -- Sara Mailloux

"Kristin's experience comes through in the lecture notes and chat sessions. She has a very casual, inviting style which makes her seem less like a strict instructor and more like a colleague. I would definitely recommend taking one of her courses." -- Christine Guerrini

"Kristin really knows what she's talking about and genuinely wants her students to be as successful as she already is. She's a great teacher who gives wonderful advice and plenty of encouragement." -- Meredith Bodgas

WHEN 4 weeks, December 1 - January 5 Chats Tuesdays, 10-11 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intro CERTIFICATE CREDIT This course counts towards the Mediabistro Copy Editing Certificate. PRICE $350 ($325 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Should a preposition be something you never end a sentence with? Which rules that were drilled into your head by your sixth-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 as practiced in the 21st century, concentrating on both the philosophy and the practice of successful usage. This course is structured to illustrate that using English successfully is more of an art than a science.

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.

Course Syllabus

Grammar, Punctuation, and Meaning (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Journalism

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Gaylord Fields is currently a senior editor at AOL Music, and before his recent relocation to the web he spent most of the past 20 years as a copy editor or copy chief at Rolling Stone, This Old House Magazine, Spin, Spy, and Back Stage/Shoot. In addition, he has worked freelance at several other magazines. He is also a longtime writer of articles and reviews on music and popular culture. And while Gaylord has a definite opinion on use of the serial comma, he saves such discussions for parties.

Gaylord Fields's Courses
Grammar, Punctuation, and Meaning – (Class starts December 1)

Testimonials

Everyone needs a grammar refresher. If you're looking for a quick, painless class to remind you of the basic and very important rules, this class is for you. -- Lauren Szczerba

"The way the material was presented was witty and entertaining. I would highly recommend this as a refresher course." -- Laura Rawls

"Gaylord's class achieved that rare balance of rigor and fun. I learned a lot." -- Jeremy Greenberg

"Gaylord was great! He knows the English language inside and out, and there was never a question he couldn't thoughtfully address." -- Steve Boudreault

"Gaylord was wonderful and his lectures were both entertaining and informative. All in all, he was knowledgeable, funny, and responsive." -- Lia Huber

"Gaylord was very knowledgeable, gracious, and kind. I greatly appreciated how he reviewed our assignments. For questions we got wrong, he not only marked them as such, he explained why they were wrong." -- Todd Burger

"Gaylord knew precisely the right way of framing a grammar issue and helped make the nuances of the English language instantly clear. This is the self-editing class that everyone in online media sorely needs." -- Ethan Stanislawski

"Gaylord incorporated his witty sense of humor into our lectures, making them engaging and interesting. He gave great tips and rules of thumb. I looked forward to the online chats." -- Andrea Polk

"Gaylord makes class fun and engaging." -- Ellen Lupton

"Gaylord eats and breaths punctuation and grammar rules. He is a committed teacher who knows how to present his knowledge in an entertaining but highly informative way." -- Iris Thalhammer

"Gaylord is a great instructor whose knowledge is matched by his wit and infectious joy for the subject." -- Susan McLennan

"This course was amazing, and exactly what I needed to improve my writing professionally and personally. I'd recommend this class to anyone looking to improve upon their skill set." -- Matthew Daniel

WHEN Monday, December 7, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE mediabistro, 475 Park Avenue S. (at 31st), 4th Fl., NY, NY 10016 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

New York City is home to most of the largest magazines in the world, covering everything from news to fashion, entertainment to human interest, and business to food.

But given that, there are even more photographers in this city vying for editorial assignments and trying to establish relationships with magazines. This seminar will give practical information and insider tips on how to get those magazine jobs and build a career as an editorial freelancer.

In this seminar, you will learn:

• What exactly an editorial assignment is
• How to decide what kind of work is right for you
• Specific vocabulary and language
• Insider tips to finding jobs and getting assignments
• The best way to target specific photo editors
• How to build a relationship with a magazine
• How to create your most dynamic portfolio
• When it pays to join an agency or get a someone to rep your work
• How newspaper assignments differ from magazine assignments
• Specific information about shooting for newspapers

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Design & Photo

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Book & Mag Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Stella Kramer is a multi-award winning photo editor who has worked in the New York publishing industry for more than 15 years. She was part of the photo team at The New York Times that won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography, the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in recognition of the Portraits of Grief which ran after September 11th, and a 2002 Infinity Award for Public Service from the International Center of Photography. She has worked at The New York Times, People, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, MONEY, and Brill's Content, where she was the director of photography.

Stella Kramer's Courses
Breaking Into Editorial Photography – New York (Seminar on December 7)
Photography Portfolio Review with Stella Kramer – New York

Testimonials

Stella brought an insider's perspective on how to create a portfolio of my work for the strongest impact -- who to target, what editors are looking for in a portfolio, and what works with promotions. I got more out of the class than I had expected. -- Robert Englebright

"Stella gives you a good start towards thinking about the most dynamic possible flow of a portfolio, important issues to consider, and the best publications to target in relation to the style of your portfolio." -- Ingrid Breyer

"Stella showed a genuine interest in all the work shown, providing comments that were specific to each student's desired application and target market. Her insights were fresh and insightful and helped students breathe new life into otherwise stale portfolios." -- Ion Sokhos

"Stella is a thoughtful, approachable, and respectful editor. She was able to not only make recommendations about where to send work, but how to reorganize and edit existing books." -- Lana Bortolot

"The best teachers are able to show you new ways of thinking about your own life and career. Stella did this masterfully." -- Craig Seymour

"Stella has a marvelous way of helping you see your work in a new light. Her style of critique is so affirming your artistic thin skin is not bruised, yet you come away knowing what it is you need to develop." -- James Hazelwood

"I really recommend this class to any photographer looking to define where they are going with their work and how to share it. Stella has so much real-world experience and brings a real vision and enthusiasm to looking at your work." -- Angela Jimenez

"Stella was thoughtful and engaging. She really put things in perspective and gave us a new way to look at our work and even ourselves." -- Patrick Sasso

"Stella's positive demeanor made the concept of working in the field of editorial photography a very approachable and realistic goal." -- Michele Silver

"Stella knows what she is talking about. She has kept herself current on industry trends and offers suggestions about how to find opportunities." -- Richard Pinto

"Stella really knows her stuff and gets you to think how photo editors do." -- Douglas Ljungkvist

"Despite the nature of the industry today, Stella was able to inspire and encourage our class." -- Danielle Richards

"Stella has a wealth of experience from years of editorial photography which makes for great inside information about the publishing industry." -- Douglas Ljungkvist

"Stella is knowledgeable, likable, succinct, informative, and she knows her stuff! I recommend her without reservation and would want an editor just like her." -- France Menk

"Stella was open to answering any kind of question about the industry, but it was really her humorous anecdotes from her stints at Time and The New York Times that made the class valuable." -- Wei Liou

"Stella was a terrific instructor. She has a lot of respect for her profession and fosters the same in her students. I would consider taking this exact course again." -- Alexander Colby

WHEN 4 hours, Tuesday, December 8, 6:30-10:30 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) LEVEL Advanced PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Paula Derrow is the articles director of Self magazine, where she edits the "Self Expression" column as well as investigative, general-interest, and psychology features. She has more than 20 years of editing and writing experience at a variety of women's and general-interest magazines and Web sites, including Glamour, American Health, Harper's Bazaar, The New Yorker, and Lifetime Television for Women (lifetimetv.com). She is the editor of Behind the Bedroom Door: Getting It, Giving It, Loving It, Missing It (Delacorte) an anthology of essays by women about sex in real life.

Paula Derrow's Courses
Personal Essay Clinic: Advanced – New York
Personal Essay Clinic: Writing About Family – New York

Testimonials

Paula's course resulted in my being published in The New York Times' Modern Love column. Paula's suggestions inevitably take a personal essay from 'a good idea' to publishable. -- Liza Monroy

"Paula gets to the heart of the personal essay. She inspired me to finish essays I had been toying with in my mind for a long time, and I have submitted my first essay for publication." -- Glenn Michael Gordon

"I took Paula's workshop and was immediately impressed with her deceptively laid-back style. Her feedback was incisive and powerfully focused on the heart of each person's story. I wrote a piece shortly after the class that ran in Runner's World. Thanks, Paula!" -- Bill Braine, editor and freelancer

"Paula convinced me that my writing was not only publishable but also worth publishing. With her encouragement -- and honest critique -- I placed pieces in the NYTimes City Section and the My Word (person essay page) of the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Magazine. I can't commend Paula highly enough." -- Erica Rex

"Paula has a knack for getting to the essence of an essay and pointing out what a writer can do to make a piece stronger and have a better arc." -- Christine Koubek

"Paula gives insightful, thorough feedback on your work. If you want to know how to improve your writing and better your chances of getting published, take her class. I highly recommend it." -- Rebecca Shalomoff

WHEN: Saturday, December 12, 1-5 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

You've been working on your memoir -- maybe you've even taken a class or two -- but you still think it needs some polishing. This one-day workshop led by Joy Peskin, a senior editor at Penguin, will give you the push you need to take your memoir to the next level.

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Joy Peskin is executive editor at Penguin Group USA. She teaches writing courses at mediabistro and at Streetwork, a drop-in center for homeless teenagers. She is a frequent speaker and guest editor at writers' conferences, where she enjoys meeting and mentoring new authors.

Joy Peskin's Courses
Improve Your Memoir – New York

Testimonials

I learned so much from Joy! She made me grow as a writer and I am truly optimistic about what I accomplished with her help. -- Lisa Zeiger

"Joy was the most inspirational and dedicated instructor I've ever had. The effort she put into her responses was well beyond what I could have ever expected." -- Nina Sherwin

"Joy made it possible for me to understand my writing in totally new ways and put it in a broader context." -- Ellie Parker

"Joy is an excellent instructor. She helped students find the focus of their project and why they were blocked." -- Elisa DeCarlo

"Joy's class was the extra push I needed to motivate me to keep working on my book. Very informative and helpful! I want to go back again!" -- Cara Alwill

"Joy understands her audience and knows what the market is all about -- really important information for writers trying to break into a genre." -- Randi Gollin

"I flew to New York from Minnesota just to attend and it was well worth both the time and money. Joy was fantastic." -- Ben Olson

"Joy was everything that a student needs in an instructor. Down-to-earth, informative, thorough, and inspiring." -- Philana Marie Boles

"Joy is smart, insightful, and knowledgeable. I've returned three times to take a class with her!" -- Caroline Bock

"Joy is very generous, warm, candid, and extremely knowledgeable. I have taken this class twice, and I might just take it again." -- Rebecca Cohen

"Joy is a very gifted editor and teacher. I benefited from her intelligent and supportive feedback. I look forward to taking another class with her." -- Elizabeth Merrick

"Joy's class showed me that I have many stories to tell. Now I know how I'm going to organize my material and which direction to go in." -- Marguerite Dunne

"I left Joy's workshop excited to start on my revisions and more confident in my story and with my writing." -- Theresa Clarkson

"Joy was accessible and informative, and it's clear she knows the industry and how to get the best out of writers." -- Morgan Baden

"Joy is incredibly insightful, energetic, and witty. She truly cares for each student." -- Candy Schulman

"Joy's class was just the shot of adrenalin I needed to immerse myself back into the revision process." -- Allison Kopicki

"Joy is a joy! She reads and listens actively, and her comments are refreshingly honest." -- Kiara Downey

"Joy was warm and engaging and she created an environment for productive feedback. She offered suggestions in an encouraging and supportive way." -- Laura Sibson

"Joy's knowledge of publishing was invaluable. I left feeling inspired and ready to keep on writing." -- Stephanie Whallon

"Joy was an astute and encouraging guide. She has a lot of enthusiasm, empathy, and expertise and was generous in sharing ideas." -- Leslie Brody

"Joy jumpstarted my confidence, making me believe that I was writing something worth publishing. She highlights what works and introduces ideas for improvement so we leave inspired." -- Christine Wang

"I highly recommend Joy to anyone needing objective feedback on their memoir. The caliber of students was high and very valuable. Joy clearly loves what she does and the passion translates into enthused critique." -- Nancy Colasurdo

WHEN 2 days, Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December 13, 10 am-4 pm WHERE Midtown West LEVEL Beginner PRICE $425 ($400 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Course Syllabus

InDesign for Writers and Editors (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Design & Photo

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Patricia Ryan is an art director and graphic designer with extensive publishing experience. She has had over 15 years experience in the design industry, including many years in magazine publishing. As an art director and graphic designer for companies such as Hachette Filipacchi, American Media, and Rodale, Patricia has gained vast knowledge and experience working with InDesign, Quark, Photoshop and Illustrator.

Testimonials

Patricia Ryan's Courses
InDesign for Writers and Editors – New York (Class starts December 12)

Testimonials

This class was phenomenal! Patricia is clearly a master on the subject, and she was able to convey that knowledge in a concise, focused, and very approachable way. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to every editor and writer out there -- freelance or staff. -- Elisa Agostinho

"Patricia is very knowledgeable in all areas of design. She easily taught a class with people from all different disciplines. The weekend class is great for getting a basic overview of how the program works and gives you tools to implement projects for yourself." -- Donna Gronachan

"Patricia is very knowledgeable and presents the subject matter with knowledge and humor. An excellent class for writers and editors who want to enhance their marketability." -- Claudia Perry

"Every job out there expects you to know InDesign, but they don't want to teach it to you. This course gives you all the tools you need to go out there and use the program correctly. I would definitely recommend it!" -- Kate Kenny

"Tricia was amazingly responsive to our questions. It was a pleasure to learn from someone so good-humored, patient, and expert at the program." -- Kaukab Jhumra Smith

"Tricia gave me the tools to learn InDesign in a very efficient way. This class helped me a lot in my first days of work. She's an excellent instructor with a lot of experience in this subject and design experience as well. Thank you, Tricia." -- Carol Jimenez

"Patricia is clear, patient, diplomatic, expert, efficient, energetic, and has a sense of humor. I'd study with her again." -- Mary Alford

"Patricia has perfect pitch as an instructor. The amount of information learned and the pacing of the class were exceptional!" -- Lisa Bowie

"Patricia is a terrific instructor who obviously enjoys her subject, is thoroughly knowledgeable, and communicates clearly and directly. She has a wonderful sense of humor and held my attention for two solid days. I thought she was truly remarkable." -- Patrick Fisher

"Tricia made everyone feel comfortable with the material, even those who felt overwhelmed at times. She's casual, approachable, and knows her stuff. I feel like I can take the information and run with it." -- Robert Haynes-Peterson

"There are instructors who know their subject, and then there are those who exude confidence and knowledge from every pore. Patricia is in the latter camp. I can't think of another class anywhere with such a dynamic and patient teacher." -- Rick Rodgers

"After ten hours of instruction over one weekend with Patricia, I can now use InDesign CS3 text functions with confidence. And that means I can now apply for many more jobs than I could have before." -- Joanne Gerber

"I've been taking Mac software classes for 15 years and Patricia was the best instructor I've ever had." -- Nancy Deutsch

"Patricia was a great instructor. She explained things simply and effectively. She was also very patient with the class and answered our questions." -- Brian Anelante

"Patricia is an InDesign guru! Her instructions are easy to follow and she is very patient. The combination of instructor and course content was perfect. I'm thrilled that I came away with a very clear understanding of the program." -- Helena Carey

WHEN December 15-16, 2009 WHERE New World Stages, NYC Early-bird 2-day pass: $345 until November 18 Group rate just $245! Click here for full pricing details. PRICE $345 ($345 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

New technologies have disrupted the business of publishing. Books have become software, consumed on e-reader devices, smart phones, and computer screens. Authors can self-publish without the greenlight of a major publishing house, and news and current events are fed daily directly through RSS feeds. The value of print has changed, and the publishing industry is now a multimedia business.

Mediabistro.com's two-day eBook Summit will take a closer look at the changing digital publishing industry, from the perspectives of content creators and of publishers. Leaders in the field will uncover business development opportunities, and highlight the latest technological innovations currently driving the future of digital publishing.

For more information and to register, go to the eBook Summit site.

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Advertising & Marketing

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New York, NY

WHEN 4 hours, Wednesday, December 16, 6:30-10:30 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) LEVEL Intermediate/Advanced PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

In a city with more magazines than you can count, how does one put together the strongest portfolio to land freelance work? And how do you go about getting your portfolio to the people who can hire you?

In this one-night portfolio review session, limited to 12 students, you'll have a chance to have your book critiqued and edited as much as necessary to create a tight, well-paced representation of you. Veteran magazine photo editor Stella Kramer will help focus and direct you toward the best places to make your pitch for work.

You will pick up important tips, a fresh eye, and a new perspective on your own work. You will also understand how to edit yourself, how to seek advice from friends and family, and what photo editors are looking for when they review portfolios.

Admission Requirements:
Students selected for the portfolio review will have the opportunity to present a portfolio of 12-15 images, in print form only (no 35mm or 2-1/4 chrome). Laser prints are acceptable.

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Career

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Stella Kramer is a multi-award winning photo editor who has worked in the New York publishing industry for more than 15 years. She was part of the photo team at The New York Times that won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography, the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in recognition of the Portraits of Grief which ran after September 11th, and a 2002 Infinity Award for Public Service from the International Center of Photography. She has worked at The New York Times, People, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, MONEY, and Brill's Content, where she was the director of photography.

Stella Kramer's Courses
Breaking Into Editorial Photography – New York (Seminar on December 7)
Photography Portfolio Review with Stella Kramer – New York

Testimonials

Stella brought an insider's perspective on how to create a portfolio of my work for the strongest impact -- who to target, what editors are looking for in a portfolio, and what works with promotions. I got more out of the class than I had expected. -- Robert Englebright

"Stella gives you a good start towards thinking about the most dynamic possible flow of a portfolio, important issues to consider, and the best publications to target in relation to the style of your portfolio." -- Ingrid Breyer

"Stella showed a genuine interest in all the work shown, providing comments that were specific to each student's desired application and target market. Her insights were fresh and insightful and helped students breathe new life into otherwise stale portfolios." -- Ion Sokhos

"Stella is a thoughtful, approachable, and respectful editor. She was able to not only make recommendations about where to send work, but how to reorganize and edit existing books." -- Lana Bortolot

"The best teachers are able to show you new ways of thinking about your own life and career. Stella did this masterfully." -- Craig Seymour

"Stella has a marvelous way of helping you see your work in a new light. Her style of critique is so affirming your artistic thin skin is not bruised, yet you come away knowing what it is you need to develop." -- James Hazelwood

"I really recommend this class to any photographer looking to define where they are going with their work and how to share it. Stella has so much real-world experience and brings a real vision and enthusiasm to looking at your work." -- Angela Jimenez

"Stella was thoughtful and engaging. She really put things in perspective and gave us a new way to look at our work and even ourselves." -- Patrick Sasso

"Stella's positive demeanor made the concept of working in the field of editorial photography a very approachable and realistic goal." -- Michele Silver

"Stella knows what she is talking about. She has kept herself current on industry trends and offers suggestions about how to find opportunities." -- Richard Pinto

"Stella really knows her stuff and gets you to think how photo editors do." -- Douglas Ljungkvist

"Despite the nature of the industry today, Stella was able to inspire and encourage our class." -- Danielle Richards

"Stella has a wealth of experience from years of editorial photography which makes for great inside information about the publishing industry." -- Douglas Ljungkvist

"Stella is knowledgeable, likable, succinct, informative, and she knows her stuff! I recommend her without reservation and would want an editor just like her." -- France Menk

"Stella was open to answering any kind of question about the industry, but it was really her humorous anecdotes from her stints at Time and The New York Times that made the class valuable." -- Wei Liou

"Stella was a terrific instructor. She has a lot of respect for her profession and fosters the same in her students. I would consider taking this exact course again." -- Alexander Colby

WHEN 8 weeks, January 11 - March 15 Chats Mondays, 8:30-9:30 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Advanced PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

You've made it through the challenge of choosing a concept and a hook for your novel, outlining the story arc, and even beginning to write. Now it's time for the disciplined stage of writing, revising, and then revising some more. This course functions as an online workshop for novels in progress, with the emphasis on sharing your work for review and providing critique for others.

By the end of class, you will:
Have feedback on up to 80 pages of your novel and be equipped to continue implementing the editing techniques learned on your own.

Students who have taken this class have published:
Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President (Simon & Schuster), Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa (Razarbill), Vidalia in Paris (Viking), Rock the Burbs (Random House), Brand New Emily (Tricycle Press), This is What I Want to Tell You (Flux) and sold 4-book deals to Penguin and 2-book deals to HarperCollins

Admission Requirements
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 1,000 words).

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.
  

Course Syllabus

Young Adult Novel Writing: Advanced (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Creative Writing

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Jill Santopolo is an executive editor at Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group. Prior to that, she edited at HarperCollins Children's Books for the Laura Geringer and Balzer + Bray imprints. She has worked on critically-acclaimed, award-winning, and New York Times best-selling titles. Jill holds a BA in English literature from Columbia University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. She is also the author of The Nina, The Pinta and the Vanishing Treasure and The Ransom Note Blues, both published by Scholastic.

Jill Santopolo's Courses
Young Adult Novel Writing: Advanced – (Class starts January 11)

Testimonials

Jill gave 110%. She was available throughout the week as a sounding board or to answer questions and always had great suggestions on how to propel each story forward. Now that class is over I'm inspired to read and write as much as I can and take another one of Jill's classes! -- Theresa Read

"The opportunity to work with Jill was just the push I needed to get me over the hump with my current novel. She was very generous with her knowledge of both craft and the publishing industry and her feedback was always encouraging and spot on." -- Susan Taylor Brown

"I worship the ground upon which Jill walks! She challenged us each week to produce our best effort. She is awesome." -- Meg Dobson

"Kudos to Jill for her expert guidance. The challenge of pleasing her editor's eye was just what I needed to find the direction for my manuscripts. The open dialogue with editor on a daily basis was an amazing and instructive opportunity." -- Alison Formento

"If your goal is to write and publish a YA or MG fiction novel but you just don't seem to be able to get motivated or maintain discipline, this course is for you! I was amazed by how much I had accomplished when this class was over!" -- Theresa Read

"Take this course. Jill is brilliant. She gears her instruction toward writers who are ready to publish. Her editorial insights are razor-sharp and generous. She knows how to get the best work out of her students while bolstering their confidence and productivity." -- Kimberly White

"The course was extremely engaging. Jill was very knowledgeable and responsive." -- Nancy Lessem

"Jill kept me focused and determined to get my writing done. The quantity and quality of my writing improved significantly. Thanks to this class, I'm ready to start the submission process with confidence." -- Naomi Panzer

"Jill's knowledge of the publishing world is seemingly unlimited. This was my third mediabistro class. I will most assuredly be back." -- Meg E. Dobson

"Jill was fabulous! She gave very balanced feedback that was always helpful and inspiring. The encouragement she gave me helped me make changes to my manuscript resulting in a much better story." -- Theresa Read

"Taking Jill's class was perhaps one of the best investments in my development as a writer. With her expertise as both an editor and a published author, she was able to advise and teach the class from both perspectives. I'll be taking another class with Jill!" -- Syndee Barwick

"Jill pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and showed me how to dig deeper for those emotions and character motivations. I am a stronger writer after taking Jill's class. I'd highly recommend this course." -- Christina Farley

WHEN 4 weeks, January 12 - February 9 Online chats Tuesdays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intro PRICE $350 ($325 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

A big feature story can launch your career and lead to major opportunities (book deal, anyone?). The best feature writers make it seem easy, but like any form of journalism, a good feature takes skill. Long-form feature writing is a delicate combination of reporting acumen and creative writing skills. It requires a unique combination of organization, story-telling, relevancy, and humanity that separates it from other journalism.

It's not as hard as you'd imagine to break into the world of feature writing. Most of the strongest magazines accept cold pitches and are starved for artfully conceived articles. Learn how to make the leap into the big leagues.

In this course you will 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 you will have:
A completed pitch letter and first draft of your feature

Students who have taken this class have been published in:
The Washington Post and more

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

• 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.

Course Syllabus

Feature Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Journalism

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

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.

Joe Pappalardo's Courses
Feature Writing – (Class starts January 12)

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

WHEN 4 weeks, January 12 - February 9 Online chats Tuesdays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intro PRICE $350 ($325 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Despite sweeping changes in all parts of the business -- or perhaps because of them -- magazine publishing continues to grow. In fact, more new magazines were launched in the first quarter of 2009 than in the previous two years. Add in new online titles, and you have a burgeoning industry. If you've always had an interest in publishing, this class is for you.

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.

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Book & Mag Publishing

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Advertising & Marketing

Instructor Bio

James Kaminsky has been the editorial director of Playboy and Maxim and editor-in-chief of Men's Journal. He has also served as a top editor for magazines including Rolling Stone and worked as an editorial and media consultant for private equity firms, Internet startups, and book publishers. James helped launch magazines at Conde Nast, Hachette, and Wenner Media. He has written for The New York Times, Variety, Rolling Stone, Details, and The Village Voice and has lectured at Columbia and New York University.

James Kaminsky's Courses
Intro to Magazine Publishing – (Class starts January 12)

WHEN 12 weeks, Tuesdays, January 12 - April 13 Online chats: Tuesdays, 8-9 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for details. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete first draft of a YA or middle grade novel

Students who have taken this class have published:
Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President (Simon & Schuster), Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa (Razarbill), Vidalia in Paris (Viking), Rock the Burbs (Random House), Brand New Emily (Tricycle Press), This is What I Want to Tell You (Flux) and sold 4-book deals to Penguin and 2-book deals to HarperCollins

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history), and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

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.
  

Course Syllabus

Young Adult Novel Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

Related

View all offerings in

Creative Writing

|

Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Kendra Levin is an associate editor at Viking Children's Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), where she edits literature of all age levels from picture books to YA. She has worked with a wide range of critically acclaimed authors. An award-winning playwright whose work has been produced off and off-off Broadway, Kendra also works with writers as a certified life coach.

Kendra Levin's Courses
Get Over Your Writer's Block – New York
Young Adult Novel Writing – (Class starts January 12)

Testimonials

Kendra was truly awesome. She was professional, personally invested, and believed in every student's work. She offered never-ending encouragement and precise and helpful critique. Not only did she enhance my knowledge about writing for YA, she improved my writing quality as well. -- Jill MacKenzie

"Kendra really made an effort to find out what would help each student the best during our class time. She was very encouraging and helpful. I left her class feeling inspired and ready to write!" -- Elaine Emme

"Kendra was so engaging and inspiring. She was really able to get your creativity going in such a short time!" -- Jenny Darlington

"I loved Kendra's class! I learned more in four weeks than I have in the past three years! Kendra rocks!" -- Jill Unger

"Kendra has a great talent for bringing out latent creativity. After leaving Kendra's class, I had at least 4 solid story ideas to start me off. I thoroughly enjoyed her class!" -- Jenny Darlington

"Kendra's YA class is perfect if you're starting a young adult novel. She really helps hone ideas, think through structure, and offers much support and insightful feedback." -- Julie Sternberg

WHEN Wednesday, January 13, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE University Settlement, 273 Bowery (at E. Houston), New York, NY 10002 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Agents and editors see hundreds of book proposals a year. Find out what captures their attention and demands their time (and money). Ideally, a lot of their money. In just three hours, a successful writer will guide you through everything you need to know about what makes a proposal sell.

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Book & Mag Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Ryan Fischer-Harbage is a literary agent at The Fischer-Harbage Agency, Inc. He represents bestselling and award-winning authors such as Ethan Brown, Courtney Eldridge, Bill Eppridge, Aliya King, Amy Sullivan and Jackson Taylor, among others. Previously, Ryan edited several bestselling books for Little, Brown & Company, the Penguin Group and Simon Spotlight Entertainment, which he helped create and launch. His opinions on books and writing have appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Poets & Writers, Publisher's Weekly, and many others. He attended Kalamazoo College, The Radcliffe Publishing Course, and the writing and literature program at Bennington College.

Ryan Fischer-Harbage's Courses
How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal that Sells – New York (Seminar on January 13)

Testimonials

Ryan was savvy, focused, and knowledgeable. He provided a great template for writing a winning proposal. By the time I left class, I was convinced I'd nail it. My proposal sealed a deal with Penguin to publish my first solo book! -- Bruce Frankel

"I went home from Ryan's class feeling pumped, and spent hours polishing up my proposal. I wrote a pitch letter and by morning, all of the agents had responded. I now have a book deal and the perfect editor who completely gets my vision." -- Kate Torgovnick, author

"Ryan combines wit, honesty, and old-fashioned know-how to deliver practical tools for anyone serious about writing a book. I am more focused and determined. Only regret -- it ended too soon." -- Tania Fuentez

"Ryan was quite inspirational. Any aspiring writer should sign up for this class. He gives great insight into the do's and don'ts in dealing with agents and editors in a variety of genres." -- Mercedes Vizcaino

"I have nothing but compliments about Ryan's seminar -- it was fantastic! I came away enthused about the industry, about my prospects as a future author, and jazzed to have been surrounded by so many bright, creative peers." -- Emma Johnson

"Ryan offers an insider's view of the publishing industry and, as an agent, provides a useful step-by-step guide to writing a nonfiction book proposal. His classes are peppered with tips that you won't be able to find in a manual." -- Marissa Charles

"Ryan was great! He's clearly very experienced and knowledgeable. He also has an intelligent, straightforward, and lovely way about him. I left feeling much clearer about exactly what I need to do in order to complete my proposal and get it out to agents." -- Lisa Zamosky

"Ryan is incredibly knowledgeable and creates a supportive environment. With the help of Ryan and this class I was able to finish my nonfiction book proposal and signed with a fantastic agent!" -- Katie Sweeney

"This class was very informative, with many inside tips to aid in getting a book from concept to actual publication. It's inspired me." -- Carolyn Ryzewicz

"Ryan is clear, logical, bright, and very knowledgeable. He communicated openly and explained a vast range of information about what makes a good book proposal. He also offered meaningful insights into the publishing industry." -- Deborah Everett

"I left Ryan's class carrying the tool kit I'll need to continue on my publishing journey. His engaging style and no-nonsense delivery of critical, insider information made for a rewarding class." -- Karen Witczak

"Ryan provided a professional environment where each student could readily present their ideas and writing samples." -- Ellen Rubin

WHEN 8 weeks, January 13 - March 10 Online chats: Wednesdays, 9-10 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Nowadays, big publishers simply 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 that you are passionate about and 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 already 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:

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 a sample chapter.

Students who have taken this class have published:
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), The Hudson Rediscovered (Free Press), Read My Hips (Harmony), and more.

The online classroom has several interactive components:

Course Syllabus

Nonfiction Book Proposal (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Jill Schwartzman joined Random House in 2006 after working at HarperCollins, Borders Books, and America Online. As senior editor, she edits an eclectic list of books including memoirs, narrative nonfiction (with a special interest in pop culture, music, and sports), personal finance, career, health and fitness, light history and science, humor, and the occasional novel or mystery. Her recent projects include The New York Times bestsellers Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander and Gotcha Capitalism, NBC reporter Bob Sullivan's consumer finance expose.

She has also acquired and edited Rolling Stone writer and MTV VJ Jancee Dunn's memoir But Enough About Me, Sam Apple's humorous memoir American Parent, Jessica Riley's first novel Driving Sideways, and the graphic memoir The Big Skinny by cartoonist Carol Lay.

Jill Schwartzman's Courses
Nonfiction Book Proposal – (Class starts January 13)

Testimonials

There is nothing like a proposal writing class to actually get you to finally start writing, and no one knows about proposals better than an editor. Jill was the ideal instructor in every sense, and her knowledge as an editor brought so much more to the class. -- Margie Goldsmith

"Jill is an amazing instructor who gives incredibly helpful feedback. I'd recommend anyone who wants to get their ideas together but needs a little push to take one of her classes." -- Jodi Jett

WHEN 12 weeks, January 13 - April 7 Online chats: Wednesdays, 10-11 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for information. PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

You want to write a novel. So what's the big deal? Well, it's a daunting task. What's the actual writing process? Do you need an outline? How can you stop procrastinating and improve your self-discipline? How can you better manage your time and work when you feel defeated and uninspired?

Join 11 fellow writers in your pursuit of a first draft, under the guidance of a novelist who knows what she's doing -- and what you need to do. You'll learn the lost art of craft, the power of the outline, and how to find the "hook" that will sell your novel.

You'll get weekly lessons on such topics as characterization, point of view, style, dialogue, plot, and silencing your inner critic. Students will share their work with the class at least three times during the course and will join the instructor in providing feedback to other students. Students are encouraged to post regularly on the discussion boards about the progess of their novels, questions that arise, and anything writing-related that is on their minds.

In this class, you will learn:

By the end of class, you will:
Be well on your way to completing the first draft of a novel.

Students who have taken this class have published:
Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President (Simon & Schuster), House and Home (Voice), and signed with the McIntosh and Otis agency

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a fiction writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

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.

Course Syllabus

Novel Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

Related

View all offerings in

Creative Writing

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Erika Mailman is the author of The Witch's Trinity (Random House, 2007), a novel about a medieval woman accused of witchcraft, and Woman of Ill Fame (Heyday Books, 2007), about a Gold Rush prostitute. She has also published two non-fiction books about Oakland history, and is a columnist for the Montclarion newspaper in Oakland. She is a graduate of the MFA program in poetry at the University of Arizona, Tucson. She has taught creative writing at the University of Arizona, the Tucson Open University, and others. Her first novel took her eight years to write and is unpublishable. She figured out how to outline, and wrote the first draft of her second novel in one month--and it's now in print.

Erika Mailman's Courses
Novel Writing – (Class starts January 13)

Testimonials

Erika's example, encouragement, acuity, and good humor inspired every writer in our class and helped to keep us focused on our goal. Time and money well spent. -- Bradley Owens

"Erika is an insightful reader and is also able to bring her real-world experience to matters of craft and discussions about the business of writing. Any writer who takes Erika's class is in excellent hands." -- Drew Mayer

"Erika is a smart, savvy instructor. I've enjoyed her lectures, critiques, and support. I would sign up for any class she teaches." -- Portia Stewart

"Erika is an excellent instructor who provides helpful feedback in an engaging and fun manner. She knows how to motivate her students and is willing to share personal anecdotes when appropriate." -- Sandra Seligsohn

"Erika got me motivated to start the novel that had been in my head for years! By the end of the class, I was 150 pages into my book and had the rest outlined." -- Lian Dolan

"Erika is amazing! She breaks everything down into bite sized pieces and makes novel writing much less intimidating." -- Alexa Fitzpatrick

"Erika is a dedicated, knowledgeable, fun instructor. She gives solid feedback that really helped me shape my novel." -- Lynn Braz

"Erika was always thoughtful and thorough in the feedback she gave us on our writing." -- Sofia Perez

WHEN 8 weeks, Thursdays, January 14 - March 4, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) LEVEL General PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Good in Bed, The Shopaholic series, Bridget Jones's Diary, The Devil Wears Prada -- ever wonder why these books and others like them keep flying off the shelves? Women readers represent eighty percent of the fiction market -- and they are very loyal. If you have an original, intelligent and entertaining story to tell women but don't know where to begin, this class will get you on the right path.

Course Syllabus

Novel Writing: Chick Lit (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Creative Writing

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Book & Mag Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Saralee Rosenberg is the author of four novels from Avon/HarperCollins including A Little Help From Above, Claire Voyant, Fate and Ms. Fortune, and Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead. She is at work on her latest novel, Beat It! Prior to writing fiction, Saralee co-authored several nonfiction books including the bestselling guide 50 Fabulous Places to Raise a Family. She has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV programs to promote her books including Oprah and CBS This Morning.

Saralee Rosenberg's Courses
Novel Writing: Chick Lit – New York (Class starts January 14)

WHEN 6 weeks, Tuesdays, January 19 - February 23, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE New York (Soho) LEVEL Intro PRICE $425 ($399 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

Got a fantastic idea for a nonfiction book but don't know what to do with it? You'll need a professional and powerfully-written book proposal to gain the attention of busy agents and editors.

• How to tell if there's a market for your book
• The parts and pieces of a successful nonfiction book proposal
• The right voice and writing style for your proposal
• What your final product should look like
• What to do with your proposal once its finished
• How the publishing industry works and how you might fit in

Students who have taken this class have published:
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), The Hudson Rediscovered (Free Press), Read My Hips (Harmony), and more.

Course Syllabus

Nonfiction Book Proposal (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Book & Mag Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Mollie Glick is an agent at Foundry Literary + Media. Prior to this, she was at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. She started her publishing career as a literary scout, advising foreign publishers regarding the acquisition of rights to American books. She then worked as an editor at the Crown imprint of Random House, before becoming an agent.

Mollie's list focuses on literary and commercial fiction, as well as narrative and practical non-fiction. Some of Mollie's recent sales include Gregory Levey's Shut Up, I'm Talking, the true story of a 26-year-old law student who wrote speeches for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Ames Holbrook's The Deporter, R. M. Kinder's The Murder of Romance, the upcoming Pageant Girl, and Love and Sex with Robots by David Levy.

Mollie Glick's Courses
Nonfiction Book Proposal – New York (Class starts January 19)
Query Letter Writing Workshop –

Testimonials

Mollie delivers her feedback with candor and heart. You not only get great critiques, but you leave feeling energized and encouraged about your book and its prospects. -- Pat Garrison

"Mollie helps you dig to the core of your story and pull out the essential elements to fine-tune your manuscript and draft your proposal. She also explained the business side of publishing so you know how to tackle agent hunting. The class was worth every cent!" -- Theresa Clarkson

"Mollie really knows her field. She generously imparts all her wisdom to you about the industry, including pages of real book proposal examples." -- Mary Penaz

"Mollie's class on writing a nonfiction book proposal was nothing less than an immensely enlightening experience." -- Clifford Bugle

"Mollie's class really gives you an inside view into how to do a book proposal, and you actually have something in hand when you are done." -- Sue Varma

"Mollie is an exceptional teacher. She works tirelessly to ensure that every writer who takes her course has an excellent shot at getting published." -- Mary Louise Penaz

"Mollie is a great teacher! Her nonfiction proposal class helped demystify the tricky proposal writing process. She got me off to a great start, and I had a rough draft of my proposal in six weeks!" -- Jen MacNeil

"Mollie gives great feedback that really forces you to look at your project in a different light and helps you figure out what direction to take it in." -- Celena Cipriaso

WHEN 12 weeks, Wednesdays, January 20 - April 7, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE New York (Soho) LEVEL Intermediate/Advanced PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Details

We live in the golden age of young adult literature, with young people buying books at the fastest rate in decades. YA novels are now respected as important money-makers at publishing houses, and they win honors such as the Printz, Newbery, and National Book Awards.

Why not try your hand at this exciting field? All you need is some coaching and a supportive environment to make that YA or middle grade novel happen. The goal of this class is to finish your YA or middle grade novel in 12 weeks. With serious work and attention to the class, you can do it. This class also features guest speakers (agents and editors from YA publishing houses).

In this class, you will learn:

• How to write a teen novel proposal that doesn't end up in the slush pile
• What topics are teen cliches, and how to stay away from them!
• Whether or not you need an agent, and, if so, how to get one
• How to get the clips (yes, you need clips!) to prove your skill to editors
• How to write for teens without condescending (they can smell patronizing a mile away!)

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete first draft of your YA or middle grade novel.

Students who have taken this class have published:
Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President (Simon & Schuster), Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa (Razarbill), Vidalia in Paris (Viking), Rock the Burbs (Random House), Brand New Emily (Tricycle Press), This is What I Want to Tell You (Flux) and sold 4-book deals to Penguin and 2-book deals to HarperCollins

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

Course Syllabus

Young Adult Novel Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Creative Writing

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Book & Mag Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Claudia Gabel is a former editor of middle grade and YA fiction at Alloy Entertainment and Random House Children's Books. Her best known titles are the New York Times bestselling series Summer Boys by Hailey Abbott and the Scarlett Wakefield mystery collection by Lauren Henderson. She is also the author of the YA series In or Out (Scholastic/Point) and a forthcoming YA fantasy novel (HarperCollins Children's Books). She lives in New York City.

Claudia Gabel's Courses
Young Adult Novel Writing – New York (Class starts January 20)