WHEN Saturday, November 21, 10 am-4 pm WHERE Meridian Gallery, 535 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94108 MORE INFO Email us or call 212-547-7890 PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Travel the world and get paid for it? Sounds too good to be true, but you can do it simply by building a base as a freelance travel writer. Whether you're writing about a long weekend in Mendocino or a long walk across Nepal, there's a market out there for your stories, and a proven path for successful travel writers to follow. With a sense of adventure, an open mind, an eye for the offbeat and some basic writing skills, you're well on your way toward getting your travel pieces published -- and having editors chase you down with repeat gigs!

This workshop will reveal the inner workings of the field, showing how travel editors think and what they want from their writers. We'll detail road-tested tips on ways to break in, diagram the many different styles of travel writing, survey the market (from magazines to newspapers, guidebooks to blogs), study the critical role of pitch letters, analyze key components to successful travel writing, and show a successful formula for turning your travel journals (and photos!) into sellable work.

• How anyone can break into travel writing
• Where to find story ideas in any place, and how to pitch them successfully
• Which specific tools and skills will help you sell your work more
• How to turn one trip into dozens of sellable story ideas
• Where to pitch travel articles besides travel publications
• Ways to sell, resell, and resell your pieces again

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San Francisco, CA

Instructor Bio

Jay Cooke's Courses

Jay Cooke is commissioning editor (US East) for Lonely Planet, where he develops and manages 15+ travel guides, writes and edits print and digital content, creates and develops partner content and manages the syndicated Travels with Lonely Planet column.

His writing and commentary has been featured in National Geographic Traveler, Business Traveler, the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Bay-Guardian, Cooking Light, Wired, Rick Steves Radio, Traveler's Tales, Publishers Weekly, The New York Times and others.

Jay is the founder and CEO of OutwesterMedia, a travel content and media consultancy firm. He blogs on the world of travel at www.outwester.com.

Testimonials

Jay is engaging and eager to share his vast wealth of knowledge with his students. The class gave me both the tools and the kick in the pants I needed to start my freelance career. -- David Hennessy

"I sold my homework assignment from week 3 before the course ended, and I sold two other pieces that I brainstormed while doing Jay's optional homework assignments." -- Genevive Bjorn

"If you have the slightest interest in being a travel writer, understanding editors, and learning the business side of writing, then this is your class and Jay is the instructor for you." -- Christy Rey

"Jay explained the most reasonable method and effective schedule for pitching stories I've heard to date. He was knowledgeable about both the travel industry and market, as well as travel media and outlet opportunities. Well done!" -- Mary Lee Shalvoy

"Jay is a fabulous teacher with tons of personality, enthusiasm, and practical knowledge. The class provides a broad perspective on the industry, as well as very specific tips." -- Margaret Huang, director, Atomic Public Relations

"I appreciated Jay's superb business smarts and willingness to share the inside tips and realities. His class had very well-organized lessons, judicious critiques, and everything geared toward the goal of becoming a professional writer. I'd consider anything I wrote successful if it passed muster with Jay." -- Sara Miller

"Jay's energy and humor were infectious. He shared his knowledge and never once talked down to the class -- even those who were exploring travel writing for the first time." -- Tom Honig, executive editor, Santa Cruz Sentinel

"Jay is willing to share the secrets of the trade. I live six hours away from San Francisco, and I'd be happy to drive that distance again for an opportunity to attend one of his classes." -- Betsy Husband

"Jay teaches what he knows -- and he knows a lot. His class is loaded with practical insight and precious nuggets of advice that will help launch a freelance career." -- Michael Coren, former CNN.com science editor

"Jay's tips were great, the exercises productive, and we all left the class psyched and ready to get out there and start pitching, writing, and traveling." -- Lisa Cecconi

"I've already received 4 commissions from ideas generated in the class. This course exceeded my expectations." -- C. Edrich

"Jay is a great instructor with a tremendous amount of experience. He was encouraging, patient, and really organized in his approach. I hope to take another class with him!" -- Roopika Saran

"Jay's charisma, knowledge of the travel industry, and ability to direct students to helpful information for their careers is superior to the common teacher out there." -- Michael Margherita

"I really enjoyed Jay's interactive teaching style. He kept the group engaged and got the creative juices flowing." -- Kelly Staples

WHEN 4 weeks, Mondays, November 23 - December 14, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE New York (Soho) LEVEL Intro CERTIFICATE CREDIT This course counts towards the Mediabistro Copy Editing Certificate. PRICE $350 ($325 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Start honing your copy editing skills and mapping out your career path in this introductory class. We'll cover the basics, from understanding copy editing marks to avoiding rookie grammar mistakes as well as how to pitch yourself. In just 4 weeks, you'll have the tools to enter the field and an understanding of how to create smooth, readable copy. And you'll have another skill you can add to your resume and launch your new career.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Determine when a sentence needs tweaking or is best left alone
• Understand copy editing lingo, including proofreading symbols
• Interact with editors
• Prepare for and ace a copy editing test
• Tailor a resume and where to find copy editing jobs
• Find the right copy editing job

By the end of class, you will have:
An overall knowledge of the copy editing field and the tools to enter the field

Course Syllabus

Intro to Copy Editing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Magdalena Alagna's Courses

Magdalena Alagna has worked as a copy editor for Infobase Publishing, a copy chief and copy editor for Rosen Publishing, and a proofreader for The National Law Journal. She has edited hundreds of books on subjects that range from the life and times of Abigail Adams to the dangers of cosmetic surgery. She holds strong opinions about split infinitives and serial commas.

Testimonial

Magdalena is the high priestess of grammar. She will teach you how to make dangling participles, misplaced modifiers, and poorly formed sentences disappear from your life. -- Peter Messina

"Magdalena is a wordsmith. This class has allowed me to walk away with the tools and guides to find the answers to my grammar questions." -- Grace Cavallo

"Magdalena has an outstanding ability to connect with students and share her knowledge in a professional way. She was very approachable and went the extra mile." -- JoAnn Strong

"Magdalena is an excellent instructor who gives practical information and real world examples." -- Joseph Marchelewski

"Magdalena gave me the tools and pointers to excel at copy editing. She met all of my expectations in terms of course content, and exceeded them in terms of her teaching style." -- Henry Visotski

"Magdalena was enthusiastic about every topic, and had an obvious fervor for the art of constructing sentences. She was approachable and professional." -- Katie Sherman

"I found Magdalena to be patient, knowledgeable, and helpful. She rocks!" -- Genevieve Hewitt

"Magdalena makes learning and relearning grammar rules fun, which is a hard task! Having such an easy-going, knowledgeable instructor made class worth every minute and penny." -- Patricia DeLuca

"Magdalena's presentations were engaging because she not only has an academic grasp of the subject but also a hands-on approach, which showed us what to expect in the industry." -- Nirvana Williams

"Magdelena gives you the skills and confidence to become a copy editor in just weeks. Her extensive knowledge of grammar and language is an amazing added bonus." -- Karen Grant

"Magdalena is outstanding! She really knows her stuff and is able to communicate very clearly and inspire confidence. She also offered great insights that others probably would not have shared." -- Jody Potter

"Magdalena was great and was always really candid about her experiences in copy editing without ingraining false hope." -- Alice McKenney

"Magdalena clearly knows copy editing. Her knowledge and experience are first-rate." -- Kelly Osterhout

"Magdalena was great. She was inspired about grammar. Her passion for it was infectious." -- Gabrielle Zuckerman

"I began using the material we covered on the job right after the first class. This is real-world grammar at its best." -- Gloria Dawson

"Magdalena is smart, knowledgeable, lighthearted yet serious, respectful, and very encouraging. I can't imagine anyone being better." -- Fran Schoenfeld

"Magdalena was an outstanding instructor because she gave us real world and practical examples to help us better navigate the copy editing world." -- Roya Bell

"I took the class together with my daughter, and we both felt the information Magdalena presented was useful, important, and relevant." -- Mary Brown

"Magdalena is a personable professional who really knows her grammar. She is very approachable for extra help and emphasizes practicality over jargon. This course will benefit everyone from the novice to the seasoned professional." -- Stuart Ellison

WHEN 8 weeks, November 23 - January 11 Online chats: Mondays, 9-10 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for information. LEVEL Intro PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

You're a writer, so why not become a magazine writer? Intro to Magazine Writing is the class that will launch your magazine career. This class will explore the editing process, journalism ethics, what makes something newsworthy, note taking, fact-checking, and reporting. Over the course of 8 weeks, you'll workshop two pieces in any format, from personal essays to profiles, service pieces to features.

You'll also learn the business essentials that will enable you to survive and thrive in the magazine world: where to pitch, how to query a publication, and how to work with editors so they'll want to work with you.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Create captivating stories that editors will buy and readers will love
• Craft compelling pitch letters
• Figure out which magazines and sections will be interested in your story
• Approach editors you don't know and build relationships that work

By the end of class, you will have:
Two polished articles, the pitch letters to sell them, and all the basic skills any journalist should have.

Students who have taken this class have been published in:
Time Out New York, Wired, In Touch Weekly, ESPN the Magazine, Boston Globe, Cookie, Town & Country Travel, Boston, Washington Post, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Psychology Today, Paste, Northshore, Bust, and more.

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

Intro to Magazine Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Vanessa Bush's Courses

Vanessa Bush, a fifteen-year veteran of the magazine industry, was most recently executive editor at Essence magazine and has also held various editorial posts at Life and Glamour magazines. She has written a beauty book with supermodel/entrepreneur Tyra Banks, Tyra Banks Inside & Out, and is a graduate of Harvard University and Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism. Vanessa is currently pursuing another passion of hers -- food and wine -- by writing a food blog, Food Lovers Like Me (foodloverslikeme.blogspot.com).

Testimonials

I got a huge bang for my buck as Vanessa took me through the process of brainstorming, pitching, and writing. She was always courteous, professional, and down to earth with great insight on the industry and real life advice. -- Michael Damelio

"Vanessa was exceptional in her clarity and focus. I received three magazine story assignments while taking the class." -- Cheryl R. Riley

"The opportunity to learn from Vanessa is truly invaluable. She is experienced, intelligent, and very supportive." -- Kelly Deegan

"Vanessa was genuine and very informative. I could not put my pen down. New ideas for editorial content were flowing and covering up the white pages, and I came up with new ways to attract new readers." -- Patricia Rhinvil, Managing Editor, Caribbelle.com

"Vanessa was engaging and open to discussions and extremely receptive to just about any question. I learned a lot from her class, both about writing and pitching. I left with renewed inspiration." -- Sheryl Kraft

"Vanessa gave an insider's view of journalism. Not only did she present practical tips for developing and writing service pieces, but she also shared her publication's preferred format for writer queries. She invited us all to submit story pitches to her, which added an extra dose of challenge and motivation!" -- Bernita Dorch

"Vanessa not only understands the struggles writers endure, she uses her empathy to motivate and inspire you to continue writing no matter what happens!" -- Rashana Hooks

"Vanessa was always so helpful, insightful, knowledgeable, and professional. I learned so much about the publishing industry and was very sad during our class' last chat session." -- Elyse Lucas

"Vanessa was always upbeat and helpful. Her edits made for great learning while her experience delivered tips and insight I'm sure I'll use in the future." -- Matilde Parente

"Vanessa took a personal interest in her students and wanted us to succeed. She gave us what we needed to do to improve our work and make it saleable." -- Lisa Martin

"Vanessa was helpful even with the small, particular questions that I had. I would certainly recommend her as an instructor." -- Adrienne Mohadjerin

WHEN 8 weeks, November 23 - January 18 Online Chats: Mondays, 8-9 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for information. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

From Glamour to Good Housekeeping, women's magazines are among the most lucrative and high-profile markets, which is why this is one of our most popular classes. In this intensive workshop, you will learn how to wow editors with the stories they want (and need).

Each week, you'll produce a different story, each a type of article which is a mainstay at women's magazines. You'll also workshop pitch letters, editing them to perfection to ensure they get read by the editors of your dream publications. Your goal in this class is to send articles out immediately after workshopping them. The pieces that you will complete usually include a short service piece, a Q & A, a quiz, a personal essay, a long service piece, and a human interest piece (an "as told to" or narrative).

In this class, you will learn:

• How to write in the voice of the magazine in which you want to be published
• Which editors to pitch stories to
• Which sections of the magazine are easiest to break into and most "freelancer-friendly"
• How to tell whether your story is best suited for a publication's print book or website
• How to write perfect pitch letters
• How to sell a story that has a 360 reach in print, on the web, and for mobile platforms
• How to find sources
• How to rewrite and self-edit
• How to network in the industry

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete portfolio of publishable articles that will impress any women's-magazine print or online editor.

• 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

Stiletto Boot Camp (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Lauren Waterman's Courses

Lauren Waterman is a contributing editor at Teen Vogue and co-author of the upcoming book The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Careers in Fashion (Penguin/Razorbill). She has also worked at Vogue as a staff writer and contributing editor.

Her work has been featured in Vogue, Details, InStyle, Self, Nylon, Boston Magazine, Fashion Rocks, US, and the Chicago Tribune.

Testimonials

Lauren is a 'must experience' instructor. She's focused, funny, and informative! -- Jane Perdue

WHEN 4 weeks, November 24 - December 22 Chats Tuesdays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate/Advanced PRICE $350 ($325 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Admission Requirements:
Previous knowledge in blogging or the Intro to blogging class. Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

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

Course Syllabus

Blogging: Advanced (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Journalism

Instructor Bio

Melanie Nayer's Courses

Melanie Nayer is the senior site editor for Cheapflights.com, where she writes, researches, and updates destination guides, travel news, and feature travel articles. She maintains daily production of the Cheapflights.com "Travel and Flights News" Blog.

Previously, Melanie worked as a content producer for the business section of Boston.com and as a reporter for the Boston Globe. Her work at Boston.com included producing the daily business section, various blogs, and creating interactive features. She also worked as a freelance journalist for various national news organizations, monthly magazines, and trade publications, and worked as a Capitol Hill news correspondent in 2002 with Boston University's Washington Journalism program.

Testimonials

Melanie's knowledge of AP style is near encyclopedic. She's gifted in the ability to discuss the work at hand with complete focus, and her constructive criticism is always on target. -- Joe Wallace

"Melanie brought practical, strategic advice to the table and her insight was invaluable." -- Meredith O'Connor

"Melanie was a fabulous instructor. She really knew what she was talking about and fully encouraged class participation. I would love to take another one of her classes!" -- Amanda Gonzalez

"Melanie was great. She was very open to questions and discussion and had lots of in-the-trenches experience. It was a pleasure to learn from her." -- John Tremblay

"Melanie is knowedgeable and without hesitation shares that knowledge with her students. She ensured that all her students had the benefit of her direct attention while still being able to address the class in its entirety." -- Deborah Keegan

"Melanie is an excellent instructor. She is accessible, knowledgeable, supportive, and very helpful. She knew her stuff and obviously has extensive knowledge about blogging and social media." -- Mariela Murphy

"Melanie is an outstanding instructor. She is quite knowledgeable and readily shares her knowledge with everyone who is taking a course from her." -- Caroljean Ellis

WHEN 8 weeks, November 24 - January 19 Chats Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate/advanced PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Travel writing is a way to engage with the world and to build a bridge that brings faraway places home. It wakens the senses and stands everything we take for granted on its head. This class looks at the romance and realities of this exciting and lucrative market.

Over the course of eight weeks, you'll consider the various forms of the field, from travel-related news items to personal essays, with the goal of selling these pieces to local, regional, and national publications. Each week, students will be assigned a travel-related article up to 1,000 words, along with an optional pitch letter, and will be expected to investigate unfamiliar neighborhoods, seek out experts in the field, and demonstrate the highest levels of research and reporting. This course generally requires a commitment of at least eight hours a week of outside work.

In this class, you will learn:

• The components of great travel writing
• How to use where you live to break into the travel market
• How to find and develop your beat
• How to make travel a conduit to writing beyond the travel section
• How to write perfect pitch letters
• What to do when you get to your destination
• How to negotiate with your editor for travel compensation

Students who have taken this class have been published in:
Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, Vogue, The Los Angeles Times, Budget Travel, Dwell, Gourmet, Men's Journal, Modern Bride, National Geographic Traveler, Salon.com, Saveur, Time Out New York, New York Magazine, The Boston Globe, Conde Nast Traveler, The San Fransisco Chronicle, and more

• 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

Travel Writing Boot Camp (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Instructor Bio

Manuela Zoninsein's Courses

Manuela Zoninsein is a Brazilian-American journalist currently based in Beijing, China. She reports regularly for Newsweek magazine and the Engineering News-Record and she recently served as the dining editor of TimeOut Beijing and as the dining columnist for City Weekend Beijing. Her travel and food writing have appeared in The Australian, Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel+Leisure. She is a graduate of Harvard University and moved to China two years ago thanks to a Princeton-in-Asia Fellowship. View more at her website www.manuelasweb.com.

Testimonials

Mauela has achieved so much and was willing to share her career path and tips on how to obtain foreign writing assignments. She was very inspiring! -- Darlene Wade

"Manuela was extremely personable and candid about the subject she taught." -- Gemma Figuracion

"I really enjoyed meeting Manuela and hearing about her career so far. The materials she provided and her advice were all really great." -- Chasi Annexy

"Manuela was broadly knowledgeable, experienced, and conscientious. There was so much material in her handout, and she added a great deal in class." -- Ellen Count

WHEN 8 weeks, November 30 - January 20 Online Chats: Wednesdays, 10-11 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for information. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Get an edge in the rapidly changing field of food journalism.

Until you can walk into a restaurant Frank Bruni-style and judge a chef's handiwork, you'll have to find other ways to build a portfolio of published food-related items.

Each week, you'll receive an assignment with prototypes so you can see how it's been done before, and feedback from your instructor on how to go about completing the assignment.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Find the magazines that are easiest to break into
• Write a pitch an editor can't turn down
• Manage tight deadlines and negotiate contracts
• Discover your niche within the food-writing community
• Find chefs and other gourmands as sources
• Become a "super-taster" for food reviews

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete portfolio of publishable articles (including a news product or cooking tip; personal essay with recipe; a profile of a food personality; a restaurant review or roundup; the solution to a food-related mystery; a regional food feature; a food-related trend piece; and a cultural, travel, or holiday-oriented food feature)

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, and more

Admission requirements:
Students must have at least one published clip. 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

Food Writing Boot Camp (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Journalism

Instructor Bio

Molly Watson's Courses

Molly Watson is the food writer at Sunset magazine, where she also frequently writes food-focused travel pieces. She has written for The New York Times, numerous regional publications, and web sites galore. In her previous career she was a teacher and, among other things, taught writing at Stanford University.

Testimonials

Molly's class was fabulous. She was professional, clearly knew her stuff, and encouraged students in a way that was direct, honest, personal, and very helpful. Everything was designed to make learning enjoyable. -- Allison Parker

"The class was worth every penny! Molly was a superb instructor. She definitely went above and beyond what I had expected." -- Kimberlee Honjo

"Molly was a terrific teacher with a great sense of humor. She really knows food writing and the market for it." -- Sarah Lefton

"I highly recommend this class. Molly is a great instructor, very well-informed and inspiring." -- JoAnn Hornak

"Molly is outstanding. She tailors the class to match the needs of the students and spends time sharing information with a genuine interest in helping you grow as a writer." -- Alyssa Lulie

"Molly is a great teacher. She addressed questions about the writing as well as the business end. I definitely got more than I'd hoped out of the class." -- Giovanna Zivny

"Molly is an excellent teacher. She is thoughtful and her comments are right on target. I learned so much, not just about recipe writing, but writing in general, and my skills definitely improved. This was a great experience." -- Lori Jablons

"Molly's discussion questions and feedback taught me specifically what steps I must take to become a better writer." -- Trisha Coffman

"Molly is an insider. Her edits are kind but thorough. I finished the class knowing that I can absolutely sell food writing thanks to her." -- Helen Mitternight

"Molly was helpful and professional. I gained much more practical knowledge in just eight weeks than I thought was possible -- and I honestly consider myself to be a more solid, seasoned writer because of Molly." -- Sylvia Grove

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

Course 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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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Gaylord Fields's Courses

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.

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 Wednesday, December 2, 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

Course Details

Thanks to social media like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs, almost anyone can publish content online. The trick is in getting people to read what you write -- and to pay you for doing it.
 
This seminar will cover the basics of how to write, edit, and publish online content. It's simply not enough to deliver information on a website anymore. You have to create a conversation and build a community with your readers.

We'll discuss how to thrive in a high-tech medium with the low-tech skills you already have. We'll also talk about the big trends in online journalism today and what they mean for professional writers and editors.

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Tiffany Black's Courses

Tiffany Black is the editorial producer for InStyle.com. Prior to this she was a producer at SportsIllustrated.com for the MySI product and manager of all NFL Game Day blogs. She has also worked as a sports producer at The New York Times on the Web, the night online sports editor and relationships blogger at the Atlanta-Journal Constitution and an online news editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Testimonials

Tiffany is excellent. Thanks to her suggestions and feedback, I feel much more prepared to transition into web writing after several years in print. Just a few days into the course, my boss noted the difference in my web voice. -- Beth Lacey Gill

"Tiffany was an absolute rock star! She was extremely knowledgeable and always had excellent suggestions. She was also very responsive in answering questions. I appreciate her dedication and all of the effort she put into the course." -- Elizabeth Siska

"Tiffany is enthusiastic, smart, and encouraging. She is generous with her knowledge of the media world and ways to break into it." -- Nena Donovan Levine

"Tiffany is a powerhouse of knowledge. She disseminates the information in a lively, entertaining, thorough, and enticing manner. I was really inspired and challenged. She was confident and friendly and I really appreciated that combination." -- Patrick Connolly

"Tiffany was fantastic! She did a terrific job breaking down complicated concepts for people like me who are completely unfamiliar with them. I would love to take another class with her." -- Gloria Gonzalez

"Tiffany translated her web experience and knowledge into a focused presentation, making it easy to understand as well as enjoyable." -- Valerie Shestakow

"Tiffany was fantastic. Her knowledge of the field was exhaustive, and her presentation was extremely well-organized and easy to follow. This was my first course with mediabistro, and I'm hooked." -- Barry Moskowitz

"Tiffany is an enthusiastic, articulate, and savvy instructor who knows the business of Web production. Her presentation is clear, and her course materials are comprehensive. Tiffany creates a supportive classroom environment. What more could you ask for in a teacher?" -- Laura Kidder

"Tiffany was fantastic -- very knowledgeable and personable. It was great to see the process as a whole, from writing the content to posting it and making sure that everyone from the editor to the designer to the advertiser is happy!" -- Helena Carey

"Tiffany was very clear and easy to follow and demonstrated her expertise through high-profile, real-life job experience." -- Alexander Kippen

"Tiffany was very engaging and enthusiastic. She drew on her own experiences, which was very insightful." -- Paul Suwan

"Tiffany is a great instructor. She ensures the class is familiar with all the terms and jargon used in the industry." -- Kwesi Cameron

"Tiffany was a very accommodating instructor. Every week I felt confident that I was gaining new skills or improving in areas that are of direct and demonstrable value to the job market." -- Marla Dial

"Tiffany packed the session with real-life scenarios and an easy-to-understand landscape of web terminology. I got ideas on how to improve both my clients' and my own outreach online. I would recommend this class to anyone -- even those who already have a good grasp of the web." -- Michelle Mulligan

"Tiffany provided really helpful materials, including reference resources. Her guidance, encouragement, and support were great. I'm encouraged to try my hand at web writing with a more developed and accurate critical eye to edit. I definitely recommend Tiffany." -- G. Comer

WHEN Thursday, December 3, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE Blankspaces, 5405 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 MORE INFO Email us or call 212-547-7890 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

You've got ideas, talent and a drive to get published -- and to make some cash while you're at it. In other words, you want to do freelance writing. But how? Who do you approach? How much should you ask for? Can you get started without any clips?

Whether you've got a job in journalism and are looking for a little extra work on the side or are new to the writing game, this course will teach you how to start selling articles to magazines and newspapers.

• How to develop ideas into saleable articles
• Which publications and editors you should target
• How to write a powerful pitch
• How to present yourself as a writer
• How to evaluate a contract -- and negotiate a better one
• How to keep assignments coming once you've broken in

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Journalism

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Los Angeles, CA

Instructor Bio

Vince Beiser's Courses

Vince Beiser is an award-winning magazine writer specializing in criminal justice and other social issues. In his many years of full-time freelancing, Vince has hunted down stories from the Balkans to the Middle East on assignments for The Los Angeles Times Magazine, The Village Voice, The New Republic, The Nation, US News & World Report, Harper's, and Rolling Stone. He has also held a number of staff gigs, including senior editor for Mother Jones, special projects reporter for The Oakland Tribune, and senior writer for The Jerusalem Report, Israel's leading news magazine.

Vince's work has been honored by Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Columbia and Medill Graduate Schools of Journalism, the National Mental Health Association, the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, the Los Angeles Press Club and many other institutions.

Testimonials

Vince's class helped me put my ideas to paper. I was able to fine-tune my query and article with his great feedback. It was published in a magazine two weeks after class ended. -- Kristy Lund

"I've been freelancing full-time for 2 years, and I wish I'd taken Vince's class before I started. The tips he shared would have improved my reporting and made my life a lot easier." -- Kenneth Miller

"Vince's friendly and flexible teaching style gave me a serious confidence boost in terms of getting started in a freelancing career. I highly recommend that anybody who has the slightest interest in freelancing hear what he has to say." -- Jennifer Jamall

"Vince was knowledgeable, experienced, and relaxed. His examples and many small, concrete techniques helped me hone the pitching process. I look forward to taking more classes with him!" -- Helen Kaiao Chang

"Vince was friendly, informative, and handled the class extremely well. I'd definitely recommend him and take classes from him in the future." -- Lauren Horwich

"I found Vince's class to be very informative. He was clear, logical, realistic, and encouraging." -- Maria A. Del Toro

"The class was very informative and empowered me with many helpful websites and resources that will help me develop new stories." -- Lisanne Alack

"Vince makes it all look easy! He's that rare, successful writer who's able to share what he's learned out loud in a way that is engaging and fun. You'll walk away equipped with what you need." -- Colleen Wainwright

"Vince's class was a fantastic stepping stone for someone just beginning to delve into pitching articles, yet also full of insider tips for those more experienced." -- Abby Mims

"Vince was very nice, friendly, and funny when he needed to be. Vince even gave us his email address and said we could email him with questions." -- Lesley McCave

"Within six weeks of Vince's class I had two articles accepted to a magazine -- one of them a feature, and best of all, I got paid!" -- Shasta McBride

"This class was so useful to show me where to concentrate my efforts and build up my business." -- Eleanor Roberts

WHEN Monday, December 7, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE Blankspaces, 5405 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 MORE INFO Email us, or call 212-547-7890 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

The magazine industry is moving online. If you want to come along, you're going to need a new skill set.

Your favorite publications are developing robust websites with continually updated content and interactive packages including video, slides, and podcasts. Most important, they're cultivating a thriving conversation with their readers.

Your current talents are valuable assets in a web world hungry for content. You just need to learn some of the rules of the road to get started. Once you understand the basics of the new media writing economy, you'll see how you can make the move online.

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Los Angeles, CA

Instructor Bio

Laurel House's Courses

Laurel House is the creator of ChickNotesGuide.com and chief officer of GreenIQ.com, an online calculator that measures your combined carbon and environmental footprint. She is also the blogger/spokesperson for YourShapeGame.com, a new game for Wii, as well as a regular contributor for Yahoo!, Shine, and Discovery's PlanetGreen.com.

For 3 years she was the trends and tips editor for HealingLifestyles.com. Her articles have appeared on HuffingtonPost.com, Gayot.com, EcoStiletto.com, WuffingtonWag.com, CocoEcoMag.com, WhiteApricot.com, GuidebookAmerica.com, BeMoreYou.com, FindBliss.com, and ExerciseTV.TV. She has written for First for Women, Men's Journal, Women's Health, Elite Traveler, Vegetarian Times, Elegant Bride, Playboy, and FHM. Laurel has appeared on NBC's Today Show, Soap Talk, Daily Buzz, KTLA Morning News, and local CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC stations.

Testimonials

I learned some things that I hadn't heard of before, especially about blogging. I'm so glad I went to the class. I feel excited and energized instead of overwhelmed and defeated. -- Rebecca Stone

"Laurel is one of the best. She speaks from a basis of hard-won, real-world experience and provides a broad knowledge of the realities of the industry. She's also completely candid. Highly recommended." -- Marcus Webb, president, Executive Speechwriter

"Laurel was very informative, entertaining, and insightful. She really focused on the information that a novice needs to know. The time and money spent on the seminar was definitely worth it. Laurel is a wealth of information." -- Karen T. Gardoce

"Laurel was an excellent, knowledeable speaker. She was very energetic and enthusiastic. I'd give her an A+." -- Darcy Kimatian

"Laurel is a very enthusiastic instructor who conveys her experiences as a freelance writer in an interesting and clear manner." -- Michael Berick

"Laurel is a fantastic instructor and is very smart, successful, and knowledgeable." -- Lauren Creamer

"There is a reason Laurel is so successful. She is positive, dynamic, and clearly knows her stuff. She offers an insider's perspective, freely sharing her hard-earned knowledge and strategies." -- Rosa Leonetti

"Laurel gave us the foundation to transfer our print journalism experience to online cash, the structure to focus on pitching appropriate editors, and the outside appeal to market our brand." -- Sue Facter

"Laurel is an energetic, interesting, knowledgeable, and inspirinh teacher." -- Jennifer Gardelle

"Laurel had great energy. Her passion for what she does really came through in her teaching style. She was very knowledgeable and I got up-to-the-minute information and insider tips. I really enjoyed her class." -- Katherine Tolford

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

Course 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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Journalism

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Design & Photo

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Book & Mag Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Stella Kramer's Courses

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.

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 weeks, December 7 - January 4 Chats Mondays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate CERTIFICATE CREDIT This course counts towards the Mediabistro Digital Journalism Certificate. PRICE $350 ($325 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

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 then create original content for that package including photos, slideshows, and short video and audio pieces all published on your very 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, and the capability to record video, and a computer with enough speed and space to download some software.

In this class, you will learn:

• What makes an effective multimedia package
• How to organize your story into a complete package
• How to shoot video for the web
• How to make an audio slideshow
• Where to get free and/or cheap online software to create your own at-home studio
• How to 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.

Admission Requirements:
Students should have experience with broadcast or print journalism. Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

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

Course Syllabus

Intro to Multimedia Journalism (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Instructor Bio

Darragh Worland's Courses

Darragh Worland is a New York-based multiplatform journalist with more than seven years of experience working for major news media in print (Metro and the New York Sun), TV (Reuters Video News, NY1) and the web (Foxnews.com, NY1.com). Most recently, as a senior multimedia producer for MSN Money, she shot and edited financial news video, wrote scripts and coordination the creation of charts and graphics. Before that, as NY1.com's main online producer, she helped coordinate the channel's daily news coverage on the web. She has written both news and features for the web.

In fall of 2007, Darragh took her professional skills back to the classroom, helping to launch the first multimedia reporting course for graduate students at NYU's Department of Journalism.

Testimonials

Darragh provided actionable information that I can directly apply to both my current job and my career in general. -- Melanie Medina

"This class was a great introduction to multimedia. It was great to learn from my own experimentation as well as the trials and tribulations of others taking the class. Darragh was always interested in our projects, knew her subject matter well, and guided us through the maze of programs and applications available." -- Jessica Robertson

"This is a great way to put your toes in the water of multimedia journalism. You'll learn about a number of programs to build your multimedia journalism toolbelt. Darragh is well informed, thorough, helpful, and friendly." -- Sehnita Joshua Mattison

"This class was a great introduction to the world of multimedia. You learn about how to blog, make slideshows, and work with audio." -- Christine Junge

"Darragh is a gifted teacher who is very giving of both her time and expertise. This was a truly wonderful class." -- Susan McLennan

WHEN Tuesday, December 8, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE The Meeting Room, 2999 Overland Ave., Ste. 205A, Los Angeles, CA 90064 MORE INFO Email us, or call 212-547-7890 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

You have a great idea for a documentary film, but don't have much money to make it. In the past when someone wanted to undertake a documentary film project one big question always arose: "Where do I get all the money I need to make it?" Today, however, the increasing accessibility and affordability of today's digital technology makes it easier and easier for first-time filmmakers to make compelling and entertaining documentaries on a shoestring budget. This course will outline some of the most important cost-saving steps needed in bringing your documentary project from conception to an audience.

In this seminar, you will learn:

• What type of projects can be made on a shoestring budget
• Where to save money during pre-production, production, and post-production
• The best equipment to use and how to get it
• Where to find free crew members to help on your project
• How to go about trying to raise extra money
• Some of the best ways to get your film seen by an audience

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TV, Film & Video

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Los Angeles, CA

Instructor Bio

Kevin Leadingham's Courses

Kevin Leadingham splits his time working on independent documentaries and serving as a show runner on network and cable docu-series programming. His credits include shows that have aired on ABC, Fox, MTV, Discovery, TLC, ESPN, Travel Channel, and A & E.

His first documentary was the award-winning A Refugee and Me, about his relationship with a Buddhist monk living in Thailand. In 2006, Kevin completed producing the documentary film Maid In America, a portrait of Latina domestic workers in Los Angeles, which aired as part of PBS's Independent Lens. Additional documentary credits include documentary projects: Mama's Gold, (orphans in China), Children of No Man's Land, (Children crossing the U.S. border), and The Last Starlet, (1950's Blond bombshell Mamie Van Doren).

Testimonials

Kevin is friendly, accessible, and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of documentary filmmaking. He treats all participants with courtesy, respect, and encouragement. -- Danila Oder

"Kevin was great. I felt that he was genuinely willing to share all he knew for our benefit, and his one-on-one approach made it that much better. He was honest and VERY helpful." -- Paulina Giraldo

"Kevin had the necessary knowledge and the willingness to teach what inspires people like myself to continue doing what we love." -- Arturo Garcia

"Even if I only got one idea out of a class like this, it would be worth the price. I was able to get several ideas from Kevin's class that I had not thought of before!" -- Michael Wood

"Even if you are just thinking about doing a documentary, you have to take Kevin's class. He has all the info from start to finish." -- Jerome Cleary

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

Course Details

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Paula Derrow's Courses

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.

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 6 weeks, December 8 - January 26 Chats Tuesdays, 8-9 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intro CERTIFICATE CREDIT This course counts towards the Mediabistro Copy Editing Certificate. PRICE $425 ($400 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

If you're a true stickler for detail and get a special charge out of spotting grammar errors and typos, copy editing is calling you. This course is for anyone who wants to break into copy editing -- or just feel more confident wrangling words. We'll cover the basics, from proofreader's marks to essential rules of grammar and punctuation. By the end, you'll be a pro at creating smooth, readable copy.

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.com staff.

Course Syllabus

Intro to Copy Editing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Instructor Bio

Rebecca Smith Hurd's Courses

Rebecca Smith Hurd is an all-around word nerd whose journalism career spans more than 20 years. For the past three, she's maintained a successful freelance business as an editor, writer and communications consultant. Her clients include print and online media organizations, nonprofit groups, and design consultancies. Hurd specializes in delivering clear, concise and compelling copy on deadline, and she enjoys teaching others to do the same. Her full-time job experience includes a six-year stint as assistant managing editor of Wired, which during her tenure (2000-2006) won a National Magazine Award for general excellence. She holds a bachelor's degree in news reporting and editing from San Jose State University.

Testimonials

Rebecca's material was fresh, the assignments interesting, and she was a fun, dynamic, informative speaker. My experience with Rebecca has made me eager to sign up for other classes with mediabistro. -- Trina Enriquez, copy editor, Sunset Magazine

"Rebecca provides valuable information about copy editing and hilarious anecdotes from the publishing world. Her teaching style engages, informs, and entertains." -- Evan James

"I highly recommend studying with Rebecca. She designed a thorough and challenging curriculum and taught it with wit and warmth. She was highly accessible and always on point." -- Corey Williams

"Rebecca has a vast expanse of knowledge and is more than happy to let students pick her brain while challenging them to improve." -- Lindsay Sandor

"Rebecca is a wonderful teacher -- professional, knowledgeable, thorough, and fun! I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in learning the basics of copy editing." --Danielle di Spaltro

"Rebecca covered everything from style, to rules of grammar and punctuation, to how to get the job. She provided very helpful resources. I would definitely recommend this class." -- McKenzie Granata

"Rebecca offers an information-packed, professional course on the basics of copy editing. Her online communications were succinct and to-the-point, and her edits on homework assignments useful." -- Phyllis Gold

"Rebecca made both the novice and experienced student feel equally capable and always offered helpful advice and ample encouragement. Definitely a class act!" -- L. Talbot

"Rebecca very attentive, knowledgeable, and provided great feedback on the assignments. She leveraged her real-life experience to construct meaningful lessons and provide good insight into the editing world." -- John Ball

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

Course Details

Course Syllabus

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

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Journalism

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Design & Photo

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Book & Mag Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Patricia Ryan's Courses

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

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 Monday, December 14, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE mediabistro.com, 475 Park Avenue South (at 31st), 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Susannah Gold's Courses

Susannah Gold is the owner of Vigneto Communications, a PR firm that specializes in the food and wine industry. She is a contributing writer to a number of food & wine publications and websites including F & B Business, Food, Business, Altacucina Society, I-Italy.org, Gourmet Retailer, and Progessive Grocer. She writes the wine blog "Avvinare" and pens other blogs for clients.

Susannah also coordinates the wine program at Altacucina's Epicurean Center, a society for enthusiasts of Italian food and wine. She is an expert on Italian wines and is one of only a handful of foreigners in the Associazione Italiana Sommelier (AIS). She has completed her certified specialist exams in wine and in spirits at the Society of Wine Educators. She also has her diploma of wine & spirits from the prestigious Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a British program.

WHEN Wednesday, December 16, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE Blankspaces, 5405 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 MORE INFO Email us, or call 212-547-7890 PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

As a freelance writer, the query letter can make or break you. It's your personal introduction, writing sample, and article outline all in one. Write a solid one and you're on your way to a feature contract with the editor. Write a lousy one and you'll disappear into the slush pile.

Whether you're pitching a celebrity profile or an undercover investigation, there are some key techniques and strategies you need to know to come up with a killer query. This seminar will teach you how to research your target publication and structure the pitch to sell yourself as the perfect writer for the job.

Bring your story ideas along for hands-on workshopping.

In this seminar, you will learn:

• How to develop an idea into a sellable story
• How to target the right editor at the right publication
• What editors look for in a query -- and what turns them off
• The basic questions all queries must answer
• How, when, and how often to follow up
• How to package yourself as the ideal writer for your idea
• How to deal with -- and benefit from -- rejection
• How to re-sell your ideas for extra cash

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Los Angeles, CA

Instructor Bio

Vince Beiser's Courses

Vince Beiser is an award-winning magazine writer specializing in criminal justice and other social issues. In his many years of full-time freelancing, Vince has hunted down stories from the Balkans to the Middle East on assignments for The Los Angeles Times Magazine, The Village Voice, The New Republic, The Nation, US News & World Report, Harper's, and Rolling Stone. He has also held a number of staff gigs, including senior editor for Mother Jones, special projects reporter for The Oakland Tribune, and senior writer for The Jerusalem Report, Israel's leading news magazine.

Vince's work has been honored by Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Columbia and Medill Graduate Schools of Journalism, the National Mental Health Association, the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, the Los Angeles Press Club and many other institutions.

Testimonials

Vince's class helped me put my ideas to paper. I was able to fine-tune my query and article with his great feedback. It was published in a magazine two weeks after class ended. -- Kristy Lund

"I've been freelancing full-time for 2 years, and I wish I'd taken Vince's class before I started. The tips he shared would have improved my reporting and made my life a lot easier." -- Kenneth Miller

"Vince's friendly and flexible teaching style gave me a serious confidence boost in terms of getting started in a freelancing career. I highly recommend that anybody who has the slightest interest in freelancing hear what he has to say." -- Jennifer Jamall

"Vince was knowledgeable, experienced, and relaxed. His examples and many small, concrete techniques helped me hone the pitching process. I look forward to taking more classes with him!" -- Helen Kaiao Chang

"Vince was friendly, informative, and handled the class extremely well. I'd definitely recommend him and take classes from him in the future." -- Lauren Horwich

"I found Vince's class to be very informative. He was clear, logical, realistic, and encouraging." -- Maria A. Del Toro

"The class was very informative and empowered me with many helpful websites and resources that will help me develop new stories." -- Lisanne Alack

"Vince makes it all look easy! He's that rare, successful writer who's able to share what he's learned out loud in a way that is engaging and fun. You'll walk away equipped with what you need." -- Colleen Wainwright

"Vince's class was a fantastic stepping stone for someone just beginning to delve into pitching articles, yet also full of insider tips for those more experienced." -- Abby Mims

"Vince was very nice, friendly, and funny when he needed to be. Vince even gave us his email address and said we could email him with questions." -- Lesley McCave

"Within six weeks of Vince's class I had two articles accepted to a magazine -- one of them a feature, and best of all, I got paid!" -- Shasta McBride

"This class was so useful to show me where to concentrate my efforts and build up my business." -- Eleanor Roberts

WHEN Wednesday, December 16, 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

Course Details

Pitches are a freelancer's calling card, resume, and currency rolled into one. They're how you get started and how you keep your career on track, because it won't matter that you know how to write the best articles in the world if you can't get an editor to give you the chance to do it.

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Betty Ming Liu's Courses

Betty Ming Liu is a former New York Daily News columnist and has worked as a commentator for thirteen/WNET. While at the Daily News, she launched a nationally syndicated column on diversity issues and in earlier assignments covered gossip, business, and features at the paper. She is also a former staff reporter for The Newark Star-Ledger and Crain's New York Business. Her freelance articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Village Voice, This Old House, and other publications. Betty blogs at www.bettymingliu.com.

Testimonials

Betty was great! She immediately set the class at ease, was well-organized, and used every second of our time together efficiently and effectively! She was generous with her feedback, encouragement, and constructive comments. -- Susan Sawyers

"Betty is a smart, informed journalist who made this info-packed class really fun, interesting, and helped me feel more confident in my skills." -- Anna Davies

"Betty was terrific. She was very knowledgeable, well-prepared, gave lots of useful information, and clearly has a passion for journalism." -- Barbara Doran

"Four stars! She was dynamic, entertaining, efficient, smart, savvy, and flexible in the ebb and flow of the class. It was a great mix of lecture, reviewing selected material, and on-the-spot training." -- Janice Hughes

"Betty is an excellent teacher who is knowledgeable about her subject as well as an excellent communicator. She could deal with everyone in the class equally well and answer questions quickly, specifically, and succinctly." -- Deborah Emin

"Betty is full of resources. You're guaranteed to come away from her seminar with at least several new ideas about where to dig up information." -- Jenny Miller

"Betty was great. She was always encouraging with us, but shot straight with us too. She certainly gave me the direction I needed. She makes the class a very comfortable space to explore writing." -- Laura Madden

"Betty is an incredibly approachable, down to earth teacher." -- Leslie Hunter-Gadsden

"Betty's class was like a B-12 shot -- I felt energized & inspired to work on pitches for all of my story ideas!" -- Jaimie Epstein

"Betty was great, enthusiastic, and clearly skilled in pitching. She has great energy and broke down the topic in an easy to understand, no nonsense way." -- Kellie Tabron

"Betty is an engaging and lively instructor. She has tons of experience and gives great tips to catch an editor's attention." -- Kate McNeil

"After writing a few pitch emails blindly, I sorely needed a class like this. Betty's class filled my expectations immensely, and now I feel much more prepared." -- Ethan Stanislawski

"Betty is an incredible teacher -- engaging, smart, down-to-earth, and a great mentor for people just starting out. I left each class invigorated to get to work on new assignments." -- Lori Mooney

"Betty had a lot of relevant and helpful insight. She asked students what they wanted to focus on and tailored the class accordingly." -- Jean Keenan

"Betty brings more than 10 years of experience, hard-nosed judgment, and great creativity to help veteran writers and newbies take their best shot." -- Phyllis Maguire

"Betty was really attentive to each student's interests and she focused on basic skills that every journalist should have." -- Natalie Goode