Whether you’re already writing freelance feature stories or would like to gain a better understanding of where to start, this course will improve your process from beginning to end. Guardian contributor Richard Cooke, will spend the day with you working on crucial issues, such as: conceiving and pitching ideas, marshalling your research resources, writing to length for online and offline audiences, identifying and fixing your mistakes, and stringing it all together to develop a personal voice.
Richard will also hold a short theoretical discussion of how feature writing has changed, and what it means for freelancers in terms of how to adapt to those changes practically. This Masterclass will leave you with a clear sense of how you can make the life of freelance writing work for you.
This course is for you if…
- You’re a young or aspiring journalist and want to learn more about the technical side of freelance writing
- You want a better understanding of how to pitch to commissioning editors, and what they’re looking for
- You’re a journalist needing a refresher course
- You’re a communications professional wanting to learn about the other side of media
PLEASE NOTE: Please bring laptop, iPad or tablet to use in class. A course preparation document will be provided ahead of class.
Course description
This Masterclass will demystify the process behind writing and pitching your story ideas to commissioning editors.
Topics covered on the day include:
- Starting: hunches, clarity, stupid ideas, and field trips
- Pitching: who are you speaking to, and when?
- Research: judo vs karate interview technique, finding reluctant people, making phone calls, custom search engines, “dinosaur days”
- Structure and style: writing to length
- Online and offline: are people even reading this stuff?
- How to increase your chances of getting re-commissioned
- What’s it all for?: style across articles. Doing an audit. Error correction. The unavoidable iceberg of grammar...becoming your own sub
You will leave this Masterclass with a to-do list in your hand and a clear idea in your head of how to realise, publish and perfect your feature writing ideas. You should have basic experience with print and online media, and one or more previous attempts to write (but not necessarily published) a feature length story.
Tutor profile
Richard Cooke is a writer for television, print and online media, including The Checkout and The Chaser. He has published feature locally and internationally, for The Guardian, The Monthly, The Sydney Morning Herald, and Australian Gourmet Traveller among others. He tweets under @rgcooke.
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Details
SYDNEY
Date: Thursday 4 February
Times: 10am-5pm
Location: Surry Hills
Price: $ 279
Event capacity: 20
Dress code: There is no dress code for Masterclasses. Please wear whatever you feel comfortable in
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 7 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.