Didn’t Go to Journalism School?

Now’s Your Chance

 

Is fear of making a mistake or looking stupid holding you back from pursuing your dream of becoming a successful freelance writer?

Are you stuck writing for content mills and can’t seem to move up?

Do you have questions about the writing business, but you don’t know where to turn?

Do you feel you’re earning less than you should because you didn’t go to journalism school — but you don’t want to shell out $30k to attend?

We heard you — and that’s why we created a course that will help you become a more confident article writer – fast – and get you ready to ramp up your income as a freelancer in 2013.

4-week group coaching course

presented by Carol Tice of Make a Living Writing

and Linda Formichelli of The Renegade Writer

 

Now with MORE support —

and a lower price!

$297

$97

Live calls MONDAYS at 12 PST/3 EST

Nov. 19-Dec. 10

Sorry — this class is now full!

To hear about when we hold the next J-School class, sign up on the waiting list.

If you’re like most new freelancers, you’re confused — and scared. So many questions, so few answers. You’re afraid of making a mistake that will end your fledgling career, or you don’t know where to turn to learn the ropes and gain confidence as a freelance writer.

Maybe, you think, you should go to journalism school. You feel shaky on the basics of reporting, interviewing, and writing multiple-source stories.

The thing is, J-school normally costs up to $30k and takes two years. Who has the time (or the money)?

Or, you can dive in and learn as you go along. Carol and Linda learned everything they needed to know to become accomplished professional freelancers by doing it for more than 15 years full-time.

Again: Who has the time?

 

Now you can get it all in just 4 weeks. We removed the J-school fluff you don’t need (the history of media? really?) and condensed the rest into four 1-hour sessions that are packed with valuable information.

 

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• WEEK 1: Story ideas that sell: What makes a salable idea — and where to find ideas that will knock editors’ socks off.
• WEEK 2: Newsgathering 101: How to find the best sources for your articles, get the most out of an interview, and find solid statistics to bolster your query or article. (AND — how to avoid misleading statistics and sources with an agenda.)
• WEEK 3: Article writing intensive: How to write an article that will impress an editor, including writing headlines, ledes, sharpening your writing style, deciding on a story type, using quotes, and weaving in experts.
• WEEK 4: Journalism ethics 101: We’ll answer all the questions you have about conflict of interest, libel, plagiarism, accepting gifts from sources, reselling ideas, and much more.

 

And here’s what you’ll get:

• Four training recordings, handouts and transcripts to study on your own schedule
  
• Four live, 1-hour weekly Q&A sessions where you’ll learn from two seasoned freelancers and get a chance to ask all your questions
• Downloadable audio recordings and full transcripts for each Q&A session.
• A free month of access to the Freelance Writers Den (ordinarily $25), where Carol, Linda, and other professional writers will answer your followup questions and critique your assignments.
• Write a 500-word article and have it critiqued by 2 pros
• Dozens of pages of helpful written materials and resource links that will heighten your learning.
• The confidence you need to go after top-paying article assignments.

If you want to become a confident, accomplished freelance writer — invest in your success today.

This J-School session offers more Q&A time than we’ve offered in any course before — AND this class is just $97!

Compare that to the nearly $300 usual cost of our premium courses — or $30k for journalism school.

(Yes, it is kind of nuts. But we want to bring this course to more writers at a premium level. So we’re trying this new format for this class — we may not do this format and price again. So grab this value while you can!)

Here’s what 4-Week J-School grads say:

“My last clips were years ago. After taking J-School and having my query letter reviewed in Freelance Writers Den, I landed my first glossy-mag assignment from Pregnancy & Newborn. Lesson one of J-School (the story ideas session) changed my life!” –Lisa Baker

“I am writing to thank you both for coming up with this course. I was three weeks behind and had not taken advantage of posting the homework to the Den. I sat down, reviewed the past three lessons and decided to do the assignments and get up to speed. I submitted five story ideas to an editor who subsequently approved all five pitches. I don’t know if it was the lessons in your course or the way you pushed us to just sit down and put a story together from idea to article, but either way– ‘thanks’!” –Anthony Sills, Professional Pen

Our guarantee:

If you do not leave this class with valuable new insights into how to develop, report, and write a professional article, we will refund your money.

The journalism training you asked us for

We asked writers to share what writing skills they felt they lacked — and what fears were holding them back from getting the article assignments they want. More than 200 writers took our survey. You told us exactly what your obstacles are and what reporting skills you need to learn.

Then, we built this class to deliver the information you need to land better-paying writing gigs. Nearly 200 writers have already taken this course, and now it’s been revamped to offer you even more support.

Who’s teaching this class, anyway?

The 4-Week J-School faculty earned their reporting stripes the hard way — with more than 15 years writing for newspapers and magazines. Now, we’d like to save you the time and trouble and give you a shortcut to successfully writing articles for top markets.

Linda Formichelli is a longtime freelance writer and the co-author of The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success and The Renegade Writer’s Query Letters That Rock. Linda has written for more than 130 magazines — from USA Weekend to Redbook — and two dozen corporate clients, including Pizzeria Uno, OnStar, and Sprint.

She teaches an 8-week course on breaking into magazines and also offers phone mentoring. Her blog is The Renegade Writer.

 Carol Tice is a longtime freelance writer who’s earned more each year straight through the downturn. She’s been mentoring writers one-on-one for several years to help them grow their freelance earnings, as well as teaching groups of writers through her live teleclasses and webinars, and at the Make a Living Writing blog.

Carol’s e-book is Make a Living Writing: The 21st Century Guide.

What writers say about J-School & our other classes:

“My first article was published in the Sanford Herald on Christmas Day. I’ve got an open door with the paper for continued work. The editor was impressed with the sample articles I sent. I will be recommending that other writers take J-School in the future.
Thanks!” — Bree Normandin

“Carol, I know J-School has helped me immensely. You were exactly right about experts’ willingness to be interviewed. You’ve also helped me learn about writing for the market — and the importance of marketing — my biggest challenge, I think.

Thanks also for the example both you and Linda set as successful writers — and the way you work together and coordinate your lessons to help the rest of us succeed.”–Cheryl Bryan, Cheryl’s Desk

“I had considered trying to write freelance, but had no idea where to begin. Now, I fully intend to submit a short article for either Natural Health Magazine or Whole Living by the end of next month, and for me that is huge. I moved across the country at the end of 2010 and have been struggling to find work as a writer ever since.

Going into J-School, I knew I would have a lot to learn, but really had no idea how much I didn’t know about the industry and proper journalism. I was inspired and motivated by the lessons. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for creating a great course and providing such quick and thorough feedback on my questions and homework submission. I’m keeping my Freelance Writer’s Den membership to help me stay motivated. I haven’t felt this excited about my future as a writer in a long time, and I have you to thank for that. I feel like I got more than my money’s worth from your class.–Courtney Buell

“It’s an understatement how valuable this training has been for me. I just started freelancing this past January, so I am fairly new to this industry. After last week’s letter-of-intent/Query lesson, I put one together and sent it off (via email) to a few publications this week. I received a response immediately from a large technology magazine who wanted clips and my resume. A conference call this morning with 2 editors and bam! I’m now getting my largest assignment to date at $1.00 per word.  I am still shaking in my boots!

I am ecstatic over the short timeline of LOI submission to assignment. But I know it was what I’ve been learning in class, and more importantly applying it that made the difference. Now I have a better idea what to say to actually get my foot in the next door. Thanks Carol and Linda.–Rose McNeill, RoseWrites

Starting a career from scratch as a freelance writer without formal training in marketing or journalism feels like cliff-diving while you still need water wings. Since taking the class, I’ve gained one client and upgraded another from a $100-a-month blog gig to a contract for three features at $1,000 each. My new website was noticed immediately. Financial return: 1,600%. Confidence dividends: Priceless. –Christy Corp-Minamiji, Vet-Writer.

“I’ve been working as a professional writer and editor for nearly a decade, but this class has opened my eyes to new and expanded possibilities for my career. I feel more hopeful and confident with every class session. Carol and Linda are knowledgeable guides with an engaging style. What a wonderful investment in my career. Is there a part 2? Sign me up!”—Sarah Tieck

For first crack at a seat in our next J-School class, sign up on our waiting list: