The manuscript of Polar Winds: A Century of Flying the North will soon be with my editor at Dundurn, and between revisions and planning fabulous launch parties across Canada, I’ll be happily teaching a few courses at the U of A Faculty of Extension in early 2014. If you’re in the Edmonton area and interested, please register and c’mon out!
Writing for Magazines (Wednesdays from 5:30-8:30pm, Jan 22-Mar 5).
Learn how to write compelling nonfiction for hungry magazine markets. Topics we’ll address include: types of nonfiction; finding and developing ideas; form, organization, and first drafts; revision strategies and style. We’ll also discuss market research techniques, submission protocols, and ways to make editors take notice. Blogging and social media will be included as a brand-building tool as will best practices of good magazine/newspaper article-writing.
In-class writing exercises and some at-home reading will be required. Throughout the course, you will also be offered feedback towards the development of a publishable magazine story of your own.
*Very excited to be co-teaching this course with my friend and colleague, Caitlin Crawshaw!
Writer Promotion in the Digital Age (Sat. Feb 22 9:30am-4:30pm)
Gone are the days a writer can afford to work in isolation. Now, each author – whether with a traditional publisher or going “Indie” – faces pressure to be their own promoter, online and in real life. Learn to make the best use of precious time and money. Come away knowing: the difference between marketing and promotion; how to identify your promotional personality strengths and challenges; the most important online tools, and one “sin” to avoid for each. You’ll select an online and “analog” tool to immediately integrate into your promotional strategies.