This is an in-person workshop that takes place at Inprint House

Freelance Writing and Pitching to Editors

Do you have a story idea you’re excited about, but not sure how to shape it, go deeper with it, or pitch it to publications? Or are you interested in freelance writing, and would like to learn how to form story ideas and take them to the finish line? This class will guide you through the process of developing, writing, and pitching a compelling feature story for magazines and online publications. Along the way, the instructor, an award-winning journalist, will share her own path as a freelance writer: how she generates story ideas, approaches editors, and has built a career in the field.

You’ll learn how to craft a feature story on any topic that matters to you, using captivating writing, dynamic storytelling, strong interviews, and memorable characters. In the first half of the course, we’ll study what makes a standout feature. Through close readings of exemplary pieces, we’ll ask: What draws us into this story? How is it structured? What lingers after we finish reading? You’ll also begin brainstorming ideas for your own story or further develop an existing idea.

In the second half of the class, you’ll draft, revise, and polish your own feature article. We’ll cover interviewing techniques through hands-on exercises, hear from guest journalists who have written award-winning longform stories, and workshop each other’s drafts. You’ll also learn how to write a pitch that captures an editor’s attention—and what it takes to get published. The goal is for each student to leave this class a stronger writer, with a story they’re proud to share and the skills to pitch to their target publications. Open to writers of all levels.