This fall I’m teaching a fully online college course that will improve your skills as a blog writer and show you how to write winning articles for magazines and newspapers. Many people use professional-level writing skills to generate the sidestream income that we’ve seen is so important to paying off debt and building savings. And some have parlayed freelance writing experience into full-time jobs as magazine or newspaper editors.
In just eight weeks—October 18 through December 10—the course will explain how to structure, write, and market salable copy for commercial venues.
Here are some of the highlights:
• Types of feature articles
• How to structure an effective article
• Generating story ideas
• Finding markets that will buy from you
• Selling to magazines and newspapers
• Finding sources
• How to interview
• Checking facts
• The language and style of popular media
• How to edit your own writing
• Working with editors
• Legal and business aspects of writing for pay
When you write a blog post, you’re often writing one of the several types of the feature article. This is why some of the most engaging bloggers around are former or continuing magazine or newspaper writers and editors, such as this one and this one. If content is king, writing skill is the prime minister.
The course is offered for three credits through Paradise Valley Community College, in Phoenix, Arizona. PVCC is a fully accredited campus of the Maricopa County Community College District, and the course, which comes out of the English department, should transfer to many university English, creative writing, and journalism programs.
So, I invite you to join me in this little adventure. It should be a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to learn more about the craft of writing. If your blog is monetized or you use writing in other aspects of employment, the cost should be deductible.
The easiest way to sign up is over the telephone. Dial 602-787-7000 and register for English 235, Magazine Article Writing, Section 58235. The class runs from October 18 through December 10, 2010.
Because of state and county budget cutbacks, the Registrar’s office is open during the summer from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. PDT, Monday through Thursday; it’s closed on Fridays. Sometimes there’s a wait to get through to a registration worker, but eventually you will reach a human being.
Tuition: A reader asks how much the course costs. According to the registrar’s office, for nonresidents it’s $147/credit hour; for those living in Arizona except for Apache, Santa Cruz, and Greenlee counties, it’s $71/credit hour; for those in Apache, Santa Cruz, and Greenlee counties, it’s $96/credit hour. The cost of tuition and materials may be tax deductible: Check this discussion and this site.
The course materials specify that you must have a computer and high-speed Internet connection, and so these costs may also be to some extent deductible; check with your tax advisor about that.
Images: Vogue Magazine, February 15, 1917. Public Domain. Sunset Magazine, February 1911. Public Domain.
Funny! When I first read this I thought you were setting up your own biz doing editing/writing instruction/etc on-line. Honestly: DO IT. It is a great idea. You are one of the few bloggers who has the skill to do this. I bet you could make more than your paltry part-time pay.
Wonder if you can/should copyright your course–probably illegal.
Well, actually… The school is paying me to develop the course but says the rights to the course materials remain with me.
Hmh. How would you go about marketing a thing like that? The problem is, a DIY college-level course wouldn’t carry any college credit.
At any rate, I’d better edit that first paragraph to clarify!!!
I have another idea. If the course is popular, you could PERHAPS negotiate for a full-time gig at the cc. Even a year or 2 of f-t would make a big difference in your situation.
I wonder…the only thing the college offers that you can’t solo is credit. Many bloggers already HAVE college degrees–they don’t need the credit. Also, many colleges won’t accept credits from other colleges, so the point may be moot anyway.
Honestly, I think you’ve happened upon a great idea. Maybe I can be one of your tutors.
I had to work to find that sneaky link, but I found it. Thanks, Funny, for calling me “engaging.”
Of course, this doesn’t mean we’re engaged. We aren’t even going steady. I like you, but not that way. 😉
How much is it?
@ processor: My understanding is that the fee for out-of-state or out-of-the-country students is $147/credit hour; for those in Arizona except for Apache, Santa Cruz, and Greenlee counties it’s $71/credit hour; for those in Apache, Santa Cruz, and Greenlee counties, it’s $96/credit hour. The cost of tuition and materials may be tax deductible: Check this discussion and this site
Will you be teaching any fully not-online classes? I hate online classes 🙁 and am local to PVCC.
@ Heather: My friend Judy Galbraith will be teaching a hybrid version for the course over the same period the online section goes up. That one is Eng. 235, section 50551. It meets Thursday evenings, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.
In the first half of the semester, I’ll be teaching an Eng. 101 class, which I expect to make as entertaining as freshman comp can be made. That one is Eng. 101, section 50655. It’s an in-class section, but it also meets for just 8 weeks: 8/23 to 10/13.
Thank you for the plug, my friend. I greatly appreciate it.