Starting in March, I will be teaching an eight-week workshop about freelance writing. The course is presented by the Quebec Writers’ Federation and costs $170 ($150 for QWF and PWAC members). All the details are below. You can reserve a spot by contacting the QWF office at 514-933-0878 or info@qwf.org.
PITCH, PUBLISH AND GET PAID: HOW TO SUCCEED AS A FREELANCE WRITER
Eight Wednesdays, 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. (March 4–April 29— no meeting April 8)
1200 Atwater Avenue, Suite 3
Workshop leader: Craig Silverman
Making a living as a freelance writer requires a diverse skill set. Successful freelancers mix high-quality writing with efficient business practices. This workshop addresses both areas to help participants establish, manage and advance their freelance career.
Participants will develop story ideas, identify potential markets, and write compelling query letters. They will also draft a basic business plan for their writing enterprise. A priority is placed on helping participants pitch and place articles, while at the same time working to develop their business skills.
The workshop will also provide instruction in:
- Forging strong relationships with editors
- Negotiating pay, contracts and copyright
- Building a professional brand
- Networking
- Taxes and accounting
- Branching out into books, film work and other areas
To prepare for the workshop, participants are asked to think about their goals as a freelance writer and develop story ideas that can be turned into pitches during the workshop.
Craig Silverman is an award-winning journalist and author. A columnist for the Globe And Mail, Hour, and Columbia Journalism Review, his writing has appeared in The New York Times, the Montreal Gazette, Toronto Star, and Report On Business magazine. His book, Regret the Error: How Media Mistakes Pollute the Press and Imperil Free Speech, won the Arthur Rowse Award for Press Criticism from the National Press Club in Washington. Craig also received a gold medal at the 2008 Canadian National Magazine Awards. His second book, written with Michael Calce, is Mafiaboy: How I Cracked the Internet and Why It’s Still Broken. www.craigsilverman.ca
This sounds like a great workshop and I would love to take part but it takes place really late in the evening. Would 6 – 8pm be an option or even 7 – 9pm? Thanks!
I would have liked to run it from 6 to 8 p.m., but someone else grabbed that slot. So I’m afraid it has to be from 8 to 10. Sorry you can’t take part.
Hi Craig,
I know I’m late in the game..but I’d very much like to take part in this workshop. Can I still register and attend? Would you be kind to make an exception?
Soha
Hi Soha,
At this point the workshop is already half finished so it’s impossible to add anyone. But the QWF will have another group of workshops in the fall. On top of that, I recommend you attend the PWAC workshop coming up this weekend:
http://pwacquebec.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/workshopreminder/