Spotlight Course: Breaking Into Magazine Writing With Regional Markets          

I remember years ago wanting to be a published writer, but not having any clips to show a prospective editor. It's a dilemma most new writers face: how to show you can do the work until somebody gives you an assignment. Even when you've earned a few clips, you still need new writing markets for your work, and big jobs are hard to get.

Enter WOW! instructor Jodi Webb to explain why regional markets are the ideal place to start your freelance writing career. She advises writers to begin locally and use their regional clips to convince editors in larger markets to give them an assignment. For both new and intermediate writers, learning how to uncover regional markets, find editorial calendars, discover article ideas and make them attractive to editors are skills that will help you achieve your goals. This January, Jodi is offering a class to show you how.

Breaking Into Magazine Writing With Regional Markets starts Tuesday, January 10, 2012, runs for 5 weeks, and is limited to 10 students. Enrollment includes one-on-one e-mail support, a list of markets for your specific regional area, sample query letters, and feedback that will lead to at least one editor-ready query. What a great way to start or rejuvenate your freelance writing career!

In the article below, Jodi addresses that Catch-22 of freelance writing: getting your first clips. She'll give you five good reasons why regional markets may be the solution!

Finally, this is our last classroom newsletter of the year, so we'll remind you that there's only a few days left to register for Digital Revolution: How to Publish Your Book as an E-Book (Jan 2). We have other classes starting soon too, including Writing Your Novel from the Ground Up (Jan 4, Special Introductory Price), How to Write Children's Picture Books and Get Published (Jan 7), and How to Write a Craft Book (Jan 7, Special Winter Discount of $50 Off! This session only), How to Get the Right Agent for Your Manuscript (Jan 9) and more!

Let us help you set up a bright New Year, filled with writing success!

Happy writing!

 

Marcia & Angela 

 

Marcia & Angela
Classroom Managers
WOW! Classes & Workshops

classroom@wow-womenonwriting.com 

 

 Breaking the Catch-22 of Freelance Writing: Getting Your First Clips   

By Jodi Webb

 

1. Less Competition - Parents Magazine may get 1,000 queries a month. Central Penn Parent may get 100. Even a math-a-phobe like me can see that you stand a better chance of receiving an assignment from Central Penn Parent.


2. More Hand-Holding - Time Magazine expects you to know what you're doing. Editors at Delaware Today Magazine will be more willing to work with you to develop a story, answer questions, and suggest sources. Regional magazines are also more likely to let you branch out. If you're known for your finance articles, but want to write a travel piece, regional markets will be willing to let you "jump the fence" to another specialty.


3. Repeat Assignments - At places like Family Circle you have to claw your way to a coveted spot as a "regular contributor" while the people at Wisconsin West are more likely to remember your name the next time they want a story in your field of expertise.


4. Easier Research - National magazines often want nationally recognized experts or interviews with people from around the country. An intimidating task for even experienced freelancers. Regional markets are happy, in fact they insist upon, local experts and sources. It's much simpler to contact the head of your local PTA for a quote than the Executive Director of the National PTA.


5. Stand Apart Queries - National magazines want stories that have national appeal. In light of recent news, you might propose an article about how nutritious school lunches are (or aren't) for a national health magazine...along with 200 other freelance writers who had the same idea. Or you could focus the idea and be the only person to pitch a feature on a local 4-H club that has a vegetable garden on school grounds with their harvest ending up in the school salad bar to your city's news magazine.

Breaking Into Magazine Writing With Regional Markets 

Visit the Classroom Page for a complete listing and what you'll be learning week by week.   

About the Instructor: Jodi Webb wrote her first article for a regional market, Pennsylvania Magazine, in 1993. Fifteen years later her first regional book, Pennsylvania Trivia, was released. In between she's written for many regional magazines on parenting, art, travel, history, and finance as well as national and international magazines. But she still writes for her old favorite, Pennsylvania Magazine. Jodi also organizes WOW! Blog Tours.