Creating and Selling a Column
Instructor: Sue Fagalde Lick
Course duration: 8 weeks
Cost: $125
Overview:
Nearly every writer I meet wants to write a column, usually humorous, usually personal, ala Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry. I enjoy writing them myself, but there are many different types of columns, and we will explore these different types in the hope of finding exactly the right niche for you. Over the next eight weeks, we will look at how to develop column ideas and how to write columns. We will also discuss syndication and self-syndication, as well as opportunities for one-shot sales. Students will be asked to produce at least three columns as homework and revise at least one of them. Each assignment will receive a detailed critique, and the instructor will be available between weekly lessons for online questions and consultation.
Week 1: Column Types and Markets
Introduction
Columns vs. other kinds of articles
Types of columns
Markets for columns: newspapers, magazines, web sites, etc.
Homework: study the market and come up with at least three possible places to publish your columns. Also look for examples of the types of columns that you would like to write and provide an e-link if possible.
Week 2: Finding Your Niche
How do you generate ideas?
What can you write about?
What is a writer's "voice?"
Ya gotta have style
Where do you want to go with your writing?
Advice columns
Homework: Write a 400-600 word advice column
Week 3: Writing the column
How to beat writer's block
Structure of a column--Q & A, interview, review, lists, personal
experience, etc.
How to write a dynamic lead--some examples
What comes after the lead? How to keep going
A strong finish
How to fit it all into column size
Homework: Write anther column using one of the formats discussed in this lesson
Week 4: Writing Funny
What makes a column funny?
Humor techniques that anyone can use
It's all in how you look at it
A ha-ha and an aha
Homework: Draft a humorous column
Week 5: Expert Columns
Examples of expert columns
What are you an expert on?
How to write the expert column?
Markets for expert columns
Homework: Draft an expert column
Week 6: Rewrites
Spelling test, revision exercise
Editing your work
Missing information
Putting your column on a diet
Ten things that weaken people's writing and how to avoid them
Homework: Revise a previous column
Week 7: Marketing your columns
Finding the right markets for your columns
Cover letter or query letter? Snail mail or e-mail?
The column packet: sample columns, SASEs, clips
Keeping track of what you send where
What if you don't hear anything? What if they say no? What if
they say yes?
Getting paid, keeping records for the IRS
Homework: Prepare a column or a group of columns to send out
Week 8: Syndication and self-syndication
Working from one-shots into a regular column
Becoming a syndicated columnist
Self-syndication
Branding: Becoming a household name
Writing goals: What will you do next week, next month, next year?
Instructor's bio:
Sue Fagalde Lick worked many years as a newspaper reporter and editor--and columnist--before moving into fulltime freelancing. She has published five books and countless articles, several columns, including "Everything But Writing," and she currently publishes three blogs, Unleashed in Oregon, Writer Aid, and Childless by Marriage. She lives on the Oregon coast where, in addition to teaching and writing, she pursues a third career as a professional musician.
