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Feature Writing

Researching, writing and selling narrative-driven features

Feature Writing
Click to Apply

WHEN 4 weeks, September 9 - October 7
Online chats Tuesdays, 9-10 pm ET

WHERE Online. Click here for more information.

LEVEL Intro

FREE AVANTGUILD MEMBERSHIP Enroll in this class by August 31 and join AvantGuild for free. Click here for details.

PRICE
$350 ($325 for )
more info

Course Details

The best feature writers make it seem easy, but like any form of journalism, a good feature takes skill. Some of the best narrative journalism appears easy to readers because they are wrapped up in the story. But that ease can mask the amount of work that goes into a long-form piece -- and the best examples are hardly noticeable. Long-form feature writing is a delicate combination of reporting acumen and creative writing skills. It requires a unique sense of organization, plotting, relevancy, and humanity that separates it from other journalism. Long-form feature writers get more space, and are expected to use it wisely.

So how can a reporter or writer enter the world of journalism feature writing? It's not as hard as you'd imagine. Most of the strongest magazines accept cold pitches and are starved for quality, artfully conceived articles.

In this course you will learn:

  • What to put in pitches, what to leave out, and where to send them
  • Narrative techniques to keep readers interested
  • Tips on organizing long form pieces
  • How to handle a drastic rewrite -- and how to avoid the indignity of having an editor do it instead of you
  • Tips on how to bring ace reporting into feature writing
  • Fiction-writing tips that easily translate into journalism

By the end of the course students will have:
A completed pitch letter and first draft of their feature

To Apply
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history).

The online classroom has several interactive components:
  • Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
  • Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
  • Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
  • Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Related Courses

Tell me when courses like this are scheduled.
• Intro to Magazine Writing – ONLINE (Class starts September 15)
• Online News Writing – ONLINE (Class starts September 16)

Instructor Bio

Joe Pappalardo's Courses

Feature Writing – (Class starts September 9)

Joe Pappalardo
Joe Pappalardo is a writer and journalist at Popular Mechanics. He is a former associate editor at Smithsonian's Air & Space magazine. Joe is the author of The Secret History of Sunflowers. His writing has appeared in Time magazine, the Village Voice, the Dallas Observer, the New York Sun, and Spirit magazine. He is the recipient of a 2005 distinguished reporting award for domestic defense reporting from Military Reporters and Editors, and has been recognized for science writing from the Dallas Press Club and for short feature writing from the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors. Joe is also one of five finalists for the international Aerospace Journalist of the Year award.

Testimonials


Joe Pappalardo's class was great. He's not a teacher by trade, but a no-nonsense editor by day and a freelancer by night. He's practical, funny and encouraging. His course gets into both the nitty-gritty of pitch letters and the loftier elements of quality narrative writing - everything from plot and character to voice, tone and color. He had so much material, he could teach two classes back-to-back, which I would definitely sign up for! -- Emily Schmitt

"It was rewarding and gave my longer feature writing a kickstart for the future. Joe Pappalardo is a seasoned pro and his advice was on the button. I easily got used to the online classroom and found the interaction among classmates encouraging and insightful. I can't wait to attend another more advanced course on feature writing from Joe Pappalardo. It's a lonely and tough business and to park off for a few weeks to talk shop and shape ideas is invigorating." -- Chesney Bradshaw

"Joe Papallardo teaches by example. He is a successful journalist who understands the essence of story and what makes it compelling. His course not only provides insights into the art of story-telling and reporting, but demonstrates how to analyze the market, sell pitches and be a perpetual learner." -- Leyla Haidarian
Click to Apply

AvantGuild* Discounts on mediabistro.com courses are just one of the wonderful benefits of being in AvantGuild, our premium membership program. For just $59 a year, you'll receive instant access to our How to Pitch articles and other premium articles, transcripts from selected seminars and panels, and discounts on virtually everything we do (including eClasses and the Freelance Marketplace)! Click here to join now.