Boot Camp for Print and Online Magazine Editors

A boot camp for assigning editors

Course is closed.
Boot Camp for Print and Online Magazine Editors

WHEN 4 weeks, May 29 - June 19
Online chats: Thursdays, 9-10 pm EST

WHERE Online. Click here for more information.

LEVEL Intermediate/advanced

PRICE
$350 ($325 for )
more info

Course Details

Journalism school doesn't teach you how to be a magazine editor. So where are you going to learn what it really takes? If you already have the requisite type-A personality and a sense of humor, this class will guide you through everything from finding original story ideas to handling kill fees to editing copy for online publications. You'll even get advice on things you didn't even know to ask about.

Over the course of four weeks, you'll learn how to edit various styles of articles for print and online, make stories more effective for online publication, master the assignment letter, delve into the writer-editor relationship, and manage freelancers. This class will be a mix of lecture, discussion, and critique of homework assignments, and will require about three hours a week of outside work. This is a rigorous class for students who are interested in building on the experience they already have to distinguish themselves in the field through editing, people skills, and the art of magazine making.

In this class, you will learn:

  • How to edit a variety of stories, from a front-of-the book piece to a literary profile
  • What makes a compelling lede
  • How to revise without rewriting
  • Copy editing marks, cliches to avoid, and all the other minutiae that come with being an editor
  • How to avoid the heartbreak of bad copy by building a Rolodex, choosing the best writer for the assignment, and setting them up to succeed
  • How to craft a revise letter that gets the results you need
  • How to analyze magazines and generate story ideas

By the end of class, you will have:
An understanding of the editing business, essential skills and systems for editing, the ability to assign and work, and the skills to prepare for your dream job.

Admission requirements:
Applicants should be involved in staff editorial work or be freelancers who work with editors. Please submit a letter of interest, including a brief work history and your desired outcome for this class.

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.

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Instructor Bio

Christopher Scapelliti's Courses

Christopher Scapelliti
Christopher Scapelliti is the executive editor of Guitar World magazine and the consulting editor of Future Music, a magazine for people who make music on computers. He was a founding editor of Revolver; he currently writes the magazine's monthly Crash Course, a fast-and-furious "everything you need to know" synopsis about a band or musical artist.
Christopher has interviewed and written about Pete Townshend, Elvis Costello, Marilyn Manson, Sheryl Crow, Billy Corgan, Jack White, and Slash. He was a contributing writer to the MusicHound series of reference guides. Christopher served for four years as editor-in-chief and assistant publisher for the Midwest regional arts magazine On-the-Town.

Testimonials


Chris's boot camp is a brief but effective journey into the world of magazine editing. The assignments are relevant, the lectures informative, and the discussions stimulating. I recommend this course to new or aspiring magazine editors. -- Beverly Buncher

"For years I've been on the outside looking in as far as magazines are concerned, desperate for the chance to write and edit; Chris Scapelliti's tuition gave me the confidence to do something about it in the space of 4 weeks. To tap into Chris's expertise was a privilege, and his methods and sense of judgement will undoubtedly shape my own approach from this point on. Already I have more writing commissions from Australian GQ and Marie Claire... and hopefully an editor's job will follow before hell freezes over." -- Stephen Wood, deputy chief subeditor, Sydney Morning Herald

"The class really helped me achieve a higher level of confidence in my job. The course helped me understand the industry standards of dealing with difficult writers and that being a good editor goes beyond the editing." -- Nichole Brown

"If you are contemplating taking a course through mediabistro.com and need to sharpen your editing skills, this class is perfect for you. Through discussions with the teacher and students you will be able to share your frustrations, offer suggestions to others and learn a lot from everyone about the industry. The homework assignments are in-depth, but if you can tackle them and get them to your instructor on time- it is well worth the critique you'll get back. I loved the course and plan to take others in the future." -- Marie Wolf

"Chris did not mess around, or waste my time. He told me what I needed to hear-even when I might not want to hear it. He wrote without judgment or emotions. Completely accessible and willing to help us with whatever issues we were facing. I felt like he actually wanted us to be successful, not that he was just earning extra money teaching an on-line class." -- Aleix Hodges

"Chris Scapelliti rocks in so many ways. He balances criticism with praise without seeming trite or trying to protect fragile egos. Best of all, he takes a great deal of care in reading and assessing assignments. I got more than my money's worth every time I turned in my homework! He has a lot of valuable experience to pass along, and I'm looking forward to taking more classes from him in the future." -- Erin Moore Bean

"I'm so happy I took this course. Chris was such a great instructor. I can't even explain how much I learned in just four weeks. I was surprised at how informative the online class was. I was hesitant about taking an online class at first, and didn't know what to expect. Chris was a brilliant instructor, leading interesting and important discussions during the chat sessions, and offering priceless insight into the magazine editing industry. The homework assignments were well thought out and Chris's comments on them were so insightful and educational. I'd recommend this class to any editor." -- Anna Bogdanowicz

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