Tag: media communication

Media writing workshops: news of the next classes from May to July this summer

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It’s time to reveal plans for the next round of workshops.

Having listened to feedback from the first two groups for more one-on-one tuition time, I’ve decided to run a two-hour split session.

Here’s how it will work.

We will spend the first hour exploring a topic in depth with guided content from me, drawing on real-life experience as a jobbing freelancer and academic theory from my role as a journalism lecturer at UCLan.

The first three topics I am proposing are:

  • Interview skills (May)
  • Pitching ideas to editors (June)
  • Going freelance (July)

The second hour will be given over personal tuition (say 10-15 mins each) and will require you to come with a work-in-progress draft of an article, a blog post, a pitch etc.

I am expecting small groups for these workshops – probably around six people per session.

The proposed dates (*subject to change) are as follows:

  • Thursday, May 14, 7-9pm
  • Friday, June 12, 10-12 noon
  • Thursday, July 16, 7-9pm

You can book one session for £40pp, or book all three and receive a discount price of £100. Your place is only confirmed once I have received a payment – ideally by PayPal via the workshops link at my website.

All three sessions will be hosted at the new CHIC Chester co-working hub, located right next to Chester train station. You can find out more about the venue at the CHIC website.

The venue offers complimentary tea and coffee. We will send out for sandwiches for day sessions and retire to a local pub after evening sessions for a pint.

Please email me with your queries.

Liked this? Try also Feedback from learners at the second workshop.

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Writing for online: The feedback from the learners at the second workshop

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So busy day then.

I ran the second workshop in my media masterclass series today. This time we looked specifically at writing and pitching stories for online.

Here we are [pictured above], hard at work in the Glynne Arms, Hawarden.

I structured the session around four key themes:

  • Getting ideas
  • Writing for the screen
  • Taking it multimedia
  • Getting paid

Here’s what people had to say about the experience at the end of the class:

“A great section on how to get ideas and develop them.” – Philip Parry

“In terms of structure, this has helped to demonstrate how to format my future blog posts differently.” – Shaun Best

“Very informative about how to get your message across, engage readers and build community online.” – Anya Hughes

“I liked the stories from personal experience and the point that writing is work and worthy of a fee.” – Bill Webster

“I’m going t use what I learned today to get my first article published.” – Conor O’Gorman.

The next workshop is pencilled in for late April. Please sign up for the newsletter on my home page for the latest news and updates.

Do you have a questions about this post? Post your views below. 

 

New course: HOW TO PITCH AND WRITE FOR ONLINE PUBLICATIONS

 

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Publishing is migrating online. So, if you don’t want to miss out, then you need to adapt your writing for digital devices.

Building on ideas from the first workshop in October 2014 [pictured above], I will share my insider tips on how to get your story ideas published – and get paid for it.

But, in this three-hour session, I will look specifically at how to work online, including writing blogs, guest posts and online features.

It runs Friday, February 6, 2015 in Hawarden, near Chester.

By the end of the course you will be able to pitch, secure commissions and file great copy. We will consider the following:

  • Why do you need to adapt your writing style for the screen?
  • What style, structure and tone devices can you employ to make your writing stand out online?
  • How do you add worthwhile multimedia content to your work?
  • How can you build a community of editors and readers around your writing?

The morning starts with coffee on arrival, then three hours of personal tuition and exercises. You have the option to pick my brains informally over lunch afterwards (lunch not included in the cost).

I’m a freelance writer and independent media tutor with 15 years experience of making a living from selling words. My portfolio includes travel features for the Daily Telegraph, guest blogger for Visit Wales and online copywriting for various tourist boards and travel companies.

The cost of this workshop is £60 per person, including refreshments and e-learning support before the course.

The next courses will run March to May 2015 as part of the Monthly Masterclass series to be hosted at CHIC in Chester – watch this space for more details.

Liked this? Try also Media masterclass: the feedback from learners at the first course.

Media masterclass: the feedback from learners at the first course

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Busy day last Friday.

It was the first course in my new media masterclass series, offering practical advice to aspiring writers to help them get published.

Here we are [pictured above] in action at the Glynne Arms in Hawarden.

We spent the morning talking about media writing, as opposed to creative writing, for publication in newspapers, magazines and online.

I structured the session around four key themes:

  • Ideas
  • Pitch
  • Structure
  • Network

Here’s what people had to say about the experience at the end of the class:

“Great insight into the process of publication. Great interaction and good group work.” – Philip Parry.

“A very productive workshop about what to / what not to do when pitching and writing an article.” – Shaun Best

“An interesting insight into the world of writing for the media. Very entertaining.” – Cheryl Davies

“A very good intro to the ideas behind writing an article and the processes to be followed.” – Susan Davidson

“The course reassured me that much of what I know if accurate and added further wisdom to it.” – Becky Sowray

“Very practical session. Enjoyed the sharing of information, the informality and the honesty.” – Paul Diggory.

The next course is pencilled in for February 2015 but sign up for the newsletter on the home page for the latest news and updates.

Big plans for expansion, so watch this space.

Media writing course from David Atkinson on Vimeo.

Short clip of the first of my new series of media workshops. Filmed at the Glynne Arms, Hawarden, October 17, 2014. The theme for the first workshop was ‘Getting your story published’. Next course? February 2015; details from atkinsondavid.com.