ONLINE 5-Week Course: Freelance Feature Writing: From Pitch to Publication (January 2025)

Discover how to write and sell feature articles for newspapers and magazines with freelance journalist Caroline Butterwick.

Key Information:

A 5-week online course taught by freelance journalist Caroline Butterwick

Live and interactive teaching sessions via Zoom Online Meeting

Day/Time: Thursdays:19:00 – 21:00 GMT

Dates: 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th January 2025 and Thursday 6th February 2025

Course Overview:

Across a series of five two-hour live Zoom sessions, freelance journalist Caroline Butterwick will guide you through the process of getting articles published in newspapers and magazines.

This course will focus on:

• Coming up with ideas for feature articles and ways to find inspiration, alongside understanding what makes a compelling feature.
• Analysing publications so you understand what kind of features work for them, and who to send ideas to.
• How to craft a pitch to sell your idea, ready to send to editors.
• The craft of writing a feature itself, from research and interviewing to structuring a great feature.
• Building your career as a freelance features writer, from developing relationships with editors and contacts to finances, fees and promoting yourself.

Whether starting out or more experienced, this course will support you in understanding the world of freelance features writing, from finding inspiration and securing commissions to the practicalities of being a freelance journalist.

Participants of this course will benefit from:

• Live Zoom Session: Enjoy a series of interactive live Zoom sessions where you’ll learn about freelance feature writing from an experienced freelance journalist. Engage in real-time discussions and personalised feedback to enhance your writing skills, alongside lots of opportunities to ask questions.
• Expert Feedback: Benefit from personalised feedback and guidance from an accomplished freelance journalist.
• Writing Community: Connect with a community of like-minded writers during the live sessions. Share your progress, exchange ideas, and receive constructive feedback in a supportive online environment.

Tutor bio:

Caroline Butterwick is a freelance journalist based in North Staffordshire who writes regularly for national publications including the Guardian, The i Paper, Psychologies, National Geographic Traveller, BBC Countryfile Magazine, Stylist, Happiful, Breathe, Discover Britain, and the Wellcome Collection. Her features cover a range of topics, such as wellbeing, travel, and arts and culture. She’s taught creative writing classes in the community and in higher education, and is passionate about sharing what she’s learnt as a writer with others. www.carolinebutterwick.com

Who is this course suitable for?

• Anyone who is interested in getting their first paid article commission, but isn’t sure where to start.
• If you have some experience of freelance feature writing, but feel a bit stuck or would like some guidance and support to develop further, and to learn from others.

Details:

The sessions will take place online via Zoom Online Meeting software. It is free to download and you will only need the free version to attend. Please download it and check it is working before the course.

Please try and be somewhere you can concentrate and won’t be interrupted. Headphones can be useful if you have some, to cut out other noise.

Bursary Scheme 2024:

We understand that not all writers are able to pay for their writing courses to further their career, and we run a Bursary Scheme as a consequence. If you feel you need a bursary, please contact us: info@writingwestmidlands.org.

Please note: you must sign up for the full course even if you cannot attend all dates. No partial course ticket is available.

Short Courses are for over 18s. If you are a young writer, you can sign up for our Spark Young Writers Programme.

All Writing West Midlands short courses are collaborative, and you will learn as much from your fellow course attendees as from the tutor. You will be expected to play an active role in group tasks, and you will also have time to reflect on your own writing during sessions.

Course handouts are sometimes (but not always) available, and notes may be available in advance upon request. If you have any additional needs, please contact Writing West Midlands in advance of the course starting and we will try to assist you.