Saturday, Oct. 30th, 10 am – 4 pm   San Francisco
$95 members/$110 non-members

“I’ve done stories on everything from home computers to a profile of the Emmy Award-winning sound engineer who worked on Basic Instinct,” says Cary Pepper. “But my favorite was the one I did about a new reading program for kindergartners; the kids pulled me right into the class, and I learned more that one day than I ever learned in kindergarten. That’s one of the things I love most about magazine writing — it’s a constant learning process. It gives you a license to probe into the world. It’s also the most accessible way to break into professional writing. Even when you have no publishing credits, if you come up with the right idea, and pitch it to the right editor at the right time, you can get the assignment.” Read the rest of this entry »

Five Saturdays, Nov. 13-Dec. 18 (skip Nov. 27) 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
$185 members/$215 non-members San Francisco

“I’ve done stories on everything from home computers — back when only three companies were making them — to a portrait of the Sherman House (a landmark hotel that survived the 1906 earthquake) to a profile of the Emmy Award-winning sound engineer who worked on Basic Instinct,” says Cary Pepper. “But my favorite piece is probably the one I did about a new reading program for kindergartners; the kids pulled me right into the class and I learned more that one day than I ever learned in kindergarten. That’s one of the things I love most about magazine writing — it’s a constant learning process. It gives you a license to probe into how the world — and the people in it — work. It’s also the most accessible way to break into professional writing. Even when you have no publishing credits, if you come up with the right idea, and pitch it to the right editor at the right time, you can get the assignment.”

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Hi Cary,

It’s been quite some time since our last class. I’ve been busy implementing what I learned from you [in Freelance Magazine Writing] and wanted to share the results.

After all those rewrites on my class article about Ferry Point, I set it aside and developed a totally different article. The idea came from my experience working with boat covers. Fallout from cargo ships and airplanes seemed to be causing unusual damage to boat covers in marinas near seaports and airports. I wanted to find out more about the link and thought others would be interested, too.

I pitched the article in an email to the Marine Fabricator magazine, expecting to wait for weeks before hearing something like “Well . . . . maybe . . . . could work . . . . how about a little 25 words or less blurb . . . ” Instead, Chris replied before 2 hours had passed and gave me an assignment, on spec, for an 800 word article, plus photos and captions. Since it was my first time working with them, he couldn’t commit to pay me until after he’d seen the article. Oh, and by the way, could I make the deadline in 4 weeks?

Of course I said yes.

I thought of your anecdotes about working with editors and all your admonishments to turn in perfect copy, get it in by the deadline and take care of the editor. I went back to your book and my class notes as I worked my way through interviews, drafts and structuring the story.

My article was more than acceptable. The spelling and grammar were perfect and I submitted it the evening before the deadline. Not only will it be published in the Sept/Oct issue, I’m to be paid $375. What’s more, Chris asked if I would be available for future assignments.

Yes, again.

This long email is my way of letting you know none of this wouldn’t have come to pass without your great instruction. Thank you, Cary, for your interesting, well-organized class full of information, encouragement and good humor.

Now that I’m a professional freelancer, my next step is to pitch my Ferry Point article idea to Sunset and Via magazines.

Best regards,
Mary Jo Morris

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