Writing (and Sending) Pitches That Sell

"Pitching features and other nonfiction pieces sometimes feels like it's as much about persistence as it is about craft," says instructor Mark Wallace. "But there are really effective ways to make your pitches sing, and ways to make the long road from a pitch to a published piece feel shorter.”

This 3-week class will lead students through the process of creating a killer pitch, from generating and developing story ideas to choosing the right publications to approach. We'll concentrate on getting our ideas onto the page and revising them with the help of feedback delivered in class. Students will also learn what to expect after sending out the pitch, including how and when to follow up with an editor and how to keep moving forward even if a pitch is rejected.

“A good pitch letter demands as much craft as a good article or short story,” says Mark. “This class will help you create pitch letters that will grab editors and pull them into your stories as quickly as possible. By the end of the course you'll have sharpened your presentation of your story and yourself, and should have a draft of a strong pitch letter all but ready to send.”