Writing for magazines

- Begin analysing the market both in general features, news features and specialised articles.
- Brainstorm for ideas - recognise what will make a good sellable story and where to look for inspiration.
- Prepare for interviews by researching the subject and formulating the right questions - in the right order.

Before joining the course, you should be reading newspapers and magazines in print and online. Remember – huge proportion of magazine features ideas come from newspapers. Familiarise yourself with the market, noticing which papers and magazines favour particular kinds of articles. Start thinking about what you want to write about and where you think you can place articles. Start asking yourself – why was this article selected….how did they get the idea….how did they do the research?

Group work, discussion, handouts highlighting key points. You will be encouraged to think through issues and determine answers.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.