How to become a freelance writer
- Would you like to see your own byline in your favourite magazine?
- Keen to turn your ideas into articles that you get paid for?
- Want to know how to approach editors to publish
your stories?
- Do you like the idea of working and writing from home?
- Have we just described your ‘dream job’? Read on!
The genuine article
Okay, so you love magazines. Whether it’s a lazy weekend with the lifestyle supplements or a midweek appointment with a thick glossy tome, they all offer a mix of views, stories and information from a variety of writers. And more than once you’ve probably found yourself thinking, “I could do that…”
And you’re right – you CAN do that. There are literally hundreds of titles out there – all vying for shelf space and covering everything from Gaga to lager; fishing to fashion; paparazzi to pepperoni. And each one of them is chock-a-block with articles written by people just like you.
If you’ve got a stack of story ideas, but don’t know how to get them from jotter pad to editor’s desk, then you’ve just hit the jackpot. Magazine and Newspaper Writing Stage 1 is one of the Australian Writers' Centre's most popular courses. Our students often end up getting their byline into some pretty major publications, sometimes even before they complete the course!
Your guide to getting published
If you’re serious about becoming an intrepid freelance writer, Magazine and Newspaper Writing Stage 1 will give you the tools and skills to craft magazine and newspaper articles that editors want to publish. We’ve distilled years of knowledge into a relevant and highly practical course – with scripts, templates and insider information from journalists/editors who are currently working in the industry. After completing this course, you’ll not only write with more confidence, you’ll get published faster!
Here's what you'll learn:
- Ideas – where to get them and which ones work
- The industry – understanding the magazine/news market
- Styles – all the different types of feature articles
- Researching, structuring and actually writing your feature
- Interviewing skills – whether it’s a CEO or circus clown, rock star or rocket scientist, learn the questions you need to ask
- People power – who to approach to get the best subjects for
your stories
- Editor expectations of freelance writers
- Selling your story – a step-by-step guide to successfully pitching your article or idea to a magazine
- and MUCH more!
Feature writers come in all shapes, sizes, makes and models. This course is perfect for first-time writers and anyone wishing to brush up on their skills. You might be looking to make some extra cash on the side, or even embark on a brand new full-time career. Or maybe you have absolutely no idea – all you know is you’d love to be paid to write these kinds of stories. Whatever your motivation, we’ll help you reach your goal.
Just remember – all those writers in all those magazines are just like you. With the right set of tools, you’ll be well on your way to seeing your name in print and making those ‘dream job’ dreams come true!
Students have been published in The Sydney Morning Herald,
Good Weekend, Cosmopolitan, Sunday Life!, BRW, The Sun-Herald, The
Sunday Telegraph, CLEO, Madison, Australian Associated Press, Practical
Parenting, Management Today, Australian Financial Review, City Weekly,
Herald Sun, Home Beautiful and countless other magazines and newspapers.
Exclusive access to our Online Writing Forum
When you graduate, you'll also get exclusive access to our dynamic online writing community.
You can complete the course ONLINE if you prefer
If you don’t live in Sydney – or can’t get to our harbourside training rooms – you can access our amazing tutors through our online course.
The online course covers the same valuable content as the face-to-face course and, each week, your questions are answered by our wonderful online tutors. You’ll also receive assignments and get feedback on your work.
It’s easy to learn online – all you need is an internet connection. Just click on the demo to see how it works.
Our online classroom is simple to use. Thousands of students from Australia – and around the world – have graduated from this course.
ONLINE COURSE DEMO
Course content and outcomes are consistent,
regardless of which presenter or format you choose
We are sticklers for consistency and quality in our courses, so you’ll achieve the same outcomes regardless of which presenter you have. Naturally, each presenter brings their own insight to the course, but you can be assured that the content is consistent across the board.
You’ll also achieve the same outcomes regardless of whether you enrol in our online or face-to-face course!
Course designed by: award-winning feature writer Valerie Khoo.
Presented by: the best feature writers/editors in Australia.
Rave reviews about the Magazine and
Newspaper Writing course
Rave reviews about
Magazine Writing Stage 1
“The course was well structured and a good balance between theory and practice. Marina's experience and stories added so much relevance and current knowledge to the course. The pace was good and the handouts and examples were very interesting and useful. Marina was fabulous. Relevant, engaging, encouraging and an enormous amount of experience to share with us. She'd be hard to beat as a presenter!”
- Betty O'Neill
“After a full day's work, the fact that I was fully engaged for the two hours of all five sessions is probably as strong a tribute as I can pay. Marina was very knowledgeable, and I found her conversational style of presentation kept me interested throughout. If you want a credible, experienced writer and editor to teach you how to write an article, when to write it, and who to write it for, you should attend this course.”
- Brian Byrne
“Being surrounded by motivated and like-minded people was inspiring and motivating. Sue was obviously very experienced as a writer and her personal input was invaluable.”
- Tracey Markos
“The presenter made the course enjoyable and I loved the really practical and useful information. Sue was really helpful, approachable and knowledgeable. She took the time to help us get the most out of the course material. It's a really professional set-up, teaching relevant material that really helps you reach your writing goals. I love the practical, real-world experience of the lecturers.”
- Nikola Ellis
“The advice was so practical and really interesting. The information and skills I learnt were invaluable and it's hard to believe so much content was fitted into just two days. I wish there had been more and the course was longer – it was just fantastic! Sue was a brilliant presenter, very friendly, and made the learning process really fun and easy. She had great examples for everything and made sure everything was fully covered and addressed. I would definitely recommend her. This course was really great, very practical and easy to understand with a great presenter who was passionate about her teaching topic.”
- Kirsten Hyam
"I was very impressed with the ease of signing up, the communication leading to the course start date, the course content, the ease of parking and the great location. It was so easy to attend classes and enjoy the content. Overall it had a very good vibe!”
- Marina Majeran
"The small class sizes gave us more personal attention and opportunity to chat with other classmates. Within a month of finishing the course, I had my first story printed as a full page spread in the Sun Herald! Since then, I have had further success with my stories getting picked up by a variety of other publications."
- Cindy Bingley-Pullin
"I've been signed on as a regular freelance contributor with the Herald Sun Home Magazine, something that has meant I am now freelancing four days a week! It has been an amazing few months since I finished the course and I have to say, none of this would have been possible without your incredible skill and advice. So, many thanks once again for such a fabulous course, it really has changed my life!"
- Penny Harrison
About the course
VIDEO: Marina Go talking about the Magazine Writing course.
Learn from the best
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Sue White is a successful feature writer and travel writer whose work has featured in The Sydney Morning Herald, Vogue Australia, Travel + Leisure (Australia), Sun Herald Travel, Women’s Health, Vogue Entertaining + Travel, CNN Traveller, various ABC outlets, Green Living, G magazine and numerous other publications in both Australia and overseas ...
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Holly Nott has always been passionate about writing, and has worked as a journalist for the past 20 years. She's spent time in regional, suburban and national newsrooms and has covered everything from the 2012 London Olympic Games, to federal elections, shark attacks, terrorism trials and luxury holidays.
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Marina Go has been editor-in-chief of ELLE Australia, launch editor of ELLE Cuisine, editor of Sunday Life, editor of fashion for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers, editor of Australian Good Taste, and launch editor of PINNACLE magazine ...
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