Detailed
Course Outline
Kaitlin Brunt with Alligator Lizard
Photo by R. Brunt
Lesson One
Getting Started
This lesson covers developing a strategy for precisely targeting your ideas for outdoor
magazine articles so they have the best chance of selling.
You will learn how to determine what outdoor editors need and want.
You will learn how to analyze your markets.
You will learn how editors will help you supply exactly the stories they need.
Lesson Two
Targeting your Talent
This lesson covers more techniques of learning how to successfully anticipate what editors
need and want.
You will learn how to analyze magazines to determine your best chances of publication.
You will learn what sells, and why, in virtually every outdoor publication on your
newsstand.
Lesson Three
Query Letters
This lesson covers query letters - your passport to publication.
You will learn how to write query letters that sell.
You will learn the four rules of the good query letter.
You will learn why queries are rejected.
You will learn the cardinal rule of freelancing.
Lesson Four
Types of Articles
This lesson is the first in a series which examines the various types of articles outdoor
editors are looking for.
You will learn the type of writing you are best suited to try first as you begin to
establish yourself as a freelance outdoor writer.
You will learn how to become a valued regular contributor.
Lesson Five
More Types of Articles
This lesson covers the How-to and the Where-to-go magazine article, the bread -and-butter
stories of freelance outdoor writing.
You will learn how to analyze these types of articles so that, as you begin to write them,
you will have the confidence of knowing they will be published.
Lesson Six
Still More Types of Articles
This lesson covers writing Columns, Shop Features and Personality Profiles.
You will learn how to develop a strategy to become a regular columnist.
You will learn how to develop your own distinctive voice.
You will learn interviewing skills.
You will learn about the responsibility that comes with writing about people.
Lesson Seven
Even More Types of Articles
Lesson Seven covers writing Adventure-Destination features, the Documentary, the
Me 'n Joe Story, Humour articles and we take a more in-depth look at writing Travel
articles.
You will learn how to get assignments to lodges and resorts.
You will learn the six things you should do when you get a Travel or Adventure -
Destination assignment.
You will learn how to investigate the Documentary article.
You will learn the subtleties that make a Me 'n Joe story come alive.
You will learn why Travel writing offers so many opportunities for the outdoor writer.
Lesson Eight
Building Your Story
The lesson covers leads, body text, transitions, endings, and more on the use of anecdotes
and quotes.
You will learn to recognize the internal structure of a story.
You will see examples of leads and endings from published articles.
You will learn how to diagram the basic structure of a story.
Lesson Nine
Grammar and Punctuation
This lesson gives the basics of grammar.
You will learn about paragraphs, sentences and vocabulary.
You will learn about verbs, adverbs and adjectives.
You will learn about metaphors and similes.
You will learn various types of punctuation.
Lesson Ten
The Business of Writing
This lesson examines the various aspects of the business of freelance outdoor writing. You
will learn to set goals, track your income and keep climbing the freelancing pyramid to
success. You will learn about what RIGHTS to sell, how to keep proper books and records,
how to maintain a vehicle log book and track your articles, correspondence and
commitments.
You will learn where to find the assignments that pay the most, and learn how you can
network with outdoor editors and other freelance writers.
You will get a glimpse of the opportunities for freelance writers that exist on the
Internet, and learn about what office equipment you can't do without.
Lesson Eleven
Other Venues
This lesson covers writing Press Releases, Sportsmens' and Trade shows, Slide Shows,
writing for Non-Profit Societies, producing Outdoor Videos, Radio and Television work, and
writing for Foreign Markets.
You will learn what makes a successful Press Release.
You will learn how to get the most out of Sportsmens' Shows.
You will learn how to target non-profit societies.
You will learn about outdoor videos, radio and television work.
You will learn about foreign markets for outdoor writers.
Lesson Twelve
More Opportunities
This lesson covers writing the outdoor book and outdoor photography.
You will learn the six things your query must have.
You will learn the secret of finding a book publisher.
You will learn how to organize your book project.
You will learn about self publishing your outdoor book.
You will learn about cameras and photographic equipment.
You will learn to prepare a Shooting Schedule.
You will learn to utilize stock photo agencies.
Course Completion:
Because of the time it takes to get material back and forth in the mail, to complete the
writing assignments and to hear back from publications, some students may take longer to
complete this course. There is a two - year course completion deadline, which may be
extended at the discretion of the School. Completion of all 12 Lesson Quizzes constitutes
course completion, at which time a certificate shall be issued by the school.
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