| How do you become a freelance writer for a newspaper?

How do you become a freelance writer for a newspaper?

boz4425 asked:


What’s the best way to become a freelance writer for a newspaper?

What kind of subject are best to write about?

How do you submit work?

I’m in college and want to be a journalist but have never done any writing except for school papers. I have yet to take classes on it since I can only take night classes right now. But - until I can, I’d like to get some experience under my belt.

I’m a little nervous though - I know I can write well but I’m not sure what is considered good and interesting material. I always criticize my work and figure no one would want to read it.

Any advice on any of this would be greatly appreciated

Related posts:

  1. How do you become a freelance writer for a local newspaper? boz4425 asked: What’s the best way to become a freelance...
  2. Where can I find a bio and picture of a freelance writer A.G. Basoli a staff writer at Coulmbia Journ review? rhonda_shirley asked: Is an Italian journalist who publishes a lot...
  3. How to prepare for a newspaper interview? hardoon asked: On a whim, I responded to a recent...
  4. Creative Way Making Money Online? Tina R asked: I am trying to figure out a...
  5. Creative Ways to Earn Money on the Internet? Tina R asked: I am trying to figure out a...

Filed Under Other - Arts & Humanities |

Tagged With , ,

Comments

One Response to “How do you become a freelance writer for a newspaper?”

  1. Treacle-A on May 24th, 2009 11:22 am

    I was working on a paper in the design dept when I started writing freelance for them, so I had a bit of a foot in the door, but it’s not unusual for untrained but skilled amateur writers to submit articles on spec to the editorial staff.

    If you call your local paper and ask if you can submit a local interest story you may well get a knock back. The best way (IMO) is to just go ahead and write something fairly short, send it in to the head of editorial (if you can find out their name that helps!) and ask him or her if they (or one of their staff reporters) would give you their honest opinion of it. Then follow up by asking if the paper would consider it for publication and - if not - is there a topic they would like an article on.

    As far as a subject goes though, that’s when you need to start thinking like a reporter! Think about local issues. What are people in your town or city concerned about and is there a unique perspective that you - as an individual - can bring to that story? Think about where your strengths are, what can you bring to an article that the other reporters might not. Maybe you have friends who have a unique story to tell or you yourself have experienced something that could be related to a hot topic. Read the papers, find out what people are interested in reading about. What’s on the front page and what are the headlines.

    And buy Hunter S. Thompson’s “The Proud Highway”. It helps :) Good luck!