Feature and Magazine Writing: Action, Angle and Anecdotes / Edition 2

by David E. Sumner, Holly G. Miller

Overview

This fully revised and updated edition of Feature and Magazine Writing covers everything from finding original ideas to locating expert sources. With fresh perspectives and advice from professional writers and editors, this colorfully-written introduction is required reading for anyone who wishes to become a strong feature writer.

• Includes chapters on connecting content to the calendar, writing for online publications, trends, issues and controversies, and writing dramatic stories
  
• New chapters in this edition include 'How To Find A Magazine Job', 'Last Chance: The Final Draft', and 'Writing for Trades, Associations and Organizations'
  
• New sections in this edition include 'Improving Your Pizzazz and 'Original Research = Original Articles'

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781405192040
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/28/2009
Series:	Wiley Desktop Editions Series
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

David E. Sumner is Professor of Journalism and head of the magazine program at Ball State University. He received the “Magazine Educator of the Year” award in 2007 from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. To learn more about magazines, visit Professor Sumner’s Web site: www.professormagazine.com.

Holly G. Miller is a professional in residence at Anderson University, senior editor of The Saturday Evening Post and freelance contributor to several national magazines.

Read an Excerpt

Click to read or download

Table of Contents

Introduction: Magazines Have a Bright Future.

Part I: Preparing to Write Feature and Magazine Articles.

1. Capturing Reader Attention.

2. The Hunt for Fresh Ideas.

3. Strong Angles and Focused Ideas.

4. Original Research = Original Articles.

5. Interviews: Goal-driven Conversations.

Part II: Selling Feature and Magazine Articles.

6. Finding the Right Market.

7. Query Letters that Sell.

Part III: Writing Feature and Magazine Articles.

8. Hooks, Intros and Leads.

9. Action-Filled Writing.

10. The Art of the Anecdote.

11. Improving Your Pizzaz.

12. Don’t Botch the Basics.

Part IV: Different Types of Feature and Magazine Articles.

13. Blurbs, Briefs and Brighteners.

14. In Focus: The Well-Balanced Profile.

15. Writing Dramatic Stories.

16. Help! Writing the How-to Feature.

17. Connecting Content to the Calendar.

18. Trends, Issues and Controversies.

19. Writing to Inspire and Motivate.

20. Writing for Professionals and Practitioners.

21. Writing for Online Publications.

Part V: Postscript.

22. Last Chance: The Final Draft.

23. How to Find a Magazine Job.

Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This is absolutely one of my favorite magazine writing texts—great info, ideas, and strategies to help students learn how to succeed in the business. Whenever anybody asks me for suggestions on texts to use in feature writing classes, this is one at the top of my list.” Ted Spiker, head of magazine program at the University of Florida and former articles editor at Men’s Health

"Sumner and Miller make the abstract notion of what makes for good magazine content tangible for students who are starting on the mission of becoming stronger reporters and feature writers." Paola Banchero, University of Alaska Anchorage

Editorial Reviews

With clear writing and expertly crafted examples, this book goes beyond simply telling writers what to do and what not to do, but becomes a useful tool with its anecdotal evidence, challenging scenarios and actual sample writing how to become better feature writers.”
Tia C.M. Tyree
District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency

"Expertly packaged and sharply written, Sumner and Miller’s engaging text teaches not only basic elements of magazine writing, but also offers practical advice for today’s developing journalist. Everything from sentence structure to story-pitching advice is vividly explained, and the authors wisely include points of view from members of the contemporary working press. Also noteworthy is a wealth of information regarding the Internet, perhaps the most valuable and treacherous tool for tomorrow’s reporter."

David Abrahamson, Ph.D.

Helen G. Brown Research Professor of Journalism, Medill School of Journal,

Northwestern University

From the Publisher