FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 1, 2013
MADISON – The Madison chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites area journalists and the public to a free training session on how to successfully pitch and write a book.
“Turn Your Beat Into a Book” will be held from Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 7-9:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in West Towne Mall, 7433 Mineral Point Road. It will feature area book authors and publishing industry experts who will offer guidance on conceiving a book project, writing a proposal, contacting agents and publishers, and grinding out the daily work of writing (often while doing another job). A photographer will also discuss his book project. The training event will be targeted toward journalists, but members of the public with an interest in writing and photography and expertise to share with the world will also benefit.
The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation is sponsoring the training.
The program is as follows:
7-8:15 pm: JOURNALISTS TURNED AUTHORS (AND A PHOTOGRAPHER!): Learn how journalists turned their reporting beats into books by trusting what they know, crafting a sharp book proposal, and putting in the hard work of writing. And hear from a photojournalist about how his book project grew out of a newspaper assignment. Featuring:
Bill Lueders, money and politics reporter, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, and author, “Cry Rape,” “Watchdog” and “Enemy of the State.”
Jason Stein, state Capitol reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, co-author, “More Than They Bargained For”
Ron McCrea, former Capital Times, Washington Star, and Newsday editor, and author, “Building Taliesin: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home of Love and Loss.”
Craig Schreiner, UW-Whitewater campus photographer and former Wisconsin State Journal photographer, and documentarian of “One Small Farm.”
8:15-9:30 pm: WHAT PUBLISHERS WANT: Don’t waste your time pitching a book idea that won’t pique the interest of publishers. Discover what publishers are looking for, the current landscape of the book market, and the marketability of journalists with expertise in politics, education, the environment and other topics. Featuring:
Raphael Kadushin, senior acquisitions editor, University of Wisconsin Press, and editor and contributor to numerous magazines and book collections.
Laurie Scheer, director, UW-Madison Writers’ Institute, former vice president for programming at WE: Women’s Entertainment, and author of “Creative Careers in Hollywood.”
Published works by the panelists will be available for sale at the event. Coffee, sandwiches and light snacks will also be available at the Barnes & Noble café.
RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.
Contact Mark Pitsch, president, Madison SPJ at [email protected], or 608-252-6145, to RSVP or for more information. Contact Jeanne Huie, Community Relations Manager, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, for information about Barnes & Noble, [email protected].
