Customer Reviews

You Can Be a Columnist: Writing and Selling Your Way to Prestige

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This book is written for a complete beginner (and I considered myself a beginner before I read it) and it's targeted specifically to "housewives and retirees" who want to gain a little recognition in the community. Which is certainly a nice thing, but it's not at all my situation (in my twenties, a college degree, not yet a published writer but a voracious reader.) She includes "tips" like: It's an interesting idea to start a column with a cliche....or maybe a *twist* on a cliche! (There is almost an entire page dedicated to all the ways you can use a cliche as the first sentance.) Most of the book is a collection of "sample" columns that she wrote specifically to be "bad" examples, which she then critiques. I would have much preferred that she critique real-life, published columns by other people. There's just a very outdated, remedial feel to the book.
I did learn two important things from this book, though: 1. that column anthologies are a very good way to read a bunch of good columns at once (instead of collecting a pile of newspapers in the kitchen), and 2. that column-writing is an art probably best learned by reading lots of other people's columns and then emulating that in your own way (rather than reading a how-to book). The author herself started out that way; she describes her lack of a journalistic background before she simply jumped into the newspaper world.
I was so disappointed in this book, and bought it because there weren't any reviews saying that it was a waste of money, so I hope this will save someone a few bucks.

"Becoming a columnist can not only bring you a larger professional practice and an enhanced image, but it can also unlock rewarding avenues, such as lucrative speaking engagements with associations and civic organizations, and consultations." ~ Charlotte Digregorio

Charlotte Digregorio is a nationally known writing teacher who has built a freelance career on a good foundation of research. She believes that the job of a writer is to find a new angle and to see what isn't being covered in your area of expertise. She has taught journalism at colleges and also gives workshops to aspiring columnists.

You Can Be A Columnist shows you how to not only gain local exposure but gain regional and national exposure with your column. For aspiring writers this can seem like a dream come true and this book presents a step-by-step approach to breaking into a lucrative writing career.

Charlotte Digregorio will also show you how to:

Identify the specific type of column you want to write
Find entertaining topics on a regular basis
Sell your column
Develop your own writing style
Learn how to gather facts and present them professionally
Write a cover letter
Convince editors of the need for your column
Establish a track record by writing a regular column
Offer your expertise to the public
Decide on the type of column you want to write
Communicate with your readers

Regardless of your background or interests this book shows you how to become an authority in your field of expertise. Authors will appreciate her ideas on how to market their books more effectively through writing articles. Reading this book gave me a good idea of what it takes to be a columnist. You can embrace the lifestyle or even become a guest columnist in your spare time.

~The Rebecca Review

As an educator, I think this is a wonderful book for anyone interested in sharing their knowledge with others. The author explains different types of columnists, includes the basics of column writing, and provides some background on how to market a column. It is geared for the person with an interest in sharing their knowledge or opinion with others. Very understandable and helpful. Young and old would feel comfortable learning from this author.

YOU CAN BE A COLUMNIST is an extremely helpful guide for anyone entering this field. As a travel writer & columnist myself I tend to examine books both for their practical information and for the quality of the writing. This book is excellent on both counts. Anyone contemplating becoming a columnist MUST buy this book.

This book can help anyone break into column writing or help a published columnist improve skills. It's the best book I've read covering the subject. For example, the chapter on "The Informational Column" for professionals in any field--business, counseling, health care, etc.-- who want to provide information to lay people, is extremely valuable to those such as myself. This book gives useful critiques of columns, ample style examples, and extensive details on successfully marketing a column. It gives valuable instruction to any columnist.You Can Be a Columnist: Writing and Selling Your Way to Prestige

This book is unique for various reasons. It gets at the heart of what a column really is, and how it is different from other types of journalistic writing. Further, the sample columns really teach a freelance writer to understand the basics/style of column writing. In addition, the details on marketing a column and approaching editors are very logical and revealing. The author is not only skilled at instructing aspiring writers, but she truly knows how to get editors to publish your work.