Product Description

This book will teach you how to identify the type of column you want to write; how to come up with column topics regularly; how to write your column, (good/bad column samples are included); provide you with painless and enjoyable writing exercises to give you confidence; offer you style tips to give you the air of a professional writer; and instruct you on how to sell your column to local, regional and national markets on a regular and guest basis. It is highly recommended by Barbara Curtis, Times-Mirror Columnist. Curtis says it launched her career as a newspaper columnist. And, Small Publisher Magazine of West Virginia says: This information is worth a heck of a lot more than $14. Further, this book is recognized and acclaimed worldwide, and is used as a text at universities here and abroad. In fact, The Higher Education Commission in Pakistan even recommends it as a text. Canadian Writer's Journal says: The information is simply and clearly presented, and the friendly, conversational style makes for pleasant reading. Readers can enjoy and learn at the same time, it emphasizes. In fact, if you've got the desire, this book is a road map on how to travel from Square One to syndication, according to California Writers Club. Quite simply, Bruce Taylor of The Clear Writing Institute calls it: a one-of-a-kind book, empowering, making dreams come true for many aspiring writers. This book is also recommended by Career Guidance Services at universities, and as a writer's resource by many public libraries. In addition, it is recommended by associations for the home-based business person, such as The American Home-Based Work Administration. It is cited as a resource in many best-selling books in the writing and business fields and on websites for writers and business people. It is recommended as a resource by dozens of reviewers, including The Canadian Review of Books.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #883044 in Books
• Published on: 1993-01-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 232 pages

Review
A step-by-step approach to breaking into print. -- Pomona College Magazine

Covers all the bases. -- Writer's Journal

Excellent tutorial/advice. -- Publication Services Guild

If you've always wanted to write a column, check out "You Can Be A Columnist." -- ChangingCourse.com

If you've got the desire, this book is a road map on how to travel from Square One to Syndication. -- California Writers Club

Imagine the prestige...A high energy book that catches you up in its "You Can" attitude and shows you how. -- Writer's Digest Book Club Catalog

Outstanding resource. Highly entertaining book which will challenge and motivate you to create a paradise away from the workplace. -- Pacific Pipeline's Monthly Bestseller Report

The author covers everything. Concise, easy to read. For a beginning writer or seasoned professional. -- Texas Writers Journal

This book can show you how to open doors for yourself personally and professionally. -- The New Careers Center Catalog

Thousands of ideas, tips, pointers. Should be read by anyone contemplating a column. -- Travelwriter Marketletter

From the Publisher
This book is recommended by the prestigious Poynter Institute for Media Studies. Do you want to write for pleasure, about your insights on daily living? About your hobby? Or, do you want to enhance your status in your professional field by writing on a topic of your expertise? Homemakers, retirees, authors, psychologists, investment counselors, realtors, home economists, consultants of every kind--virtually all professionals--will discover the exciting benefits of being a columnist.This book will show you how to become a recognized expert. It is a Writer's Digest Book Club Featured Selection.

From the Author
Anyone can write and get published. You don't need any formal training. My book will show you how. Being a columnist, on any topic, will open opportunities for you that you never dreamed possible, personally and/or professionally. Your photo and name, regularly seen in one or many publications, can bring you great exposure, credibility and financial enrichment. Becoming a columnist can bring you a larger practice and can unlock rewarding avenues, such as lucrative speaking engagements and consultations.

Customer Reviews

I returned it....
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.

Become a Recognized Expert
"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

A Book That Opens Doors
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.