Feature Writing for Newspapers and Magazines, a book review

This is my favorite textbook ever. I mean it: ever. And, that’s saying a lot since I started college in the fall of 1995 and won’t finish up for another 26 days (at my third college). This book, Feature Writing for Newspapers and Magazines, The Pursuit of Excellence, by Jay Friedlander and John Lee, was the absolute perfect book to end my collegiate career.

Why? Because not only is it full of useful (as in I went straight home and put the advice into immediate practice in my freelance writing business) tips, the authors fill many chapters with Pulitzer Prize winning examples — stories that are difficult to find elsewhere, stories that will move your soul and inspire your muse.

Sure, there were a few pages when I would nod and think, “Yes. Yes. I’ve read this before.” But there were many, many more pages that caused me to take feverish notes and some even had me running to the copy machine to make a copy for the “helpful tips” notebook that sits on my desk.

For instance, on page 296, the section on “Avoiding Common Mistakes” is priceless. But, what I want to know is this: why didn’t someone share this information with me from the beginning? Life would have been so much easier — and less embarrassing — and I would have saved oodles of time.

Yeah, the book covers the basics — like story structure and trends, but it also talks about focusing your ideas and what won’t work. It also lays down the law on page 67 with the section “Three Necessary Skills for the Freelance Writer.” Got ‘em? Great. Don’t? You might want to re-think your profession.

What if you don’t feel comfortable interviewing? After chapter five you will. Would you rather poke your eyes out than revise? Chapter 9 will come to your rescue. Not sure what your rights and boundaries are? Chapter 10, “Legal and Ethical Considerations for Writers” covers the details.

Seriously, I never thought I’d say this: but I can’t wait to read this textbook again. It’s one that will live on my bookshelves for as long as I’m trading words for dollars.

You can find used copies on Amazon.com for less than $50 — and, if you’re serious about freelance writing, you should.