MapleLine Journalism Program

Journalism Career Training

Mentoring Program

$599.00+gst for youth (17-22)

$799.00+gst for adults (23+)

Registration is now open for the 2010-2011 program; deadline September 23, 2010.

Brookeline Publishing House Inc. (publisher of MapleLine Magazine) has launched a journalism mentoring program for a new generation of news writers in Sooke, BC. The second year of the program starts Thursday, October 21, 2010 and continues to June 2011.

The goal of this program is to enhance the news-writing and photojournalism skills of keen young adults (of all ages) so they can make positive and professional contributions to print and online publications across Canada.

For 2010-2011 the program cost per youth participant (age 17 to 22 years) is $599.00+gst. Regular adult fee is $799.00 for the full program. Monthly payment program available.

The program runs October through June. [Note: payments may be made monthly as required.] See registration details.

Click here for registration form or phone 250-642-7729 or email to workshops@maplelinemagazine.com .

The program has a 'survey' format in order to cover a wide range of topics and media coverage styles. Participants meet for monthly workshops to learn about news writing, copy editing, what makes a good story, how to submit a print or online story, photojournalism, Canadian Press Style, and more. Between workshops there will be on-going mentoring on various news writing and research projects throughout the 9-month program. Each month one local news article must be submitted. See registration and program details.

Program Dates, Times and Locations (for registered participants in the 2010-2011 program) -- all sessions held at the MapleLine Business Centre, 6707 West Coast Road, Sooke.

Thurs. Oct.21/10 [7:00 to 9:30 pm]. First session. Guidelines for news writing, introduction to CP Press Style, and first writing assignments.

Thurs. Nov.18/10 [7:00 to 9:30 pm]. Writing about politics. Learn the general guidelines for political coverage in the Canadian news media.

Thurs. Dec.9/10 [7:00 to 9:30 pm]. Writing about health issues. Learn about the importance of accuracy and developing a network of resources and contacts.

Thurs. Jan.20, 2011 [7:00 to 9:30 pm]. Writing about business and finance. Includes a special hour on preparing news releases.

Thurs. Feb.18, 2011 [7:00 to 9:30 pm] at Writing about environmental issues. Review current topics of interest and assess coverage techniques.

Thurs. Mar.24, 2011 [7:00 to 9:30 pm]. Writing about the arts. Tips for writing about arts and entertainment.

Thurs. Apr.21, 2011 [7:00 to 9:30 pm]. Writing about restaurants, food and cuisine. Regular workshop followed by doing restaurant review at the dining establishment of your choice!

Thurs. May 20, 2011 [7:00 to 9:30 pm]. Writing about families and social gender issues. Exploration of the issues and how to produce fair and balanced reports.

June 2011. No formal session. Students will undertake completion of outstanding assignments. Resume preparation tips provided as required.

The curriculum has been developed by Mary P. Brooke, publisher/editor of MapleLine Magazine. There may be guest speakers from various areas of journalism, business, government and community to address how certain topics are handled by the media.

Each participant who completes each monthly assignment will receive a certificate of completion.

Brookeline Publishing House Inc. (publisher of MapleLine Magazine) underwrites the cost of this program, along with contributions from corporate sponsors and magazine subscribers.

Registration inquiries may be directed to workshops@maplelinemagazine.com or phone 250-642-7729.

About this Program

News writing for a new generation.

Thinking outside the box

Good writing always finds a market. The old model is that journalism must be a full-time, salaried employment scenario; the new model is more flexible -- casual, part-time, stringer, freelance, associate, etc.

The students in the program will soon be doing well with writing for contribution (to community and profession) as well as financial income, in combination with other things they are doing in their lives (e.g. raising families, working at other part-time jobs, etc.). Some may go on to degree-granting institutes (e.g. Carleton, Ryerson, Univ. of Regina, etc.); the MapleLine program gets their feet wet.

The MapleLine program is not intended to compete with J-Schools at the degree-granting level; it is a 9-month program of instructional workshops with a lot of assignments and guests speaker workshops, plus mentoring. It's hands-on, and it works for those who are committed to writing for its own sake. We invite those with a positive attitude to find out more.

Other Writing Genres

In Fall 2010 we will also start a Journalism Skills for Health Professionals workshop program. Click here for more info.

In Fall 2010 we will also offer a Restaurant Review Writers Program. More info to come. Inquiries.

Business & Community

Invitation to be interviewed.

Story opportunity.

If you would like one of the news writers in our program to interview you for a story on a topic or storyline that they are pursuing, please contact the program coordinator, Mary P. Brooke, at workshops@maplelinemagazine.com .

Testimonials

Feedback from students

Great program!

"My Grade 12 Writing teacher is very proud that I joined up with this course." ~ Samantha MacLean, Sooke (Dec.7/09)

"Thank you so much for an informative and inspiring first session! You really make me want to succeed at providing a factual and trustworthy service to our great community. Your honesty about the tasks and enthusiasm for this venture has made me take a deep breath and kindled a real desire to take the plunge and put myself out there." ~ Karen Laharty, Sooke (Oct.22/09)

Sponsorship

Be a corporate sponsor

Support young journalists

Brookeline Publishing House Inc. underwrites the cost of the MapleLine Journalism Mentoring Program, along with contributions from corporate sponsors and paying subscribers.

This is a program that runs on its own steam, with the commitment of participants and the support of businesses and community leaders who realize the importance of well-written news. We are a business school, and we choose to operate without dependency on government grants or community grants at the current time.

Sponsors to date (Dec.10/09) include the Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce, Sooke Harbour House and Village Food Markets. Sponsors receive ongoing promotion within program materials and announcements, as well as ads in the print edition of MapleLine.

Sponsors may recommend guest speakers and are asked to provide a meeting space for one or more sessions during the year.

Sponsors may provide program materials -- with or without corporate logos at their discretion (e.g. notepads, pens, memory sticks, shopping bags, business cards, computer software, payment of travel costs, event reminder flyers, etc.).

For inquiries about being a corporate sponsor, please inquire to: editor@maplelinemagazine.com