Write the Essay Pitch Your Dream Publication Wants to Publish with Caroline Shannon — Starts September 16

Tired of throwing pitches into the void? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll “fake it ’til you make it” the right way—by reverse-engineering outlets (think The Cut, Modern Love, Slate, Electric Literature, HuffPost Voices), mimicking house voice for practice, and building a pitch that fits like it was assigned to you.

Across four 90-minute sessions, you’ll learn to read like an editor: spot patterns in formats, headlines, angles, tone, and “why now,” then translate them into a publication-specific outline and a crisp pitch with a strong subject line and lede. Between classes, you’ll take what you’re learning and apply it to your idea, shaping a pitch for your dream publication.

You’ll also map the right editor for your piece and build a smart send strategy, with a retarget plan if you get a pass. By the end, you’ll leave with: a one-page House Style Snapshot (for your chosen outlet), a publication-ready outline, a polished pitch with 3–5 headline options, and an editor shortlist for your idea.

Expect practical templates, clear feedback, and built-in accountability. This course is ideal for emerging and mid-career writers across service, reported features, essays, and culture coverage who want to break into new outlets with pitches that land. Students should come to class with two example pieces from their dream publication and a rough idea (2–3 sentences) they’d like to shape for that outlet.

What you will learn

• Read like an editor: Spot repeatable patterns in formats, angles, headline “promises,” tone, and “why now” across various outlets.

• Match essay “fit”: Distinguish confessional vs. cultural first-person vs. reported—and pick the right lane.

• Transfer the pattern: Translate those patterns to your own target outlet without cloning voice (structure > persona).

• Outline with fit in mind: Build a publication-specific outline for your idea.

• Pitch anatomy & polish: Craft subject lines, ledes, and a pitch that sells the story and your authority—why are you the one to tell this story?

• Editor mapping & timing: Identify the right editor(s), justify the match, and time the send (seasonality/news pegs).

• Retarget plan: Create a shortlist of other publications that might fit your idea, so a “pass” becomes a faster “yes” somewhere else.

Workshop takeaways

• One publication-ready pitch, including a subject line and 3-5 headline options

• A one-page “House Style Snapshot” for your target outlet (e.g., beats, formats, voice, headline patterns).

• A publication-specific outline of your piece.

• Editor shortlist (3–5 names) and a plan to retarget pitch in the event of rejection.

Meeting Dates

September 16

September 23

September 30

October 7

Additional Info

This workshop will be recorded for the convenience of those unable to attend live. The recorded session will be emailed to participants the following day.

About the Instructor

Caroline Shannon’s work has appeared in The Cut, DAME, Narratively, Catapult, Vice, Women’s Health, InStyle, and other publications. She teaches creative nonfiction and is currently an MFA candidate in Antioch University’s creative writing program. Caroline lives in Pittsburgh. You can find her on Instagram @bycarolineshannon.