Alternative Journalism Writers Workshop 2009
For the past several years, AAN has hosted a workshop designed for alternative newsweekly writers and reporters. Instructors address alternative approaches to news and arts coverage and provide training in investigative and narrative techniques. The 2009 workshop will be held at the Medill School of Journalism on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Ill., on Aug. 14 and 15.
HOTEL
AAN has a block of rooms for workshop attendees at the Hotel Orrington. Please call (888) 677-4648 to make your reservation. Let them know that you are with the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and ask for the $119 AAN rate. (The $119 is for single or double occupancy; higher rates apply for triple or quad.) The cut-off date the reduced rate is Friday, July 31.
ROOM SHARE
If you would like to share a hotel room with another attendee to cut expenses, please contact Debra Silvestrin at debra (at) aan.org and we will do our best to pair you up with a same-sex roommate.
PROGRAM
Friday, Aug. 14
3 p.m.
Welcome & introductions
3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
The Writing Life
Gustavo Arellano returns to Medill by popular demand. The OC Weekly writer is perhaps best known for his award-winning ¡Ask A Mexican! column, but Arellano never intended to be a columnist. Rather, he fell into journalism from academia and remains, at heart, an investigative reporter and a food writer. Arellano will share his unusual path to alt.weeklydom and take questions from the audience.
Speaker: Gustavo Arellano, OC Weekly
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ready to Rumble?
Is your tickler file gathering dust? AAN editors will lead attendees in a story and idea-generating competition (which means, yes, there will be prizes). Topics will be assigned ahead of time. Even if you leave empty-handed, you'll have lots of ideas to pursue when returning home.
6 p.m.
Cocktails and Conversation
Medill attendees are invited to convene at the bar at the Orrington Hotel where Westword editor Patty Calhoun will lead a discussion on a piece in progress: "Mentoring a Murderer." Byron Dennis grew up in a tough area of Chicago, but he got a break -- in high school, he was chosen for a program in which mentors paid for promising kids to go to a private Catholic school that would give them a good education, and prepare them for college. But along the way, Dennis made a major detour -- he got involved with a gang, and was convicted of murder. Roland Calhoun, Patty's father, was Byron's mentor through high school, and he's stuck by him in prison -- as documented in 15 years of correspondence. Now Byron is slated to get out in a year. Is there a story in the relationship between the mentor and the murderer? If so, where should it go?
Speaker: Patricia Calhoun, Westword
Saturday, Aug. 15
9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Ethics Soup
Is a source in a mental institution reliable? Is it reasonable for the mayor to request anonymity? Is it ethical to quote from a dead teenager's myspace page? Although ethics situations can often become a morass, there are clear questions every journalist should ask when confronting them. Tucson Weekly Editor Jimmy Boegle and Las Vegas Weekly Editor Scott Dickensheets will talk about examples and guidelines, and lead a discussion with attendees. Bring your own examples and questions, as well.
Panelists: Jimmy Boegle, Tucson Weekly; Scott Dickensheets, Las Vegas Weekly
10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
Adventures in Multi-Media
While everyone else ponders how to make money off the web and drive traffic, we're going to get down to what really matters: Generating good online content, whether it's provocative blog posts, multi-media or repackaging your print work for online readers. Our distinguished panel will share examples of successful online journalism, and answer questions.
Panelists: Sean Cronin, Creative Loafing; Brad Flora, The Windy Citizen; Esther Kang, Chicago Magazine
Moderator: Julia Goldberg, Santa Fe Reporter
Noon to 1 p.m.
Covering Politics
Everyone knows Chicago has mad politics. But how do you cover politics as an "alternative" weekly writer? By offering depth, analysis and investigative reporting the mainstream publications don't, while also plugging away online to create a daily presence. That's the approach the Chicago Reader takes, and it has born numerous great and award-winning stories. Reader Associate Editor and political writer Mick Dumke will give tips on how to cultivate your political beat through examples of his own work, including a recent investigative series on the privatization (and bungalization) of the city's parking meters. The stories will be made available to attendees ahead of time.
Speaker: Mick Dumke, Associate Editor, Chicago Reader
1:15 to 3:30 p.m.
Lunch & Critiques
All attendees will work with in small groups with an AAN editor to critique a published story, and to troubleshoot a forthcoming project. Attendees will be assigned editors and reading ahead of time.
3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Telling Real Stories: Why It Matters
Donna Ladd draws on her experiences investigating and then writing compelling narratives about old Klan cold cases and new mayors gone amok to show how rich, detailed stories can do much more than lead to federal Indictments -- they can improve our communities, inspire change and even enrich our own everyday lives.
Speaker: Donna Ladd, Jackson Free Press
5 to 6 p.m.
How to Write a Great Feature
"Outstanding blend of strong reporting and fast-paced narrative writing. Unforgettable descriptions from Iraq. A moving look at a soldier fighting an important battle. Wonderful piece." So said 2009 Association of Alternative Newsweeklies award judges about Westword staff writer Joel Warner's first-place-winning feature story, "The Good Soldier." Warner and Westword Editor Patricia Calhoun will discuss how the story was reported and crafted, and what elements create a great feature piece.
Speakers: Joel Warner, Patricia Calhoun, Westword
7:30 to 10 p.m.
Dinner
Restaurant TBD
Bios
Gustavo Arellano is a staff writer with OC Weekly, an alternative newspaper in Orange County, Calif., a contributing editor to the Los Angeles Times Op/Ed pages, and frequent guest on Public Radio International's Weekend America. He writes "¡Ask a Mexican!,®" an award-winning nationally syndicated column with a weekly circulation of more than 2 million in 32 newspapers across the United States. Arellano has been the subject of press coverage in the Los Angeles Times, Houston Chronicle, Reuters, Mexico City's El Universal newspaper, The Today Show, Hannity & Colmes, Nightline, The New York Times, Good Morning America, Utne and The Colbert Report. Gustavo also is the recipient of the Los Angeles Press Club's 2007 President's Award and an Impacto Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Gustavo lives in Orange County and is the proud son of two Mexican immigrants, one whom was illegal.
Jimmy Boegle is the editor of Tucson Weekly. He previously was the news editor at Las Vegas CityLife, and before that, he was the editor of the Reno News & Review. He's one of the few editors on the AAN Editorial Committee who has not gotten fired (yet); he also serves on the AAN Organization and Bylaws Committee.
Patricia Calhoun is the editor of Westword in Denver, Colorado. She has served on the AAN board of directors in a number of different capacities, including president and editorial chair.
Sean Cronin is the online content manager for Creative Loafing.
Scott Dickensheets is editor in chief of the Las Vegas Weekly. He previously served Greenspun Media Group as interim editor of Las Vegas Life magazine, as well as that magazine's managing editor, senior editor and staff writer. Before that he was an editor and columnist for the Las Vegas Sun. Outside the Greenspun companies he has been a publicist and editor for the (now defunct) Allied Arts Council of Southern Nevada and special projects editor of Las Vegas CityLife. His freelance writing has appeared in Esquire, Playboy and numerous other publications.
Mick Dumke is an associate editor at the Chicago Reader, which means he reports, writes, edits and blogs -- mostly about the environment and politics. He's been covering Chicago politics and public policy for 10 years, and has also written about sports, religion, books, and music.
Brad Flora is a Chicago-based journalist and web developer. He is the publisher and founder of The Windy Citizen, a free Chicago news site built by its readers.
Julia Goldberg is the editor of the Santa Fe Reporter, and serves on the AAN board of directors as its editorial chair. She's been told everything she writes is too long, which is why she's keeping this bio relatively short, but you can read a longer one at: sfreporter.com/stories/authors/julia_goldberg/1/
Esther Kang is the online editor at Chicago Magazine, where she writes, edits, designs, and shoots photos and video for the magazine and website. Previously she worked as a breaking nation/world news multimedia producer for the Tribune Company's newspaper.coms. Aside from her work on the web, Esther has covered the Chicago Public Schools and juvenile court beats for area newspapers and has reported and written for the Chicago Tribune. Esther holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees ('02, '03) from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, where she teaches Reporting & Writing and Multimedia Storytelling.
Donna Ladd is co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Jackson Free Press, the state's only alternative newspaper. She has written for many magazines, websites and alternative newspapers, including The Village Voice. She serves on AAN's board of directors as its diversity chair.
HOTEL
AAN has a block of rooms for workshop attendees at the Hotel Orrington. Please call (888) 677-4648 to make your reservation. Let them know that you are with the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and ask for the $119 AAN rate. (The $119 is for single or double occupancy; higher rates apply for triple or quad.) The cut-off date the reduced rate is Friday, July 31.
ROOM SHARE
If you would like to share a hotel room with another attendee to cut expenses, please contact Debra Silvestrin at debra (at) aan.org and we will do our best to pair you up with a same-sex roommate.
PROGRAM
Friday, Aug. 14
3 p.m.
Welcome & introductions
3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
The Writing Life
Gustavo Arellano returns to Medill by popular demand. The OC Weekly writer is perhaps best known for his award-winning ¡Ask A Mexican! column, but Arellano never intended to be a columnist. Rather, he fell into journalism from academia and remains, at heart, an investigative reporter and a food writer. Arellano will share his unusual path to alt.weeklydom and take questions from the audience.
Speaker: Gustavo Arellano, OC Weekly
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ready to Rumble?
Is your tickler file gathering dust? AAN editors will lead attendees in a story and idea-generating competition (which means, yes, there will be prizes). Topics will be assigned ahead of time. Even if you leave empty-handed, you'll have lots of ideas to pursue when returning home.
6 p.m.
Cocktails and Conversation
Medill attendees are invited to convene at the bar at the Orrington Hotel where Westword editor Patty Calhoun will lead a discussion on a piece in progress: "Mentoring a Murderer." Byron Dennis grew up in a tough area of Chicago, but he got a break -- in high school, he was chosen for a program in which mentors paid for promising kids to go to a private Catholic school that would give them a good education, and prepare them for college. But along the way, Dennis made a major detour -- he got involved with a gang, and was convicted of murder. Roland Calhoun, Patty's father, was Byron's mentor through high school, and he's stuck by him in prison -- as documented in 15 years of correspondence. Now Byron is slated to get out in a year. Is there a story in the relationship between the mentor and the murderer? If so, where should it go?
Speaker: Patricia Calhoun, Westword
Saturday, Aug. 15
9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Ethics Soup
Is a source in a mental institution reliable? Is it reasonable for the mayor to request anonymity? Is it ethical to quote from a dead teenager's myspace page? Although ethics situations can often become a morass, there are clear questions every journalist should ask when confronting them. Tucson Weekly Editor Jimmy Boegle and Las Vegas Weekly Editor Scott Dickensheets will talk about examples and guidelines, and lead a discussion with attendees. Bring your own examples and questions, as well.
Panelists: Jimmy Boegle, Tucson Weekly; Scott Dickensheets, Las Vegas Weekly
10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
Adventures in Multi-Media
While everyone else ponders how to make money off the web and drive traffic, we're going to get down to what really matters: Generating good online content, whether it's provocative blog posts, multi-media or repackaging your print work for online readers. Our distinguished panel will share examples of successful online journalism, and answer questions.
Panelists: Sean Cronin, Creative Loafing; Brad Flora, The Windy Citizen; Esther Kang, Chicago Magazine
Moderator: Julia Goldberg, Santa Fe Reporter
Noon to 1 p.m.
Covering Politics
Everyone knows Chicago has mad politics. But how do you cover politics as an "alternative" weekly writer? By offering depth, analysis and investigative reporting the mainstream publications don't, while also plugging away online to create a daily presence. That's the approach the Chicago Reader takes, and it has born numerous great and award-winning stories. Reader Associate Editor and political writer Mick Dumke will give tips on how to cultivate your political beat through examples of his own work, including a recent investigative series on the privatization (and bungalization) of the city's parking meters. The stories will be made available to attendees ahead of time.
Speaker: Mick Dumke, Associate Editor, Chicago Reader
1:15 to 3:30 p.m.
Lunch & Critiques
All attendees will work with in small groups with an AAN editor to critique a published story, and to troubleshoot a forthcoming project. Attendees will be assigned editors and reading ahead of time.
3:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Telling Real Stories: Why It Matters
Donna Ladd draws on her experiences investigating and then writing compelling narratives about old Klan cold cases and new mayors gone amok to show how rich, detailed stories can do much more than lead to federal Indictments -- they can improve our communities, inspire change and even enrich our own everyday lives.
Speaker: Donna Ladd, Jackson Free Press
5 to 6 p.m.
How to Write a Great Feature
"Outstanding blend of strong reporting and fast-paced narrative writing. Unforgettable descriptions from Iraq. A moving look at a soldier fighting an important battle. Wonderful piece." So said 2009 Association of Alternative Newsweeklies award judges about Westword staff writer Joel Warner's first-place-winning feature story, "The Good Soldier." Warner and Westword Editor Patricia Calhoun will discuss how the story was reported and crafted, and what elements create a great feature piece.
Speakers: Joel Warner, Patricia Calhoun, Westword
7:30 to 10 p.m.
Dinner
Restaurant TBD
Bios
Gustavo Arellano is a staff writer with OC Weekly, an alternative newspaper in Orange County, Calif., a contributing editor to the Los Angeles Times Op/Ed pages, and frequent guest on Public Radio International's Weekend America. He writes "¡Ask a Mexican!,®" an award-winning nationally syndicated column with a weekly circulation of more than 2 million in 32 newspapers across the United States. Arellano has been the subject of press coverage in the Los Angeles Times, Houston Chronicle, Reuters, Mexico City's El Universal newspaper, The Today Show, Hannity & Colmes, Nightline, The New York Times, Good Morning America, Utne and The Colbert Report. Gustavo also is the recipient of the Los Angeles Press Club's 2007 President's Award and an Impacto Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Gustavo lives in Orange County and is the proud son of two Mexican immigrants, one whom was illegal.
Jimmy Boegle is the editor of Tucson Weekly. He previously was the news editor at Las Vegas CityLife, and before that, he was the editor of the Reno News & Review. He's one of the few editors on the AAN Editorial Committee who has not gotten fired (yet); he also serves on the AAN Organization and Bylaws Committee.
Patricia Calhoun is the editor of Westword in Denver, Colorado. She has served on the AAN board of directors in a number of different capacities, including president and editorial chair.
Sean Cronin is the online content manager for Creative Loafing.
Scott Dickensheets is editor in chief of the Las Vegas Weekly. He previously served Greenspun Media Group as interim editor of Las Vegas Life magazine, as well as that magazine's managing editor, senior editor and staff writer. Before that he was an editor and columnist for the Las Vegas Sun. Outside the Greenspun companies he has been a publicist and editor for the (now defunct) Allied Arts Council of Southern Nevada and special projects editor of Las Vegas CityLife. His freelance writing has appeared in Esquire, Playboy and numerous other publications.
Mick Dumke is an associate editor at the Chicago Reader, which means he reports, writes, edits and blogs -- mostly about the environment and politics. He's been covering Chicago politics and public policy for 10 years, and has also written about sports, religion, books, and music.
Brad Flora is a Chicago-based journalist and web developer. He is the publisher and founder of The Windy Citizen, a free Chicago news site built by its readers.
Julia Goldberg is the editor of the Santa Fe Reporter, and serves on the AAN board of directors as its editorial chair. She's been told everything she writes is too long, which is why she's keeping this bio relatively short, but you can read a longer one at: sfreporter.com/stories/authors/julia_goldberg/1/
Esther Kang is the online editor at Chicago Magazine, where she writes, edits, designs, and shoots photos and video for the magazine and website. Previously she worked as a breaking nation/world news multimedia producer for the Tribune Company's newspaper.coms. Aside from her work on the web, Esther has covered the Chicago Public Schools and juvenile court beats for area newspapers and has reported and written for the Chicago Tribune. Esther holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees ('02, '03) from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, where she teaches Reporting & Writing and Multimedia Storytelling.
Donna Ladd is co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Jackson Free Press, the state's only alternative newspaper. She has written for many magazines, websites and alternative newspapers, including The Village Voice. She serves on AAN's board of directors as its diversity chair.