8 Sessions: Sundays, January 11 - March 1
12:00-1:30pm ET
Jess McHugh

Jess has been a full-time freelance writer for most of her career and has made it work with a combination of structured routines, strategic pitching, and practical tools for staying productive and creative. This workshop is for non-fiction writers of all genres, whether investigative journalists, personal essayists, or cultural critics. Jess will give you the tools to implement practical and creative workflows to navigate the ever-changing media landscape.

We’ll cover everything from crafting compelling pitches to editors, to generating ideas when your creativity feels stalled, to managing deadlines and the business side of writing. She’ll talk you through what works and what doesn't, with a few examples from her own career of how an idea went from a cold pitch, to the reporting stage, to publication with a major publication.

Each session blends practical strategy with craft, so you’ll leave with both actionable tools and stronger work on the page. Weekly exercises, in-depth feedback on assignments, and group discussions will give you clarity, confidence, and momentum — whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your freelance career. By the end of the course, you’ll have a roadmap for how to pitch, write, and build a sustainable freelance practice that works for you.

Prior freelance experience is helpful but not required — all motivated writers are welcome.

Workshop Highlights:

• Each writer will leave with three polished pitches ready to send to editors.

• Practical tools and routines to stay organized, productive, and creative across multiple assignments.

• In-depth feedback and group discussion to help you refine your craft and troubleshoot challenges.