About Tim Albert Training

This course will not be run
as an open course in 2006

What people have said about this course:

'I now feel confident enough to offer my work for publication.'

'I had no publications when I came on the course... I now have three things in print ... and three other papers submitted.'

'It was a workshop with you that gave me the kick-start. So it's all your fault!' (BMJ columnist)

'I have found the day worth every penny, very informative ... a whole bank of new information.'

'It contained such useful, basic and appropriate advice ... I now write two regular medical columns.'

Write for magazines and newspapers

There is a huge demand for well written articles on medical topics. Our course, Medical journalism, has been designed to help you to satisfy this demand. You will do this by being able to understand the market, write articles that will meet the market requirements, and deal constructively with editors.

By the end of the session you will have…
a basic understanding of the market for medical articles in newspapers and magazines (not academic journals),

a pragmatic approach to judging whether an article is 'good',
a simple technique for developing good ideas and matching them to suitable markets,
two sets of tools for turning a rough first draft into an article that has a good chance of being accepted by the target journal,
five guidelines for a good writing style,
a sensible strategy for making the best use of comments from others,
a clear understanding of how to deal successfully with editors.

Who should - and should not - attend
The course is suitable for those who want to get published in magazines and newspapers.
The course is not suitable for those who (a) want to learn about the writing process or (b) want to write for scientific journals. We have separate courses for each of these.

Is any preparation needed?
Yes. During the course we will be looking at how to assess - and improve - a first draft. It is therefore important that you bring with you a draft article of about 800 words - aimed at a specific publication.

What the course will cost
The current cost for a single place on an open course is £175 (plus VAT). This includes tuition, a course book, coffee and tea. Lunch is not included. The next open course will be held at BMA House in London on 4 November 2005.

Medical journalism: outline programme

9.30

Introduction: participants, tutors and the course.

10.00

Understanding the market: a simple model for effective writing, market characteristics and requirements.

10.45

Coffee

11.00

Polishing the draft: (1) macro-editing - message, market, structure and tone.

12.30

Lunch break

1.30

Polishing the draft: (2) micro editing - facts, grammar, spelling and style.

3.00

Tea

3.15

Dealing with editors: do's and don'ts; questions.

4.15

Action plans, evaluation.

4.30

End of course.

Participants should bring with them an original article of about 800 words.

For further information on public courses, go to open.

For further information on group courses, go to in-house.

For answers to questions on writing, go to ask questions.

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