Building a Platform as a Writer

Writers in all fields (from TV and film to theater, fiction, graphic novels, and gaming) need inspiration and determination to bring their visions to life on the page.  But this course will examine the additional skills required to establish and maintain a career in the arts, specifically: (a) consistently generating quality work and getting it out to readers/viewers, (b) effectively marketing and publicizing your output, and (c) steadily building an audience of fans to support and spread the word about your distinctive voice and viewpoint.  Over the course of ten weeks, this online lecture course will explore case studies of successful self-starters like Quinta Brunson, Diablo Cody, Mindy Kaling, Robert Kirkman, Stephen King, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the South Park guys and more as well as resources and strategies for identifying opportunities and developing projects suited to various forms of media while building a personalized network to support, promote, and ultimately fund your creative dreams. 

This course is part of a large lecture series and does not include workshopping of student writing. It is ideal for those who wish to gain knowledge in a particular subject area without the concerns of receiving credit. Grades are calculated based on quizzes and exams. These courses cannot be applied to certificate completion at UCLA Extension.