The East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists is having a workshop on freelancing, Thursday, November 20th at 7PM at the Knoxville News Sentinel in the Knox Room. Cost is $5 for non-members, members and students free. More details in the press release after the jump...

WHO: ETSPJ
WHAT: Freelancing for Fun and Profit
WHEN: Thursday, November 20 - 7 p.m,
WHERE: Knoxville News Sentinel, Knox Room

(Please be prompt; we will have someone at the door to let you in 6:45-7:15) Fee: $5 for non-ETSPJ members. Members and students free.

In an economy where “mainstream media” are shrinking staff and where salaries aren’t rising as fast as inflation, journalists need to find other ways of translating their skills into cash. Our panel on freelancing will include veteran freelancer and editor Katy Koontz who specializes in women’s health, travel and lifestyle topics and who has edited several books and much more. Another great addition to the panel is Christina Southern, editor of the News Sentinel’s Community section. All her contributors are freelancers, so she will be an expert on how to and how NOT to deal with an editor, what the editor is looking for, and so much more.

We’ll also meet two photographers: Colby McLemore works with Katy to tie images to stories, making the entire package more marketable. Colby will share how this partnership works and how a writer might inexpensively gain skills to shoot the pictures and art for his/her stories. Also, Patrick Murphy-Racey was an accomplished photographer for the News Sentinel plus Sports Illustrated before he went out on his own. Recently, Patrick has been getting into video. He will counsel freelancers to look to the Web, Web, Web for opportunities rather than traditional media.We’ll cover successful queries, establishing relationships with publications, plus the business aspects of managing money and living off your writing. Miss this nuts and bolts program at your peril!