The Write Stuff LJF09, by Emile Holba
The Write Stuff
Our intensive jazz journalism initiative for new writers returns, in partnership with Jazzwise magazine. Now in its 9th year, it offers fantastic opportunities for people interested in writing to get professional guidance in music journalism from some of the industry’s leading names. Former ‘Write Stuffers’ have gone on to work for The Guardian, Jazzwise, Jazz on 3 and more. Quotes from reviews and articles will feature on the London Jazz Festival website and you can view these in full on the Jazzwise website and The Write Stuff’s facebook page.
"The Write Stuff offered both a glimpse behind the scenes of music journalism and a chance to write under the guidance of some of the finest journalists in jazz. Throughout the course my writing and my knowledge of the industry grew immeasurably. But, more importantly, I gained the belief to consider myself, for the first time, a music writer. This course is a wonderful opportunity for any jazz fan considering a career in journalism." Matthew Ellis, Write Stuff participant, 2011
"I must say how much I’ve enjoyed every aspect of the course – the expert tuition, the superb organisation and meeting friendly, like minded spirits. Kevin’s leadership has been specifically inspirational: he is a genius at gently drawing out ideas from small groups, pulling them together into a coherent structure and then creating generic guidance from specific detail. Anyone would think he’s done this before… A big thanks for this." Neil MacRae, Write Stuff Participant, 2010
"The course got me thinking more seriously about my aspirations to be a music journalist and gave me the confidence to follow them up. Since then I have done a month's internship at Jazzwise and have also written live reviews for them. I would heartily recommend the course to any jazz fan with the vaguest interest in writing." Edward Randell, Write Stuff Participant, 2009
“Participation in The Write Stuff programme has the potential to create a significant and lasting impact on a career path. Throughout the duration of the programme we benefited from a series of tuition sessions by Kevin Le Gendre, Jon Newey and Mike Flynn, in which, from their guidance on review and feature writing, the seeds of journalistic acumen are sown. Furthermore, by meeting some of the country’s most prominent jazz journalists we were afforded an insight into the inner-workings of the jazz industry.” Joe Kassman Todd, Write Stuff Participant, 2008
Serious and Jazzwise celebrate the Write Stuff’s 10th birthday in 2012. If you are a former Write Stuffer, please contact nadine.wood@serious.org.uk (please include the year you participated), in order to find out what we have in store!
