Description

This course will examine the factors involved in creating a researched nonfiction book and will give students the opportunity to write––and receive feedback on––a short nonfiction work. In an interactive series of classes, students will learn:

• The characteristics of successful nonfiction books
• How to select a viable subject
• The importance of the story and the most effective structures for telling it
• How to combine creative and factual writing into a compelling narrative
• The importance of photos in telling the story
• Potential sources for content
• The nuts and bolts of producing and marketing nonfiction books

Since retiring from a long career in journalism and public relations/media relations, Jane has co-authored two nonfiction books. The first was a comprehensive history of Grafton, MA titled From Wilderness to the Information Age: A Grafton Chronicle (available in libraries). The second was Four Men, Two Canoes, and a Dog Named Abe: a Trip Down the Connecticut River. Before retiring, Jayne spent many years as a public relations/media relations executive for IBM, Dell Computer, Sun Microsystems, and Commonwealth Capital Ventures, among others. Prior to that she was a reporter/editor for national computer magazines including Info World, and local daily newspapers, including The Marlboro Enterprise. She began her career as a copywriter/producer at Boston and Worcester radio stations WVBF and WORC. She has an English degree from Clark University.