Seasonal articles

1
Seasonal articles

• Chapter 9
• (Professional Feature Writing Bruce Garrison)

2
Seasonal articles

• Prepare readers for change in weather, clothes,
  food, household chores, closet upkeep, holiday
  decorations, party and gift ideas, holiday
  getaways

3
Reflecting appropriate tone

• Reflects tone and theme of the season
• Good visual accompanying photographs
• Good packaging is important for seasonal articles

4
Why write seasonal articles?

• Celebrate regularity of life
• Effective way to crack freelance market

5
Developing seasonal ideas

• Must anticipate what readers want
• Must be timely
• Write in advance of the season
• Find fresh angles for annual articles (Christmas
  in the manger story)
• Use local sources for seasonal features

6
Best sources

• Published specialized or theme wall calendars
• Topical or theme appointment books
• General almanacsWorld Almanac or Information
  Please Almanac
• State travel department calendars

7
Best sources

• City, regional chambers of commerce
• Holiday festival committees, organizations
• Historians and history museum curators and
  directors
• Encyclopedias and annotated bibliographies
• Subject experts

8
Best sources

• Newspaper, magazine, or newsletter files from a
  year before the annual event
• Retail store managers and clerks
• Product manufacturers regional sales
  representatives