Many horse enthusiasts often want to explore their interests through writing, but just as often don't know how or where to begin. According to most editors, if you have a passion for horses and an interest in writing, you’re already halfway there.

Equine Guelph, University of Guelph, is inviting all potential horse writers to discover the untapped market and acquire the skills to become published with the Equine Journalism online course, offered this fall.

While an awareness of horse issues is certainly a benefit, success in the equine journalism field is not based solely on writing skills; it comes from learning the techniques and knowledge of the inner workings of the publishing industry. Throughout this 12-week course, students will learn key journalism tools and gain advanced skills that will open doors to the equine publishing market. The course provides a real opportunity to become published, in addition to helping students develop professional relationships with editors.

“This course takes the students’ passion for horses and provides them with the necessary tools to become published, not only in traditional media such as equine magazines and trade publications, but in the booming online sector as well,” said Barbara Sheridan, instructor of the Equine Journalism course at the University of Guelph. “Editors can receive hundreds of emails a week from writers looking to be published, but it’s the writers who have done their homework and know what editors are looking for that makes their work stand out from the rest.”

With over 15 years of experience in the publishing field, Sheridan is an award-winning freelance writer and photographer whose work has appeared in dozens of national magazines. A former associate editor of a national horse health publication, she has also been delivering copywriting writing services to equine, agricultural, and nonprofit organizations since 1999.

The Equine Journalism course will provide students with the ability to understand different writing styles, identify markets that suit their style and interests, discover their writing niche, create query letters, learn the science and art of photography and how it relates to the publishing world, and recognize which markets are open to new writers. At the completion of this course, students will have completed a well-crafted submission and photo package ready for publishing. Students will also benefit from guest speakers from the equine publishing industry, which is an invaluable experience for budding equine journalists.

“With a bit of a persistence and patience, along with the correct know-how, those with a passion to write for the equine industry can certainly succeed,” said Sheridan. “This course has been designed to provide students with the critical steps toward establishing a successful journalism career in the equine industry.”

Equine Journalism is one of the elective courses in the Equine Business Management Certificate continuing education program offered by the University of Guelph. Other courses offered in Equine Guelph’s Fall 2012 lineup include Management of the Equine Environment, Equine Health & Disease Prevention, Equine Nutrition, Growth & Development, Exercise Physiology, Advanced Equine Behaviour, Equine Business Management, and Stewardship of the Equine Environment. Courses run from September 10 to December 2, 2012.

For further details, visit equinebusinesscertificate.com, please contact the Centre for Open Learning and Educational Support at [email protected], or call 519-767-5000.

(Equine Guelph)