Columbia Publishing Course Category
Summer of 2001, at the recommendation of some guy I met at Burning Man, I attended the Columbia Publishing Course, formerly known as the Radcliffe Publishing Course. The nation’s preeminant book and magazine publishing program, CPC is part of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
Now, before you go getting all excited, lemme say this: CPC didn’t help me find a job. Not even one interview. The economy was pretty bad summer of 2001, and that was BEFORE 9/11. That said, I had some interesting experiences, met some amazing people, and learned a lot about what I wanted to do with my career … which is be a writer, not a magazine editor.
I put this category together because I noticed a lot of people coming to my site from Google searches for the course. I assume most of these searchers are students considering application to CPC. Below, you can read about my experience. To read it in chronological order, you’ll need to start at the bottom.
Keep in mind that I was not a traditional CPC student (several years out of college, already working for an alternative publication, and with blue dreadlocks). My experience was not necessarily the typical one. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Weird-Ass
6
Aug
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
It’s been a strange day. Here’s a short review:
1) Wake up at 7am after roughly four hours of sleep.
2) Arrive at 9am to CPC job fair in clothes that don’t fit correctly.
3) Spend an hour and half talking to uninterested potential employers about non-existant job opportunities in Los Angeles.
4) Eat breakfast at 11am, realizing I printed 20 too many resumes for the job fair.
5) Arrive back at luxurious dorm room to find an email from author Sam Lipsyte who found this page after searching for himself on Google. Laugh uncontrollably at the thought of him reading my scathing review of his upcoming book. Marvel at the power of the internet.
6) Learn that “due to scheduled construction,” we have to leave the dorm room we’ve been squatting in. Acknowlege this as the logistical nightmare it is, since technically this is Josh’s room–although Ashley did pay for it–and that Josh turned in his key. Become overwhelmed and take a nap.
Final Toast
3
Aug
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
Today is the last day of the Columbia Publishing Course. We haven’t had morning classes for most of the week, so I’m on a strict schedule of being asleep by 4am or so, up around noon. We like that.
This afternoon we had our “disorientation,” and tonight is the final Sherry Hour, then a banquet. Then several of us are going to a drag show at Bar d’O before beginning the night’s carnage.
I’ll be staying at Columbia until Wednesday morning, sharing a tiny dorm room with as many people as we can fit in it, enjoying my last few days in New York City.
For Sale: One Voice Voice
31
Jul
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
For Sale: One Voice
Voice is a hard thing to pin down, a tone or editorial quality to writing that makes the particular piece of work unique. What we have for sale today is one particular kind of voice: irreverent, witty, hip, edgey, authentic–it packs a punch for your product! This voice is the ultimate in multi-purpose: for use in your magazine, book, website, or even television show! This particular voice has a lot of experience with appealing to a young, urban audience, and is adept at selling things. Put it to work for YOUR brand! Ideal for positions like this, this, or this.
For the LOW LOW price of $40k/year + benefits (the voice needs insurance, in case it gets a sore throat and can’t talk any more).
Launch
30
Jul
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
This afternoon’s lecture was about launching a website. Given the total tech-crash we’re experiencing, the topic was so painfully out of touch with reality that I simply couldn’t attend.
Magazine workshop…
28
Jul
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
…Completed. A few hours ago. Just now getting to bed. Only a week and a half left in New York City. At least for this time.
Across The Grass
27
Jul
2001
In: Columbia Publishing Course
All of us at the Columbia Publishing Course have these little dorky nametags that we have to wear around our necks at all times (scroll down to see), and the little plastic pouches happen to be just the right size to hold things like our plastic room keys and the swipe cards that get us into the Journalism Building.
Well, naturally, I lost both my key and my swipe card. Not quite sure how it happened, but who’s ever sure how such things happen? Moral of the story is that they flutter away, and you’re left standing outside a building in New York, unable to swipe yourself in.
So, I headed across the lawn to get replacement cards, and realized that I’ve been so wrapped up in this course for the last month that I had not walked across campus since my first night here! I’m all for an intensive course, but suddenly I realized I’ve been so absorbed by CPC that I haven’t even wandered the six blocks to central park. I also still haven’t met up with Dori. Shameless. Got less than two weeks left in NYC. I better get on it.
Weird-Ass
6 Aug 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseIt’s been a strange day. Here’s a short review:
1) Wake up at 7am after roughly four hours of sleep.
2) Arrive at 9am to CPC job fair in clothes that don’t fit correctly.
3) Spend an hour and half talking to uninterested potential employers about non-existant job opportunities in Los Angeles.
4) Eat breakfast at 11am, realizing I printed 20 too many resumes for the job fair.
5) Arrive back at luxurious dorm room to find an email from author Sam Lipsyte who found this page after searching for himself on Google. Laugh uncontrollably at the thought of him reading my scathing review of his upcoming book. Marvel at the power of the internet.
6) Learn that “due to scheduled construction,” we have to leave the dorm room we’ve been squatting in. Acknowlege this as the logistical nightmare it is, since technically this is Josh’s room–although Ashley did pay for it–and that Josh turned in his key. Become overwhelmed and take a nap.
Final Toast
3 Aug 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseToday is the last day of the Columbia Publishing Course. We haven’t had morning classes for most of the week, so I’m on a strict schedule of being asleep by 4am or so, up around noon. We like that.
This afternoon we had our “disorientation,” and tonight is the final Sherry Hour, then a banquet. Then several of us are going to a drag show at Bar d’O before beginning the night’s carnage.
I’ll be staying at Columbia until Wednesday morning, sharing a tiny dorm room with as many people as we can fit in it, enjoying my last few days in New York City.
For Sale: One Voice Voice
31 Jul 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseFor Sale: One Voice
Voice is a hard thing to pin down, a tone or editorial quality to writing that makes the particular piece of work unique. What we have for sale today is one particular kind of voice: irreverent, witty, hip, edgey, authentic–it packs a punch for your product! This voice is the ultimate in multi-purpose: for use in your magazine, book, website, or even television show! This particular voice has a lot of experience with appealing to a young, urban audience, and is adept at selling things. Put it to work for YOUR brand! Ideal for positions like this, this, or this.
For the LOW LOW price of $40k/year + benefits (the voice needs insurance, in case it gets a sore throat and can’t talk any more).
Launch
30 Jul 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseThis afternoon’s lecture was about launching a website. Given the total tech-crash we’re experiencing, the topic was so painfully out of touch with reality that I simply couldn’t attend.
Magazine workshop…
28 Jul 2001 In: Columbia Publishing Course…Completed. A few hours ago. Just now getting to bed. Only a week and a half left in New York City. At least for this time.
Across The Grass
27 Jul 2001 In: Columbia Publishing CourseAll of us at the Columbia Publishing Course have these little dorky nametags that we have to wear around our necks at all times (scroll down to see), and the little plastic pouches happen to be just the right size to hold things like our plastic room keys and the swipe cards that get us into the Journalism Building.
Well, naturally, I lost both my key and my swipe card. Not quite sure how it happened, but who’s ever sure how such things happen? Moral of the story is that they flutter away, and you’re left standing outside a building in New York, unable to swipe yourself in.
So, I headed across the lawn to get replacement cards, and realized that I’ve been so wrapped up in this course for the last month that I had not walked across campus since my first night here! I’m all for an intensive course, but suddenly I realized I’ve been so absorbed by CPC that I haven’t even wandered the six blocks to central park. I also still haven’t met up with Dori. Shameless. Got less than two weeks left in NYC. I better get on it.
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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