The Upod Academy II

September 23, 24, 25, 2011

10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day

Marina Del Rey, California

Early Bird Registration until July 15: $585

After July 15: $600

I must admit I was nervous at first. In April, fifteen writers I’d never met walked into a conference room at Playboy’s west coast headquarters (with a photo shoot in progress down the hall, no less) to hear what I had to say about freelancing during challenging times. I had promised the attendees a lot: A professional jumpstart, bylines in national publications, even personal transformation. Several people had flown in across the country. A few spent money they didn’t actually have. One woman sat down and literally said, “You better be good, Hochman. My expectations are huge.”

Before we got around to introductions, I had everyone write their reasons for paying $600 to sit with a bunch of strangers when they could have been out buying Aeron chairs (that’s a Upod joke if you haven’t been keeping up with your posts lately). You could feel the shared sense of relief and empathy as the answers came in: “I want to break into big-name publications,” “I’m in a creative rut,” “Editors never freakin’ get back to me!” “I need a kick in the ass!!” “Must make money – NOWWW!!!”

What followed were three days that absolutely blew me away, blew us all away. By Sunday, we weren’t just feeling totally recharged from the group exercises and brainstorms and guest speakers and collective wisdom that emerged; we actually had created a community, a support system, a freelance family. And it’s still working. The group just met again last week and they’re meeting again in a month. I’m telling you, these people cannot stay away from each other now.

This is all my way of announcing that I’m doing it again and this time my nerves are rock solid. I know it’s going to be magical. It may even be better than last time since I understand what worked well, and what people wanted less/more of. One thing that won’t change much: My wife, Ruth’s, catering and homemade chocolates. The 11s and 12s on the 1-to-10 evaluations went to her.

The next Upod Academy workshop is officially open for registration. The program takes place Friday, September 23, 24^th and 25^th, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 each day. The setting will be more relaxed this time to give the weekend a retreat feel. Say hello to my new freelancer cottage and “boom boom room” in Marina Del Rey, CA.

The Upod Academy Experience

Think of the PodCad as a three-day cleanse for your writing life. Let go of all the toxins standing in the way of a healthy, robust freelance career and start poopin’ out meaningful stories for cash. Okay, let me work on a better metaphor while you look over this list of what to expect:

Community: Whether you live in L.A. or not, the ne plu ultra of your PodCad experience will be connecting with like-minded souls to support and affirm your efforts as a writer. You’re really going to come to rely on these people, trust me.

The Long View: A rare chance to step back and assess where you are as a writer and think deeply about where you’d like to go. To me, this is the real luxury of the weekend. Asking open, honest questions with a thoughtful group about the best direction for your life and work.

Money: You want more of it. I’ll tell you how to get it. The immediate financial goal is to double your investment in this class with pitch ideas we develop together over the weekend. Tripling and quadrupling (or 1,000x-ing) your investment is acceptable, too.

Inspiration: What PodCadders especially appreciated was identifying what I call “the stories only you can tell.” These are the stories that take you from anonymity to “instant credibility” with pieces in places like The New York Times, Salon, Esquire, Fast Company and beyond. Start thinking about it now: What are the stories only you can tell?

Focus: Stop procrastinating, stop finding excuses, stop blaming others for your career setbacks. Wait till you see the tricks and exercises I have for tackling these puppies. Prepare yourself for Mr. and Ms. Thumb Slam.

Perspective: You’ve probably heard how much it sucks being a freelancer right now. What you may not know is, you’ve been fed misinformation. I can safely say this the most exciting time to freelance in the nearly 20 years I’ve been at this. Success in this realm is all about being the right writer with the right idea in the right place at the right moment. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about how this gets done.

Vision: You won’t leave empty-handed, and I’m not just talking about Ruth’s trademark chocolate typewriters that everyone goes home with. You’ll exit the weekend with a 30-day plan for your career and a clearer mission for the months and perhaps years ahead. And I’m not kidding when I say you’ll have a new circle of writing BFFs ready to hold you accountable, call you on your crap and cheer your every success.

Burning Questions: Answers to literally every question you have as a freelancer, from the truth about multiple pitch submissions to how to make your Twitter feed the most essential resource in your freelance repertoire.

“The Stream”: That’s my term for the torrent of creative people, places, projects, technologies and practices changing the way we writers do business. Tapping into the stream – and I’ll show you exactly how and who the key “thought leaders” are – could easily be the most valuable and lasting benefit of your PodCad experience.

What PodCadders Are Saying About The Upod Academy:

“Inspiring! Spirit lifting! If you’re feeling stuck, unsure or like all hope is lost, the Upod Academy will help you break out of that negative thinking and energize you to work to your maximum potential as a writer.” – Michelle Lanz

“So inspiring, thought-provoking and heartening to share what has been a mostly private struggle with a roomful of empathetic, interesting, supportive allies.” – Ari Karpel

“Took the scariness out of pitching.” – Jennifer Netherby

“Every journalism school in the country should offer a Upod Academy — an intensive course that helps writers understand how editors think, how the business of writing actually works and how to find the freelancer ‘sweet spot,’ where interests, skills and opportunities intersect.” — Joe Donatelli

“A rare opportunity to spend three days with like-minded people thinking about issues essential to the writers’ life. Being part of the Upod Academy felt like a gift I gave myself.” – Michal Lemberger

“Transformational. A life-changing experience.” – Imani Dawson

“Upod Academy rocks! What a great three days. You really did over deliver.” — Kim Kowsky

The Details

The Upod Academy II

September 23, 24, 25, 2011

10 a.m. to 4:30 each day

Marina Del Rey, California

Early Bird Registration until July 15: $585*

After July 15: $600^

*Payable by check only. Must be postmarked by July 15.

^Payable by check or Paypal

Breakfast pastries, lunch, healthy snacks and homemade chocolates included

For further information and to RSVP, contact davidhochman at me dot com

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