AUG. 20 SCHEDULE
11:00 AM
BECOMING RELEVANT
How to build and maintain an audience
MARTIN GALLEGOS
Reporter, MLB.com
Alum, The Express at LPC
Martin never even thought about becoming a journalist until he got to Las Positas College. Since then, he's "covered every sport you can think of."
He began as a staff writer at the school paper before becoming the sports editor of The Express. He got his start as a professional writer for 3morerounds.com, where he carved out his own audience writing about boxing. He went to San Jose State and added video content to his repertoire before getting hired by the San Jose Mercury News. He covered San Jose Earthquakes, San Jose State football, MMA, boxing and high school sports. He was all around the Bay Area, making a name for himself.
That landed him a dream job: covering the Oakland A’s for Major League Baseball's website. The entire way, Martin had to make his own way from nothing. He had to develop a following in a new audience and learn the people in the arena he was working,
FINDING YOUR VOICE
How to write from perspective, opinion and commentary
MARCUS THOMPSON
Senior Columnist and Podcaster
The Athletic
Author
GOLDEN: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry
KD: Kevin Durant's Relentless Pursuit to be The Greatest
Marcus has been a professional writer for more than 20 years. The last eight have been as a columnist. He's made a national name for himself by writing from a unique and impactful perspective. His work has a distinct humanity, a willingness to see and extrapolate the traits and situations of athletes that connect with the common person. Marcus writes from the heart about whatever is his subject. Even if you disagree with him, you will feel him.
Marcus is also a teacher at Las Positas College, helping young minds develop their journalism skills and break into the industry. He is a favorite among the media students because of the confidence he gives them in themselves, because of his relevant advice based on being in the industry and because of his unique personality.
Be ready to learn from one of the best in the country about how to bring out that voice inside of you.
12:30 PM
COMPONENTS OF A STORY
How to know and find the ingredients for storytelling
MIRIN
FADER
Writer, The Ringer
Author, GIANNIS: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP
Mirin is one of the elite storytellers in the country. Any genre.
In the words of Folio Magazine, which named Mirin a Top Woman in Media in the “Up and Comer” category in 2019:
“Fader has a specific way of telling stories that allows her readers to feel exactly what she is conveying. Her journalistic accolades are plentiful, which is not surprising for a writer that has an affinity for capturing the grit, emotion and physical hardships that comes with athletes. Fader’s stories have energy as well as a unique approach to reporting—much like the subject matter she covers.”