ASU Cronkite Pro Presents:

Narrative Fest

How to Write It, Pitch It, Sell It

Narrative Fest is a one-day intensive workshop in modern journalism developed and hosted by Jeff Maysh and Adam Popescu for Arizona State University's Cronkite School of Journalism. The program emphasizes practical, career-focused instruction from working journalists and editors. Participants learn how to identify compelling stories, develop and sell pitches, negotiate intellectual property rights, structure narrative nonfiction, and build sustainable careers. The workshop combines keynote presentations, fireside conversations, live pitch critiques, audience Q&A, and guest faculty sessions.

Key learning outcomes include:

• Finding and developing original story ideas
• Crafting successful pitches for major publications
• Understanding narrative structure and source strategy
• Protecting intellectual property and adaptation rights
• Understanding the economics of freelance journalism
• Learning directly from accomplished journalists, editors, and authors

About the Hosts & Keynotes:

Adam Popescu | NEW YORK TIMES - BLOOMBERG - VANITY FAIR - NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Journalist, Author, Keynote

- Master of Journalism, Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School 
BA in Creative Writing, Pitzer College

- Climbed 18,000 feet up Everest for the BBC 
adapted that story as his debut novel NIMA

- Interviewed the Dalai Lama, Hunter Biden, Elon Musk, Steven Spielberg 
plus the founders of Instagram, Twitter, Tinder, and multiple heads of state

- Reported across 4 continents in 3 languages: from melting glaciers to conflict zones 
the Himalayas, Greenland, Latin America, Central Africa, Guantanamo Bay, Supermax Prisons

- Film and television companies hold options on multiple works 
with active development deals

- Covers power and culture, the business of nature, and the dark side of big tech 
writes regularly for major publications: New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, and more

Jeff Maysh | THE NEW YORKER - THE ATLANTIC - FINANCIAL TIMES
Journalist, Author, Keynote

- McDonald's Monopoly investigation sold to Ben Affleck & Matt Damon for $1M
the highest fee ever paid for a single magazine article

- 30 of his stories in development as film/tv 
including development deals at Netflix, Sony, and Universal

- The Atlantic's 100 Exceptional Works of Journalism 
and Best American Sports Writing

- 5x Southern California Journalism Awards 
two-time Best Crime Reporting winner

- In-demand narrative journalism instructor
Has spoken at colleges and universities across the USA and UK

Guest speakers:

• Alana Levinson | Editor & Writer, WIRED

• Adam Skolnick | Bestselling Author & Journalist

• Geoff Manaugh | Author, A Burglar's Guide to the City

• Steve Padilla | Editor, Column One, LA Times

• David Klawans | Film producer (Argo, Nacho Libre)

About the Cronkite School:

As one of the world’s top journalism and communication schools, the Cronkite School consistently defines the frontiers of media education:

• Teaching Hospital Model: A unique model that achieves deep integration between news production and pedagogy.

• Technology & Practice: Deeply integrates AI technical innovation, industry practice, and academic research.

• Scalable Success: Provides proven, reproducible systems for curriculum modernization and international development.

Workshop Overview

• Dates: Friday, October 30, 2026 (One day intensive workshop).

• Location: ASU California Center: 1111 S. Broadway Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90015  

• Parking information: 
  Visitor parking is available in surface parking lots and garages near the ASU California
  Center Broadway.
  
  Visitor parking options are through independent operators. Click for more

• Language: English

Pricing

• Workshop in-person: $250.00

• Online participation: $125.00

The Day - Morning

The Day - Afternoon