Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:- Key Plain English elements you should use
- Your blueprint to becoming a writer
- Australian Vogel Literary Awards - win $20,000
- Advice from successful writers - just for you
- Webpick: Write or Die!
It’s been another busy week at the Sydney Writers’ Centre. This week I ran the Self-Publishing seminar with a fabulous group of writers. And we’re preparing for lots of workshops and courses in the coming weeks. I’m also busy at the Adtech conference in Sydney on digital marketing - it’s great hearing about the cutting edge trends that are going on in the world of web communication.
As people increasingly turn to the web as their "go to" place for information, communicating and writing for the web effectively is vital. So do check out our Writing for the Web workshop presented by web writing expert Grant Doyle.
Course: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Monday 30 March 2009
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $325
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Plain English = Good writing
Plain English is the art of writing with clarity and brevity. There are many movements around the world trying to encourage everyday use of Plain English. In Australia, the Plain English Foundation is based in Sydney. Here are a few tips from them for writing in Plain English.- Write to your readers. You must consider their needs, not your own.
- Structure writing so that the most important information comes first.
- Use short, familiar words. Dressing up your text with long words is not impressive.
- Always check carefully for spelling or
grammatical errors.
If you can master writing in Plain English, all of your writing will benefit - correspondence, emails, reports, articles, stories. Trust us, your readers will thank you for it!
Your blueprint to becoming a writer
We’ve been so busy here the last couple of months with many new courses beginning (and filling up). We know there are many of you reading this newsletter who may not be able to make it to our classes in Milsons Point and perhaps don’t have time to commit to an online course.Reinvent Yourself: so you want to be a writer is your Blueprint in a Box. It will show you step-by-step how you can earn money from your writing. I’ve created this for those of you who prefer to learn in your own time and at your own pace. Your Blueprint will give you the confidence you need to become a writer, and succeed as one.
Your Blueprint contains:
- An audio program (2 CDs) that will lead you on your journey of reinvention
- A 200+ page workbook and transcripts so you have my tips, advice and strategies at your fingertips
- 6 B0NUS CDs featuring 8 best-selling authors that I've personally handpicked.
They'll share their secrets of success.
Costs: $147 + postage
* FREE postage anywhere in Australia
* $50 for postage outside of Australia
Click here for more information or to order online.
The Australian Vogel Literary Awards
One of Australia’s richest awards for unpublished authors is now open for entries. In its 29th year, the Australian Vogel Literary Awards is offering $20,000 for the winning unpublished manuscript by an author under the age of 35. As well as the $20,000, Allen & Unwin are offering guaranteed publication and royalties from book sales.A friend of mine won the Vogel some years ago and on the presentation night, she received her $20,000 cheque (nice!) and three loaves of bread (oh, the carbs!) Yes, it’s THAT Vogel.
Your manuscript must be a minimum of 30,000 words and an original work of fiction, Australian history or
biography.
For more information and to download an entry form, click here.
You are what you eat
Our author podcasts have been very popular and we continue to talk to some of the best Australian and International authors. Some recent podcasts now available are Sean Williams, sci-fi and fantasy author, Jenine Beekhuyzen, author of Tech girls are chic, not just geek, and Holly Hill, controversial author of the books Sugarbabe and Toyboy.When we spoke to Sean Williams, he had this to say about writing:
"You are what you eat in a way. What goes in affects what comes out so I try to find books that will inspire me to write the way that I want to on a particular topic."
Good advice! And there’s plenty more great advice on our webpage or on iTunes.
New Courses
It’s only March but already we’ve run over 20 writing courses covering everything from feature writing to business writing to writing for the web - and we have many more planned for 2009.
Coming up in April we have another session of Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley. This one day seminar will give you the tools and confidence to edit your own and others writing.
The seminar will cover:
- how to edit for structure and style
- simple techniques that will improve anyone’s writing
- standard proofreading symbols and how to use them
- common mistakes in punctuation and spelling
You’ll have plenty of opportunity to apply what you learn during this practical seminar, and we’ll even give you a free Editorial Style Guide for Business to take with you.
Course: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 21 April 2009
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Click here for more information or to enrol.
Writing in Paris Information Night - Thursday 19 March 2009
This is your chance to attend our one and only Writing in Paris information night. Patti Miller, your tour leader and memoir teacher, will tell you everything you need to know about Writing in Paris. This is our first international writing tour and we’re very excited about it!If you’d like to hear more about this wonderful opportunity to live and write in Paris for two weeks, you need to RSVP no later than Monday 16 March.
To RSVP for this event simply click here.
Write or Die!
While Dr Wicked may not sound like someone you can trust to get you writing, you’ll find a quick visit to his website surprisingly inspiring.He has designed a web application called Write or Die, and it’s a very simple concept - keep writing or suffer the consequences. While you get to decide how many words you have to write, time limit and grace period (forgiving, strict or evil), only consistent writing will let you avoid punishment. And what is your punishment? Not quite as severe as the name would suggest, but you can select a gentle prod, a frighteningly loud and unpleasant sound or Kamikaze mode (I’ll let you find out for yourself what that is).
The beauty of this program is that it encourages you to write only - not edit as you go. It’s a wonderful tool if you want to get the words out first and then refine them later. This is definitely worth a try, and while you’re there, check out Dr Wicked’s blog as well - very informative and very entertaining.
Business and Careers Institute in Milsons Point
Remember to check out our sister training organisation - the Business and Careers Institute - which we've just opened in Milsons Point. Thanks to those of you who have already enrolled in some of the courses! You'll find the same high quality of courses and presenters here.
As you know, I'm a big believer that technology can help you achieve more in less time. If you want to get the most out of everyday software like Word, Excel and Outlook, these fun and interactive courses will help you become a pro-user in just one day.
You can check it out here. I'd love to know what you think!
www.bcinstitute.com.au
Other upcoming courses
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 12 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller - FULL
When: Every Friday starting Friday 13 March 2009 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $450
Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker - FULL
When: Week beginning Monday 16 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 16 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon - FULL
When: Every Monday starting Monday 16 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman - FULL
Evening classes held approximately every six weeks
Course starts: Tuesday 17 March 2008
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $450
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Wednesday 18 March 2009 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 24 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 25 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 26 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Monday 30 March 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $325
Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 6 April 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 21 April 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 4 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 6 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 12 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Hook Your Reader with Maree Giles
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 17 June 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
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Wishing you much writing success,
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