- Come with us to Bali
- TIP: Drawers or draws?
- Build a business blog that works for you
- Big prizes for literature and poetry
- Learn online! Feature Writing starts soon
- Wordwise: How come we use ‘how come’?
- WEBPICK: Aquanotes
Wow, this year has started off with a bang. It’s already a hive of activity here at the Sydney Writers’ Centre. Today, I’m catching up with Sarah Tooth from the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival to chat about our exciting new overseas study tour in Bali. That’s right, hot on the heels of our popular “Writing in Paris” retreat is a wonderful course that we are holding in Ubud, the artistic and cultural heart of Bali.Dates: 30 September to 5 October 2010
- 5-day writing course (6 nights and 7 days tour)
- plus optional 4-day Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (additional 5 nights and 6 days tour)
TIP: Drawers or draws?
We actually did this tip about a year ago, but I’m still seeing this error being made - and it’s driving me crazy! This is because I've been shopping for furniture lately and have seen this mistake so many times.
Here’s what we wrote:
I see these words mixed up all the time! Okay, I’ll admit, I go through phases when I sell stuff on ebay. And that’s where I see the word "draws" misused constantly. If you are referring to a wardrobe or dressing table, it’s likely to have "drawers" - as in the things you store your socks in or, like in the picture, a place where your beloved cat sleeps.
Remember, that’s a "drawer" not a "draw"!
We actually did this tip about a year ago, but I’m still seeing this error being made - and it’s driving me crazy! This is because I've been shopping for furniture lately and have seen this mistake so many times.Here’s what we wrote:
I see these words mixed up all the time! Okay, I’ll admit, I go through phases when I sell stuff on ebay. And that’s where I see the word "draws" misused constantly. If you are referring to a wardrobe or dressing table, it’s likely to have "drawers" - as in the things you store your socks in or, like in the picture, a place where your beloved cat sleeps.
Remember, that’s a "drawer" not a "draw"!
How to Blog for Your Business
Your business may have a website, but could you be doing more? By blogging you can increase your online presence and potentially increase your customer base. It’s a great way to stay in touch with your staff as well. Our blogging for business seminar will teach you the ‘rules’ of blogging and how to incorporate your blog into your marketing. Anyone who is thinking of starting a blog, already has one and wants tips on improving it, will benefit from this seminar.
The seminar will cover:
- the critical distinctions between a blog and an ordinary company webpage
- the terminology of blogging
- what readers expect from a corporate blog
- how to write a blog that stands out
- finding and building an audience
- how and what to measure
- common internal objections to blogging and how to overcome them
- best practice policies and guidelines for corporate bloggers
- building the business case for your blog
- what you should be looking for in your blogging software
Here’s what some recent participants said about the course:
"Relevant - fun presentation - dynamic - enthusiastic presenter. Lots of new motivation for marketing ideas for the business."
- Miranda Corkin
"The presenter, Steven Lewis, is an expert in his field that made the seminar relevant and up to the minute."
- Kandy Russo
The seminar is presented by Steven Lewis, who has consulted on blogging, podcasting and other Web 2.0 tools for companies such as Westpac and IAG. For Tourism Tasmania he created a ground-breaking series of travel podcasts, with similar projects in the works for companies like V Australia and Time Out.
Steven has also promoted blogs, wikis and podcasts as a corporate insider, having worked for AMP as an in-house evangelist for its enterprise 2.0 tools.
Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Thursday 28 January 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $365
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Josephine Ulrick Prizes for Literature and Poetry
The Josephine Ulrick prizes for literature (a short story of 1000 – 3000 words) and poetry (up to 200 lines for a poem or suite of poems) is one of Australia’s most generous writing awards. Established in memory of the writer, poet and patron for the arts in South-East Queensland, the prize money in 2010 is worth $40,000. Both the literature prize and the poetry prize will offer $10,000 to the best short story or poem, with a second prize of $5,000 for both categories and two commended prizes of $2,500 each, again for both categories.
Entries close on Saturday 30 January 2010 and you can download an entry form and conditions of entry here.
Check out the shortlisted and winning entries for 2009 here.
Learn online! Feature Writing starts soon
Do you want to write for magazines and newspapers and start your career as a writer? Our next Online Feature Writing course starts soon and it could be just what you need to get started! This is one of our most popular courses, and with good reason – many of our students have gone on to be published in major publications, some before they’ve even finished the course! During this course we’ll teach you about:
- which ideas work and where to get them
- understanding the magazine/news market
- different types of feature articles
- how to research, structure and write a feature
- what editors want from a writer
- how to pitch your article or idea to a magazine and sell it!
It’s a busy time of year and you may not be able to make it to a face-to-face class, and our online virtual classroom will give you the chance to do this great course.
Recent participant, Maraya Bell, had this to say about the course:
‘I loved how practical the course was. I've studied writing at uni but it was all theory and no practical. I loved knowing the exact steps you need to take. I feel like I have a lot more confidence to go out and pitch, knowing exactly what editors expect. It was very easy and convenient and I enjoyed being able to do it in my own time.’
Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 1 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
If you’d prefer to learn in a real classroom, but can’t do our evening class, don’t forget that we also offer a daytime course.
Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Vanessa Waters
When: Wednesday mornings beginning Wednesday 3 March 2010 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am – 12 noon
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Wordwise: How come we use ‘how come’?
I’m sure you’ve all heard the words ‘how come?’ used instead of ‘why?’ – probably from younger people or in conversation. But where does it come from? And ‘how come’ some people use it instead of ‘why’? Here’s Grammar Girl’s explanation:
"How come" is believed to be short for "how did it come about that," "how is it that," or "how comes it."
A search of online e-books turned up examples of these older phrases:
- How comes it then that this her cold so great is not dissolved through my so hot desire . . . (British poet Edmund Spenser in "Sonnet 30," 1611)
- How comes it that the Church has attained such greatness in temporal power . . . (Machiavelli, in The Prince, 1513)
WEBPICK: AquanotesThis is more of a cool buy than a webpick, but it may come in handy for those of you who are at your creative best in the shower.
Aquanotes are a waterproof notepad, complete with pencil and suction cap so you can attach it to the wall of your bathroom. Amazing! And they’re still recyclable too. These are for anyone who just can’t stand to be without pen and paper wherever they are.
Check them out here.
And if any of you do buy some, please let us know what you think.
Other upcoming courses
Course: Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Every Monday starting Monday 18 January 2010 for three weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $265
Course: Script Writing for Short Films with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 20 January and Wednesday 27 January 2010 (two evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $165
Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 21 January 2010 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am - 12 noon
Cost: $75
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – FULL
When: Every Friday starting Friday 22 January 2010 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Thursday 28 January 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 28 January 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Week beginning Monday 1 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Online Feature Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 1 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Tuesday 2 February 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 3 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge - FULL
When: Week beginning Monday 8 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 11 February 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February (two-day workshop)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $450
Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Monday 15 February 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman - NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 15 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Tuesday 16 February 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 16 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 DAYTIME course with Jeni Mawter
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 18 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – NEW DATE
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 25 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Week beginning Monday 1 March 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 2 March 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Course: Feature Writing Stage 1 DAYTIME course with Vanessa Waters
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 3 March 2010 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am – 12noon
Cost: $395
Seminar: Self-Publishing: How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Monday 15 March 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 30 March 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 8 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Wednesday beginning Wednesday 14 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 12 August 2010 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450
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