Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:
- Why I love coffee, croissants - and student successes!
- How to get the publicity - the right words make all the difference
- NEW AND IMPROVED: Reinvent Yourself: So you want to be a writer ...
- The writing process: your questions answered
- Writing for children and young adults - enroll now
- Save the words about to be dropped from the dictionary!
- The verdict: “less” versus “fewer” - which should you use?
Coffee, croissants and the weekend newspapers is my idea of bliss. It’s a bit of a ritual at my place. Years ago, I used to get a little thrill to open the newspaper on the weekend and see my byline inside - and the bylines of my freelancer friends. Although that still gives me a buzz, I get an even bigger thrill these days because I open the newspapers to find stories written by students of the Sydney Writers’ Centre.
Last Saturday, I opened The Sydney Morning Herald to find Di Cato’s story in the travel section (Di did Online Feature Writing). The Herald also advised readers “DON’T MISS” Amanda Falconer’s new book The Renovator’s Survival Guide (Amanda has done several courses at the Centre). I feel so privileged to
have played a small part in seeing Amanda’s book
come to fruition. You can read my review of Amanda’s book here.
Di and Amanda’s successes are just the tip of the iceberg. I receive several emails every week from students sharing their publishing successes. I love my job!
How to get the publicity - the right words make all the difference
In a challenging economic climate, you might not have the budget you want to spend on marketing and promotion. So you have to get results - without incurring any costs. That’s where free publicity comes in. If you can write an effective media release and understand how to interest the media in your message, organisation or event - it won’t cost you a cent.However, the impact of the exposure you get in the media can be tremendous. How can you do this? You need to write a media release that:
• Has an angle the media will be interested in
• Is structured correctly (so journalists/editors don’t laugh at you!)
• Is addressed to the right person (Note: often, it’s not the editor)
• Has the right balance between quotes and narrative
• Contains relevant statistics or supporting facts.
In one day, you’ll discover a framework for writing a media release that gets resuls.
What: Media Releases That Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Tuesday 17 February 2009
Time: 9.40am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345
For more information or to enroll click here
WEBPICK: Do you have questions about the writing process?
Justine Larbalestier writes for young adults and is author of the Magic or Madness trilogy, where the door of a house in Sydney opens onto a street in New York City. (In real life, Justine spends her time between the two cities).She has a great blog where she is currently answering questions about the writing process. She taking questions for the whole month of January and gives some fresh insight into the world of writing - so check it out.
http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/
Writing books for children and young adults
If writing books like Justine Larbalestier is appealing, you need to know the right techniques for the children/young adult market. The course in Writing Books for Children and Young Adults will suit first-time writers or those who have a children's story they've never been brave enough to show anyone but their own kids!You’ll learn:
- How to get started
- Finding the right voice
- Creating characters and stories young readers will enjoy
- Common assumptions about writing for children
and about young readers - Understanding the children's publishing market
What: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday for 5 weeks from Wednesday 4 February 2009
Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Cost: $395
For more information or to enroll, click here.
NEW AND IMPROVED: Reinvent Yourself: So you want to be a writer ...
Is 2009 your year to Reinvent Yourself? If you’re thinking about it, this is a great time to start. Many of you know that I began my career as accountant. Instead of words, I looked at numbers all day. I had a very different working day to the one I have now! That was before I Reinvented Myself.At the time, I WISHED I had a guide, process or mentor to follow. Instead I had to figure it all out myself. Finally I did it - I became a writer. Since then, I’ve guided many others through their own process of reinvention. I figured out a process and a step-by-step approach to make it all happen.
If you’re thinking of changing careers and Reinventing Yourself, you can get your very own Blueprint in a Box. I’ve laid out all the steps you need to take and it’s all here in this info-packed Blueprint.
• An easy to follow audio program
• 200+ page workbook and transcripts
• My interviews with famous writers about the secrets of their success
• Bonus CDs
• Everything you need to Reinvent Yourself.
To find out more, click here.
BONUS WEB PICK: Save the words!
This is a
gorgeous site. When you check it out, have the volume on your computer
on. It’s a site dedicated to words that are in danger of being dropped
from the dictionary. There
are all sorts of words there - and when you hover your mouse over them,
they plaintively call "Pick me! Yes, me!" in the hopes that you will
"adopt" them. That means you promise to use the words in conversation
and correspondence as much as possible so they don’t head into
oblivion. Those poor little words ...
http://savethewords.org/
TIP: Fewer versus less
When it comes to
"fewer" or "less", many people use these words incorrectly. You know
when you go to the supermarket and you see the aisle that says: "12
items or less" - that’s wrong! (Yes, many editors can’t stand it when
they see it while in the grocery queue).It SHOULD be: "12 items or fewer".
You see, if you can count the items - such as buttons, pencils, tablets - then use the word "fewer". But if it’s a substance you can’t count - like fabric, stationery, medicine - then use the word “less”. For example:
Fewer buttons, less fabric.
Fewer pencils, less stationery.
Fewer tablets, less medicine
Fewer pencils, less stationery.
Fewer tablets, less medicine
Even
the authors of 4 Ingredients figured it out. The tagline for Book 1 in
their best-selling series says " ... using 4 or less ingredients".
But Book 2 says: "... using 4 or fewer ingredients."
Hooray! Now we can all sleep.
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
Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 26 January 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett - FULL
When: Tuesday 27 January 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett - FULL
When: Wednesday 28 January 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller - FULL
When: Every Friday starting Friday 30 January 2009 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 2 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon - FULL
When: Every Monday starting Monday 2 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 3 February 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 3 February 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 4 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Thursday 5 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $325
Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Tuesday 17 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 24 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 11 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 12 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
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
Evening classes held approximately every six weeks
Course starts: Tuesday 17 March 2008
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $450
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 24 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
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Wishing you much writing success,
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