Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:- NEW: Feature Writing Stage 2
- How to get your book published
- Writing books for children
- Win a copy of Ber Carroll’s book High Potential
- Win tickets for Hunger
- What does author Gabrielle Lord say about writing?
As you read this, I’ll just have arrived in Byron Bay. I love Byron because it’s such a creative hub for authors. They include the likes of Ruth Ostrow, Tristan Bancks, Mungo MacCallum and many more. It’s one place I come to when I know I need to get my creative juices flowing – and to create some magic.
Of course, I’m going to miss my gorgeous cats, Rex and Rocky (pictured) and my little dog Rambo but we have lots of wonderful plans for you at the Sydney Writers’ Centre and this will give me a great opportunity to fine tune them for you.
NEW: Feature Writing Stage 2 - The Journalist’s Toolbox
Many of you have asked for a follow-up course and we've heard you!
Our talented feature writing presenter and AAP Features Editor Judy Skatssoon has worked with me to create the ultimate 4-week masterclass that will equip you with the essential skills you need if you want to be a good journalist.
It's essential if you want to learn the nuts and bolts of the journalists' trade. We equip you with practical skills on:
By the end of this course, you'll have the confidence to pursue and write quality stories that can be published in newspapers and magazines.
Your course presenter is Judy Skatssoon who is the features editor at Australian Associated Press (AAP). She has also been a successful freelance feature writer, contributing to a diverse range of publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, life etc, Sydney’s Child, Women’s Health, ABC Online and many more. At AAP, Judy held a variety of positions including state political correspondent and national medical correspondent.
She writes on a wide range of issues including the arts, health, politics, technology, women’s issues, business and more. Recently, Judy has also been a lecturer and tutor in journalism at UTS and is passionate about helping students in the world of journalism and writing.
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 24 November for four weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $325
I expect this course to book out - so enroll soon.
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
One exciting new course we have for you is Feature Writing Stage 2.
Many of you have asked for a follow-up course and we've heard you!
Our talented feature writing presenter and AAP Features Editor Judy Skatssoon has worked with me to create the ultimate 4-week masterclass that will equip you with the essential skills you need if you want to be a good journalist.
It's essential if you want to learn the nuts and bolts of the journalists' trade. We equip you with practical skills on:
- how to find the right angle
- how to attribute quotes correctly
- advanced interviewing techniques
- how to create balance in your stories
- nailing the lead of your feature
- finding hard-to-get interviewees
- Freedom of Information
- ethics and protocol
- managing your contact book
- dealing with editors in the real world
- and other publishing conventions which are vital if you are serious about honing your feature writing skills.
By the end of this course, you'll have the confidence to pursue and write quality stories that can be published in newspapers and magazines.
Your course presenter is Judy Skatssoon who is the features editor at Australian Associated Press (AAP). She has also been a successful freelance feature writer, contributing to a diverse range of publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, life etc, Sydney’s Child, Women’s Health, ABC Online and many more. At AAP, Judy held a variety of positions including state political correspondent and national medical correspondent.
She writes on a wide range of issues including the arts, health, politics, technology, women’s issues, business and more. Recently, Judy has also been a lecturer and tutor in journalism at UTS and is passionate about helping students in the world of journalism and writing.
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 24 November for four weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $325
I expect this course to book out - so enroll soon.
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Diary of a literary agent
If you are an aspiring writer, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is these days to stay in the loop and learn about the industry. There is so much happening in the book world and authors now have the opportunity to really promote and market themselves through blogs while interacting with their fans.Another useful way to stay knowledgeable about the publishing world is to stay updated on: Who is publishing what and where? How much are people paying? What are publishing houses looking for? This will help you keep your finger on the pulse.
Curtis Brown is one literary agency who is smart about the way they represent their clients. They have offices in New York, San Francisco, Sydney, and London (to name a few).
Nathan Bransford is a young literary agent in the San Francisco office who blogs about literary news. His blogs are full of valuable information about writers, books and agents.
And Nathan’s blog was the best writer’s website in 2008 according to Writer’s Digest, 101 best websites for writers.
Add this blog to your favourites and make sure you stay in the loop.
Apart from Nathan’s blog, you might like to check out our blog too. Last week, Smart Company named it one of the Best 15 Business Blogs in Australia! Congratulations to Elana, our ideas coordinator, who is, unsurprisingly, full of ideas for it!
http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/
You can write books for children
Stephanie Meyer, J.K. Rowling and Enid Blyton have all sat down and written books for children and young adults. Their books are well known and have been translated all over the world providing thousands of children and teenagers with a great read.Now you can unleash your imagination and write for a young audience with our course, which will teach you how to find the right voice, how to create characters and stories young readers will enjoy. The course will also help you understand the common assumptions about writing for children and young readers.
This course is presented by Judith Ridge. Judith has worked with the Children's Book Council, as an editor at ABC Children's Books and the NSW School Magazine and freelances as an editor for Random House. For the past two years, Judith has taught "Writing for Children" at the University of Sydney MA in Creative Writing.
Here's what past participant Megan Hughes had to say about the course:
"Judith knew her stuff and it showed in her enthusiasm when she taught the class. Judith provided information I didn't even know I would need when writing for children. I took on everything from themes to focus on language and what children like compared to what adults think children would like."
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge.
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 5 November 2008 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
How to get your book published
So you’ve written
a book or a novel and now you’d like to see it on shelves. Preferably
in bookshops like Borders, Dymocks and Angus & Robertson.So what is your next step? One step would be getting your book published by mainstream channels and learning about the publishing industry.
You could start by attending our How to get your book published seminar.
This seminar is presented by author, script writer, editor and journalist, Geoff Bartlett. Geoff's second book, ‘Cattitude' was released in June 2006. His third
book ‘Mutterings’ was released in April 2007.
The seminar will cover, how to write a winning book proposal, how to approach publisher, do you need an agent, and how much should you write before approaching a publisher?
Geoff will also guide you through negotiating a fair contract and the editing and re-writing process.Here's what past participant Michael Neaylon had to say about the course:
"Great info told in a no nonsense, real yet inspirational way. Well organised, extremely good value and very comprehensive given short duration. It was very well presented, very helpful. I've been able to draft a strong book proposal today."
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Monday 17 November 2008 (one evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Win a copy of Ber Carroll’s High Potential
You can win a copy of High Potential by Ber Carroll. It’s chick lit at its best. High Potential is Ber’s third novel. Ber is originally from Ireland but lives in Sydney and starting writing her first novel (Executive Affair) when she did her first creative writing course!You can read a review of her book here.
To win a copy of the book, please answer the question below by 5pm Thursday 6 November 2008. Send your answers, full name and postal address to competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au
Where is the worst place you’ve been sent for a job – which turned out to be the best?
To listen to our podcast with Ber Carroll click here.
Win five double passes for Hunger
Directed by award winning contemporary artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen, Hunger won the Sydney Film Prize at this year’s Sydney Film Festival as well as receiving the coveted Camera D’Or prize at the Cannes International Film Festival.Hunger follows life in the Maze Prison, Northern Ireland with an interpretation of the highly emotive events surrounding the 1981 IRA Hunger Strike, led by Bobby Sands.
With an epic eye for detail, the film provides a timely exploration of what happens when body and mind are pushed to the uttermost limit.
UK artist Steve McQueen, in collaboration with Irish playwright Enda Marsh, has created an extraordinary feature debut. Hunger is an uncompromising and engrossing vision; it reflects on the political, religious, philosophical and personal implications of your own body being the last resource for protest. Clearly influenced by McQueen’s recent stint as a war artist in Iraq, the contemporary relevance of Hunger is loud and resounding.
Hunger starts on the 30 October 2008.
We have five double passes to give away. To win a double pass simply answer the question below by 5pm Thursday 23 October 2008.14px
Who is your top historical figure and why?
Send your answer, full name and postal address to: competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au
What does author Gabrielle Lord say about writing?
You can find out by
listening to our podcast interview with her. We’ve just uploaded our
13th podcast - this one is with Gabrielle Lord who is ‘Australia's
First Lady of Crime.’Gabrielle shared this with us:
"When I wrote Fortress, I had a feeling about it. I don't know if you're a pool player but there's a particular moment of bliss where you line up the cue and the ball and the ball that you want to sink and it might be an odd angle but you just know the minute the cue's hit the white ball, you know you've got to pocket that ball; you just know, even before it's happened.”
You can check them out on our webpage or on iTunes.
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: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson - FULL
When: Friday 24 October 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Friday 31 October 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 3 November 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 5 November 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Friday 7 November 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 11 November 2008 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Monday 17 November 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett - FULL
When: Thursday 20 November 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 24 November for four weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $325
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 27 November 2008 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Friday 28 November 2008
Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm (half day seminar)
Cost: $225
Course: DAYTIME Creative writing stage 1 with Judith Ridge
When: Monday 5 January to Friday 9 January 2009
DAYTIME session for Year 11 and 12 students ONLY
Time: 10am - 12noon
Fee: $395
Course: Intensive DAYTIME Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Monday 12 January and Tuesday 13 January 2009 (2 consecutive days)
Time: 10am - 4pm
Fee: $395
Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 2 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $325
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
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Wishing you much writing success,
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