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• Our amazing magazine writing presenters
• TIP: When to use a comma
• Join the Sydney Writers’ Centre community
• More Student Success - Martyn Clarke-Smith and Marian Smith
• NEW COURSE: Writing about Interiors, Style and Design
• Did you know? Asterisk
• What we’re reading: Me & Mr Booker
• The Golden Rules of Grammar
• WEBPICK: Postcrosser

• 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!
• and much more.
  
  

The cupcakes, which have chocolate icing, won’t last long in the SWC office.

The cupcakes that have chocolate icing won’t last long in the SWC office.

• Claire Scobie’s Travel Memoir weekend course is filling fast.
• People are booking in from interstate for “Writing About Interiors, Style and Design”.
• Details for “An Italian Affair” are online - our writing retreat in Florence, Italy.
• My cute cat Rex is visiting us in the office today. He thinks he’s the boss.
  

Join our Creative Writing community
When you join one of our creative writing courses, you’re not just joining a class – you’re becoming part of a community of budding authors and fiction writers. It’s one of the best ways to keep up your motivation and get feedback on your writing. That’s why we now run evening and daytime classes for our most popular course, Creative Writing Stage 1.
 
In five weeks you’ll learn the essential elements of great stories. Being able to write great characters and convincing scenes will give your writing a new spark and help you get started on your writing project. And, when you finish the course, you’ll be invited to join our online forum for graduates, where you’ll be able to stay in touch with your classmates and meet many more writers.
 
Here’s what some recent participants thought of the course:
“I enjoyed having an experienced writer explain some of the different methods of writing and cracking into the industry. Jeni was fantastic. She was very sympathetic to the needs of new writers.”
- Maya Sebestyen

“The course was brilliant - worth every penny. I learnt so much. The presenter was a published author and really knew her stuff. I can't wait to do another one.”
- Judith Tomlinson

DAYTIME Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When: Tuesdays starting Tuesday 1 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am – 12noon
Cost: $395

EVENING Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Tuesdays starting Tuesday 8 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

More Student Success
Congratulations to Martyn Clarke-Smith, who has had another feature article accepted for publication. He did the online course in Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers in June last year, and since then has gone from strength to strength with his writing. His latest publishing success is a full-page story about a wildlife sanctuary, to be published in The Countryman in Western Australia.

We also heard this week from Marian Smith. She’s an experienced writer and has had many travel articles published in the Sun Herald. But after completing Perfecting your Pitch with Sue White, she finally cracked another market and had her first article published by The Australian. In fact, her pitch stood out from over 600 story ideas sent to the editor over the Christmas period!

Here’s what she said in her email to us:
“I'm not a virgin writer, but one who needed to see the light about pitching, and Sue certainly held the candle!”

Congratulations Marian!

NEW “Industry Insight” Course: Writing About Interiors, Style and Design
You don’t have to go far to see that home renovations and interior design are a major preoccupation for many Australians. There are plenty of shows on television to inspire us – Grand Designs, The Block, Better Homes and Gardens – and countless magazines devoting their pages to great design, impressive architecture, and tips on how to renovate your own home.

If you’re one of the many people with a passion for interiors and design, then why not write about it? Our newest course is Writing about Interiors, Style and Design with veteran writer and editor, Nigel Bartlett.      

This course is perfect if you’ve done our Feature Writing course and want to explore one of the many potential markets for your work, or if you have an interest in design and architecture and want to find out how you can indulge your passion through writing.

This course is presented by Nigel Bartlett, a freelance writer and editor with more than 20 years’ experience in magazines. He has written and edited interior design features for Belle, Inside Out, Real Living and other magazines. His work has included house and apartment stories, before-and-after pieces, kitchen and bathroom supplements and interviews with architects, interior designers, furniture makers and store owners.

Writing about Interiors, Style and Design with Nigel Bartlett
When: Thursdays 24 & 31 March 2011 (two evening classes)
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Did you know? The asterisk
Poor old asterisk. After being used for so long to indicate the presence of ‘small print’ its reputation is so bad that one of Australia’s big four banks has decided to kill it!

The asterisk is a star-shaped figure that is usually used to indicate an omission or to draw attention to a footnote (or, in the case of banks, the small print). The name comes from the greek word, asteriskos, which means ‘little star’.

You’ll often see asterisks used these days to indicate missing letters – usually in a swear word, as we did for the word sh*t in last week's newsletter. They can also be used to emphasise a word when bold or italics are not available, like on Facebook or Twitter.

So despite falling out of favour with certain banks, the asterisk does still have its uses and probably shouldn’t be killed off altogether.

What we’re reading
This week our course manager Danielle is reading Me & Mr Booker. Danielle writes:

Me & Mr Booker is the first novel from Australian writer Cory Taylor. By no means new to the world of writing, she’s an award-winning scriptwriter and has also written two children’s books.
 
Me & Mr Booker is the story of Martha, a 16-year old girl in a rush to grow up. She starts an intense relationship with a much older, married man – Mr Booker – whom she meets at one of her mother’s parties.
 
Despite the slightly icky premise, I love this book. Martha is a wonderful character. She perfectly embodies the conflicting bravado and naivety of a 16-year old. The adults in Martha’s life are mad, drunk, and self-obsessed. They’re completely pre-occupied with their own regrets and mistakes and oblivious to Martha’s headlong plunge into adulthood.

This is a wonderful book and sure to be a literary hit in 2011. I won’t be surprised if it makes it to a few awards shortlists too.

We want to know what you’re reading! If you’d like to submit a short book review (no more than 200 words) send it to courses [at] spindriftmedia [dot] com [dot] au and we’ll consider it for publication in our newsletter or blog.

Grammar and Punctuation Essentials
It’s daggy but here in the Sydney Writers’ Centre office this joke actually got a laugh:

Copy Editor: “Knock knock.”
Photo Editor: “Who’s there?”
Copy Editor: “To.”
Photo Editor: “To who?”
Copy Editor: “To WHOM!”

Of course, grammar is no laughing matter! Many people didn’t learn it at school and getting it right can seem like an overwhelming hurdle. But you can learn it and you can apply the knowledge to your writing straight away. With the basic rules of grammar and punctuation under your belt, you’ll notice an improvement in your writing immediately - whether it’s for work or pleasure.

Our one-day Grammar and Punctuation Essentials seminar is fast becoming one of our most popular, so if you want to learn the Golden Rules of grammar, you need to get in quickly.

Here’s what some recent participants said about the course and presenter, Deb Doyle:
“DEB IS AWESOME!”
- Jayne Herrmann

“I find grammar interesting so found that the time passed really quickly. The seminar was well paced and pitched and I came away feeling much more confident about what I know and now have a resource to which I can turn for the things that are a little shaky! The presenter was obviously knowledgable of her subject matter as she was able to pull random examples out of the air to further explain specific points.”
- Alexandra Norton

This seminar is presented by Deb Doyle, an experienced editorial-training consultant and publication editor. Deb has conducted courses for the Productivity Commission, AMP and Wizard Home Loans as well as many other corporate and government entities located in Sydney or Melbourne. Deb's courses are interactive and fun. You'll be amazed at how engaging and interesting a workshop in grammar and punctuation can be.

Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 4 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

WEBPICK: Postcrosser
If the art of letter-writing is a dying one, here’s something that may just delay the inevitable. Postcrosser is the brain-child of Paulo Magalhães, a Portuguese systems administrator now living in Slovenia. His love for receiving and sending postcards from around the world prompted him to set up the Postcrosser website in 2005. The goal of the website is simple: to connect people across the world through postcards, independent of their location, age, gender, race or beliefs.
 
In the five years since Postcrosser started, almost 5 million postcards have been sent and received. To be a part of the phenomenon, all you have to do is set up an account. You’ll then be given the details of a fellow Postcrosser. Send them a postcard and, once they’ve registered your postcard on their account, another Postcrosser will be given your details – and you too will start receiving news from around the world!
 
Check it out here.

Other upcoming courses
Course: Perfecting Your Pitch with Sue White – FULL
When: Thursday 17 February 2011 and Thursday 24 February 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 21 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Edit with Confidence with Deb Doyle – FULL
When: Friday 25 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Weekend Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 1 with Sue White
When: Saturday 26 February 2011 and Sunday 27 February 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Online Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Sue White
When: Week beginning Monday 28 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Daytime Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 1 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Friday 4 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie
When: Saturday 5 March 2011 and Sunday 6 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 7 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Online Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Laurine Croasdale
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 8 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 10 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 1 with Marina Go
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 10 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 10 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Friday 11 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – FULL
When: Saturday 12 March 2011 and Sunday 13 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding
When: Every Monday starting Monday 14 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Self Publishing - How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 23 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Seminar: PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 24 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $495

Course: Writing about Interiors, Style and Design with Nigel Bartlett – NEW COURSE
When: Thursday 24 March 2011 and Thursday 31 March 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Seminar: Perfect Your Proofreading with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 25 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Boost Your Creativity with Laurine Croasdale
When: Monday 28 March 2011 and Monday 4 April 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Seminar: Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 30 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 30 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Friday 1 April 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Sell your ebook on Amazon with Steven Lewis – NEW SEMINAR
When: Tuesday 5 April 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Course: Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 6 April 2011 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 6 April 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Daytime Intensive Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When: Monday 11 April 2011 - Friday 15 April 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Seminar: Edit with Confidence with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Friday 15 April 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Weekend Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White
When: Saturday 16 April 2011 and Sunday 17 April 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Daytime Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 4 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $395

Course: Magazine Writing Stage 2 with Gayle Bryant
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 18 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Plotting and Planning with Kate Forsyth – NEW COURSE
When: Thursday 19 May 2011 and Thursday 26 May 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Course: Your Story Structure with Kathryn Heyman
When: Friday 17 June 2011 and Friday 24 June 2011 (2 half-day classes)
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: $215

Course: Life Writing Masterclass with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 1 July 2011 for eight weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $650

Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 5 July 2011 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 9 September 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $450

WRITING TOURS
Writing in Bali with Patti Miller
When: Saturday 18 June to Saturday 25 June 2011

Writing in Paris with Patti Miller
When: Thursday 20 October to Saturday 5 November 2011

Travel Writing in Italy with Sue White
When: Friday 16 September to Friday 30 September 2011