Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:
- To ‘un’ or to ‘dis’?
- Writing in Paris - all details and pricing revealed
- Feature and Travel writing success stories
- What’s coming up? Writers’ Festivals
- Win a copy of Octavius O’Malley and the mystery of the criminal cats
It’s been a busy week at the Sydney Writers’ Centre. We had a great group of students at the workshop Media Releases that Get Results, we’ve finalised the pricing and itinerary for our amazing "Writing in Paris 2009" tour, I'm planning two magazines for a corporate client and - in the midst of all that - I got my hair cut (pictured right).
As any girl would know, the hair cut was the most stressful of all the activities. And even though I’m still a little shocked when I see my reflection, I think I'm getting used to it. Women and new hair-dos ... there’s a feature article in there somewhere!
'Un' or 'Dis' - do you know which one to use?
Are you disinterested or uninterested? Dissatisfied or unsatisfied? Today, I can’t decide if I’m unorganised or disorganised! This is not an easy one to answer.
According to one response on PainInTheEnglish.com, an online forum for the discussion of ‘gray areas of English’, the following can be used as a general rule:
“For the most part, the prefix "dis" can be read as "not very much," and the prefix "un" (for these words) can be read as "not at all."
Writing in Paris 2009 - the opportunity of a lifetime
Are you ready to stroll down the Champs Elysees and visit your local boulangerie from your very own apartment in Paris? Details for Patti Miller’s Life Writing program in Paris have been finalised! If you would like to receive an itinerary and cost details, you can register your interest here.
Don’t delay! There are only 12 places available on this trip of a lifetime, and if you book and pay in full before 31 March 20009, you’ll also receive a 5% discount.
More Feature Writing successes
Congratulations to Nicole Partridge! Her article ‘Take a bit of the big apple’ was published in the Cairns Post last Sunday 14 February. Nicole completed the Feature Writing Stage 2 course with Judy Skatssoon. Prior to this, she attended a Freelance Success seminar as well as the first stage of Feature Writing for magazines and newspapers.
Congratulations also to Di Cato. Di has had great success with her Feature Writing career since completing a course and mentoring program at the Sydney Writers’ Centre. Her latest article, ‘Fish for fossils and treasures’, was published in The Sydney Morning Herald Travel section in the Weekend Edition of 31 January - 1 February.
If you want to get published in magazines or newspapers, you can choose from the following options:
DAYTIME
When: Every Thursday for 5 weeks from Thursday 12 March 2009
Presenter: Pamela Wilson
Time: 10am to 12noon
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
EVENING
When: Every Monday for 5 weeks from Monday 16 March 2009
(with one week break for Easter)
Presenter: Judy Skatssoon
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
ONLINE
When: The week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 for five weeks
Presenter: Valerie Khoo
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online
If you want to know more about how to get your travel articles published, our 2-hour seminar with Geoff Bartlett is the perfect way to start.
Travel writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 12 March 2009
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost: $75
Click here for more information and to enrol online.
Rub shoulders with your favourite writers
There are some great events coming up all over the country for writers and readers.
In Western Australia the Perth Writers' Festival begins on Saturday 28 February. Held over three days the event will see Australian and international authors participating in workshops, panel discussions and, all the way from New York, ‘The Moth’ - check out the website at Perth Writers Festival if that’s piqued your interest.
In Braidwood NSW, the annual Two Fires Festival will be held on Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March. Celebrating the poetry and activism of Judith Wright the festival includes storytelling workshops, a market day, art competitions. Check out the details at Two Fires Festival.
COMPETITION: Win a copy of Octavius O’Malley and the mystery of the criminal cats by Alan Sunderland
If you’d like to win a copy of Alan Sunderland’s wonderful children’s book Octavius O’Malley and the mystery of the criminal cats simply watch this short 1 minute video.
This is a great book for younger readers - and a great looking book too. Filled with hilarious illustrations by Ben Redlich, the book follows Rodent City’s ‘finest detective’ Octavius O’Malley as he attempts to solve a series of mysteries throughout the city.
Former SBS and ABC journalist, Alan features on our author podcast - to hear what he had to say about turning his hand to writing for kids, visit have a look at our webpage or on iTunes.
To enter this competition please send your submission along with your full name and postal address to competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au by 5pm Thursday 12 March 2009.
Writing books for Children
If you think you’ve got what it takes to keep young readers entertained, join us for our ‘Writing books for children and young adults’ course with Judith Ridge.
Judith is one of Australia’s leading experts in children’s books and, over five weeks, she will cover topics such as:
- 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 25 March 2009
Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Cost: $395 (includes GST)
Click here for more information and to enrol online.
Calling all poets
Google 'top writing blogs' and Poewar.com is bound to come up. This website is literally packed with tips, articles and forums - everything a budding writer needs.
The impressive thing about this website is the attention paid to poetry, something that is not often the focus of writing sites. There’s even an article called '7 easy steps to a more pretentious poem'! Jokes aside, this could be a really useful resource.
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 - FULL
When: Week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 24 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345
Seminar: Self-Publishing - How to do it with Valerie Khoo
When: Monday 9 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett - FULL
When: Wednesday 11 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 12 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $395
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 12 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 16 March 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
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 - 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: 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
Thanks for signing up to this newsletter. Remember, if you'd like to leave this list at any time just reply to this email letting us know.
Wishing you much writing success,
Comments
Post has no comments.