19 March 2009

Dear Fellow Writer,

In this issue:

We're expanding!

To hyphen or not to hyphen - that is the question
Learn from award-winning author Kate Forsyth
Get published in literary journals
NEW: Grammar and punctuation workshop
Win a copy of Toyboy by Holly Hill
WEBPICK: Fridge poetry

We've been run off our feet here at the Sydney Writers' Centre. In fact, our courses are so popular we've had to expand! Yes, we've taken over the Kirribilli Club to run some of our courses - don't worry, this is literally just next door to our Centre so it’s all in very easy reach.

So please do read your booking confirmations carefully to see if you are in our main centre - or just next door in the brand new function rooms of the Kirribilli Club (they do a yummy fish and chips if you want to stay on for dinner). Either way, they are only 30 seconds from each other.

WRITING TIP: To hyphen or not to hyphen

You should use a hyphen between two words that are used together as a single adjective before a noun:

chocolate-coated shortbread
two-storey house

However, when the words come after a noun, a hyphen is not required.

The shortbread was chocolate coated.
The house was two storeys.

Welcome Kate Forsyth

Our Creative Writing courses are once again filling up faster than we can schedule them. We want everyone to be able to do this wonderful course so we’re thrilled to announce that you're going to learn from Kate Forsyth, author and creative writing teacher extraordinaire.

At the Sydney Writers' Centre, you learn from the best. Kate has published many books including The Puzzle Ring, The Gypsy Crown and The Starthorn Tree. She has also received a number of awards for her novels such as Best First Novel of 1998 from Locus Magazine and a remarkable five Aurealis Awards in 2007 alone. We think Kate's experience writing for adults and younger readers makes her
perfect for this role and we're sure you'll agree.

Kate's first Creative Writing course with the Sydney Writers' Centre will begin on Thursday 7 May 2009. Don’t delay! These courses fill very quickly.

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 7 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Before your novel - submit your work to literary journals

While competitions are always a great way to motivate yourself to write, it’s also worth sending submissions to local literary journals. Many literary journals in Australia accept short stories or essays as well as poetry, and while they don't all pay contributors, what could be more satisfying than seeing your writing published in a nationally distributed journal?

Here are just a few that accept submissions.

Indigo - this is one for our West Australian readers. Indigo publishes the work of new WA writers alongside that of more established authors. The next submission deadline is 31 May 2009. Click here for details.

Meanjin - one of Australia’s best known and oldest literary journals, Meanjin accepts unsolicited manuscripts from authors in a variety of genres and also pays writers for published works. Make sure you read the submission guidelines carefully. Click here for details.

Voiceworks - Express Media accepts unpublished work from writers and artists under 25 for their quarterly magazine. Click here for details.

WIN your copy of Toyboy by Holly Hill

Bestselling author of Toyboy, Holly Hill, generously spoke to us for our podcast series. Following on from the controversial Sugarbabe, an account of her search for a Sugar Daddy, Toyboy turns the tables and explores what happens when an attractive 40 year old woman advertises for her own sugar babe with surprising results.

Click here to hear her interview.

To win your copy of Toyboy simply answer the following question:

Would you rather have a toy boy or sugar daddy - and why?

Please email your answer to competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au by 5pm on Thursday 2 April 2009. Please include your full name and postal address. The most interesting and creative answer wins.

For more information on our podcasts or to subscribe visit our webpage or iTunes.

Grammar and Punctuation: What you need to know

Ask and you shall receive. We've had many requests for an introductory grammar and punctuation course and we're very pleased to be able to offer this vital one-day seminar on Tuesday 5 May 2009.

The course will help you build the confidence to correct your own and other people's writing and bring it to a publishable standard.

The course will cover:

common mistakes - such as apostrophes and plurals
the basic rules you need to know to be confident in the workplace
when to bend, break or keep a rule or convention
and much more.

Deb Doyle joins the Sydney Writers' Centre team and she brings with her many years' experience as an editorial-training consultant. She has conducted courses for government agencies and corporate companies and has an amazing ability to turn learning grammar and punctuation into a fun and engaging day.

Course: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Tuesday 5 May 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more details or to enrol online.

WRITING TIP: Know your market

When you want to write for magazines, you have to identify and get to know the target readership of that magazine before you even put pen to paper. It's not enough to say that your readership is "women". You'll have far more success if you can narrow this even further. Ideally, you should identify:

their age
geographical location
interests
income bracket
level of education
and other demographic information.

How do you do this? At the Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers course, we'll show you step-by-step how to determine this valuable information. Remember, an editor can always tell the difference between a writer who knows (and writes for) their readership and a writer who hasn't bothered to figure this out. Want to know more? The next course in Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers starts Tuesday 21 April 2009.

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 21 April 2009
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

WEBPICK: Fridge poetry

Unleash your inner poet with this cute website.

It’s your very own online fridge, complete with word magnets for you to arrange as you like. It’s also completely live, so you can see others creating poetry (or completely random placements of words) as well.

Check it out here http://isnoop.net/toys/magwords.php

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: 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: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 6 April 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 6 April 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 21 April 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345

Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 21 April 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 28 April 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 30 April 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75

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

Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Tuesday 5 May 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
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 Kate Forsyth - NEW DATE!
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 7 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 12 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Hook Your Reader with Maree Giles
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 17 June 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

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Wishing you much writing success,