- TIP: Up with which we will not put!
- Give the gift of writing
- Self-publishing – where to start and what to do
- Alan Marshall Short Story Award
- Market your book and improve sales
- Did you know? Quo Vadis
- Learn the essentials of Grammar and Punctuation
- Word wise: Where do Eggs Benedict come from?
- WEBPICK: Voyager Online
As regular readers will know, I've just been in New York City and have only arrived back home in Sydney today. One of the cool places I stumbled on in New York was this bookstore (pictured) - Partners & Crime in Greenwich Avenue. It's a character-filled place with signed first editions and new releases, and boasts being the largest mystery store in Manhattan. I could have stayed there for hours! You don't have to travel so far to get your dose of mystery and crime because our Crime Writing Weekend Workshop with Marele Day is back!This workshop is ideal if you want to explore the world of crime in your fiction writing. You'll learn how to write crime that’s credible and create a plot that will work.
Here’s what some of our recent participants had to say about the workshop:
‘The presenter was very knowledgeable - the content was excellent and the size of the group was good. I feel I am better equipped to continue on with my novel and am certainly more inspired and motivated.’
- Kate Walter
‘The presenter was great. She's obviously very experienced and well connected in industry and was very generous in sharing her experiences. The course was a good balance of structure and diversion from outline where appropriate. I took home lots of really valuable information and leads on resources. I definitely feel a lot more confident about the process of writing and know where I had gaps and how I can fill them.’
- Karen Allen
Crime Writing Weekend Workshop with Marele Day
When: Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 January 2010 (two-day workshop)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
TIP: Up with which I will not put! What’s wrong with this sentence?
I’ve seen this quote before but a recent blog post I found about it’s supposed author, Winston Churchill, reminded me of it.
Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.
There’s some conjecture about whether he said it or not, but it does raise an interesting question. Is it really so bad to end your sentences with a preposition? For example, what’s really wrong with this?
Ending a sentence with a preposition is something I will not put up with.
Well, nothing. According to Mark Tredinnick in his Little Red Writing Book, it’s now perfectly OK to end a sentence with a preposition. If it sounds right in conversation, then it’s fine to write it as well.
I’ve seen this quote before but a recent blog post I found about it’s supposed author, Winston Churchill, reminded me of it. Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.
There’s some conjecture about whether he said it or not, but it does raise an interesting question. Is it really so bad to end your sentences with a preposition? For example, what’s really wrong with this?
Ending a sentence with a preposition is something I will not put up with.
Well, nothing. According to Mark Tredinnick in his Little Red Writing Book, it’s now perfectly OK to end a sentence with a preposition. If it sounds right in conversation, then it’s fine to write it as well.
Give the gift of writingWell, it’s almost Christmas – again! That means braving the frantic Christmas crowds in search of the perfect gift. Or, if you want to avoid the usual stress of present buying, you could go with a gift voucher from the Sydney Writers’ Centre. You can buy a voucher for a particular course or for a dollar amount to go towards a course.
So, if you know someone who’s always wanted to write their life story, or thinks they have what it takes to write for magazines and newspapers, or just wants to kickstart their creative writing, then give them a gift that could see their writing dreams come true.
To order a gift voucher just phone us in the office on (02) 9929 9237.
Self-publishing - where to start and what to do
If you’re a Matthew Reilly fan then you’ll know that his latest book, The Five Greatest Warriors, has just been released. Of course, he has a publisher now, but his very first book, Contest, was self-published – and it was with this book that he began his career as a blockbuster author. If you’re thinking about self-publishing but aren’t sure where to start, then this seminar is for you. Self-publishing is useful for business owners or professionals who may want to publish a book in their field, and for other non-fiction books.
This seminar will cover:
- self-publishing versus commercial publishing
- the steps to successful self-publishing
- the importance of editing and layout
- how to get your book printed
- marketing and distributing your book
- what's it all going to cost?
This seminar is presented by Geoff Bartlett who is an author, journalist, actor and producer. He has filed articles and interviews for over 20 major newspapers and magazines around the country, including The Sydney Morning Herald, Courier Mail, Canberra Times, West Australian and Australian Style.
Self-publishing: How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 9 December 2009 (two-hour seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Alan Marshall Short Story Award 2010
To celebrate its 25th year, the Alan Marshall Short Story Award is accepting entries from writers all over Australia. Dedicated to the writer and former Eltham, Victoria resident, Alan Marshall, the competition is for short stories up to 2,500 words long. Prizes include $2,000 for the winning entry, and $1,000 for second prize. There’s also a $1,000 prize for a writer living in the Nillumbik Shire and $400 for a young writer with a story of up to 1,000 words.
Entries close on Friday 5 February 2010. This year’s judge is writer Michael McGirr. He’s written many short stories himself and also wrote Things You Get For Free. (We recently interviewed Michael for our podcast series. Check it out here).
Click here for more information and an entry form.
Market your book and improve sales
Walk into any bookstore and you’ll instantly see why marketing is so important. Sometimes, it’s not enough to get your book on the shelf – you need to let people know it’s there! That’s where your marketing plan comes in. If you’re in the process or writing your book or have just self-published it, or you have a mainstream publisher but want to give your title a marketing boost, then this three-week course is perfect for you.
This course will teach you:
- the importance of positioning your book – who its for and where you find this target market
- positioning yourself - what’s your author brand all about?
- how to choose the most appropriate promotional tactics
- what your publisher does (if you have one) and when they do it – and what they want from you. Also, find out what they don’t do.
- how to prepare for media interviews
- how to generate your own PR long after your publisher has moved on to the next title
- how to promote your book using smart online strategies – do you need a website, blog, online video or a social media presence?
- case studies on online book marketing ideas that you can model.
Here’s what some of our recent participants had to say about the course:
‘Amanda knew her stuff and gave us clear guidelines on how to market our book. She also gave me a reality check as to what’s needed to successfully market a book. I now have a clear, practical, structured approach to marketing my book.’
- Kamal Weerakoon
‘Amanda is a vibrant, energetic presenter who believes in what she teaches. She is experienced and well prepared, using a variety of methods to convey her message, and convinced me that I should pay more attention to the marketing side of authorship. I now have a pan to follow when the time is right. Amanda gave us valuable skills, links and resources, dispelling the fear of self-promotion.’
- Jennie Ross
This course is presented by Amanda Falconer who is a brand and marketing expert with over 20 years experience across industries ranging from the rag trade to building and now, books. Amanda is currently the national marketing manager of the Australian division of a global manufacturing company. She is executive editor of LookHome magazine and producer of myLOOKHOMEtv. She is also author of The Renovator’s Survival Guide. Since the book’s launch, she has been featured on Sunrise, 9am with David & Kim, A Current Affair, as well as numerous radio interviews including ABC Radio in Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, as well as 3AW and 2CA.
Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Mondays starting Monday 18 January 2010 for 3 weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $265
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Did you know? Quo vadis?You may have heard of the film Quo Vadis? starring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr. There are also books, songs and other films with the same name. But where did it come from?
"Quo vadis" (kwoh vah-dis) is actually Latin for "Where are you going?"
Sure, it's unlikely you'll be shouting "Quo Vadis?" to your kids as they walk out the door when they should be doing their homework. But next time you see it, at least you'll know that it comes from the language of ancient times and was asked when people were going on a long journey.
Congratulation to Pamela Freeman!
One of our most popular creative writing teachers, Pamela Freeman, has just published the third book in her Castings Trilogy – Full Circle. Following on from Blood Ties and Deep Water, this latest book has already garnered many favourable reviews and we’re sure it will be another big success for Pamela.
You can learn more about Pamela’s Castings Trilogy at www.castingstrilogy.com.
Learn the essentials of Grammar and Punctuation
Learning grammar should not strike fear into your heart! Having a grasp of basic grammar and punctuation can really improve your writing and that of those whose work you may be correcting. This one-day seminar will give you knowledge you can apply immediately to your writing.
You'll come away with:
- a clear understanding of how to treat common mistakes - such as apostrophes and plurals
- the basic rules you need to know to be confident in the workplace
- an understanding of when to bend, break or keep a rule or convention
- ability to discern when more than one solution is acceptable
- empowerment to justify your corrections to your own and other people's writing
- a taste of how professional editors approach their craft
- more confidence in applying the standard hard-copy editing marks to double-spaced copy
- and much more
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the seminar:
‘FANTASTIC KNOWLEDGE from Deb Doyle, she is very enthusiastic about her subject and is a strong communicator, able to answer all questions in a fun and memorable way. I learnt SO MUCH in one day. The course was exactly what I’d hoped it would be.’
- Fiona Goldsworthy
‘The reference book was very comprehensive and will be an excellent resource for the future. I have gained confidence with future report writing and grammer and punctuation skills.’
- Jo Porter
The workshop 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: Thursday 3 December 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395 Includes comprehensive text-workbook Grey Areas and Gremlins: A grammar and punctuation refresher (valued at $50).
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
WORD WISE: Where does “Eggs Benedict” come from?
One of my favourite meals is Sunday brunch and I’m pretty partial to eggs benedict. I know this does nothing for my waistline but it’s so yummy I can’t resist. However, do you know where the term “eggs benedict” comes from? Way back in 1894, there was a playboy in New York City called Samual Benedict. In the city that never sleeps, he partied hard and lived a full life. After one hangover, he headed to the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and ordered bacon, two poached eggs and toast with butter. He covered the whole thing with hollandaise sauce and hoped this high protein meal would keep him going. (No-Doz and Red Bull had not been invented yet!)
The maitre’d of the hotel liked the look of the meal and added it to the hotel’s menu calling it “Eggs Benedict”. So we have playboy Samuel to thank for what has now become a Sunday brunch staple.
WEBPICK: Voyager OnlineThis blog is for all you Speculative Fiction and Fantasy buffs! Voyager is the speculative-fiction/science-fiction/fantasy/horror arm of HarperCollins publishers in Australia. The blog features book reviews and news, as well as guest posts from some of Australia’s best known fantasy and sci-fi authors and reviewers.
So, if you want to know what’s happening in the world of ‘Imaginatrix’ visit Voyager Online. http://voyageronline.wordpress.com.
Other upcoming courses
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 DAYTIME course with Jeni Mawter
When: Every Friday starting Friday 20 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 23 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Online Business Booster Bootcamp with Valerie Khoo
When: Tuesday 24 November 2009
Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Cost: $695
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Tuesday 24 November 2009 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 26 November 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Feature Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 30 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 2 December 2009 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Thursday 3 December 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Self-publishing - How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 9 December 2009 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 INTENSIVE DAYTIME course with Jeni Mawter
When: Monday 11 January - Friday 15 January 2010 (5 consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Course: Crime Writing Workshop with Marele Day - NEW DATE
When: Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January 2009 (2-day workshop)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Every Monday starting Monday 18 January 2010 for three weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $265
Course: Script Writing for the Short Films with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 20 January and Wednesday 27 January 2010 (two evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $165
Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 21 January 2010 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am - 12 noon
Cost: $75
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 22 January 2010 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Thursday 28 January 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 28 January 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett - NEW DATE
When: Monday 1 February 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 3 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge - NEW COURSE
When: Week beginning Monday 8 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 16 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
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