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Free newsletter from the Sydney Writers' Centre packed with information about our upcoming courses and events, writing competitions, festivals, free articles on writing as well as freelance news and opportunities. Here's a collection of some of our past newsletters.

1 April 2010

Thursday, April 01, 2010
Your online creative inspiration; Book giveaway – The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova; More student success; How to get your articles published

In this issue:
  • TIP: That is the question
  • Your online creative inspiration
  • Book giveawayThe Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
  • Student Success – Megan Czsiz
  • Get your articles published – Feature Writing Stage 1
  • The Big Issue Fiction Edition
  • Travel and write!
  • More apostrophe crime
  • WEBPICK: Oxymoron List

Happy Easter! I hope you have great break over the next few days. I'm looking forward to some sleep! In the meantime, I'm very excited about our upcoming course with Australian Associated Press features editor Judy Skatssoon – Feature Writing Stage 2.

If you've completed Feature Writing Stage 1 with us, this course is your next step. You'll improve your writing and become more confident by learning even more tools of the trade when it comes to writing and journalism. It's an absolute MUST if you want to get published in magazines and newspapers.

Here’s what some past participants had to say about the course: 
‘[I liked] the fact that Judy works in the field and brings real knowledge to the course; she's very helpful and approachable. I did a similar course elsewhere last year and I must say that this one was by far superior. What was so great about this course was the small class size that enabled us to address questions as a group. It really was a far superior course to the one I did last year! Well done!’
- Kerstin Pilz

‘The course was choc full of useful information. The presenter made it lively and informative and had fantastic industry knowledge and experience. I feel more confident and informed on how to go about pitching ideas - and coming up with them in the first place.’
- Sylvia Aitken

This course is presented by Judy Skatssoon who is the features editor at Australian Associated Press (AAP). An experienced journalist, Judy has also been a successful freelance feature writer. She has contributed to a diverse range of publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, life etc, Medical Observer, Sydney's Child, Women's Health, ABC Online and many more.

After studying a Bachelor of Arts (Communications), majoring in journalism and writing, at UTS, she began her career as a cadet with AAP. She was also a regular feature contributor for Medical Observer Weekly during her two year freelance stint. 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.

Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When
: Wednesdays starting Wednesday 14 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395


Click here for more information or to enrol online.





TIP: That is the question
Everybody knows how to use a question mark, right? Well, even some of the more common punctuation marks can cause confusion. This might seem basic to many of you, but it’s surprisingly easy to get it wrong!

The rule is quite simple – use a question mark for direct questions, but don’t use one for indirect questions. The problem is that indirect questions, when spoken, sound like a question when they’re actually statements.

Direct questions
Where is Rambo?
Would you like a hot cross bun?
What are you doing for the long weekend?
Indirect questions
I wonder what the traffic will be like tonight.
My neighbour asked if she could borrow some milk.
The receptionist asked me my name.




Your online creative inspiration
Taking the first step in your creative writing journey is easy when you can do it from home! Our online creative writing course will give you the same practical and inspiring content as our face-to-face course, but you can do it from wherever you are.

This is the perfect course for anyone who is interested in writing fiction, whether it’s short stories or a novel, memoir or fantasy. This is the place to start if you want to reach your writing goals. This course will show you how to:

  • kick-start the creative writing process
  • tap into your imagination
  • draw from everyday experiences and memories
  • examine different types of creative writing
  • give structure to your writing
  • use characters and dialogue

Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course:

‘It was easy, especially being able to log on when I had the time and then listen to the audio as many times as I needed. It also helped to be able to go back to previous audios to refresh my memory.’
- Michelle Vicki Valacos

‘Online delivery was easy and convenient. The best thing about this mode of delivery was that I was able to take a course from SWC while based in Beijing!’
- Sonia Cahill

Online Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When
: Week beginning Monday 5 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.






Book giveaway – The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
Our latest author podcast is now online and this week we interviewed the bestselling author of The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova. Her debut novel was hugely successful, even reaching no. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. And she’s just released her follow-up novel, The Swan Thieves. Here’s some more about the book: 

Psychiatrist Andrew Marlowe has a perfectly ordered life--solitary, perhaps, but full of devotion to his profession and the painting hobby he loves. This order is destroyed when renowned painter Robert Oliver attacks a canvas in the National Gallery of Art and becomes his patient. In response, Marlowe finds himself going beyond his own legal and ethical boundaries to understand the secret that torments this genius, a journey that will lead him into the lives of the women closest to Robert Oliver and toward a tragedy at the heart of French Impressionism. Ranging from American museums to the coast of Normandy, from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth, from young love to last love, The Swan Thieves is a story of obsession, the losses of history, and the power of art to preserve human hope.


We have one copy of The Swan Thieves to give away. Just tell us which historical figure you’d like to write about and why. Send your answers to courses [at] spindriftmedia [dot] com [dot] au by Friday 9 April 2010. Remember to include your postal address.

You can listen to our interview with Elizabeth here.







Student Success – Megan Czisz
We received more exciting news this week from one of our former students. Megan Czisz, who completed the Feature Writing course with Pamela Wilson, has had an article published in the Sun Herald. She wrote a travel feature about her visit to India.

Congratulations Megan!

You can read Megan’s article here.





Get your articles published
If you'd like to see your name in print in your favourite magazine or newspaper - just like Megan (above) - it’s possible! If you want to learn the secrets to writing good articles and getting them published, our Feature Writing course is for you.

Whether you’re a first-time writer or just want to brush up on your skills, we’ll show you how to research and write great feature articles and what you need to do to grab an editor’s attention. The course will teach you about: 

  • 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!

Here’s what recent participant Myriam Thibault had to say about the course:

‘I've really enjoyed the course! Pam was a fantastic presenter and she had real insider's knowledge she was willing to share with us. Even if you already have decent writing skills, you'll learn plenty of useful tips during the course, such as how to write the most effective intros and transitions, how to pick and balance your case studies, or how to become an "active reader", always thinking of new feature story ideas when reading a newspaper or magazine. I'd highly recommend it!’

This course is taught by Pamela Wilson. She has worked as a freelance journalist for the past seven years. Her articles regularly appear in Medical Observer, Reader’s Digest and Health Smart. She has also contributed to various publications including Men’s Health, Good Health and Medicine, Australian Parents, Travel Vacations and Ninemsn online.

In her 18 years in journalism Pamela has worked at the Gold Coast Bulletin, AAP and The Daily Telegraph in a variety of positions covering areas as diverse as medicine, politics, health and family issues, education, travel, books, lifestyle and men’s and women’s issues.

Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 1 with Pamela Wilson
When
: Wednesdays beginning Wednesday 14 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.






The Big Issue Fiction Edition 2010
The Big Issue’s Fiction Edition is back! This street mag is committed to ‘helping people help themselves’ and is sold by homeless and disadvantaged people on street corners all over Australia. It sells close to 30,000 copies a fortnight and, in 2009, the fiction edition was a sell-out. Contributors included Cate Kennedy, Debra Adelaide and Alice Pung. If you’d like to see your short story amongst such great company, submissions are now being sought for the 2010 Fiction Edition. Stories of up to 3,000 words will be accepted. The closing date is Monday 20 May 2010.

You can find more details here.

If you’re interested in contributing articles to The Big Issue make sure you also check out their contributor page.






Travel and write!
We all love travel. Who doesn’t? And if you also love writing then you could be well on the way to getting paid to travel.

The travel writing industry is a competitive one, but with our insider tips we can show you how to sell your travel features. This two-hour seminar is ideal if you’ve completed our Feature Writing course and want to explore the world of travel writing. The seminar will cover:

  • publishing opportunities (newspapers, magazines, electronic publishing, travel literature, guidebooks, other avenues)
  • types of travel stories (service stories, destination stories, personal essays)
  • what it takes to be a travel writer
  • some straight talk about earnings
  • finding and focusing your story (the right subject, travel trends, developing your story)
  • the art and craft of travel writing
  • getting published and making contacts (including tips on joining professional associations such as the Australian Society of Travel Writers)
  • writing for travel guidebooks

Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the seminar:

‘I have been inspired to get started ASAP! Learnt some practical tips, very reaslistic advice and got some questions answered. My head is spinning with ideas and possibilities and I wish I'd done it sooner!’
- Nicola Wilson

‘A very straight up presenter who told it like it is. Great that he is currently working in the industry.’
- Rebecca Williams

This seminar is presented by Geoff Bartlett, he has worked as a freelance travel writer and photographer for magazines and websites for the last six years. His current areas of focus are the islands of the South Pacific and Asia. He is a regular contributor to Pacific Island Paradises and Asian Paradises.

Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When
: Friday 9 April 2010 (two-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.30am – 12noon
Cost: $75

Click here for more information or to enrol online.





Apostrophe crimes
Thanks to Sue Bradshaw who sent us this apostrophe crime from Sydney’s Bridge Climb. She spotted this at Northpoint plaza in North Sydney. (There should be no apostrophe in "Climbs".)



From unnecessary apostrophes to missing apostrophes… Sue White, our Perfecting Your Pitch presenter, spotted this in Byron Bay. (It should be "You're".)







WEBPICK: Oxymoron List
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that contains two normally contradictory words. They pop up in writing all the time – sometimes as inadvertent errors and other times as a deliberate literary device.

The Oxymoron List has hundreds of examples that have been submitted by readers all over the world. You can submit your own oxymoron or vote on those that have made the list. You’ll find many oxymorons in this list that we see every day – and don’t always see as contradictory. There are also lists of anagrams, eupemisms and pleonasms (redundant phrases).

So, if you want to practice your word play and have something to submit, visit www.oxymoronlist.net









Other upcoming courses
Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman
When
: Week beginning Monday 5 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson - FULL
When:
Tuesday 6 April 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth - FULL
When
: Every Thursday starting Thursday 8 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When
: Friday 9 April 2010 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $75

Course: Online Feature Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo
When
: Week beginning Monday 12 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When
: Every Monday starting Monday 12 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 5-day Intensive course with Jeni Mawter
When
: Monday 12 April - Friday 16 April 2010 (5 consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Course: Feature Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Wilson
When
: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 14 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When
: Every Wednesday beginning Wednesday 14 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When
: Tuesday 20 April 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter - NEW DATE
When
: Every Thursday starting Thursday 22 April 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395


Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When
: Friday 23 April 2010 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $75

Seminar: Writing for the web with Grant Doyle
When
: Wednesday 28 April 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $365

Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When
: Friday 30 April 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365

Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When:
Tuesday 4 May 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395


Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When
: Tuesday 4 May 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Perfecting your pitch with Sue White
When
: Tuesday 11 May and 18 May 2010 (two evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Course: Script Writing for Short Films with Geoff Bartlett
When
: Thursday 13 May and 20 May 2010 (two evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $165

Course: Novel writing workshop with Pamela Freeman
When
: Every Tuesday beginning Tuesday 25 May 2010 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495

Seminar: Travel writing with Geoff Bartlett
When
: Wednesday 26 May 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When
: Every Thursday starting Thursday 27 May 2010 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Seminar: Self-Publishing: How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When
: Wednesday 2 June 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis - NEW DATE
When: Friday 18 June 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $365


Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When
: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July (two-day workshop)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $450

Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman
When
: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 27 July 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395


Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When
: Every Thursday starting Thursday 12 August 2010 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450

Writing Tour: Writing in Bali with Patti Miller
When:
30 September to 5 October 2010

Writing Tour: Writing in Paris with Patti Miller - FULL
Dates for 2010:
Arrival
: Thursday 21 October 2010
Departure: Saturday 6 November 2010

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