In this issue:
- Brand new! Feature Writing: Your Blueprint in a Box
- Student Success - Matthew Da Silva is published!
- Write the book children will love – Writing for Children and Young Adults
- Slim Ink Book Giveaway
- Editing Essentials – how to make your job easier
- Write for Neighbours
- WEBPICK: Fuel Your Writing
I'm so excited about the upcoming Crime Writing Weekend workshop on 10 and 11 October 2009. There's nothing quite like curling up in bed with a compelling crime novel. I've always admired how good crime writers can build such effective suspense, clever plots and characters that range from the real to the deranged. When I interviewed crime writer Marele Day for our podcast recently, I knew that she would be a great addition to our team of presenters. As the best crime writing teacher in the country, I'm thrilled Marele is holding this Crime Writing Weekend workshop just for the Sydney Writers' Centre.Marele lives up on the NSW north coast so this is a rare opportunity to tap into her expertise. It promises to be a weekend of crime, investigation, writing and exploring how to write a crime story that keeps your readers hanging on to your every word.
Crime Writing Workshop with Marele Day
When: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2009 (2 day workshop)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
TIP: Contracting words
When we speak, we often contract words. We do it in our writing too. It’s not unusual to see the words ‘could’ve’ or ‘should’ve’ in our writing. For example:
Rex could’ve spent the day in the sun, but had to go to the vet.It’s also not unusual to see ‘could’ve’ written as ‘could of’. It’s an easy mistake to make. When you say it, it sounds like ‘could of’, but that’s not how it’s written! ‘Could’ve’ is a contraction. The apostrophe takes the place of missing letters – in this case ‘ha’. If you’re writing ‘could’ve’ out in full you must write ‘could have’.
Brand new – Feature Writing: Your Blueprint in a Box
We’re about to launch an exciting new self-study version of one of our most popular courses – ‘How to Get Published in Magazines and Newspapers: Your Blueprint in a Box’. We haven’t made it available to the public yet because we want to give our newsletter subscribers a chance to purchase at an exclusive price first. This is a self-study course based on the course Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers. It’s ideal if you want to study at your own pace.
Here's what you receive:
- Inspiring and informative audio program of 10 CDs
- 400+ page workbook and transcript for easy reference of notes and instructions
- Your step-by-step guide on how to get published
- How to pitch to editors
- Case studies and templates
- Valerie Khoo’s insider tips
- Bonus CDs featuring journalists and authors
You can find out more here (note this web page is not available to the public yet).
Special offer
When we launch this product to the public, it’s going to retail for $395. However, as subscriber to this newsletter, your pre-launch price is only $345. And that includes postage to anywhere in Australia.
When you purchase online use the Promo Code: SUBSCRIBE301009 (at the shopping cart).
You’ll make a big saving if you purchase before our launch. Just order online before Friday 30 October 2009. After that, the price goes back to retail.
Find out more here.
Student Success
Matthew Da Silva recently completed our Feature Writing course with Pamela Wilson and has just had his first article published. His article, 'Facebook defies negative spin', was published in the online business magazine, Australian Anthill. And he's since been published again in the same magazine.
Congratulations Matthew!
Write the book children will love – Writing Books for Children and Young Adults
Do you dream of writing books for children? Have you got a story you’d like to write for your kids? If you’re new to writing for children and young adults then this course will give you the confidence to get started. While writing for children and young adults may not be as easy as it seems, this course will give you the essential steps to write your kid’s book. Focusing on longer works (although picture books will be touched on).
This course will cover:
- 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
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course:
‘It was fabulous to spend two hours in Judy’s company every Thursday night. She has got fantastic energy. I am even more dedicated to building up stories around my characters. I am inspired to make my writing happen.’
- Christina Biel
‘I really liked the way Judith was very open to answering everybody’s questions and giving honest feedback on our work. Judith’s comments on my work have helped me very much. The information she presented us with was also very useful.’
- Karyn Sepulveda
This course is presented by Judith Ridge. Judith has worked with the Children's Book Council, as an editor at ABC Children's Books and the NSW School Magazine and freelances as an editor for Random House. For the past two years, Judith has taught ‘Writing for Children’ at the University of Sydney MA in Creative Writing.
Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 15 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Slim Ink Book Giveaway
This month our very generous friends at Slim Ink are giving away one copy of Stieg Larsson’s latest (and possibly last) book, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. Larsson was the Swedish author of the hugely successful Millenium series. The first two books in the series, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire made Larsson the second bestselling author in the world in 2008 – even though he died in 2004. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest is the third book in the trilogy.
Salander is plotting her revenge - against the man who tried to kill her, and against the government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life. But it is not going to be a straight-forward campaign. After taking a bullet to the head, Salander is under close supervision in Intensive Care, and is set to face trial for three murders and one attempted murder on her eventual release.
With the help of journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his researchers at Millennium magazine, Salander must not only prove her innocence, but identify and denounce the corrupt politicians that have allowed the vulnerable to become victims of abuse and violence. Once a victim herself, Salander is now ready to fight back.
If you’d like to win a copy tell us about your ideal villain (in 25 words or less). Email your answers to courses@spindriftmedia.com.au by Friday 9 October 2009, and remember to include your postal address.
New at Slim Ink! Passion Plan 5 - Book Clubs - https://www.slimink.com.au/plans
Editing Essentials - how to make your job easier
Editing at work can be tricky. If you’re not confident in your decisions, how will you convince others that the changes should be made? If you want to make sure your company’s documents are well written, and therefore well received, then knowing the basics of editing will help you. Our one-day Editing Essentials seminar is ideal for anyone who needs to edit documents at work, or for those who’d like an introduction into the world of professional editing.
During the seminar you will learn how to:
- edit for structure and style
- improve anyone's writing using simple techniques
- understand standard proofreading symbols and how to use them
- understand why a style manual is important - where to get one/how to create one
- determine the tone and style of your document
- identify common mistakes in punctuation and spelling
- create professional documents that communicate effectively
Many people have attended this seminar and benefited immediately.
Here’s what two recent participants had to say:
‘When I edit documents now I feel a lot more confident to make necessary adjustments. I no longer deliberate over a single aspect, like punctuation, for long periods of time.’
- Sarah Webb
‘It was an interactive forum that focussed on all aspects of editing. I found it particularly helpful when Katrina discussed dealing with the writers - the course gave me a lot of perspective and confidence.’
- Fran Strachan
The seminar is presented by Katrina Lobley, an experienced journalist and editor. With 20 years' experience in the publishing industry, Katrina spent five years as a sub-editor on The Sydney Morning Herald and is currently in demand as a freelance writer and editor of corporate and consumer publications.
Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Thursday 22 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Write for Neighbours!
Admit it. You watch Neighbours. You have done for years. And you would love to write for Neighbours too. Well, now’s your chance. The Australian Writers’ Guild and FremantleMedia have teamed up to offer the Neighbours Scriptwriter Training Initiative. This is a unique opportunity for two budding writers to work on a television serial for six weeks. The winners will work as trainee storyliners and will learn all there is to know about writing for television. They’ll also receive $5,000 prize money. This is the third year this competition has run and winners from the previous two years have gone on to become permanent storyliners for the show.
So get those story ideas on paper now! To enter, you need to provide a story idea using current Neighbours characters (so if you haven’t been watching, you’d better start).
Entries close on Friday 16 October 2009.
For more information email admin@awg.com.au
Did you know?You may have heard the term ‘pleb’ used to describe someone who is ignorant or who lacks culture. ‘Pleb’ is actually short for ‘plebeian’. For example:
‘I'm a real pleb when it comes to wine - I can't tell the difference between cask wine and Grange Hermitage?’
‘He is a man of plebeian tastes.’
‘She behaves like such a snob when she's actually a real 'pleb'.’
Well, did you know that the word plebeian actually comes from the Latin word plebius, which means ‘common people’? In Roman times, there used to be the Patricians (the nobility) and the Plebians (the common people).
WEBPICK: Fuel Your Writing
There is so much on this site I don’t where to begin! Fuel Your Writing is the brainchild of Melissa Krasniak Oxman, an American copywriter and marketing expert. In her own words FYW is 'the inspirational “go to” site for writers of all flavors’. There are articles here on business writing, creative writing, love letters as inspiration, graphic novels, and writing a novel. As well as regular author interviews and writing news, this is a site full of inspiration for any writer! No wonder it was selected as one of Copyblogger’s Top Ten Blogs for Writers.
http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/
Other upcoming courses
Course: Script Writing for the Short Films with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 1 September and Thursday 8 October 2009 (two evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $165
Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 7 October 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Crime Writing Workshop with Marele Day
When: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October (2-day workshop)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman - NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 12 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Katrina Lobley
When: Every Monday starting Monday 12 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson - FULL
When: Tuesday 13 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Grammar and Punctuation with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 14 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Self-Publishing: How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 14 October 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 15 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Feature Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 19 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 20 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Feature Writing Stage 2 with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 21 October 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Thursday 22 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis - NEW COURSE
When: Friday 23 October 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $365
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 5 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett - NEW DATE
When: Friday 6 November 2009 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am – 12 noon
Cost: $75
Course: Online Business Booster Bootcamp with Valerie Khoo
When: Tuesday 24 November 2009
Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Cost: $695
Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson - NEW DATE
When: Thursday 26 November 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett - NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 2 December 2009 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 19 January 2009 for three weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $265
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 22 January 2010 for six weeks
Time: 10am – 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - NEW DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 16 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
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