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• New course: Writing Picture Books
• TIP: Back to basics – what are participles?
• New! Weekend courses in creative writing
• More student success – congratulations to Maggie and Stephanie
• TIP: Wreak or reek?
• WORDWISE: Semordnilap
• What we’re reading – Where Spirits Dwell by Karina Machado
• WEBPICK: Writing Bar – Meet the Writers

I’m so excited to announce our new course Writing Picture Books. There’s something about the magic of some picture books that stays with you forever. I still remember poring over books like The Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar and Green Eggs and Ham countless times when I was little.

Picture books are even more popular now but the rules have changed. While it may seem deceptively simple to write a picture book, there are very clear guidelines that you need to follow if you want your book to be taken seriously by a publisher.

In our course, Writing Picture Books, you’ll cover:

• what’s so different about the picture book?
• point of view, structure and pace
• finding the right voice
• working with illustrations
• language and rhythm
• how to choose your topic
• the industry: market, gatekeepers, legal and financial considerations
• and MUCH more
  
  

Would you like to join our team?
We're looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic assistant with strong organisational and administration skills. You'll join a small, progressive team in Milsons Point in Sydney and be part of an award-winning centre. The role is as my assistant – a full description and details on how to apply can be found here.

Applications close 5pm Friday 16 September.

I’ve been reading this book for weeks but am still nowhere near finished!
Rambo is still eating his dinner.

We walked a long way today.
I’ve booked tickets for the theatre next week.

What's new at the Sydney Writers' Centre

• New dates: Screenwriting Stage 1, starts Tuesday 15 November; Sell Your eBook on Amazon on Thursday 6 October.
  
  
• Our August book club read The Eye of the Storm by Patrick White. You can read all about it here. 
  
  
• Filling fast: Better Business Communications, Thursday 22 September; How to Get Your Book Published, Tuesday 27 September.

When we asked you about your preferences for weekend courses, we were overwhelmed by the response. We hope to bring you many weekend options, but to start with we’re holding a weekend of creative writing on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 October.
 
Creative Writing Stage 1 was the most popular choice for a weekend intensive. If you want to explore fiction writing and kick-start your creativity, then this is the course for you. It’s perfect for complete beginners or writers who have been practising their craft but want to be sure they’re on the right track.
 
Creative Writing Stage 1 with Laurine Croasdale
When: Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 October 2011 (two consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Cost: $395
 
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
 
If you’ve already completed Creative Writing Stage 1 and want to keep up your motivation, then join our Creative Writing Stage 2 course. This is the next step in your writing journey and will help you build on your writing skills and give you a chance to workshop your current project.
 
Creative Writing Stage 2 with Jeni Mawter
When: Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 October 2011 (two consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Cost: $395
 
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

More Student Success
We’ve received very exciting news from two former Magazine and Newspaper Writing students this week. First, Maggie Jones, who completed the course in March this year and has just had two articles accepted – and been offered a job! Here’s what she wrote to us:
 
I came on the Magazine Writing Course in March/April and have already had articles published in Australian Orienteer and Men’s Fitness. In addition, my work was spotted by Orienteering NSW who needed a web content writer, so I am now their Communications Officer. I feel that the course really set me up for this success – I just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly!
 
We also heard from Stephanie Holland, who has been regularly published since finishing the online course in Magazine and Newspaper Writing in August last year.
 
I'm really pleased to tell you that I have been published in the August issue of Wellbeing Magazine Australia. This was my very first feature commissioned back in November of last year, and also the very first one that I wrote! Understanding how to write a credible pitch gave me enormous confidence in approaching the industry. You made it a piece of cake, and I had no problem contacting and chatting with editors. Another exciting piece of news: I sold a feature to Good Health Magazine, too! The course was such a great education for me and really put the publishing industry at my fingertips.
 
Congratulations Maggie and Stephanie!

TIP: Wreak or reek?

The storm wreaked havoc on the city.
He wreaked his anger on the staff.

Her breath reeked of garlic.
The garbage truck reeked.

Want to write well at work? 
Want to improve your writing at work, and your job prospects? If you’re writing reports, proposals or tenders, it can be overwhelming if you’re not confident in your writing skills.

Our Professional Business Writing seminar will show you the stress-free way to create polished and persuasive documents at work. Learning the golden rules for great business writing will enhance documents and could give you an edge in your job. During this one-day seminar, you’ll learn how to plan your document, the most common business writing errors and how to avoid them, and how to write persuasively.
 
Here’s what past participants say:
"Sue is an excellent presenter with a great deal to offer from her experience and passion for writing. This is exactly what I hoped for from the Sydney Writers' Centre."
- Raphael Miller

"Great course, wonderful presenter!"
- Karen Cairncross
 
This seminar is taught by Sue White, a writing trainer and freelance journalist. Sue spent 10 years as a public relations and communications specialist and has written annual reports, marketing collateral, websites, and complex, technically-focused intranet sites.
 
Professional Business Writing with Sue White
When: Wednesday 14 September 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $450
 
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Another missing apostrophe
We assume this label should read “Today’s Wine” as the apostrophe should definitely be there – right between the y and the s.

Maybe they were sampling too much of today’s wine when they wrote this caption.

WORDWISE: Semordnilap
Observant readers will notice something interesting about the word semordnilap. Written backwards, it spells palindromes, and the semordnilap is similar in that you can write it forwards or backwards and you’ll have a word.
 
There is a difference between the two. A palindrome will spell the same word or phrase when it is written backwards:

Kayak
Level
A man, a plan, a canal: Panama!

While you can write semordnilap backwards and still have a word or phrase, it won’t be the same word or sentence you started with. A good example is “deliver no evil”. Written backwards, you get “live on reviled”. There are plenty of words that can be semordnilaps. For example:

Redraw/warder
Spoons/snoops
Desserts/stressed

Business books are the new black
If you haven’t heard, business books are the new black. I’m personally really excited about this because if you are a coach, consultant, expert, speaker or business owner – or simply want to write a business book – then there has never been a better time to do so.

If you’re thinking of writing a business book then our seminar “How to Write a Business Book” will point you in the right direction. We’ll cover industry trends so you can ensure that your book will work in the current landscape, your publishing options, how to structure your book and much more.

I’m so passionate about this topic that I am holding a seminar in both Sydney and Melbourne. But enrol now, as these are the only dates I will be holding this seminar this year. I look forward to keeping in touch with the students in these specific seminars because I want to help you on your journey of turning your business book into reality.

Business consultants Louise Woodbury and William de Ora (both former students) write in their latest book, The Invisible Branson:
“In the realm of marketing and personal branding, you lift your personal and business credibility by authoring a book. It provides you with the opportunity to catapult you and your business into a whole new dimension.Your book becomes a marketing tool, one that is intrinsically linked to you, your personal brand, your business, and your clients.”

SYDNEY How to Write a Business Book with Valerie Khoo
When: Wednesday 14 September 2011 (half-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 1.00pm
Cost: $295

MELBOURNE How to Write a Business Book with Valerie Khoo
When: Friday 7 October 2011 (half-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am – 1.00pm
Cost: $295

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

If you’re interested, here is an article, “Business books are the new black”, and a webinar on what you can do to make your book happen.

Want to join our Book Club?
The Sydney Writers’ Centre Book Club has been meeting since March this year and has so far read a diverse bunch of books. We started with Truth by Peter Temple, recently tackled The Eye of the Storm by Patrick White, and will next look at Freedom by Jonathan Franzen.

We have limited places available for the next meeting so, if you’ve read or are planning to read Freedom, and would like to join us for a lively discussion about this latest literary blockbuster, call Danielle on 02 9929 0088. Meetings cost $10 (which is donated in full to Doggie Rescue) and you can only register for the Book Club by phone.

Book Club – Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
When: Thursday 15 September 2011
Time: 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Cost: $10 (donated in full to Doggie Rescue)

What we’re reading
This week our course manager, Danielle Williams, is reading Where Spirits Dwell by Karina Machado. She writes:

Karina Machado’s book, Where Spirits Dwell, has reminded me why it’s not a good idea to read ghost stories right before bed. Karina is a journalist and senior editor at WHO magazine who is  also fascinated by stories of the paranormal. She’s already published one book, Spirit Sisters, on the spine-chilling hauntings that are surprisingly prevalent in Australian suburbia.
 
Her second book, Where Spirits Dwell, delves into the haunted lives of ordinary Australians. Karina visits some famous haunted houses (including The Abbey, not far from my home in Annandale) and some not so famous. The stories range from spooky to utterly terrifying, but some are also uplifting. Many of her interviewees have found some comfort in their encounters with “the other side”.
 
Karina has clearly done her research and includes fascinating insights into the history of these  haunted houses and towns. She’s also a skilled interviewer, as is evidenced by her subjects’ willingness to discuss what can be painful memories. But the writing is sometimes a little clunky and the language often unnecessarily flowery.
 
Still, if you don’t mind being spooked every now and then, this is an enjoyable and fascinating read.

We want to know what you're reading! You can write a book review for the Writing Bar and we'll feature an excerpt here in the newsletter. If you'd like to submit, check out the review guidelines here. 

WEBPICK: Writing Bar – Meet the Writers
If you weren’t lucky enough to get to the Melbourne Writers Festival this week don’t despair! We were there and we caught up with many of the authors. From today, you’ll be able to watch video interviews with Kate Grenville, Emily Rodda, Adrian Hyland and Andrea Goldsmith.

You can also read about some of the bigger events, including Jonathan Franzen’s keynote address, which opened the festival. It will be just like being there!

Check it out here.

Other upcoming courses
Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 1 September 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 5 September 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – FULL
When: Every Friday starting Friday 9 September 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $450

Online Course: Magazine and Newspaper Writing Stage 1 with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 12 September 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: How to Write a Business Book with Valerie Khoo
When: Wednesday 14 September 2011 (half-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 1.00pm
Cost: $295

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Sue White
When: Wednesday 14 September 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Laurine Croasdale
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 14 September 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Sell Your eBook on Amazon with Steven Lewis – FULL
When: Wednesday 14 September 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Seminar: Better Business Communications with Deb Doyle
When: Thursday 22 September 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Magazine and Newspaper Writing Stage 1 with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Every Monday starting Monday 26 September 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Online Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge/Nicola Robinson – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 26 September 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Tuesday 27 September 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Seminar: Perfect Your Proofreading with Deb Doyle
When: Tuesday 27 September 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Self-Publishing – How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 28 September 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Course: Writing Picture Books with Cathie Tasker – NEW COURSE
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 6 October 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Sell Your eBook on Amazon with Steven Lewis – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 6 October 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Sue White – MELBOURNE COURSE
When: Thursday 6 October and Friday 7 October 2011 (two-day course)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Valerie Khoo – MELBOURNE COURSE
When: Thursday 6 October 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Seminar: How to Write a Business Book with Valerie Khoo – MELBOURNE COURSE
When: Friday 7 October 2011 (half-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 1.00pm
Cost: $295

Seminar: Edit with Confidence with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 7 October 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – MELBOURNE COURSE
When: Saturday 8 October and Sunday 9 October 2011 (two-day course)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – MELBOURNE COURSE
When: Saturday 8 October and Sunday 9 October 2011 (two-day course)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 10 October 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 11 October 2011 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495

Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 12 October 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 12 October 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 13 October 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Weekend Intensive Creative Writing Stage 1 with Laurine Croasdale
When: Saturday 15 October and Sunday 16 October 2011 (2 consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Weekend Intensive Creative Writing Stage 2 with Jeni Mawter
When: Saturday 15 October and Sunday 16 October 2011 (2 consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Daytime Intensive Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth
When: Monday 17 October to Friday 21 October 2011 (5 consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 18 October 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Successful Freelancing with Gayle Bryant – NEW COURSE
When: Wednesday 19 October 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 20 October 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Monday 24 October 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Writing About Interiors, Style and Design with Nigel Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 26 October 2011 and Wednesday 2 November 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Seminar: PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 27 October 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $495

Course: Your Story Structure with Kathryn Heyman
When: Friday 4 November 2011 and Friday 11 November 2011 (2 half-day classes)
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: $215

Course: Screenwriting Stage 2 with Tim Gooding – NEW COURSE
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 November 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Plotting and Planning with Kate Forsyth
When: Monday 28 November 2011 and Monday 5 December 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

WRITING TOURS
Writing in Paris with Patti Miller – FULL
When: Thursday 20 October to Saturday 5 November 2011

Writing in Bali with Patti Miller – NEW DATE
When: Saturday 21 July to Saturday 28 July 2012