Get Published newsletter

• TIP: Should of, could of, would of - No!
• Unleash your creativity in 2011!
• Literature and Poetry Prizes worth $40,000
• The NEXT step in your creative writing journey
• Wordwise: What’s love got to do with it?
• TIP: How to use a colon
• Grammar and Punctuation Essentials
• Find more time to write!
• WEBPICK: After Deadline - for nit pickers

It's been distressing to see the impact of the recent floods in Queensland and Victoria. We want to send messages of support to everyone who has been affected by this. We've already heard from many people in our wider online writing community who have been impacted by the floods. Thanks to those of you who've let us know that you are safe.

If you have difficulty accessing your course materials because of the floods, let us know and we'll ensure that you don't miss out in any way.

We also want to send a virtual shout out of support to the Queensland Writers Centre. Staff had to evacuate their offices in The State Library and are now coordinating Writers on Rafts to contribute to the Queensland Premier's Flood Appeal.


In the meantime, did you read the article 'Can the book survive?' by Nikki Barrowclough, just published in the Good Weekend magazine? It's an excellent read about whether paper books are going to become extinct in the face of the burgeoning ebook industry. Whatever your preference is, there is no doubt that ebooks are here to stay. So I'm thrilled to announce our new seminar, Sell Your eBook on Amazon presented by Steven Lewis for those of you who want to embrace digital publishing.

When: Thursday 5 April 2011 (two-hour seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $85
 
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

I'm also excited by our new ‘Industry Insight’ series, including the course Writing About Interiors, Style and Design, presented by Nigel Bartlett, who has written for magazines like Belle, Inside Out and Real Living. (Yes, that’s my cat Rex in the picture. He might enrol too.)

When: Thursday 24 and Thursday 31 March 2011 (two evening classes)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $175
 
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

'I should have gone on holiday.'

Unleash your creativity in 2011!
Summer – a time for inspiration and motivation! So it’s also the perfect time to do that creative writing course you’ve been putting off. We also offer more options at this time of year, so you can join us for a daytime or an evening course.
 
If you want to explore the world of fiction writing then Creative Writing Stage 1 is the place to start. You’ll learn about the essential elements of a great story – including voice, character, plot and structure – and finish the course inspired and ready to take on your own creative writing project.
 
Last week, our first group of creative writers for 2011 joined us for their intensive course with Jeni Mawter, and judging by the feedback we’ve received, they all had a great time.

Here’s what two of the participants had to say about the course:
‘The course was brilliant - worth every penny. I learnt so much. The presenter was a published author and really knew her stuff. I can't wait to do another one.’
- Judith Tomlinson
 
‘If you're interested in writing and need a motivating hand / kick up the bum to get started, try a course. Listening to Jeni, I realised that the only limitations to getting started are with me and I just need to start typing.’
- Jo Cross
 
Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth
When: Wednesdays starting Wednesday 9 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $395
 
OR
 
DAYTIME Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter
When: Tuesdays starting Tuesday 1 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am – 12noon
Cost: $395
 
Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Josephine Ulrick Literature and Poetry Prizes
One of Australia’s most generous short story and poetry prizes is now accepting entries – but only until Monday 31 January 2011. The prize was established in memory of Josephine Ulrick, a writer and poet who passionately supported the arts in South East Queensland until her death in 1997.
 
In 2011, the total prize pool is worth $40,000. Entries will be accepted in two categories – short story (1,000 to 3,000 words long), and poetry (up to 200 lines, or a suite of poems). The first prize in both categories is $10,000 and cash prizes will also be awarded for second place and commended entries.
 
For more information, including entry guidelines and 2010 winning entries, visit the website.

The NEXT step in your creative writing journey
If you’ve completed our Creative Writing Stage 1 course, you now have the tools to write great fiction, but do you have the motivation? If you want to take your writing to the next level you obviously need to practice, but you may also want more guidance and feedback on your work.

Our online course, Creative Writing Stage 2, is designed for those people who want to apply what they’ve learned in stage 1 and workshop their writing with others. During the course, you’ll complete regular writing exercises and get invaluable feedback from your online tutor.

Many of our stage 1 graduates take advantage of this great opportunity, and here’s what just a couple of them had to say about the course:

‘I enjoyed the interaction with the tutor and other classmates.The course has inspired me to write a story I had only thought about before. The helpful advice from the presenter was excellent and it was very easy to do the course online - it was like having a special friend I could share my work with.’
- Dale Turner

‘Cathie was superb. Her comments were insightful and useful in improving our work, as well as providing encouragement at all times. The course was fantastically easy to do - I was able to sit down and complete the modules when I found the time, whether it was during the day, or of an evening once the kids were in bed.’
- Michelle Stephens

Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 31 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Wordwise: What’s love got to do with it?
The Australian Open has kicked off and already we’ve seen some incredible games of tennis – namely Lleyton Hewitt’s heroic effort against David Nalbandian. Watching the game, I suddenly wondered about the use of the word ‘love’ to describe a score of nil.
 
One interesting theory suggests that it comes from the French word for ‘an egg’, l'oeuf, because of the similarity between the shape of an egg and a nought, but there’s little evidence to prove this.
 
It’s far more likely to have come from a 17th century English expression – ‘play for love’.  The saying means to ‘play without any wager’ or for nothing, and from that, a score of ‘zero’ came to be known as ‘love’. It’s common not only in tennis, but also some card games.
 
So despite the fact very few tennis pros now are ‘playing for love’ (all that prize money must provide some motivation) the word ‘love’ is now an essential tennis term.

TIP: How to use a colon
Last week we looked at semi-colons, so this week I thought I should revisit the colon. This is another punctuation mark that’s often misused, but as Caroline Taggart explains in her book My Grammar & I, its main purpose is to let the reader know that ‘what follows sums up or explains what has come before’.
 
For example:
She was delighted to have the offer accepted: it was the third time she had bid on the house.
 
It can also be used to introduce a list of items, as we did in last week’s semi-colon example:
Rambo had breakfast before visiting the Sydney Writers' Centre. Today he could pick from: eggs, bacon and mushrooms; corn fritters, rocket and tomatoes; and ricotta pancakes served with honeycomb butter.

Grammar and Punctuation Essentials
I came across this poem online recently (at www.onlinegrammar.com.au). Apparently it was used in primary schools to reinforce those grammar lessons so many of us missed out on.

Every name is called a noun as field and fountain, street and town.
In place of a noun the pronoun stands as he and she clap their hands.
The adjective describes a thing, as magic wand or bridal ring.
The verb means action, something done, to read and write to jump and run.
How things are done the adverbs tells us as quickly, slowly, badly or well.
Preposition shows relation as in the street or at the station.
Conjunction joins in many ways, sentences, words or phrase and phrase.
The interjection cries out hark! I need an exclamation mark!

While the poem above is amusing (and a little bit cute!) it probably won’t help you if you never learnt the basic rules of grammar and punctuation in school. But don’t despair – it is possible to learn the essential rules and improve your writing immediately.

Our first Grammar and Punctuation Essentials seminar is on soon. Here’s what some recent participants had to say about it: 
‘This course was very good. I highly recommend attending.’
- Nicole Lewis

'I feel much more confident with the basic rules of grammar and punctuation that once baffled me.'
- Sunni Hughes

Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

More time to write!
We don’t often mention apps in our newsletter, and rarely apps that cost you $10. But we know a few people who swear by this one and really - who among you doesn’t need a distraction buster?

Freedom is a productivity tool that will lock you out of the internet for up to 8 hours. Imagine it, 8 hours of internet-free writing time! (Thanks to Mitch Lewis for pointing this one out to us.)

But what if you need the internet for research? In that case, download Anti-Social instead. It will only lock you out of the social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

You can download either app for both Macs and Windows.

Check them out here.

WEBPICK: After Deadline
This one is for committed grammar-nerds who also want a taste of what it’s like to work on the news desk at the New York Times.

After Deadline is a weekly critique of grammar, usage and style by editorial staff, particularly Philip B. Corbett. He’s the associate managing editor for standards and is also in charge of The Time’s style manual, so you can trust his grammar advice.

The weekly posts list pet peeves, blatant errors, and unusual style trends in news writing. With plenty of examples of bad grammar, and clear explanations on how to make it right, this is a handy reference as well as a good read.

Check it out here.

Other upcoming courses
Course: Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – SUMMER SCHOOL
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 20 January 2011 for four weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $345

Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie – 1 PLACE LEFT!
When: Saturday 22 January 2011 and Sunday 23 January 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Weekend Intensive Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Sue White – FULL
When: Saturday 22 January 2011 and Sunday 23 January 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 24 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Daytime Intensive Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – SUMMER SCHOOL
When: Monday 24 January 2011 - Friday 28 January 2011 (4 mornings with a 1 day break for Australia Day)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $345

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 1 with Marina Go – FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 25 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 31 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Online Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 31 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman – FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 1 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 3 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Online Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Nicola Robinson – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 7 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers Stage 1 with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 8 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Kate Forsyth
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 9 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Seminar: PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard
When: Thursday 17 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $495

Course: Perfecting Your Pitch with Sue White
When: Thursday 17 February 2011 and Thursday 24 February 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Seminar: Edit with Confidence with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 25 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie – NEW DATE
When: Saturday 26 February 2011 and Sunday 27 February 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Daytime Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – NEW DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 1 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 10 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – FULL
When: Saturday 12 March 2011 and Sunday 13 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $450

Course: Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding
When: Every Monday starting Monday 14 March 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Writing about Interiors, Style and Design with Nigel Bartlett – NEW COURSE
When: Thursday 24 March 2011 and Thursday 31 March 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Seminar: Self Publishing - How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 24 March 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Seminar: Perfect Your Proofreading with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 25 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Boost Your Creativity with Laurine Croasdale
When: Monday 28 March 2011 and Monday 4 April 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175

Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Friday 1 April 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Sell your ebook on Amazon with Steven Lewis – NEW SEMINAR
When: Tuesday 5 April 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $85

Course: Daytime Intensive Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – NEW DATE
When: Monday 11 April 2011 - Friday 15 April 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Magazine Writing Stage 2 with Gayle Bryant
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 18 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Your Story Structure with Kathryn Heyman
When: Friday 17 June 2011 and Friday 24 June 2011 (2 half-day classes)
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: $215

Course: Life Writing Masterclass with Patti Miller – NEW COURSE
When: Every Friday starting Friday 1 July 2011 for eight weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12.00noon
Cost: $650

Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 5 July 2011 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller – NEW DATE
When: Every Friday starting Friday 9 September 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $450