Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:- We’ve won an award
- So many student successes
- How to take your writing to the next level – Creative Writing Stage 2
- Writing books for children
- Forget RSVP - a site for single booklovers
- Win a double pass for play Bumming with Jane
- Win a double pass for The Tender Hook
We’re so excited this week because we’ve just been notified that we’re finalists in the Small Business Champion Awards (Education services category). We’re thrilled at being recognized for this – it wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing presenters and our wonderful students. Without our top presenters sharing their knowledge with people who really want to learn, the Sydney Writers’ Centre just wouldn’t work.
So thanks to you all for making the centre such a dynamic place to work and learn. This really is your award!
Student successes
There are so many student successes this week. Here are just a few:- Bec James was published in The Sydney Morning Herald this week – and Bec is only in week three of the online course in Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers.
- Gary Malone has been published in an anthology of short stories called Harlem River Blues & other stories and is also about to be published in the Slippery When Wet anthology of short stories.
- Co-authors Louise Woodbury and William de Ora - who have done several courses at the
Sydney Writers’ Centre - have released their
second book, The Invisible Entrepreneur.
Congratulations to everyone!
Bookslut
Bookslut has the number one slot in The Guardian’s top ten literary blogs.It’s a blog about books and includes interviews with authors, reviews and columns. Written by Jessa Crispin, this popular blog has a list of writers, a monthly web magazine and provides news and updates about the wonderful world of books.
If you want to comment or submit work, Jessa encourages this and this blog is a great example of a collaborative team of writers doing what they love best.
http://www.bookslut.com/blog/
Take you creative writing to the next level with Stage 2
* Have you completed Creative Writing Stage 1 or Writing Books for Children?* Or have you gone beyond an introductory level and want something more?
If you want to hone your creative writing skills so that you can finally finish that short story or get the motivation to continue writing, then Creative Writing Stage 2 will help you do just that.
Your presenter Judith Ridge will help you improve your characters, plot, settings and ideas.
By the end of the course, you should be able to complete a short story in first draft. If you’re already
working on a short story, you can use the course to
improve it with guidance and feedback.
If you are working on a novel, you may choose to write a short story about one of your characters, or work on the opening chapter and synopsis.
Here’s what past participant Lis Blake had to say about the course:
"Judith's ideas were interesting and stimulating. Her feedback was very useful and encouraging. The course was full of lots of ideas and motivation. I am on the way to completing a piece of writing for the first time ever!"
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday from Wednesday 17 September 2008 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
The single booklovers site
Well here’s a dating site with a difference. The single booklovers site started in 1970 and has been going strong ever since. The site states:SINGLE BOOKLOVERS publishes personal profiles of single men and single women that identify interests and tastes in books, authors, periodicals, the arts, films, and travel, as well as personal opinions and preferred characteristics in a date, mate, or friend. These personal profiles are designed to foster an "intellectual chemistry" that has the potential to develop into a lasting romance or friendship.
Originally a newsletter by booklover Gene Borish, it started in Pennsylvania in the US. It evolved into a
site and gained popularity when it was featured in The New York Times. People have since met and married as a result.
I don’t know of anything like this in Australia – maybe it’s time for someone to start one! Alternatively, wander around Gleebooks in Glebe (or go to one of their events) to bump into some intellectual bookish types. It’s better then putting a banana in your basket at Woolworth’s in Neutral Bay!
http://www.singlebooklovers.com/home.html
How you can write books for kids and young adults
Would
you like to be the next Stephanie Meyer? She’s the American author who
has taken the world (well young teenaged girls really) by storm with
her Twilight series. There are four books in the series about Edward
and Bella (see blog) and these books are about the impossible love
between a vampire and a mortal.If you like the idea of writing books for kids or young adults, our course will help you turn that dream into reality. Writing Books for Children and Young Adults is presented by the talented Judith Ridge – a veteran of the children’s book industry. The course will show you how to use voice, character and dialogue, how to edit your work and the children’s book market.
Here’s what past participant Megan Hughes had to say about the course:
”Judith knew her stuff and it showed in her enthusiasm when she taught the class. Judith provided information I didn't even know I would need when writing for children. I took on everything from themes to focus on language and what children like compared to what adults think children would like."
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge.
When: Every Wednesday from Wednesday 5 November 2008 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enroll online.
Win a double pass to Bumming with Jane
Patrick and Jane are hitting 30, madly in love, madly in lust and occasionally just plain mad. All of their furniture, except the couch, has been sold to the pawnbroker. They live on a diet of cheap wine, baked beans and whatever they can find in the dumpsters behind their local supermarket, and they take it in turns to hold down a part time job. Life is great. But nothing lasts.Inspired by the poetry of Charles Bukowski and the modern Australian city, Bumming With Jane is a funny, loving and beguiling debut play from Tahli Corin.
It's about love, poverty and the fleeting joy of choosing to live a free and ragged life.
Bum with Jane.
We have two double passes for Wednesday 27 August at 8:15pm. The two winners will be notified on by phone by Monday 25 August at 5pm.
To win a double pass all you have to do is answer this question:
If you could do whatever you want with your time, what would you do?
Please
email your answer along with your full name and contact number to
competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au by Monday 25 August 2008 at 5:00pm.
If
you want to secure a ticket, Sydney Writers’ Centre newsletter
subscribers receive a discounted price, click here to find out.
Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre
Bookings (02) 9699 3444 or www.belvoir.com.au
Win 10 double passes for The Tender Hook
The Tender Hook is set in the 1920s in Sydney and is the story of Iris who gets involved in a dramatic love triangle. She’s involved with McHeath who is a boxing promoter who begins to suspect her of having feelings for another man Art.
McHeath becomes violent, jealous and destructive and Iris is torn between two very different men.
To win a double pass all you have to do is answer this question:
If you were living in Sydney in the 1920s what would you be doing?
Please email your answer along with your full name and postal address to competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au by 5pm Thursday 28 August 2008.
Other upcoming courses
ONLINE Course: Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Week beginning Monday 25 August 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Media Releases That Get Results with Luisa Volpato - FULL
When: Friday 29 August 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Judy Skatssoon - FULL
When: Every Monday starting Monday 1 September 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett - FULL
When: Wednesday 10 September 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 11 September 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 17 September 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 23 September 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 13 October 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Friday 24 October 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Friday 31 October 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 5 November 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Friday 7 November 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Tuesday 11 November 2008 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Monday 17 November 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 20 November 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65
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Wishing you much writing success,
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