Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:- So many student successes
- How to get your book published
- Online course starts next week
- Whatever happened to English that’s easy to understand?
- NEXT WEEK: Editing Essentials
- Media networks in Sydney
- Upcoming courses
I’ve been on a high this week because there have been so many student successes I don’t know where to start.
First, our online students have had some fabulous success. We are now in the fifth and final week of the online course Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers. And I’m pleased to say that student Aoife McGee has already been published in The Sydney Morning Herald and fellow student Scott Moore has been published in the Newcastle Herald.
They both did this by week four of the online course! Well done guys, I’m so pleased about this.
Congratulations also go to Mitch Lewis who recently completed Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman. Mitch entered a competition to become a male columnist for Madison magazine. He’s now been shortlisted and his work will be featured in the November issue. Readers get to vote for their favourite columnist and the winner gets the gig for a year! Good luck Mitch – we’re voting for you.
Here’s what Mitch emailed me:
“I
don't make New Year's resolutions but I made an exception this year and
it was to be published. Resolution achieved! Thanks to yourself and
Pamela for your help.”
- Mitch Lewis
If you’re interested in getting published – whether in books or magazines – our courses are here to help you with practical advice.
NEXT WEEK’S SEMINAR: How to get your book published
This is almost full – so enroll now!
Geoff Bartlett’s seminar How to Get Your Book Published
will give you an overview of the book publishing process and the steps
you need to take to see your book on the shelves of your local store.
When: Thursday 27 September 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost: $65
For more information on the course, click here.
Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
If you don’t live in Sydney or can’t get to our courses, our online course is a flexible option that allows you to learn from your own home – or even while you are travelling.
All you need is high-speed internet and a desire to get published in magazines and newspapers.
When: Week beginning Monday 24 September
(runs for 5 weeks)
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
For more information on the course, click here.
Whatever happened to English that’s easy to understand?
I wrote this blog post the other day and got so many phone calls about it, I figured I’d share it here.I received a letter the other day. Let's say it was from John Smith. At the end of the letter, John wrote: "If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact the writer."
What the hell? Are we living in the 19th century? If the letter is obviously from John Smith and is sign by John Smith, why not just say: "If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me."
Our business correspondence can sometimes sound a bit archaic. And in many instances, it can sound impersonal and cold. Sometimes, it borders on sounding rude.
When you write documents for business, you may be tempted to sound formal. But the reality is that you are writing a letter to communicate. So the main aim should be for your business letter to be as accessible and understandable as possible.
Consider these alternatives ...
DINOSAUR WAY:
I refer to your letter dated 23 August 2007.
BETTER WAY:
Thank you for your letter dated 23 August 2007.
DINOSAUR WAY:
We must action a needs assessment as to why your query was unattended.
BETTER WAY:
We'll find out why someone didn't get back to you.
DINOSAUR WAY:
With regards to your query about the availability of the widget, we regret to inform you that none are available at the present time.
BETTER WAY:
Thank you for asking about the widget. Although no widgets are currently available, we expect new stock will be in by ...
It's easy to communicate clearly. If you're stuck for words, don't be tempted into falling back on archaic terms or unwieldy language. Just write in plain English. Your aim is to communicate - not confuse!
If you want to learn the best way to edit documents at work, our seminar Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley will show you how.
Seminar: Editing Essentials
When: Friday 28 September 2007
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $285
Media networks in Sydney
There have been an increasing number of media networks popping up in Sydney, which I think is great.
Here is some information from Stephen Wood on Media Bistro's next party.
Who: about 40 full-time media professionals (all types!)
Why: to bring about greater community among media professionals (and because it's fun!)
When: 6pm to 8pm, Wednesday, September 26 2007
Where: East Village Hotel, 234 Palmer Street,
(cross street: Liverpool), East Sydney, NSW 2010.
Hosted by mediabistro.com and Stephen Wood and Rachel Hills.
Guest Speaker: Charles Firth will speak about his new newspaper project, The Manic Times at 6:20pm.
Food/Drink: Cash Bar.
Note that we also post notices of other media network meetings on our blog
Other upcoming courses
Course: ONLINE Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
When: Week beginning Monday 24 September (runs for 5 weeks)
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 27 September 2007
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost: $65
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Friday 28 September 2007
Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
Cost: $285
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Every Thursday for 5 weeks from Thursday 4 October 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 10 October 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost: $65
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday for 5 weeks from Tuesday 16 October 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost $395
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday for 5 weeks from Wednesday 17 October 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Monday for 5 weeks from Monday 29 October 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost $395
Seminar: How to Write Winning Reports and Proposals with Mel Wilkinson
When: Friday 9 November 2007
Time: 9.00am-5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Freelance Success with Gayle Bryant and Valerie Khoo
When: Wednesday 28 November 2007
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost: $65
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Wishing you much writing success,
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