In this issue:
- How you can be a self-publishing success story
- TIP: Do you take the alternate or the alternative?
- Give your writing power with Grammar and Punctuation
- Book Giveaway - Australian Tragic by Jack Marx
- Kick-start your writing with our Creative Writing 5-day intensive
- Word wise: A short history of the book blurb
- Learn online - Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
- WEBPICK: Gus the Boxer
Wow, what a week it's been. I'm so glad to be home with my furry babies (pictured with Rex here) after my travels. While I was at the conference I went to, I met so many people who have embraced the concept of self-publishing. Especially business owners or those who want to write a non-fiction book. And I just received news that Sydney Writers' Centre success stories, Louise Woodbury and William de Ora - who wrote The Invisible Entrepreneur - have just had their book listed in Amazon. Well done! Louise and William are a great example of a self-publishing success. Here's a short video from their book launch.
If you're interested in self-publishing your non-fiction book, our next seminar is coming up soon.
Seminar: Self-publishing - How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 9 December 2009 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
TIP: Do you take the alternate or the alternative?
This question was sent to Grammar Girl recently and I realised that I also see this mistake a lot in Australian writing:
Does it bother anyone else when a reporter suggests an ‘alternate’ route instead of an ‘alternative’ one?
The right word in this case is, in fact, ‘alternative’. When used as an adjective it means ‘allowing or affording a choice between two or more options’ or ‘a choice is available in place of something else’. Alternate means ‘every other’ or ‘interchanged repeatedly’. It can also mean ‘substitute’ when it’s used as an adjective, which explains why so many people get it and ‘alternative’ confused.
Here are some examples of the correct uses for both words:
‘We’re suggesting an alternative route.’ (meaning there are options)
‘The lawyers selected three alternate jurors.’ (meaning substitute jurors)
‘He fasted on alternate days.’ (meaning every other day)
This question was sent to Grammar Girl recently and I realised that I also see this mistake a lot in Australian writing: Does it bother anyone else when a reporter suggests an ‘alternate’ route instead of an ‘alternative’ one?
The right word in this case is, in fact, ‘alternative’. When used as an adjective it means ‘allowing or affording a choice between two or more options’ or ‘a choice is available in place of something else’. Alternate means ‘every other’ or ‘interchanged repeatedly’. It can also mean ‘substitute’ when it’s used as an adjective, which explains why so many people get it and ‘alternative’ confused.
Here are some examples of the correct uses for both words:
‘We’re suggesting an alternative route.’ (meaning there are options)
‘The lawyers selected three alternate jurors.’ (meaning substitute jurors)
‘He fasted on alternate days.’ (meaning every other day)
Give your writing power with Grammar and Punctuation
Here’s a little snippet from something we recently posted on our blog: An English professor wrote the words ‘A woman without her man is nothing’ on the chalkboard and asked his students to punctuate it correctly.
All of the males in the class wrote ‘A woman, without her man, is nothing.’
All of the females in the class wrote ‘A woman: without her, man is nothing.’
Punctuation is powerful, and so is grammar. If you understand the basics of these principles, you’ll improve your own writing and be able to confidently correct the writing of others as well.
Our one-day Grammar and Punctuation seminar will give you the tools to transform your writing. You’ll come away with:
- knowledge that you can apply easily and immediately in your writing
- a clear understanding of how to treat common mistakes - such as apostrophes and plurals
- the basic rules you need to know to be confident in the workplace
- an understanding of when to bend, break or keep a rule or convention
- ability to discern when more than one solution is acceptable
- empowerment to justify your corrections to your own and other people's writing
- a taste of how professional editors approach their craft
- more confidence in applying the standard hard-copy editing marks to double-spaced copy
- and much more
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the course:
‘I feel much more confident with the basic rules of grammar and punctuation that once baffled me.’
- Sunni Hughes
‘Deb was fantastic. She really knows her stuff. I now have a better basic knowledge of grammar and punctuation.’
- Stephanie Johnston
This seminar is presented by Deb Doyle, an experienced editorial-training consultant and publication editor. Deb has conducted courses for the Productivity Commission, AMP and Wizard Home Loans as well as many other corporate and government entities located in Sydney or Melbourne. Deb's courses are interactive and fun. You'll be amazed at how engaging and interesting a workshop in grammar and punctuation can be.
Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Thursday 3 December 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Book giveaway
Our latest podcast interview is now available and this week we spoke to journalist, blogger and author, Jack Marx. His latest book is Australian Tragic: Gripping tales from the dark side of our history, a book of true stories from Australia’s ‘dark heart’. Australian Tragic is about a nation that began its life as a stage for misfortune - and ever since has struggled to outgrow its birthright. These are gripping tales that take us into the heart of this country: tales of genuine catastrophe, of grand chances gone astray, of fools and their plans pathetically undone, of heartbreaking sadness and violent loss, and of both goodness and human evil. From Aboriginals being curious in an American circus to the story of Martin Bryant at Port Arthur, and from Bob Bungey, who survived The Battle of Britain, but couldn't face life when his young wife suddenly died soon after he came home - all these stories are told in a gripping narrative style, driven by eyewitness testimony, a solid sense of place, and a mood of impending doom. And we thought we knew our history...
We have one copy of Australian Tragic to giveaway. Just tell us what Australian story you think deserves to be told (in 25 words or less). Email your answers to courses [at] spindriftmedia [dot] com [dot] au by Friday 4 December 2009, and don’t forget to include your postal address.
Kick-start your writing in 5 days
We know many of you can’t make it to our evening classes so we’re now scheduling daytime classes as well. Our next daytime Creative Writing class will be held as an intensive course over one week – so you can now finish this incredibly popular course in just five days! This course is for anyone who is interested in writing creative fiction. Whether it’s short stories, a novel, your life story - we'll help you start your writing journey.
This creative writing course will teach you how to:
- kick-start the creative writing process
- tap into your imagination
- draw from everyday experiences and memories
- examine different types of creative writing
- give structure to your writing
- use characters and dialogue
Here’s what some of our most recent participants had to say about the course:
‘It's been great to really think about what you are writing from the perspective of who your reader is… and if what you are writing is actually adding value! It has also been good to have the opportunity to share with others and have their feedback - as well as give your thoughts on other's writing.’
- Angela Duffy
‘Creative, positive and supportive environment, where ideas flow and imagination is allowed to express itself. I have a better understanding of the kind of commitment and passion needed to succeed in writing. I have only scratched the surface of my potential and this course has given me an opportunity to peek into what is possible and what I must do to make it happen.’
- Carlos Olles
This course is taught by Jeni Mawter, children’s author of the hilarious ‘So’ series: So Gross!, So Feral!, So Sick!, So Festy!, So Grotty! and So Stinky! (HarperCollins) as well as the Freewheelers series: Unleashed!, Launched! and Extreme! (HarperCollins). Unleashed! was shortlisted for the WAYRBA Older Readers Award 2009.
Jeni has also published fiction, non-fiction, poetry and verse narrative for the education market. With a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature and a Diploma in Book Editing and Publishing Jeni has taught creative writing for many years at Macquarie University and at writers' centres. Her enthusiasm for words and books is infectious.
Creative Writing 5-day Intensive with Jeni Mawter
When: Monday 11 to Friday 15 January 2010 (five consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am – 12 noon
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Word wise: A short history of the book blurb
The book blurb is now an essential part of a book’s marketing campaign. Those artfully written descriptions are no more than one or two paragraphs long, but they’re what make you buy a book (or put it back on the shelf). So, where do blurbs come from? The first ever book blurb was written by author Gellett Burgess in 1907, for his book Are You a Bromide? He was not happy about having to approach famous people for a worthy quote for his book, as was expected of authors by their publishers, so he wrote his own! In a parody of the endorsements of the day, he created a character called Belinda Blurb. She acted as his celebrity and wrote a glowing review of his book, which appeared on the back cover along with a photo. This gave rise to the word blurb, which means ‘a short expression of written praise about a book, author, or similar work.’
Learn online – Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
It’s hard to believe that 2009 is almost over! But there’s still time for you to complete our Online Feature Writing course before the year is out. If you’re interested in writing for magazines and newspapers, and building your confidence enough to sell your work, then this course is for you. We’ll show you how to write good articles that editors will want.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- find ideas that work and know where to get them
- understand the magazine/news market
- analyse different types of feature articles
- research, structure and write a feature
- understand what editors want from a writer
- pitch your article or idea to a magazine and sell it!
Here’s what recent participant, Wendy Barilaro, had to say about the course:
‘I found each module equally enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed Valerie's presentation of each module and her audio feedback to comments and questions each week, which I found almost resembled a real life classroom situation. I also enjoyed the opportunity to interact with virtual classmates (and to meet one of them in real life) and I found the assignments very useful and practical.
I've had all of my questions answered about getting into freelance feature writing and now feel I have the confidence and knowledge to approach a publisher with a story idea. It was very easy and convenient to be able to do the course in my own time and not have to factor in travelling time, childcare etc. It gave me the chance to do a course that would not have otherwise been available in Canberra. The best thing I found was that most of it resembled a real life classroom but I had the flexibility to do it when it suited me.’
Online Feature Writing with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 30 November for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
WEBPICK: Gus the BoxerMeet Gus - a rare white boxer dog who likes red balls and people watching (from the window at Haul in Fitzroy, Melbourne). After being booted off Facebook (for not being a real person) Gus is back with a huge following on Twitter and now his very own 2010 calendar, which features my little doggie Rambo who is a regular at the Sydney Writers’ Centre.
Featuring some of Gus’ closest celebrity friends, including former Olympian Giann Rooney, the 2010 Gus calendar concept was born on twitter. Everyone involved in the project has donated their time free of charge, and all proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go to Lort Smith Animal Hospital in Melbourne.
Calendars are $25, or five for $100, and are on sale now at www.gustheboxer.com - just in time for Christmas.
Other upcoming courses
Course: Online Feature Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 30 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 2 December 2009 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Thursday 3 December 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Self-publishing - How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 9 December 2009 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 5-day Intensive course with Jeni Mawter
When: Monday 11 January - Friday 15 January 2010 (5 consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 11 January 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Crime Writing Workshop with Marele Day - NEW DATE
When: Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January 2009 (2-day workshop)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Every Monday starting Monday 18 January 2010 for three weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $265
Course: Script Writing for the Short Films with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 20 January and Wednesday 27 January 2010 (two evening seminars)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $165
Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 21 January 2010 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am - 12 noon
Cost: $75
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 22 January 2010 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis
When: Thursday 28 January 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 28 January 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Tuesday 2 February 2010 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 3 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge - NEW COURSE
When: Week beginning Monday 8 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 11 February 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Monday 15 February 2010 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 16 February 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
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