27 November 2008

Dear Fellow Writer,

In this issue:

Student success: check out Amanda's book trailer
The Orion Reading Room
Audio program: Reinvent yourself and become a writer
Life Writing - how to turn your story into a book
Intensive Daytime Feature Writing Course
Win a copy of Kerry Greenwood’s book Murder on a Midsummer Night

It’s been a hectic but productive week since I came back from Los Angeles. I was there for a conference and I met tonnes of entrepreneurial authors. The experience really emphasised to me how big the non-fiction "how to" market is. Nine out of 10 people at the conference had at least one book as their calling card.

One former Sydney Writers’ Centre student who has done just that is Amanda Falconer. Amanda started her journey with the course Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers. Since then, she’s written her book The Renovator’s Survival Guide, enrolled in How to get Your Book Published and Self-publishing, landed a deal with Penguin and has
launched her blog and website. All while holding down
her full time day job!

I love her book trailer. Check it out:

You can also view her blog and website here:
The blog www.renovationsurvivor.com
The book www.renovatorssurvivalguide.com

And you can read about what Amanda says about the Sydney Writers’ Centre here.

Want to kick-start your non-fiction writing in 2009?

Intensive Daytime Feature Writing course
We know that people can be really busy and that people often find with work, family and life, you can't attend our five week feature writing course here at the centre.

So we thought you'd like to attend a two day intensive Feature Writing Course instead. It will cover all five weeks worth of content in just two days. Yes it is intensive (so be prepared!). It will give you the chance to learn about feature writing, about magazines and newspapers, about pitching your stories and finding which writing markets suit you.

Here's what past participant Linda Habak had to say about the course:
"Valerie Khoo is just mesmerizing to listen to. She is very inspiring and has an uncanny talent of making you believe you can be a writer."

Course: Intensive DAYTIME Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Monday 12 January and Tuesday 13 January 2009 (2 consecutive days)
Time: 10am - 4pm
Fee: $395

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

Your virtual reading room

This is a cool site. Each month a book is selected on the reading room page for readers. There is an accompanying extract of the book and a review or Q&A page with the author.

Some of the books have an accompanying competition and links to the author’s other books. All the books are published by Orion Books UK and this room is a great way to promote and encourage reading as well as directing people to their website.

http://www.orionbooks.co.uk/readingroom.aspx

Reinvent Yourself - So you want to be a writer

Are you wondering whether you can really change careers to become a writer?

Well, many Sydney Writers’ Centre students have done just that. If you want to see what’s involved, this audio workshop will outline the steps you need to take.

The program covers how to work out a plan of action and how to determine the kind of writing you wish to pursue. It includes author Q&As and articles, as well as examples of letters you might use to get your foot in the door.

You can listen to the workshop at your own convenience. How?
This is a downloadable audio workshop - you can listen to it on your computer, in your car or on your iPod while on the bus. It runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. It also includes a downloadable workbook to help to make your career change happen.

Here's what previous participant Nicole Forster had to say about the audio workshop:
"I just wanted to let you know that I bought your 'Reinvent Yourself' Audio Workshop and absolutely loved it. It really gave me a lot of food for thought, and excellent prompts."

If you choose to download the workshop and workbook, the cost is $65.
If you would prefer us to send you a CD of the audio workshop and a printout of the workbook, the cost is:
- $85 (for postage anywhere in Australia)
- $95 (for postage outside of Australia)

For more information click here.

Turn your life story into a compelling (published) book

Patti Miller is Australia’s most experienced life writing teacher. She believes that everyone has a story of his or her own to tell. Through the Life Writing course, Patti will help you tell your story.

This course will teach you how to awaken your memory and creativity, bring your experiences onto the page and bring details to life while finding structure for your work.

There will be some readings, discussion and lots of writing with individual comment on your work. By the end of the course you will have made a start on your own life story and you will have the confidence and techniques to continue.

Here's what past participant Aurora Lopez had to say about the course:
"The course was a breakthrough experience for many of us. It gave us inspiration and energy to write, excellent tips and a sense of achievement. In such a short term, Patti managed to make us write good pieces, almost a start of our own book."

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 30 January 2009 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

Win a copy of Kerry Greenwood’s book Murder on a Midsummer Night

Iconic Australian author Kerry Greenwood began with the popular Phyrne Fisher series in 1999.

Kerry describes her series as a mystery for the alert reader. Think of a beautiful and charming woman, who lives in Melbourne 1920's who experiences all sorts of interesting and exotic adventures.

Murder on a Midsummer Night is Kerry Greenwood's 17th novel of the series.

And Phryne Fisher is on a quest to solve two crimes. There is the apparent suicide of a man on St Kilda and Phryne is involved in trying to find a lost, illegitimate child who could be heir to a wealthy old
woman's fortune.

If you haven't read a book about Phryne Fisher, it's time you met this elegant and sophisticated crime solver. She is an extraordinary woman.

To win a copy of this novel by simply answer this question:

What is the name of the 13th book in the Phryne Fisher series and what
is it about?

Send your answer, full name and postal address to: competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au
Entries close 5pm on 10 December 2008.

This competition is bought to you by Slim Ink Book Rental which is the perfect way to indulge your passion for reading - whether you are a light, casual, keen, avid or voracious reader! I love this book rental service.

The latest releases and best sellers in paperbacks can be delivered to your home for a low monthly membership fee that includes reply paid postage.

There is no joining fee and you can stop receiving books at any time!
http://www.slimink.com.au/

Business and Careers Institute in Milsons Point

Remember to check out our sister training organization - the Business and Careers Institute - which we've just opened in Milsons Point. Thanks to those of you who have already enrolled in some of the courses! You'll find the same high quality of courses and presenters here.

As you know, I'm a big believer that technology can help you achieve more in less time. If you want to get the most out of everyday software like Word, Excel and Outlook, these fun and interactive courses will help you become a pro-user in just one day.

You can check it out here. I'd love to know what you think!
www.bcinstitute.com.au

Other upcoming courses
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle - FULL
When: Friday 28 November 2008 (half day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm
Cost: $225

Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 10 December 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65

Course: DAYTIME Creative writing stage 1 with Judith Ridge
When: Monday 5 January to Friday 9 January 2009 (5 consecutive days)
DAYTIME session for Year 11 and 12 students ONLY
Time: 10am - 12noon
Fee: $395

Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 5 January 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman / Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 5 January 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Intensive DAYTIME Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Monday 12 January and Tuesday 13 January 2009 (2 consecutive days)
Time: 10am - 4pm
Fee: $395

Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 30 January 2009 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450

Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 2 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $325

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 4 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Thursday 5 February 2009 (half day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 1.00pm
Cost: $225

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Wishing you much writing success,