Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:- Student success: Mitch scores a four-book deal!
- TIP: Draws or drawers, averse or adverse
- There’s no such thing as over-exposure
- Write in the Tasmanian wilderness
- Daytime Feature Writing: tell us what you’d like?
- Win your copy of Richard Branson’s book: Business Stripped Bare
- AUTHOR TALK: Alexander McCall Smith at the Cremorne Orpheum
This week, I’m so excited I can barely speak. You might remember that a couple of newsletters ago, I mentioned that former student Mitch Lewis had his short story accepted in the Short and Twisted anthology. Well, the news gets even better. Mitch has just scored a four-book deal with Omnibus Press. I was so thrilled with this news, I did a little jig around the office!
Mitch did Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman then honed his book proposal after attending How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett. Here’s what Mitch said:
Hi Valerie,
I’ve just been offered my first contract, a four-book deal with Omnibus Press. I was sick of translating ‘pickup’ into ‘ute’ for my son so I wrote a story based on a character called Yellow Ute (and his good mate Green Wheelbarrow) and I was lucky enough to find somebody who must be the only female publisher in Australia who regularly goes to ute shows.
Big thanks to you, for the Sydney Writers' Centre, to Pamela for her course and to Geoff for reading my proposal. Thanks!
Mitch Lewis
Congratulations Mitch!
There’s no such thing as over-exposure
If you believe Donald Trump, "There’s no such thing as over-exposure". He believes in this mantra so much that he wrote a book titled exactly that. Whether you subscribe to that idea or not, one thing is for sure. If you want to promote your organisation, message or yourself, you need - at the very least - the RIGHT exposure.In one-day, you can learn the principles of how to get your story in the media. Public relations expert Luisa Volpato runs this one-day workshop and shares her insights on how to get publicity. You’ll learn tips, ideas and valuable information on what the media want from you.
The seminar is ideal for:
- business owners, coaches, speakers, entrepreneurs who want to promote their business.
- professionals who have been given PR or marketing responsibilities but who may not have had formal training in this area
- people who are relatively new to a public relations role
What: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Tuesday 17 February 2009
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345
Click here for more information or to enroll online
TIP: Draws or drawers, averse or adverse
What's in your draw?I see these words mixed up all the time! Okay, I’ll admit, I go through phases when I sell stuff on ebay. And that’s where I see the word "draws" misused constantly. If you are referring to a wardrobe or dressing table, it’s likely to have "drawers" - as in the things you store your socks in or, like in the picture, a place where your beloved cat sleeps. Remember, that’s a "drawer" not a "draw"!
Averse or adverse
These words are misused regularly as well. In this economic climate, we sometimes see references to people who are risk adverse. The correct term is "risk averse".
For example
The outdoor wedding ceremony went ahead despite adverse weather conditions.
She was averse to taking his risks.
The outdoor wedding ceremony went ahead despite adverse weather conditions.
She was averse to taking his risks.
Write in the Tasmanian wilderness
Do you like to write? Fancy the idea of doing that in Tasmania? I love Tassie, I think it’s a gorgeous place.The 2009 WILDCARE Tasmania Nature Writing Prize is now open. The prize for new nature writing offers the winner $A5,000 plus airfares to Tasmania and a two-week residency in that beautiful wilderness.
You can find out more details here.
Daytime Feature Writing: tell us what you’d like?
Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers is such a popular course. We’ve had many requests to run it during the daytime, which we do from time to time. However we'd love your feedback on whether you’d prefer:A course over 5 weeks
Morning classes every week for 5 weeks.
Time: 10am to 12noon (on a weekday)
OR
Intensive daytime course:
Monday to Friday - 5 consecutive days
Time: 10am to 12noon
Morning classes every week for 5 weeks.
Time: 10am to 12noon (on a weekday)
OR
Intensive daytime course:
Monday to Friday - 5 consecutive days
Time: 10am to 12noon
We’d love your thoughts on this!
COMPETITION: Win your copy of Business Stripped Bare by Richard Branson - thanks to Slim Ink book rental
I’ve been reading Richard Branson’s book Business Stripped Bare so I was thrilled when our friends at Slim Ink book rental service decided to sponsor it for a prize. This book is a fascinating look at how Richard Branson has built his empire. It’s been a combination of smart business decisions and sheer chutzpah - and this book gives you an idea of the deals behind the deals.
You can win your own copy by answering a simple question. Watch the video to find out:
If the video doesn't play above, you can check it out on our blog here.
And check out Slim Ink here.
AUTHOR TALK: Alexander McCall Smith at the Cremorne Orpheum
You have a chance to see Alexander McCall Smith - author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - live at Cremorne Orpheum on Tuesday 3 February 2009 at 7pm. Tickets are $20.
For more information visit our blog.
Business and Careers Institute in Milsons Point
Remember to check out our sister training organisation - 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
The above quote is dedicated to Mitch Lewis and all the wonderfully talented people who
come to the Sydney Writers’ Centre. I believe in my heart there is world of possibilities for
you. I hope you do too.
come to the Sydney Writers’ Centre. I believe in my heart there is world of possibilities for
you. I hope you do too.
Other upcoming courses
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller - FULL
When: Every Friday starting Friday 30 January 2009 for six weeks
Time: 10am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 2 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon - FULL
When: Every Monday starting Monday 2 February 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson - 1 PLACE LEFT
When: Tuesday 3 February 2009 (one day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
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 - FULL
When: Thursday 5 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $325
Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Tuesday 17 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345
Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 23 February 2009 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Tuesday 24 February 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345
Seminar: Self-Publishing - How to do it with Valerie Khoo
When: Monday 9 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle
When: Tuesday 10 March 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $325
Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 11 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 12 March 2009 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Feature writing for magazines and newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 16 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
Evening classes held approximately every six weeks
Course starts: Tuesday 17 March 2008
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $450
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 24 March 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 12 May 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395
Thanks for signing up to this newsletter. Remember, if you'd like to leave this list at any time just reply to this email letting us know.
Wishing you much writing success,
Comments
Post has no comments.