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New daytime Creative Writing course; Write your story in 12 words; How to get your book published; Book Giveaway; Lean from home - Online Feature Writing

In this issue:

• TIP: ‘Anytime’ versus ‘Any Time’
• DAYTIME Creative Writing
• Write your story with 12 words
• How to Get Your Book Published
• Book Giveaway - Don’t Look Back by Scott Frost
• Did you know? Terra Firma
• Learn from home - Online Feature Writing
• WEBPICK: 52 Suburbs

It's a busy week here at the Sydney Writers' Centre. I'm flat out organising to go to Las Vegas and New York next week. No, I'm not heading to Vegas to try my luck at the blackjack tables. But yes, I'm going to miss my cats Rex and Rocky (pictured) and my dog Rambo. I’m going to Vegas for a conference on online marketing. As regular readers will know, It's a subject I'm slightly obsessed with so I'm sure I'll be bringing back lots of ideas to share with you. And remember, if you've booked into the Online Business Booster Bootcamp, I'll be sharing my insights into exactly what kind of online marketing can boost your specific business. See you there!

Online Business Booster Bootcamp
When: Tuesday 24 November 2009
Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Cost: $695 (including GST)

Click here for more information or to enrol online.





New DAYTIME course for Creative Writing
We’ve had lots of feedback that many of you would prefer the option of attending a course in the morning rather than at night. So, here it is – our daytime Creative Writing Stage 1 course.

If you want to write stories, a novel or your family history, then this is the course for you. Designed for beginners and those who want to improve their creative writing, we’ll show you how to structure your story and write convincing characters.

During the course you’ll learn 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 recent participants had to say about the course:
‘[It is a] creative, positive and supportive environment, where ideas flow and imagination is allowed to express. I have a better understanding on 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

‘I approach story-telling and my school lessons with more focus on the structure and engaging the reader/students. I enjoy hearing and reading stories more because I'm aware of the different dimensions that make a good story, especially the structure.’
- Callum Shipley

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.

Creative Writing Stage 1 DAYTIME course with Jeni Mawter
When: Fridays starting Friday 20 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am – 12 noon
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.




Write your story with 12 Words
Just how ‘micro’ can micro-fiction get? If you can’t manage a six-word memoir (Smith Magazine’s famous micro-fiction phenomenon), how about a story of 12 words?

Launched in August, this project is being run by the local youth centre in the Nambucca Valley on the mid-north coast. So far, they’ve collected over 750 12-word stories from writers all over Australia. The competition component is for 15 to 25 year olds only, but older writers are encouraged to participate too. If you do fall into the competition’s age range, there are some great prizes to be won, including a $1,000 Random House writing mentorship!

Check it out at 12words.com.au.



 
How to Get Your Book Published
The path to publication is not always an easy one, but it can be made a whole lot easier if you know what you have to do! Our two-hour seminar will give you the essential overview in the publishing process. You’ll then have the confidence to approach and negotiate with publishers.

The seminar will cover:

• how to write a winning book proposal
• how to approach publishers
• do you need an agent?
• how much should you write before approaching a publisher?
• negotiating a fair contract
• the editing and re-writing process

Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the seminar:
‘Clear, easy to understand information, knowledgeable lecturer with quirky anecdotes. All my questions were answered. I thought it was a very good seminar process and I was surprised at how much fitted into two hours. The DREAM is a lot more tangible!’
- Amber Rose Gabriel

‘Simply packed with information from start to finish, the seminar provided all the answers to questions that I have had for years about how books get published! I now have a definite plan to work towards getting my first book published.’
- Lucy Marshall

This seminar is presented by Geoff Barlett, who is an author, journalist, actor and producer. He has filed articles and interviews for over 20 major newspapers and magazines around the country, including The Sydney Morning Herald, Courier Mail, Canberra Times, West Australian and Australian Style.

In 1999, Geoff's first book, was published in Australia and New Zealand through Harper Collins. Comedians in the Mist was a series of interviews with top Australian comedians.

How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Tuesday 24 November 2009 (two-hour seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Click here for more information or to enrol online.




Book Giveaway – Don’t Look Back by Scott Frost
Our latest author podcast features Scott Frost, author and screenwriter. As a screenwriter he’s written for iconic shows such as Twin Peaks and The X-Files. He has also written five books, and his latest crime novel is Don’t Look Back.

The teenage girl is found in the dark field of the Rose Bowl, wrapped in a sleeping bag, her body frozen solid. There is only one clue – a copy of an etching, by Spanish artist Goya, of a dead woman in the exact same pose as the murdered girl.

Lieutenant Alex Delillo’s partner, Harrison, immediately recognises her as the daughter of a prominent LA lawyer who disappeared three years before, but what happened to her? It appears that ‘Goya’ is targeting those in power, but is he righting the wrongs of the past or is he insane? And are his victims really as innocent as they appear?

To win a copy of Don’t Look Back, simply watch the video below and answer the question.


Email your answers to courses@spindriftmedia.com.au by 6 November 2009 and remember to include your postal address.

 

Online Feature Writing
If you can’t make it to our next Feature Writing course, why not try our online version? You’ll be learning the same material, have the same opportunities to give and receive feedback, but all from the comfort of your own home.

Our Online Feature Writing course will show you how to write for magazines and newspapers – and get paid for it! If you’re thinking about making the move to writing as a career, this is the perfect course for you.

By the end of the 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 some recent participants have had to say about the course:
‘Due to my family commitments, I have little opportunity to pursue my own interests. The online structure meant that I could learn while the kids were in bed. The presentation and content of the course were fantastic! I couldn't fault anything. It was as though Valerie was in my study teaching me face to face. Her style was friendly and each lesson was relevant and brought to life with interesting case studies. I learnt so much and am looking forward to the next online course. I just wish there were more online courses available.’
- Silvana Wiggins

‘This is one of the few courses that I have done which was really worthwhile. Usually with a course, you find that they give you a textbook and you work your way through it. It's invaluable to get into Valerie's head and learn all the insider tips of an editor. You want to learn from someone who has several years experience working in the business.’
- Gillian Nalletamby

Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 9 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enrol online.

Did you know? Terra firma
Have you heard the expression ‘Terra firma? For example:

After sailing from Sydney to Hobart, Bonita said: "It's so good to be
back on terra firma."

Terra firma comes from the Latin words meaning ‘firm land’ or ‘solid land’. It was often used in Venice, to identify dry land as opposed to the sea.

WEBPICK: 52 Suburbs
I’ve chosen this week’s webpick not only for the writing, but also for the beautiful photography. 52 Suburbs – a search for beauty in the Sydney ‘burbs – is the blog of Louise Hawson. She’s lived in Sydney for over 30 years and has decided to visit one new suburb every week for one year. It’s the perfect example of how getting out of your comfort zone can be the inspiration for something wonderful!

So far she’s visited suburbs such as Potts Point, Cabramatta, Eveleigh and Wahroonga, and her most recent expedition took her to Harris Park near Parramatta.

Check out here.

Other upcoming courses
Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Pamela Wilson
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 5 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Friday 6 November 2009 (2-hour morning seminar)
Time: 10.00am - 12 noon
Cost: $75

Course: Online Feature Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 9 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Online Creative Writing with Cathie Tasker/Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 9 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter - FULL
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 11 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 DAYTIME course with Jeni Mawter - NEW DATE
When: Every Friday starting Friday 20 November 2009 for five weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Course: Online Business Booster Bootcamp with Valerie Khoo
When: Tuesday 24 November 2009
Time: 9.30am - 5.30pm
Cost: $695

Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Tuesday 24 November 2009 (2-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75

Course: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 26 November 2009 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
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 - NEW DATE
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 INTENSIVE DAYTIME course with Jeni Mawter - NEW DATE
When: Monday 11 January - Friday 15 January 2010 (5 consecutive days)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395

Course: Marketing Your Book with Amanda Falconer
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 19 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: 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 - NEW DATE
When: Thursday 28 January 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365

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: 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