2 November 2007

Dear Fellow Writer,

In this issue:

NEW: Editorial Style Guide – your handy desktop reference
How to Write Winning Reports and Proposals – ENROLL for next week
More student successes - Sam Brett & Mitch Lewis
ONLINE: Magazines writing starts next week
(Very) Short story contest by Red Bubble
Another short story contest by Celapene Press
Creative Writing Stage 1 – only a few places left.

Take the guesswork out of business writing and editing

NEW: Sydney Writers’ Centre Editorial Style Guide for Business

There are many guides to writing business documents that go into the theory and history of style and formatting. However, the Sydney Writers’ Centre Editorial Style Guide for Business is designed to be a quick reference manual that answers common questions and clarifies issues that frequently arise in the world of business writing.

This is a handy desktop reference that will save you time and ensure that your writing follows a consistent professional editorial style.

You don’t have to wade through a huge book to find the answer to your question. The Editorial Style Guide for Business is short and sweet – and you’ll find your answers to most questions straight away.

It’s now available for $95 and is a must for any business. For more information or to purchase, click here.

How to Write Winning Reports and Proposals – ENROLL for next week

When it comes to writing reports and proposals at work, the words you choose can often make or break the deal. No matter what you are writing, there are best practice guidelines that can help you achieve the best result.

You’ll discover them at this seminar. It covers:

how to structure reports and proposals
the fundamentals of persuasive writing
tips and rules for stress-free writing
how to gain the reader's attention
the 8 step plan to write winning proposals
the words you should never use

BONUS: All participants in this seminar will receive a complimentary copy of the Sydney Writers’ Centre Editorial Style Guide for Business (valued at $95).

When: Friday 9 November 2007
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

Editing Essentials

If you have to edit documents at work, you can learn from experienced Sydney Morning Herald writer and former sub-editor Katrina Lobley.

Editing can be a time-consuming, overwhelming process. But when you learn the editing rules, you can transform even the most dire, clumsy writing into a successful piece of writing.

When: Friday 16 November 2007
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $285

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

Former student Sam Brett: Number 1 blog in Australia

We're thrilled to hear that Samantha Brett's blog ASK SAM! on The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age websites is ranked #1 media blog in Australia. Sam is a former student of the Sydney Writers' Centre and a very gifted writer with a keen insight into the dating world. Congratulations Sam!

Sam's blog has been a great springboard into other things. She's appeared on the Today Show, The John Laws breakfast show, A Current Affair, Australia’s Next Top Model, ABC Radio, The Edge Radio, E! News and more.

And if you asked Sam about what she thought of the course at the Sydney Writers' Centre, what would she say?

"The course at the Sydney Writers' Centre helped me brush up my writing skills and reminded me about the joys of feature writing. Valerie's infectious enthusiasm reminded me why I got into writing in the first place!"
- Samantha Brett

Mitch Lewis in Madison magazine

Have you got a copy of the November issue of Madison magazine? It features former Sydney Writers’ Centre student Mitch Lewis who has been shortlisted as a potential candidate for The Madison Male. Basically, the magazine is looking for an excellent male writer to contribute a monthly column.

Here’s the email I got from James when he found out the news ...

Hi Valerie,

I went to Pamela Freeman's Creative Writing course in June. A friend at work told me about a male columnist's gig that was going at a woman's mag so I entered it, thinking what the heck.

I used some of the techniques she taught me to polish and make my application a bit livelier and as you can see below I'm going to be published and shortlisted! 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.

Cheers
Mitch

WEEKEND SESSION: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers

If you want to be published in magazines or newspapers, there is a weekend intensive session coming up.

When: 24 November and 1 December 2007 (two consecutive Saturdays)
Time: 9.30am-4.00pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

ONLINE COURSE: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers

If you don’t live in Sydney, you can learn online.
What do students think of the online course?

Tim McKeon says: “The online concept is fantastic, and makes the course accessible. Also the fact that the course is delivered by a professional - who is also accessible. Valerie has earned her stripes, but speaks as though she is next to you, not a cut above.”

David Kennedy says: “The flexible format was excellent. Valerie's presentation style was easy to follow and her practical insights into the industry were really valuable.”

Course: ONLINE Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
When: Week beginning Monday 5 November (runs for 5 weeks)
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

(Very) short story contest by RedBubble

The RedBubble writing, photography and art contest is now on. If you want to write a story with the theme “In the moment”, ensure it’s less than 500 words (yes, you read that correctly – only 500) and submit it. Entries close 13 January 2008 so you have plenty of time to pen your story.

There are prizes ranging from rare books to Macbooks! Winners will be published in a limited edition (1000 copies) of In the Moment.

For more information on how to enter visit:
http://www.redbubble.com/publication/competition

Another short story contest by Celapene Press

If your story is going to take more than 500 words, then you might be interested in Short and Twisted 2008 - an anthology of short stories and poetry to be released in May 2008. All stories and poems must have a twist at the end.

Short stories are a maximum of 2000 words and closing date is 30 November 2007.

For more information visit: http://www.celapenepress.com.au/

Need some help writing short stories?

Unleash the creative writer inside you with Creative Writing Stage 1. This popular course is taught by Pamela Freeman and the final course for the year starts on Thursday 15 November 2007.

When: Every Thursday for 5 weeks from Thursday 15 November 2007
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost $395

There are only a few places left – so enroll now if you don’t want to miss out.
Click here for more information or to enroll online.

Other upcoming courses
Seminar: How to Write Winning Reports and Proposals with Mel Wilkinson
When: Friday 9 November 2007
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Thursday for 5 weeks from Thursday 15 November 2007
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost $395

Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Friday 16 November 2007
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $285

Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Tuesday 20 November 2007
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost: $65

Seminar: Freelance Success Seminar with Gayle Bryant and Valerie Khoo
When: Wednesday 28 November 2007
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost $65

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: 24 November and 1 December (two consecutive Saturdays)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 5 December 2007
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost: $65

Course: ONLINE Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
When: Week beginning Monday 5 November (runs for 5 weeks)
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

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Wishing you much writing success,