30 May 2008

Dear Fellow Writer,

In this issue:

Online courses start soon – learn from wherever you are
The writers' site for everything you need to know
Make headlines - how to write media releases
Audio books - Roz Savage is rowing across the Pacific with 323 of them
Be in the audience for the ABC's First Tuesday Book Club
Professional business writing – enroll now
Join this local book club
Purchase magazines the easy way

Hi everyone
This week we've been busy with lots of corporate training. In the last newsletter, I mentioned that I was catching up with best-selling author of The 4-Hour Work Week, Tim Ferriss.

Tim came to our harbourside training rooms (that's me with him in the pic) and shared his strategies on how he debuted on both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal best seller lists in the first week of his book's release. This was done with no publicity but lots of smart thinking using blogs and online media.

We're producing a podcast from my chat with Tim - so
stay tuned and we'll let you know when it's ready.
It's fascinating.

ONLINE courses start soon
Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers and Online Creative Writing Stage 1 are courses designed for people who are living in rural areas or who just can’t make it to our harbourside training rooms.

This is a great way for you to get connected with our quality teachers – and stay connected while we help you achieve your writing dreams and goals no matter where you live.

All you need is high speed internet (broadband or ADSL). You can either listen via your computer (so you need speakers) or download the audio to an MP3 player. The Online Feature Writing course covers all components of writing articles for magazines and newspapers while the Online Creative Writing course gets you started with writing short stories and fiction.

Whichever you choose, you'll be able to access the modules in your own time and receive invaluable feedback from the course presenters.

Here's what recent student Nicole Stenson says about the Online Creative Writing Course:

"I really enjoyed the course content. I found the feedback very useful and the reading material interesting and a good support for the audio. Having such an interesting published author (as the online tutor) made it very special, especially as I am interested in writing in the same genre."

Course: Online Creative Writing Stage 1
When: The week beginning Monday 16 June 2008 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Click here for more details or to enroll online.

Here's what recent student Nicole Forster says about the Online Feature Writing Course:

"The most enjoyable thing about the course, was the feeling that you were getting a real insider's look (into the magazine industry) and a lot of great, genuinely practical tips at how to break into the market from someone who's actually qualified to give them."

Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
When: The week beginning Monday 23 June 2008 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Click here for more details or to enroll online.

Webpick

http://www.writerswrite.com/

Writers Write is considered a foundation site for writers.

If you want to know the latest news in the world of writing, information on blogs by writers or insight into what people are reading, this site contains access to lots of resources.

If you write, blog, read or enjoy reading about authors or you want to gain an insight into the writing and
publishing industry, Writers Write will keep you up
to date on every writing topic imaginable.

How to make headlines

You want to gain a profile for your business or yourself. You want to tell the world about your organization or market what you do to the right people.

But how do you go about it?

Our seminar Media releases that get results will teach you how to write a media release to get the publicity you're after.

This seminar is for people who want to learn more about how media releases can work for your business. It will give you the framework to give your business the profile it deserves.

Here's what recent participant Sue Hamilton said about the seminar:
"The course content was very relevant to my needs. I now have a clear understanding of where to go from here without feeling as if I was stumbling in the dark."

Seminar: Media releases that get results with Luisa Volpato
When: Friday 20 June 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345

Click here for more details or to enroll online.

Be in the audience for the ABC's First Tuesday Book Club

You can watch the ABC's First Tuesday Book Club record two episodes live in their studio. There are plenty of seats available for visitors.

First Tuesday Book Club would love to have you there on the day and bookings can be made by email or over the phone to: Emma Carroll.

Email: Carroll.Emma@abc.net.au
Phone: 02 8333 3644
When: Friday 6 June 2008 from 1pm
Where: 700 Harris St Ultimo in Sydney.

Click here for more information on the event.

Listen to books

I love audiobooks. Sure, I love the traditional paper variety as well. But over the past year, I’ve become addicted to audiobooks. They are convenient, affordable and easy to listen to. The best part is that I can listen to them when I’m commuting, doing the laundry or watering the plants.

Marathon rower Roz Savage is currently rowing across the entire Pacific Ocean singlehanded - and she's taking 323 audiobooks with her.

My favourite place for audiobooks is the iTunes store. They go straight on my mp3 player and I’m set. As a result, I’ve read more books in the last year than any other year! On iTunes, the price of books vary and you can choose from a wide range of titles.

If you'd like to use iTunes, you can download it for free and have a look at the iTunes store to see if anything appeals. http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview/

Professional Business Writing

At work, you need to be able to produce concise written documents. Whether you’re writing a letter, report or proposal, your performance will be measured by the quality of your writing.

We’ve received many enquiries from people who want help on how to write effectively at work. So we designed the Professional Business Writing seminar with Mel Wilkinson to cater for busy professionals who want guidelines they can use immediately.

Mel will guide you through the structure of writing professionally at work. She will reveal the best way to convey your information, teach you how to avoid common mistakes and how to structure your documents through this valuable one-day seminar.

Recent seminar participant John Lawson says:
"It's been a week since the course and I have been drafting management reports. Already, my manager has commented that I have improved my writing skills. Thanks to the presenter."

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Tuesday 24 June 2008 for one day only
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more details or to enroll online.

Join a local book club

On the first Wednesday of every month, you can have a glass of red while discussing a book, listening to piano and looking at an incredible view of Sydney.

The appropriately named View Book club will give you a chance to meet other people and read some great works. And it’s just around the corner from us.

Your host, Abi, will share her love of books at this club. To join, call or email Abi: abi1710@hotmail.com or 0423 298 882

This month's book: Kite Runner – by Khaled Hosseini
When: Wednesday 4 June 2008
Where: Harbourview Hotel
In the Piano Bar (near the foyer)
17 Blue Street
North Sydney NSW 2060
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: Free

Purchase magazines the easy (and affordable) way

I love magazines. But when you devour them as much as I do, it can become a very expensive exercise. But one way to stay in the loop – without breaking the bank – is to use www.magazinesforall.com

They provide last months' magazines delivered to your door or workplace – at a fraction of the price.
This is a great little home based company with a wide magazine selection.

http://www.magazinesforall.com

Other upcoming courses
Course: DAYTIME Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Monday 2 June - Friday 6 June 2008 (five consecutive days)
Time: 10:00am - 12:00noon
Cost: $395

ONLINE Course: Online Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 16 June 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever it suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Media Releases That Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Friday 20 June 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345

ONLINE Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 23 June 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 24 June 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Thursday 24 June 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00pm
Cost: $395

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Every Monday starting Monday 14 July 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 30 July 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 12 August 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Freelance Success seminar with Valerie Khoo and Gayle Bryant
When: Monday 18 August 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65

Seminar: Self publishing – How to do it with Valerie Khoo
When: Thursday 21 August 2008 (one-evening seminar)
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $65

Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Judith Ridge
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 17 September 2008 for 5 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,