7 August 2008

Dear Fellow Writer,

In this issue:

How to attract media attention
Professional business writing
The 4 Ingredients self-publishing success story
Turn your freelance writing into a business
Feature writing with AAP features editor Judy Skatssoon
J K Rowling's book for charity

I hope you have managed to avoid the dreaded lurgie that’s sweeping the city. I had it last week and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. If there was one positive side, being holed up in bed meant I could catch up on my reading. I devoured a stack of books and magazines - and savoured every word. There’s nothing more satisfying when you come to the end of a novel - or even a well written magazine article - and just feel completely satisfied. For me, it’s a combination of being enthralled by the story, but also awestruck at the talented writing that’s out there.

Last week, I also squeezed in a talk at the Last Thursday Club, where I was the keynote speaker on “How to Attract Media Attention”. I love speaking on practical topics especially when people can take away
information they can use immediately. If you’re interested
in “How to Attract Media Attention”, you’ll love our
seminar: Media Releases that Get Results.

It’s a practical workshop on how to get your message or organisation in the media - for all the right reason.

Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Friday 29 August 2008
Time: 9:30 - 4:30pm
Cost: $345

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

Professional business writing

I’m constantly asked why writing standards have slipped in the Australian workplace. Employers complain that people aren’t as familiar with fundamentals of grammar and writing than they should be.

That’s where a seminar like Professional Business Writing comes in. It bridges the gap for people who need to write documents at work, but who may be unsure of how to go about it.

The seminar provides a structured guideline to take the guesswork out of business writing. Frankly, I think it’s a must for every workplace because the quality of your written communication is a reflection of your work.

This seminar is presented by Mel Wilkinson, an experienced corporate writer. You’ll leave the seminar with a clear plan on how to tackle writing documents at work.

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Friday 22 August 2008
Time: 9:00 - 5:00pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

Chick Lit Books explains chick lit

Bet you didn’t know there are so many sub-genres within chick lit. It’s not all about shoes, handbags and men in the world of chick lit - there is everything from fluffy and easy light ‘beach’ reads to lad lit, bigger girl lit and multi-cultural lit!

This site explains each sub genre of chick lit, has links to the sites of top authors, rates the books and features well-written book reviews. It’s a wonderful, glossy site full of information about books which are worth reading.
Before you dismiss chick lit, the founder of the site says: ”I challenge you - read some trade-sized paperback chick lit before making any assumptions.”

http://chicklitbooks.com/

Are you the next 4 Ingredients success story?

Self-publishing is becoming a popular option for writers, especially when it can be hard to get your foot in the door with mainstream publishers.

Rachael Bermingham and Kim McCosker (http://www.4ingredients.com.au/) self published their cookbook 4 Ingredients because they were unknown and were finding it difficult to find a publisher.

Over 565,000 copies later they’re launching 4 Ingredients 2 and starting a lifestyle show.

Self-publishing is not for the faint hearted. You need more than just a good book, you need to be prepared
to market it. After all, you are taking on the responsibilities of the publisher - so you need to get it
out there.

Self-publishing your book is a useful strategy for professionals or business owners who want to write a book based on their professional experience - a book can often be a credible marketing tool or "calling card". It is also a suitable option for some non-fiction books.

This seminar is presented by Valerie Khoo and will help you determine if self-publishing is right for you. The seminar will cover self-publishing versus commercial publishing, the steps to successful self-publishing, the importance of marketing and distributing your book and the costs involved. You might love the idea - or you might hate it. At the very least, you’ll find out!

Here's what past participant Karen Adamedes said about the seminar:
"The Self Publishing seminar at the Sydney Writers' Centre was informative and inspiring. The seminar not only covered the process of how to self-publish, but brought it alive with specific examples of how others have put this information into practice. I would highly recommend this seminar to anyone who is exploring their options of how to realise their publishing dream."

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

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

Turn your freelance writing into a real business

Our Freelance Success Seminar will reveal all you need to know about the pleasures and pitfalls of life without a regular pay-cheque.

The most important thing to remember is that “freelance” does not equal “poor”. This seminar is conducted by Valerie Khoo and Gayle Bryant - who make a healthy living from freelance writing.

It covers how to understand the business basics, how to develop a contact book, get repeat commissions and find regular work, approaching editors with your ideas, invoice and chase payment and negotiate your rates.

Here's what past participant Sandy Leen said about the seminar:
"Since attending the Freelance Success Seminar I have
had three stories accepted for a parenting publication and have begun writing for business publications. The seminar motivated me and pointed me in the right direction. Thank you!"

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

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

Feature Writing with our new presenter Judy Skatssoon

I’m thrilled to welcome the talented and experienced Judy Skatssoon to our team of world-class presenters. Judy is features editor at Australian Associated Press (AAP) and has also been a successful freelance feature writer, contributing to a diverse range of publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, life etc, Sydney's Child, Women's Health, ABC Online and many more. I’m so excited that Judy is going to bring a fresh perspective to the course.

If you like the idea of writing articles for magazines and newspapers, this course is for you. It suits first-time writers or anyone who wants to brush up on their writing skills. The course will teach you about which ideas work - and where to get them, understanding the magazine/news market, how to research, structure and
write a feature, what editors want from a writer and how
to pitch your article or idea to a magazine and sell it!

Our course in Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers is one of the best in Australia. I know it works because students get published all the time as a result of the course. Judy will teach this renowned course but also be able to bring her own experience to it.

Here's what past participant Sue White said about the course:
"This was the most inspiring course I've done for a long time! I will definitely be out getting started in writing, and no doubt will be back to do more courses in the future. Thank you! Overall, it was excellent. Absolutely inspiring!"

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 1 September 2008 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Click here for more information or to enroll online.

For all you J.K. Rowling fans

J.K.Rowling has a new book coming out and the royalties will be going to a charity she co-founded called Children’s High Level Group.

The much anticipated The Tales of Beedle the Bard will contain crucial clues which Harry Potter needed to defeat Lord Voldemart and notes from Professor Dumbledore. The tales were translated from the runes by Hermoine Granger.

For all the details check out our blog.

Allen and Unwin’s top ten bestselling books this week

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows children's jacket edition J.K. Rowling Bloomsbury

2. The Forgotten Garden Kate Morton Allen & Unwin
3. Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbert Bloomsbury
4. A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini Bloomsbury
5. Change of Heart Jodi Picoult Allen & Unwin
6. Harry Potter 7 volume adult hardcover edition boxed set J.K. Rowling Bloomsbury
7. My Sister's Keeper Jodi Picoult Allen & Unwin
8. Nineteen Minutes Jodi Picoult Allen & Unwin
9. The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini Bloomsbury
10. Superior Saturday Garth Nix Allen & Unwin

I’m pleased to say that I’ve interviewed Garth Nix - who has sold 4.5 million books - and you can listen to him straight from our website or download the podcast through iTunes. Libby Gleeson, Tristan Bancks and Anna Fienberg’s podcasts are there as well.

Upcoming podcast interviews include fantasy writers Pamela Freeman and Kate Forsyth and first-time author Michael Whelan.

We’ve had enormous fun interviewing authors, we hope that you enjoy listening to them.

Other upcoming courses
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - FULL
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 12 August 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Freelance Success 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

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Friday 22 August 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Cost: $395

ONLINE Course: Creative Writing with Pamela Freeman
When: Week beginning Monday 25 August 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Media Releases That Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Friday 29 August 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $345

Course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Judy Skatssoon
When: Every Monday starting Monday 1 September 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

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

Seminar: How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
When: Thursday 11 September 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

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman - 1 PLACE LEFT
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 23 September 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Course: Online Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Valerie Khoo
When: Week beginning Monday 13 October 2008 for 5 weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395

Seminar: Editing Essentials with Katrina Lobley
When: Friday 31 October 2008 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Cost: $345

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

Seminar: Media Releases that Get Results with Luisa Volpato
When: Friday 7 November 2008
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Fee: $345

Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman
When: Tuesday 11 November 2008 for five weeks
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Cost: $395

Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson
When: Friday 21 November 2008
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $395

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Wishing you much writing success,