In this issue:
- Which famous author visited the Sydney Writers’ Centre?
- TIP: Identifying your subject and object
- Get results from your PR strategy
- Is this a word? Ideation
- How to write a book for young adults
- Book giveaway – The Five Greatest Warriors by Matthew Reilly
- Get paid for your travels!
- Where does “Kit and Caboodle” come from?
- WEBPICK: Word2
It was great to have best-selling author Matthew Reilly drop in on us at the Sydney Writers’ Centre recently. Matthew is the author of huge sellers like Ice Station, Contest, Temple and, most recently, The Five Greatest Warriors.
You can listen to our podcast interview with Matthew here or on iTunes.
Or we’ve got a video podcast you can stream through your computer here.
One of our most popular courses continues to be our one-day seminar Grammar and Punctuation Essentials. We knew there was a real need for this seminar because of how our school system failed so many of us in recent years by neglecting to teach these fundamentals. As a result, we receive phone calls every day from people who just want to learn the rules and how to apply them in writing.
The best part is that the seminar is fun and dynamic. You would never imagine that grammar and punctuation could be so enjoyable. But, thanks to our passionate presenter Deb Doyle, you’ll love this seminar – and walk away armed with valuable knowledge that you can apply immediately.
After this one-day seminar, you'll transform your writing so you can prevent errors from occurring and bring the writing of any document to an acceptable standard for publication.
Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle
When: Friday 3 December 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
TIP: Identifying your subject and object
Sometimes, you might come across people referring to the 'subject' and 'object' in a sentence.The 'subject' is linked to the verb: the person or thing that does the verb is the subject. In the examples below, the subject is underlined:
Rambo likes to sit under the desks.
Students studying the online writing courses can listen to the lessons at any point during the week.
The 'object' is the person or thing involved in the subject performing the verb. So in the examples below, the objects in the sentences are:
Rambo likes to sit under the desks.
Students studying the online can listen to the lessons at any point during the week.
Get results from your PR strategy
If you’re a small business owner or work for a non-profit organisation, you know how hard it can be to get your message across in an already saturated media market, especially if you don't have a marketing budget. But building an effective PR strategy needn’t be a costly and time-consuming exercise.Our last PR and Media Releases that get Results seminar was such a hit, we decided to run one more for the year. So join us to discover the secrets to getting good publicity for your business. This one-day seminar will cover:
- the elements of a typical PR strategy
- how to determine your target audiences
- how to structure media releases and what you must include
- who you should quote and what they should say
- how to deal with journalists
- online distribution strategies
- contributing articles to publications
- how to approach bloggers as part of your PR strategy
'Amazing and invaluable insights into the industry, and really hands-on advice that differs from other similar courses. My new knowledge has given me a better grasp of what I do everyday and helps me see smaller tasks in relation to the bigger picture.
'Catriona was warm, friendly and receptive to all comments/questions. It's very encouraging to hear success stories (as well as what's unsuccessful) from someone so experienced, and her confidence is definitely contagious.'
- Annie Vaughan
'It was fantastic to undertake a course where the presenter is clearly talented and experienced in her field. I felt it was well presented, easy to follow and value adding.'
- Hayley Dean
This seminar is presented by Catriona Pollard, director of CP Communications. Catriona has 17 years experience in developing and managing public relations and marketing programs.
Prior to establishing CP Communications in 2001, Catriona set up the marketing communications department for a leading software company and managed a diverse range of accounts within PR agencies. She also has extensive experience in managing public affairs and marketing in federal and state governments.
Catriona has won an award in the Public Relations Institute Association Awards for Excellence and holds a BA and a Graduate Diploma in Professional Communication.
PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard
When: Thursday 25 November 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $495
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Is this a word? IdeationEven though I have a semi-decent vocabulary, I'm often learning new words. When a friend in advertising mentioned ‘ideation’, I was sceptical. It reminded me too much of the silly word once used by the Liberal Party in their election campaign: ‘Incentivation’. It was a ridiculous word. (And they lost the election.)
But I digress. Ideation is a real word. In your everyday English dictionary, ideation means ‘to form or have an idea of; to imagine or conceive’.
Write books for young adults
If writing for children and young adults is your dream, and you want to learn how to engage and inspire these young readers through stories, then our online course in Writing Books for Children and Young Adults should be your first step. This course is perfect for anyone doesn’t live in Sydney or who can’t get to our face-to-face courses. Our online course Writing Books for Children and Young Adults will give you the tools to get started.
The course will cover:
- how to get started
- finding the right voice
- creating characters and stories young readers will enjoy
- how to write believable dialogue
- common assumptions about writing for children and about young readers
- how to structure a story that works
- the secrets to plotting for different age groups
- what you need to know about getting into the children’s publishing market
‘The course gave me a positive environment in which to write and a strong motivation to write. My work has become more structured and disciplined. I enjoyed reading the other participants posts. And, of course, I waited eagerly to read what Judith had to say to me.’
- Diana Huggins
‘I finally feel confident enough to start writing seriously, thanks to the Sydney Writers’ Centre. Judith is extremely knowledgeable and has great insight. She is an amazing tutor!’
- Gueza Chavez
Online Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge
When: Week beginning Monday 29 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Book giveaway – The Five Greatest Warriors by Matthew Reilly
Publishing phenomenon Matthew Reilly recently dropped by to chat to us about his incredible writing journey, and his latest book, The Five Greatest Warriors. It’s hard to talk about Australian publishing and not mention Matthew Reilly. From self-published author to international bestseller, his books continue to enthrall readers of all ages.
You can listen to our podcast interview with Matthew or watch the video of it here. To celebrate this we have one hardback copy of The Five Greatest Warriors, signed by Matthew Reilly, to give away. This could make a perfect Christmas gift – if you can bear to let it go!
It began with six stones. Jack West Jr and his loyal team are in desperate disarray: they’ve been separated and their mission is in tatters, and Jack was last seen plummeting down a fathomless abyss.
After surviving his deadly fall, Jack must now race against his many enemies to locate and set in place the remaining pieces of The Machine before the coming Armageddon.
As the world teeters on the brink of destruction, Jack will learn of the Five Warriors, the individuals who throughout history have been most intimately connected to his quest.
If you’d like a chance to win this very special prize, just tell us what your favourite Matthew Reilly book is, and why. (Or tell us about your favourite thriller/adventure book.) Email your answers to courses [at] spindriftmedia [dot] com [dot] au by Friday 26 November 2010 and don’t forget to include your postal address.
Congratulations to Kirrilie Schluter who won our copy of Genesis by Lara Morgan. Happy reading Kirrilie!
Get paid for your travels!
Do your upcoming summer holidays have you dreaming about writing your travels and getting published? Would you like to discover the secrets to becoming a great (and busy!) travel writer? If you dream of being paid to travel and write, then our Introduction to Travel Writing seminar is for you. This intensive two-hour seminar will help you understand the travel writing industry, and inspire you to put your wanderlust to good use. The seminar will give you an overview of:
- publishing opportunities (newspapers, magazines, electronic publishing, travel literature, other avenues)
- types of travel stories (service stories, destination stories, personal essays)
- what it takes to be a travel writer
- some straight talk about earnings
- finding and focusing your story (the right subject, travel trends, developing your story)
- the art and craft of travel writing
- getting published and making contacts (including tips on joining professional associations)
‘The seminar covered lots of basic "getting started" information, it was fast paced and straight to the point. Geoff was great - enthusiastic and interesting and very generous with examples and tips from his own experience.’
- Leanne Gillespie
‘I have been given more ideas to think of travel writing on a tangent - to think "outside the square" for ideas and publication opportunities. Geoff was friendly and professional. He knew his subject and was helpful when asked questions other than on his list of talking points.’
- Marian Smith
Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 1 December 2010 (two-hour seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Did you know? Kit and Caboodle
When someone tells you they want ‘the whole kit and caboodle’, they basically mean they want everything, or ‘the entire collection of things under consideration’. It’s another one of those funny phrases that if we stood back and actually thought about what we were saying, we would surely question its meaning. Well, the phrase actually has a rather complicated history. Both words have very similar meanings in English: a kit is a set of objects, as in a toolkit, or what a soldier would put in his kit-bag; a caboodle, or boodle, is a group or collection. It seems the phrase grew out of a number of variations that have been in use for centuries – kit and boodle, kit and boiling, the whole boodle, the whole caboodle – but the words themselves are Dutch in origin, kitte being a wooden vessel and boedel, meaning estate, inheritance, or possessions.
WEBPICK: Word2
This is not a time waster. Any game that improves your vocabulary and inspires your competitive spirit should be considered, um, professional development! Okay, so you probably shouldn’t get too caught up in this one while you’re supposed to be working, but if you’re a fan of the classic Scrabble, you’ll love Word2.This ‘massively multi-player online word game’ should keep word geeks happy for hours. The idea is to build your words onto the scrabble board for as long as you possibly can. You don’t have to wait your turn, you just continue building on to your own words. You have two lives, which can be traded for new letters if you find yourself stuck at any stage of the game. Continue playing until you run out of lives. Who knows – you may even make it to the top of the leader board! You can even follow the game on Twitter and Facebook to see how others are going.
Check it out here. Now get back to work!
Other upcoming courses
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – LAST CREATIVE WRITING CLASS FOR 2011
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 18 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Online Course: Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo/Sue White
When: Week beginning Monday 22 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 22 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle – FULL
When: Monday 22 November 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard
When: Thursday 25 November 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost: $495
Online Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge/Nicola Robinson
When: Week beginning Monday 29 November 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle – FULL
When: Wednesday 1 December 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 1 December 2010 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Friday 3 February 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 6 December 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Seminar: Self-Publishing with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 8 December 2010 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Daytime Intensive Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – NEW DATE
When: Monday 10 January - Friday 14 January 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Every Friday starting Friday 14 January 2011 for six weeks
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $450
Course: Daytime Intensive Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Monday 17 January - Friday 21 January 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Seminar: How to Get Your Book Published with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 19 January 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Course: Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 20 January 2011 for four weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $345
Course: Daytime Intensive Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Monday 24 January - Friday 28 January 2011 (4 mornings with a 1 day break for Australia Day)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $345
Seminar: Writing for the Web with Grant Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge – NEW DATE
When: Every Monday starting Monday 7 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Professional Business Writing with Mel Wilkinson – NEW DATE
When: Tuesday 8 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Seminar: Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Perfecting Your Pitch with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 17 February 2011 and Thursday 24 February 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Editing with Ease with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Friday 25 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Life Writing with Patti Miller
When: Saturday 12 March 2011 and Sunday 13 March 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $450
Course: Screenwriting Stage 1 with Tim Gooding – NEW DATE
When: Every Monday starting Monday 14 March 2010 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Perfect Your Proofreading with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Friday 25 March 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Boost Your Creativity with Laurine Croasdale – NEW DATE
When: Monday 28 March 2011 and Monday 4 April 2011 (2 evening classes)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $175
Seminar: Blogging for Business with Steven Lewis – NEW DATE
When: Friday 1 April 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $365
Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman – NEW DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 3 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman – NEW DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 5 July 2011 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495
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