- TIP: Like or as if?
- What are you doing in January 2011?
- Stringybark Short Story Award
- Write for magazines and newspapers – online course
- WORDWISE: Is 'thru' a word?
- The ins and outs of self-publishing
- WEBPICK: Book to the Future
Bonjour! We’re becoming multi-lingual here at the Sydney Writers’ Centre. As you know, last week we launched our Travel Writing in Tuscany tour. This week we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve finalised the dates and details of Writing in Paris 2011. We know that many of you are already planning ahead for next year and the silly season might be a good time to put these wonderful writing tours on your wish list. But hurry! Places are limited. For those of you who are thinking of Writing in Bali 2011, the tour is already half booked out.
Writing in Paris has run successfully for the last two years and participants agree that it is an experience they’ll never forget.
Our 2010 group returned just a few weeks ago, and here’s what two of them had to say about the tour:
‘Immersion in a course such as this, away from the pressures and distraction of daily life in the home environment, allowed me to explore my thinking and writing in a way that has not been possible so far. Daily classes provoked and stimulated my writing, and sharing with other writers was invaluable.'
- Betty O’Neill
‘I was in Paris! Oh my, if ever I am lost for words… I miss it already. The country, the people, new friends – it was such a beautiful experience all round and I highly recommend it to those who may be considering. Although I was extremely nervous, all my fears were left behind when my feet landed in Paris and we all met up for welcome drinks.’
- Jane Gilvear
Writing in Paris 2011 with Patti Miller and the Sydney Writers’ Centre
Arrival: Thursday 20 October 2011
Departure: Saturday 5 November 2011
Click here for more information and to download your itinerary.
TIP: Like or as if?Here’s a tip from How Much Can a Koala Bear? by Pamela Thorne.
The use of like as a conjunction to introduce a clause is considered non-standard. Use as, as if or though instead:
This report looks as if (not like) it has been written by a professional.
As (not like) the accountant said, accuracy is important.
Summer School
We know that many of you will want to start fulfilling those New Year’s resolutions early, so we’re holding a special Summer School in January and February 2011. We’ll be featuring all of our most popular courses and there’ll be a variety of ways you can attend – intensive weekend courses (Saturday and Sunday), intensive 5-morning courses (Monday to Friday), or five-week evening courses. If your dream is to write a novel, our Creative Writing Stage 1 will be held over one week in five intensive morning sessions. If writing for magazines and newspapers is your goal, you can join us for a weekend course or for five morning classes. You can even learn how to write great travel articles or finally get started on your memoir – all in the inspiring surrounds of the Sydney Writers’ Centre!
Creative Writing Stage 1
Weekday morning classes with Jeni Mawter
Monday 10 January to Friday 14 January 2011
Magazine Writing Stage 1
Weekday morning classes with Sue White
Monday 17 January to Friday 21 January 2011
Travel Writing
Weekday morning classes with Sue White
Monday 24 January to Friday 28 January 2011
Travel Memoir
Weekend workshop with Claire Scobie
Saturday 22 January and Sunday 23 January 2011
Click here for more information about our summer school or to enrol online.
Stringybark Short Story Award 2010The organisers of this award are firm believers that Australia offers so much to write about. And because there is so much to write about, writers entering a story in the Stringybark Short Story Award will be restricted only in word count.
Story entries can be on anything in any genre – as long as there is a link to Australia in the story. The word limit is 1,400 words, and you can enter up to three stories. The best entry will win $500 and publication (in a hardcopy book or as an e-book), and second and third winning entries will also be published.
The entry fee is $8.50 for one story, $14 for two, or $18 for three stories. You can find full entry details on the website here.
Entries close Tuesday 14 December 2010.
Online Feature Writing
This is your last chance for 2010 to complete the online course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers. And what better time to start? You’ll be learning about writing great articles, developing ideas and pitching to editors – just as Summer hits and inspiration is all around. This five-week course is perfect for anyone who can’t get to our training rooms in Milsons Point. You’ll learn the same great content we teach in the face-to-face course, but from wherever you are, whenever you want.
The course will teach you about:
- which ideas work and where to get them
- understanding the magazine/news market
- different types of feature articles
- how to research, structure and write a feature
- what editors want from a writer
- how to pitch your article or idea to a magazine and sell it!
‘It was fabulous to be able to fit the course in around the kids and life, and still feel like I was in the classroom with other people. The more you participate the more you gain. I finally stopped talking about writing and actually focused. As a result I have a piece being published in Sydney's Child. It's broken the drought! Many thanks to this course.’
- Monique van Tulder
‘It really gave me a lot of information that I did not know. I also loved the interaction with the class. I found this type of delivery fantastic as I have a family so it was my relaxation time to come to my room and put on the module. The best thing was the convenience.’
- Louise Condon
Online course: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers with Sue White
When: Week beginning Monday 6 December 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
Congratulations Suzanne Smith!Our Matthew Reilly competition, which ran in our newsletter just a few weeks ago, garnered a huge response. We received so many entries and it was difficult to choose just one that was worthy of a signed copy of The Five Greatest Warriors, Matthew Reilly’s latest book.
We did eventually agree on a winner, and Suzanne Smith was the lucky recipient of this special prize. Her final plea won us over:
Owning a signed copy of The Five Greatest Warriors would probably blow my mind but I promise I won't hold the Sydney Writers' Centre liable for medical damages.
Congratulations Suzanne!
Did you know? Thru (or through)
Ever wondered why Americans spell so many words differently? Like color, catalog, and center? Well, it’s because of a push for simplified spelling that, in its day, had many high profile supporters, including Mark Twain and Teddy Roosevelt. Both advocated simplified spelling which resulted in many of the ‘Americanisms’ around today. They were also keen to see some other changes take hold – for example: though to change to tho and night to nite. One that might just take hold (thanks in part to our texting culture), is ‘thru’. Believe it or not, this version of ‘through’ does appear in some dictionaries – the Mirriam Webster Dictionary and the Macquarie Australian Dictionary – as a simplified spelling of ‘through’. The Oxford English Dictionary though, has resisted it. Interestingly, the Chicago Tribune started using ‘thru’ in 1934, but finally gave up trying to force it into mainstream use in 1975.
So there you go – ‘thru’ is a word. Though probably not one you want to make a habit of using just yet.
Self-Publishing seminar
For some writers commercial publishing may not be the ideal route to take to publication. If you’re writing a non-fiction book or something based on your professional or industry expertise, it may be more appropriate to self-publish. Fiction writers are also starting to move more towards self-publishing – some with great success (like Matthew Reilly). Of course, if you decide to self-publish, you’re taking on much more than just writing the book – you’ll be responsible for the entire publishing process! Our two-hour Self-Publishing seminar is designed to turn a daunting project into an achievable goal.
It will cover:
- self-publishing versus commercial publishing
- the steps to successful self-publishing
- the importance of editing and layout
- how to get your book printed
- marketing and distributing your book
- what's it all going to cost?
Here’s what some recent participants had to say about the seminar:
‘This seminar is a good snapshot and summary of the ‘what’ and ‘how-to’ of self-publishing. If you haven't done any research then this is an excellent start. Geoff accommodated to everyone's individual needs and gave added value feedback and ideas to each of our individual projects, which were all very different.’
- Catherine Hong
‘Good, no-nonsense, practical information from someone who has 'been there, done that'. It gave me some very good information that I can use to make an informed decision about whether or not to self-publish.’
- Betty Shephard
Self-Publishing: How to do it with Geoff Bartlett
When: Wednesday 8 December 2010 (two-hour morning seminar)
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Click here for more information or to enrol online.
WEBPICK: Book to the Future
How big is your pile of must-read books? And how many classic novels does it include? Well, one writer and blogger has a huge pile of classic books she’s always wanted to get through. In fact, it’s so big, she’s devoting 2 ½ years to getting through it all! There will be a method in her madness though. Starting with the year 1900, she’ll read one book that was published in every year to now. So, for 1900 she read Frank L. Baum’s The Wizard of Oz then Miles Franklin’s My Brilliant Career for 1901. Each book will be reviewed on her blog, Book to the Future. She’s already up to 1923 and has just reviewed Kangaroo by D.H. Lawrence.
There are also some interesting ramblings about her busy life and reading in general.
Definitely check this one out.
Other upcoming courses
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle – FULL
When: Friday 3 December 2010 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 2 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker
When: Week beginning Monday 6 December 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Online Course: Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Valerie Khoo/Sue White
When: Week beginning Monday 6 December 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – FULL
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
Online Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman/Cathie Tasker – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 13 December 2010 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
Cost: $395
Course: Daytime Intensive Creative Writing Stage 1 with Jeni Mawter – NEW DATE
When: Monday 10 January 2011 - Friday 14 January 2011 (5 days in a row)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $395
Online Course: Writing Books for Children and Young Adults with Judith Ridge/Nicola Robinson – NEW DATE
When: Week beginning Monday 10 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: Whenever suits you
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 2011 - 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: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie – NEW COURSE
When: Saturday 22 January 2011 and Sunday 23 January 2011 (2 day workshop)
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $395
Course: Daytime Intensive Travel Writing: Get Paid for Your Adventures with Sue White – NEW DATE
When: Monday 24 January 2011 - Friday 28 January 2011 (4 mornings with a 1 day break for Australia Day)
Time: 10.00am - 12noon
Cost: $345
Course: Magazine Writing Stage 1 with Mathew Nott – NEW DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 25 January 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Creative Writing Stage 1 with Pamela Freeman – NEW DATE
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 1 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
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
Seminar: Grammar and Punctuation Essentials with Deb Doyle – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 3 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Course: Travel Memoir with Claire Scobie – NEW COURSE
When: Every Thursday starting Thursday 3 February 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
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
When: Tuesday 8 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $450
Seminar: Writing Letters and Emails with Deb Doyle
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
Cost: $395
Seminar: Introduction to Travel Writing with Geoff Bartlett – NEW DATE
When: Wednesday 16 February 2011 (two-hour evening seminar)
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $75
Seminar: PR and Media Releases that Get Results with Catriona Pollard – NEW DATE
When: Thursday 17 February 2011 (one-day seminar)
Time: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: $495
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: Edit with Confidence 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
When: Every Monday starting Monday 14 March 2011 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
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: Magazine Writing Stage 2 with Gayle Bryant – NEW DATE
When: Every Wednesday starting Wednesday 18 May 2011 for five weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $395
Course: Your Story Structure with Kathryn Heyman – NEW DATE
When: Friday 17 June 2011 and Friday 24 June 2011 (2 half-day classes)
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: $215
Course: Novel Writing Workshop with Pamela Freeman
When: Every Tuesday starting Tuesday 5 July 2011 for six weeks
Time: 6.30 - 8.30pm
Cost: $495
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