26 July 2007 Get Published fortnightly newsletter from Valerie Khoo
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Dear Fellow Writer,
In this issue:
- Harry Potter mania
- Creative Writing Stage 2 is here!
- Double movie passes to The Home Song Stories
- ONLINE feature writing course – starts soon
- Writer’s Prize for school/uni students
- Business Writing seminars
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Along with vast numbers of the world’s population, I started Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on the weekend. If there was ever a literary sensation this is it. I’m now even tempted to go back and read one the earlier books - Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis - which has been published in Latin (of course, with the Latin dictionary by my side). Yes, I was one of those geeks at school who entered and won Latin reading competitions for fun when most others were discovering boys …
Can you believe that JK Rowling is getting royalties from a book published in a language people don’t even speak these days? |
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Anyhow, apart from Harry Potter mania, it’s been busy here at the Sydney Writers’ Centre. One of the most exciting announcements for this week is that we have the green light for the much-awaited Creative Writing Stage 2. |
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Taking the next step in creative writing: Creative Writing Stage 2
Creative Writing Stage 2 is ideal if you want further guidance on your creative writing journey. It’s perfect for students who have completed Creative Writing Stage 1 and who want to explore the craft further, or for those who are past the ‘beginners’ stage. |
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By the end of the course, you should have a completed short story in first draft. If you’re already working on a short story, you can use the course to improve it with guidance and feedback.
For the first three weeks, your presenter will focus on a specific area of creative writing, explore it further and lead the class in exercises that will help you hone your writing skills.
- Week 1: Character
- Week 2: Voice
- Week 3: Plot.
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Weeks 4 and 5 will be devoted to workshopping and revising.
When: Every Monday from Monday 29 October 2007 for 5 weeks
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
Cost: $395
If you would like a more comprehensive course outline click here. Or call us to enrol. |
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WIN: 10 double pass to The Home Song Stories
I love Australian stories. And I love movies. So I’m very keen to see The Home Song Stories by writer/director Tony Ayres. Based on his own life, The Home Song Stories is the true story of Rose (Joan Chen), a glamorous Shanghai nightclub singer, who struggles to survive in Seventies Australia with two young children. It’s a story about mothers and sons, mothers and daughters, unrequited love, betrayal and secrets. |
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I’ve had the privilege of reading the script so I’m very keen to see the translation to the big screen. The movie is in cinemas August 23.
Thanks to our wonderful friends at Dendy Films, we have 10 double passes to The Home Song Stories for the exclusive advance screenings on the weekend of Friday 17 to Sunday 19 August 2007.
www.homesongstories.com
All you have to do is write an opening paragraph to a story. Your paragraph should contain the word “home”. Email to competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au by Friday 3 August 2007. The best 10 opening paragraphs will win the writers a double movie pass each. |
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Travel Writing – get paid for your travels
Our popular travel writing seminar is coming up. So if you are interested in exploring the world of travel writing, this seminar will give you an overview of the industry and what you can expect. | |
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Our usual Travel Writing presenter, Cameron Duffy, is off on an extended break – in true form, he’s off travelling. Geoff Bartlett has stepped into his shoes and Geoff is also a veteran travel writer. He has worked as a freelance travel writer and photographer for magazines and websites for the last six years. His current areas of focus are the islands of the South Pacific and Asia. He is a regular contributor to Pacific Island Paradises and Asian Paradises.
To see if travel writing is for you, our introductory seminar is coming up soon.
When: Wednesday 15 August 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost: $65 |
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For more information on this writing course visit our website. Or call us to enrol on
(02) 9929 9237.
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ONLINE COURSE: Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers
Our ONLINE course in Feature Writing for Magazines and Newspapers starts on the week beginning 20 August 2007. This is great if you don’t live in Sydney and find it hard to get to classes. Remember, if you DO live in Sydney, I strongly recommend you actually attend the classes in person.
But if you don’t, this is an excellent alternative. You join a “virtual” classroom and have “virtual” classmates. As it’s run online, you don’t have to attend the class at a set time. As long as you participate sometime during the week, you will be on track. |
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Through our innovative delivery (all you need is high speed internet access), you also have the opportunity to ask questions and get feedback.
The online course is almost the same as the actual course and you will need to commit a minimum of two hours a week to it.
When: The week beginning Monday 20 August 2007
Time: When it suits you!
Cost: $395
For more information on this writing course visit our website. Or call us to enrol on (02) 9929 9237. |
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Social responsibility writer's prize for students |
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As some of you may know, social responsibility is a subject close to my heart. I run a social enterprise (www.taylorandkhoo.com) and I also recently wrote a book Australian Innovations: Towards a Sustainable Future which features a number of companies who are being socially responsible.
So I think it's great that the Prime Minister's Business Community Business Partnerships is running a Social Responsibility Writer's Prize for students. There is $12,000 to be won and the competition "is aimed at secondary school and tertiary students and offers an opportunity for students to express their opinions or concerns about the hopes for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and serves to promote CSR in the broader community by encouraging debate." |
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Entries must be submitted by 5.00pm Friday 3 August 2007.
For more information click here.
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We would value your feedback: online payment |
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We value your opinion here. In fact, the online Feature Writing course was created as a result of your feedback. So we’d love to know what you think about online enrolment and payment for courses.
Would this be a useful function? Or would you prefer to call and speak to someone to enrol? Or are you happy to fax in your enrolment details. Which is your preferred enrolment and payment method?
I’d really value your opinion so if you have a moment, please do reply to this email and let me know what you think.
Thank you. |
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BUSINESS WRITING SEMINARS
We have two business writing seminars coming up. When you have to write at work, the quality of your writing says a lot about your level of competence and skill. Improving your writing skills can be the difference between a getting a job promotion – or not.
If you want to take the guesswork out of business writing, these seminars can change the way you write - for the better!
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One-day Seminar: How to Write Winning Reports and Proposals
Whether you are writing a one-page memo, a 33-page report on your department's project or a 74-page proposal to bid on new business, the language you choose and the way you structure your document will have a huge impact on the result.
This practical seminar covers: |
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* 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
The aim of the seminar is to make your job of writing reports and proposals easier by equipping you with the right tools and rules.
This seminar is presented by Mel Wilkinson, an experienced corporate writer and former guest lecturer at the Financial Services Institute of Australia. Mel runs a corporate writing agency |
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When: Friday 31 August 2007
Time: 9.00am-5.00pm
Cost: $395
For more information on this writing seminar visit our website. Or call us to enrol on
(02) 9929 9237. |
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One-day Seminar: Media Releases That Get Results |
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Do you want publicity for your organisation or message? A well written media release will ensure you make headlines. But a poor media release is just an embarrassment.
This is a practical seminar that identifies what makes an effective media release and how to deal with journalists.
This hands-on workshop covers:
* how to present media releases
* essential information and statistics
* how to structure a release
* who you should quote and what they should say |
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* what to leave out of your release
* writing supplementary press materials
You’ll be provided with many examples of media releases and you’ll have the opportunity to practice writing media releases in class.
The seminar is conducted by public relations professional Luisa Volpato who has over 15 years experience in public relations and marketing. She has worked as an account director/manager for international public relations companies such as Burson-Marsteller London and Edelman Sydney, across consumer, healthcare and corporate clients. She has also worked in the government, not-for-profit and charity sectors including the role of assistant public relations manager for The Children's Hospital, Westmead.
When: Friday 14 September 2007
Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
Cost: $345
For more information on this writing course visit our website. Or call us to enrol on
(02) 9929 9237. |
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SEMINAR: Boost your freelance writing business – for established writers – THIS COMING MONDAY |
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Do you want to know how take your freelance writing to the next level? The Freelance Success seminar is only for established freelance writers who want to turn their writing into a business.
When: Monday 30 July 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost: $65
NOTE: It is assumed that you already have expertise in the art of writing and pitching to editors. This is about the business of freelancing. We do not cover any writing techniques in this seminar.
For more information on this writing course visit our website. Or call us to enrol on (02) 9929 9237. |
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How to get your book published with Geoff Bartlett
Geoff Bartlett’s popular seminar on How To Get Your Book Published is coming up. He’ll give you an overview of the publishing process and what you need to do to get started.
When: Thursday 9 August 2007
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Cost: $65
For more information on this writing course visit our website. Or call us to enrol on
(02) 9929 9237. |
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Thanks for signing up to this newsletter. Remember, if you'd like to leave this list at anytime just reply to this email letting us know.
Wishing you much writing success, |
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