Sydney Writers' Centre blog

Win a copy of Sir Richard Branson's book Business Stripped Bare

We have a copy of Sir Richard Branson's book Business Stripped Bare to giveaway, thanks to the wonderful people at Slim Ink book Rental. When it comes to taking risks in business, Branson is well qualified to talk about this - he also offers great insights into well as brand-building and how he's using business to change the world. It's an inspirational story!

Apart from that, it's a great source of ideas if you run a business yourself - or if you dream of running one.

You could win a copy of this book by answering a simple question.

To win a copy of the book, please send your answer, full name and postal address to competitions@spindriftmedia.com.au by 5pm Thursday 19 February 2009

Review of The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti

We recently ran a competition and there prize was a copy of The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti. Prize winner, Alison Sly, has been kind enough to contribute this review of the book:

Set in nineteenth century America, this intriguing story opens with Ren, a one-handed twelve year old who has lived in St Anthony’s orphanage ever since he can remember. Life is harsh, impoverished and restricted to the confines of the orphanage, until one day the mysterious Benjamin Nab adopts him.
 
Ren’s life changes dramatically, as he is led into an often dark and murderous world, where survival and self-preservation overrides morality. Benjamin’s ever-changing tales confuse Ren, as he doesn’t know what to believe and leaves him insecure about his future. But Ren also learns quickly from Benjamin, and stands strong amongst the other colourful and shady characters of this thriller.
 
While deception, violence and murder is common, there is also bonding, friendship and a sense of family woven into this wonderful but unnerving tale.
 
The twists and turns keep the reader hooked until the end.

Thanks Alison!

Special discount for you

We love being able to bring you special discounts to the Sydney Writers' Centre community. Here's one from our friends at the State Library.

Writing for laughs
Join a group of outstanding comedy authors in a hilarious workshop series to learn about comedy categories, styles and gain valuable writing tips. Bring examples of your own or favourite humorous writing to read aloud (two minutes maximum) for discussion.

First snigger: Tuesday 10 February, with David Smiedt (Boom boom: 100 years of Australian comedy) and ABC’s Richard Glover (The dag’s dictionary)

Second guffaw: Tuesday 17 February, with Louise Limerick (Dying for cake) and Jack Marx (jackmarxlive)

Last laugh: Tuesday 24 February, with Jeni Mawter (So feral!, So sick!) and Steve Myhill (Men are from Wagga and women wish they weren’t)

Details: 6pm to 8pm, State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney. Cost $15 per session, includes refreshments (normally $25). Bookings: Simply ask for the ‘Comedy Discount’ on (02) 9273 1770 or bookings@sl.nsw.gov.au
For more details, click here.

NOTE from Valerie: If you haven't heard a chance to hear David Smiedt speak, do yourselves a favour and get there. Not only is David a very talented writer, he is a brilliant speaker and stand-up comic. I've worked with David on numerous projects over the years and I think he's just awesome!

14 Foolproof Proofreading Tips for Bloggers

The popular Copyblogger site has come up with this list of "14 Foolproof Proofreading Tips for Bloggers". Proofreading can be tedious but if your writing is full of spelling mistakes or typos, that's not ideal. Shane Arthur has come up with these tips which include getting the right resources to help you, assuming a proofreader mindset and remembering that your blog could land you a book deal!

You can read the full post here.

Let someone sell your work for you

If you are a published freelance writer / journalist and want the work you own to earn you more money then consider listing it on www.FreelanceMarket.co.nz

Freelance Market is an online syndication service for professional writers and markets work to editors world wide. It is free to list your work and they only take a cut when your work sells. You retain your copyright as they only license work to meet the specific needs of publishers.

To find out more visit the site and ask for their terms and conditions.

Reinvent Yourself: So you want to be a writer ...

Your step-by-step guide to becoming a writer.
Would you like to get paid to WRITE? Do you want to change careers? Does the idea of crafting words, meeting people and seeing your words in print appeal to you?

Watch our video on how to do just that:

If you've always wanted to get published and explore the world of writing ... you can! It's absolutely possible. And if you follow our Blueprint in a Box, you could be well on your way to a new career as a writer before you know it. It doesn't matter if you're in a completely unrelated job because you can learn the skills you need in order to succeed as a writer.

To find out more, click here.

Alexander McCall Smith at Cremorne Orpheum

The author of No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith, will be at the Cremorne Orpheum on Tuesday 3 February 2009 at 7pm. Tickets are $20. Here's some information about the event:

Mma Ramotswe is widely known for many things; for example, everybody knows about her kindness and her taste for redbush tea and cake -- she is after all traditionally built. Everybody is familiar, too, with her tiny white van, which is beginning to feel its age. Are its difficulties to be terminal, or will Charlie, the feckless garage apprentice, be able to save the day? Mma Makutsi certainly thinks the van’s days are numbered, but she can do little to help, as she is experiencing a crisis in her engagement to Phuti Radiphuti. A scheming woman – the pernicious Violet Sephotho – has obtained a job at Phuti’s store, clearly intending to prise him away from Mma Makutsi. And Charlie has to deal with a young lady with a baby who she claims is his responsibility.

Is all this enough to unsettle Mma Ramotswe? Certainly not! Calm reflection, and frequent cups of tea, will be enough to solve even the most trying of problems . . .

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of over sixty books on a wide array of subjects. For many years he was Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh and served on national and international bioethics bodies. Then in 1999 he achieved global recognition for his award-winning No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, and thereafter devoted his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the von Igelfeld series. His books have been translated into forty-two languages. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife Elizabeth, a doctor.

Alexander’s new book, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, will be on sale on the night and Sandy will be signing copies.

For more information: http://www.orpheum.com.au/

 

Student success: Amanda Falconer and "The Renovator's Survival Guide"

Let me start by saying that I'm totally biased about this book ... "The Renovator's Survival Guide" by Amanda Falconer. That's because when I first met Amanda when the book was an idea in her head. That was when she came to the Sydney Writers' Centre to do her first course.

Since then, Amanda immersed herself in the writing and publishing process. She crafted her book, did stacks of research, revised and edited it - and the results speak for themselves. All this while holding down a busy full-time job. 

She scored a book deal with Penguin and next month (February 2009), the book is being officially released. It's already been tipped as a "DON'T MISS" by The Sydney Morning Herald's Domain section. And I agree with them.

If you are undergoing a renovation - or know someone who is - this is a fabulous book that is PACKED with tips and stories that will help you get the best out of your renovation. Even though I am not renovating, I was glued to every page. Amanda has a no-nonsense style and a unique sense of humour.

It's a sense of humour I've gotten to know over the past couple of years since she first walked through the doors of the Sydney Writers' Centre. Since then, I've seen the actual renovation that she survived herself (it looks great - but I'm sure if walls could talk ...), met her gorgeous dogs from Doggie Rescue and managed to allow her to convince me to adopt my own little doggie last year (who is ever grateful to Aunty Amanda!).

Apart from being super thrilled at Amanda's success, this is a great example of why I love working at the Sydney Writers' Centre. It's not just about helping people get the skills they need to achieve their dreams, it's also about helping them see those dreams come to fruition. I have no doubt that Amanda's determination would have seen her succeed anyway, but I do get a little thrill from playing a teeny part in it (and thanks Amanda for your generous acknowledgement in your book).

That's what is special about the Sydney Writers' Centre. It's not just a Centre - it's a community, it's a hub for ideas and exciting projects, and, in many cases, it's where you start when you want your own dreams to come true.

Write about the arts - and win!

If you like writing about the arts, then think about entering "Eat Your Words!". This is a competition which is designed to encourage and develop critical arts writing in Australia.

Katrina Lobley - one of our popular presenters at the Sydney Writers' Centre - is not only an editing guru (I call on her when I have any curly grammar questions), she's also a prolific and respected arts writer. Katrina writes regularly for The Sydney Morning Herald and you'll often see her about town at opening nights, art galleries and interviewing some of Australia's foremost artists.

If that sounds appeaing to you, then you might be interested in arts writing. Here is some information from "Eat Your Words!":

Supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, and managed by Artworkers Alliance - 'Eat Your Words' is a collaborative writing project that is designed to help foster the development of critical arts writing in Australia.

Through the project, 8 emerging writers will have the opportunity to attend an intensive writing workshop in Brisbane, and collaborate with academics, visual artists and leading Australian arts writers

Selected writings from the collaboration will be published in the July 2009 issue of Artworkers magazine - 'Artworker'.

Who can apply?

Emerging Australian based writers aged 30 or under by July 2009. Emerging writers are defined as professional or practicing writers who are in the early stages of their career.

The competition is also open to artists (aged 30 or under by July 2009) who are interested in developing their critical writing skills.

To enter, writers will need to submit the entry form along with their CB, 600 word arts related article, application statement and biography.

Entries close 5pm Friday 30 January 2009 - so get cracking!

Click here for more information.

Want to talk books?

Fancy the idea of chatting about books just like they do on the First Tuesday Book Club? Well you can! The State Library of NSW has "The Book Examines" series. Here's some information from them:

Join a group of passionate book lovers to discuss popular literary fiction in a series of four events. To kick the series off is literary critic, Geordie Williamson, who will talk about The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville followed by a group discussion. Each participant will receive a profile of the author and discussion notes.
Thursday 8 January, 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Members' Room, $25 per session, $80 for four sessions. bookings@sl.nsw.gov.au