Writers' College Links...
|
|
|
Almost all publications, whether digital or print, have two immovables: editors and deadlines.
In the world of freelancing, if you miss your deadline for unavoidable reasons, such as illness or an interview subject who messed you around, most editors will understand. If, however, you just couldn't get it together to get your work in on time, it's unlikely that that editor will commission another article from you.
When you do a writing course through the Writers' College, consider your course deadline practice for writing in the real world of freelancing. Even if it means burning the midnight oil, do your very best to meet it.
Yours in the spirit of getting things in on time,
Tracey
Tracey Hawthorne
Editor
The Writers' College Newsletter
|
|
FOUND ON THE WEB
- How the world's most brilliant people scheduled their days. Read it here.
- Why writers are the worst procrastinators. Read it here.
- 15 time-management tips for writers. Read them here.
In other topics...
- Email interviews may be convenient, but are they the best way to go? Read it here.
- What writers say about keeping a writers' journal. Read it here.
- The adverb is not your friend: Stephen King on simplicity of style. Read it here.
For fun...
- The history of language, animated (and in 10 minutes). See it here.
|
Well done to our fabulous graduate students at The Writers' College for their latest writing successes. Suzanne Main, who completed The Basics of Creative Writing Course in 2012, won the 2014 Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award. Her book for children - How I Alienated My Grandma - will be published by Scholastic. A huge congratulations to Suzanne. Carl Beck completed the Magazine Journalism Course in 2013. His article was accepted for publication in Idealog Magazine. Zelda Fourie completed the Writing for the Web Course. She now writes articles for Caxton Publishers for East Rand and online. Read one of her articles here.Ansie van der Walt completed the Copy-editing and Proofreading Course and the Magazine Journalism Course at The Writers' College. She has been accepted as an associate editor at Katy Mc Devitt Editorial Services. Ansie has also created an excellent author platform online to showcase her published articles. Find her here: http://www.ansievanderwalt.com/. Congratulations to all of you!
|
Self-confessed bookworm Sarah Lang got her first job on a magazine after sending in a zany CV.
Today she's a multi-award-winning writer who's interviewed Helen Mirren and Diane Kruger, among other celebrities.
We asked her some questions about the writing life. Read it here.
|
ON OUR WEBZINE
Our webzine is a fantastic place to find guidance, writing tips and information. Immerse yourself in the world of writing.
Work smarter, not harder: 5 time-management tips for journalists by Cara Versveld
The same time-management tips apply for writers as for someone running a small business. Read them here.
- We directed you to two more excellent articles on time management in our last edition. If you missed them, you can read them here and here.
20 essential editing tips
Before you hit that 'send' button, spend a bit of time editing your article to ensure you submit the very best work you can. Read what to do here (and get a handy print-out-and-keep checklist).
8 vital skills for online journalism
These are skills you may have overlooked but which are crucial if you want to become a digital superstar. Read them here.
5 trends reveal the evolution of print media by Fady Zaki
Has the digital age killed print journalism? Not necessarily. Read why here.
Spotlight on Nora Vagi Brash by Kiara Worth
Living in one of the most remote regions in the world hasn't stopped playwright and poet Nora Vagi Brash finding writing success. Read how she did it here.
|
MY WRITING JOURNEY COMPETITION - MARCH WINNER
'My first word was "home" and that word has stuck with me ever since,' writes Lyllie Colway, our March My Writing Journey competition winner.
Home - by Lyllie Colway
'Everything that ever is or was, started with a story, and there is no story unless there is someone willing to listen. I first told a story when I was 5 years old. I was in trouble ... because I'd run through the living room with muddy feet... In an attempt to avoid being scolded ... I thought up a tale.' Read more here.
|
SA WRITERS' COLLEGE SHORT STORY COMPETITION WINNERS
'What a wonderful experience it was judging the refreshing, quality stories this year,' says Writers' College Principal Nichola Meyer, who describes the entries as 'brimful of originality and excellence'. Well done to the winners!
1st place (literary fiction): Melita Vurden for 'That Night'. Read it here.
2nd place (popular fiction): Mike Forde for 'The First Time'. Read it here. Runner-up (literary fiction): Gina Kukard for 'Death and Sandwiches'. Read it here.Runner-up (popular fiction): Natisha Parsons for 'On the Way Home'. Read it here.
|
NZ WRITERS' COLLEGE SHORT STORY COMPETITION
The fifth annual New Zealand Writers' College Short Story Competition aims to acknowledge excellence in creative writing in the Short Story genre. The contest is open to any emerging writer residing in New Zealand or Australia who is unpublished, or who has had fewer than four stories/articles published in any format or any genre (print or digital). PRIZES: - First Prize: $1 000 and publication in an anthology of winning stories
- Second Prize: $500 and publication in an anthology of winning stories
- People's Choice Award: $500
The top three entries will receive editorial comments on their submitted works. THEME: 'It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.' - Charles Dickens CLOSING DATE: 30 September 2014 Find the full details here. |
WRITING COMPETITIONS
The Fiction Desk Ghost Story Competition
Closing date: 30 May
The Bridport Prize (poems, short stories, flash fiction)
Closing date: 31 May
Boston Review Annual Poetry Contest
Closing date: 2 June
Golden Baobab Prizes
Closing date: 29 June
Short Story Day Africa Speculative Fiction Competition
Closing date: 30 June
International Aeon Award Short Fiction Contest
Closing date: 30 June
The Garden Route Botanical Gardens Trust Children's Story Competition
Closing date: 15 August
International Children's Story Competition Closing date: 31 August
Aura Estrada Short Story Contest Closing date: 1 October Monthly entries For regular competitions, or if your writing is aimed at a more local readership, country-specific competitions can be found on the bottom right-hand corner of our individual home pages. There you will also find regular, monthly and weekly competitions. Keep checking in for updates!
|
F
FREE GRAMMAR ZAP! e-COURSE
Spruce up your grammar with a 5-minute grammar lesson that arrives in your Inbox each day for 5 days. It takes 5 seconds to register.
Click here to sign up. Your first lesson arrives the next day. |
|
|
|