Welcome to the Writers College Newsletter  

October 2015 
The money-making issue

As much as most writers love writing for its own sake, they would love it even more if they got paid for it. And first prize would be getting paid enough to make a living from writing.

 

Few writers thrive solely on their income from writing - particularly not those just starting out - but that doesn't mean you should give up before you've even started. Read on for successful writers' tales of rejection and advice for achieving your writing goals.

 

Best wishes

Tracey Hawthorne (Editor)  

FOUND ON THE WEB

Aim for the top
Gain inspiration from Forbes's list of top-earning writers here

Just do it
Start writing. Start charging. Keep going. Click here for ways to make money from your writing.

Never give up
One person's rejection letter is another's inspiration to do better next time. Here's a list of bestselling writers who refused to be put off their dream by a 'no' from a publisher.

Get it right
Don't know your 'depreciate' from your 'disparage'? Using the wrong word can make even the smartest piece of writing look stupid. Check yours against this list of commonly misused words and phrases to make sure you're getting it right.

Play the game
Here's a board game based on the advice of successful writers - roll the dice to see where your writing life will take you.


STUDENT NEWS


Congratulations to...


 
Lourens Durand. His article, 'Look Deep into Nature', written on the Basics of Feature Writing Course, was published by Voices for Biodiversity online.
 
Helen Glenny, who has had a couple of articles accepted for publication following her completion of  the Magazine Journalism Course at NZ Writers College. She has just been offered a job as the health writer for the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation. Well done Helen!

Megan Frith. Two of her stories were published in Horizons 2 - an anthology compiled by the Top of the South branch of NZ Society of Authors. 
 

'MY WRITING JOURNEY' COMPETITION WINNER

Shy on hard knocks but punching above his weight in cynicism, Clinton Matos is the September winner of our quarterly 'My Writing Journey' competition.

Read his winning entry here.
ON OUR WEBZINE


The writing life: Mary Miller
Mary Miller's debut novel sold over 25 000 copies. Here, she gives advice on how to start out in the publishing industry.

'Many are called; not many are chosen': Rian Malan
Rian Malan has written widely about South Africa and its people, its tragedies and triumphs. Here, he gives advice on making it in publishing.

Meditate your way out of writer's block
Stuck? Don't agitate. Meditate. Here, Desima Beukes tells us how.

How much?
You've managed to sell a story to a magazine but you're not sure if the money they're giving you is fair. Here, Samantha Moolman tells you what you're worth.


COMPETITION TIME

Commonwealth Writers 2016 Short Story Prize
Deadline: 1 November
More details here.
 
Writers' Digest Short Story Competition
Deadline: 16 November
More details here.  
 
The Observer/Anthony Burgess Prize for Arts Journalism
Deadline: 30 November
More details here.

Quantum Shorts 2015 Flash Fiction Competition
Deadline: 1 December
More details here.

Africa Book Club Short Reads Competition
Deadline: 31 December
More details here.

My Writing Journey Competition 
December 2015


Write us a 1 000-word story about your journey as a writer. Make it funny, quirky or inspirational. We'll publish the best story in our newsletter and on our blog - plus the winner will get $200 (R1 000 or £100). Read the rules.

Send your story to nichola@nzwriterscollege.co.nz.

 

Open to our newsletter subscribers from around the world.

 

The next 'My Writing Journey' competition closes at noon on 31 December 2015.
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