Welcome to the Writers College Newsletter  
April 2016
THE BOOKS ISSUE




 In this Issue

They say that everyone has a book in them, just waiting to be written.
And, indeed, prize-winning author Toni Morrison says, 'If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.'

If you're itching to write your first book, this issue gives you plenty of tips, from how to stay motivated, to the best publishing route for you.

Best wishes

Tracey Hawthorne (Editor)
  

FOUND ON THE WEBFoundontheWeb

A tip a day to keep your book on track
Click here for technical advice on writing, from grammar and punctuation to structure and idiom.

Advice that works for authors 
Time management, dealing with criticism and engineering a novel - click here for more writing advice.

How to beat writer's block
Click here to read about the psychology behind this common writer's problem.

Ten rules for writing fiction
Cut, rewrite, repeat - and other advice from successful authors. Read it here.

All about self-publishing your book
Only 40 authors make it, reports this writer. 
Not true, says this writer.
Here's why this author won't self-publish.
STUDENT NEWSsTUDENTNEWS
 

We applaud these students for taking the monumental step of submitting their works for publication. It takes enormous courage to do that. And then, to have succeeded in getting work published, that's the cherry on the cake! Well done!
Gareth Ward - a graduate of the Write a Novel Course - has won the Storylines Tessa Duder Award for his manuscript, sponsored by Walker Books Australia and open to published and unpublished writers.  
 
"The judges were delighted to find that the author of The Sin Chronicles: New Blood was a new writer of great talent," said Tessa Duder. "His steampunk novel set in Victorian England is great fun, with a series very likely."    
 
Gareth wrote his novel under the mentorship of Alex Smith on the Write a Novel Course in New Zealand.
 
Monique Reymer, who is currently studying on the Short Story Writing for Magazines Course, has had a story accepted for publication by Mindfood magazine, a prestigious life style magazine in New Zealand and Australia.
 
Moira Smart completed the Travel Writing Course with Don Pinnock. Her article on Namibia was recently published in the Sunday Times Travel.
 
Pattie Pegler is studying Magazine Journalism. Her article on anger management has been accepted for publication by Next magazine.
 
Michelle Peart, a past student on the Write a Novel Course in New Zealand, has had a 10 000 word story accepted for publication, as well as a second story commissioned.
 
Marie Ashdown completed the Magazine Journalism Course at NZ Writers College. Her heart-warming story was published in Irish Central, a New York based online publication.  Irish Central has a monthly readership of 3.5 million and over 450,000 'likes' on their Facebook page. Read the story here.
 
Sophie Wong completed the Magazine Journalism Course at NZ Writers College. Her excellent article on Empty Nest Syndrome was published by Parenting Magazine. Read it here.
 
Rochelle Sewell, a graduate of the Magazine Journalism Course, will see her article titled 'The (Other) Oldest Profession' published in Little Treasures Magazine.
 
Glenn McGoldrick - a graduate of the Short Story for Magazines Course - is on a roll. He just had a story accepted by Scribble in the UK, one of the few magazines in the UK devoted entirely to short stories. A real feather in his literary cap!
 
Christi Smit self-published his novel Gamma Nine on smashwords. Christi is a graduate of the Basics of Creative Writing Course at SA Writers College, the Copy-editing and Proofreading Course, and the Grammar for Writers Course.
 
 
Write your book with us at the Writers College...
'MY WRITING JOURNEY' COMPETITION WINNERWritingjourney

Her parents were writers, and she considered their lives full of 'tedious paperwork'. Now she's discovering the power of story-telling. Eileen Kennedy is the March winner of our quarterly 'My Writing Journey' competition.

Read her winning entry here.
ON OUR WEBZINE ONOURWEBZINE


Whose point of view is it, anyway? by Sonny Whitelaw
For fiction writers, find out what point of view is and why it matters here.
 
Q&A: Toby Mahhire
Freelance writer and editor Toby says he didn't realise how lucky he was growing up in a household full of books and literary discussions. Read Rochelle Sewell's interview with this son of New Zealand's poet laureate here.
 
Make your website more readable by Lise Coglan
Here are some valuable pointers to catching the attention of info-overloaded online readers.

The evolution of the newsroom by Kimberley Ross
A nimble approach that puts readers first is one of the ways the modern newsroom has changed. Read more here.
COMPETITION TIME COMPETITIONS

SA Writers College Short Story Competition
Deadline: 30 April
More details here.

Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition
Deadline: 6 May
More details here.

Bridport Prize
Deadline: 31 May
More details here.

McLellan Poetry Competition
Deadline: 19 June
More details here.

CityPress Tafelberg Nonfiction Award
Deadline: 30 June
More details here.

Twisted Tax Tales Short Story Competition
Deadline: 30 June
More details here.

Fish Short Story Contest
Deadline: 30 November
More details here.
My Writing Journey Competition 
July 2016

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 July 2016.
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