Here’s what one of our students has said: “(The course) has helped me focus on writing and increased my confidence. Provided me with valuable information and improved skills so that I can move forward in my ambitions”. J. Maven
Graduates of this course should:
- Have improved communication skills, particularly with respect to clarity, conciseness and correct grammar.
- Be familiar with the “writing industry”; having a clear idea of where opportunities exist for obtaining work as a freelance writer.
- How to go about approaching potential clients to obtain work.
- Have an understanding of the processes involved in publishing books, magazines and newspapers; from generating concepts to seeing the finished publication on sale.
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are ten lessons covering:
- Introduction to freelancing – Scope of freelance writing (types of writing, where to begin, styles, etc). getting help, finding resources & contacts, understanding industry terminology.
- Basic writing skills – What is communication, types of communication, types of language, clear wording, concise wording, parts of speech, grammar, punctuation.
- The publishing world – Periodicals, books, remaindering, copyright, publishers advertising conditions, public lending rights, contracts, selling.
- Manuscripts – Types of printing, preparing a type script, etc.
- Planning what you write – Mechanics of writing, developing an idea, sentence structure, precis, planning what you write, building a paragraph.
- Newspaper writing – Newspapers, regular columns, fillers, short features, etc.
- Magazine writing – Travel writing, magazine articles/features, determining potentially marketable articles.
- Writing books – Non fiction, fiction, short stories, determining what to write and developing an idea.
- Writing advertising – Writing a press release, writing an advertisement, writing for public relations, etc.
- Special project – Planning and developing a manuscript for a small book.
AIMS
- Discuss the nature and scope of freelance writing.
- Evaluate your basic writing skills and identify deficiencies needing attention in order to be successful at freelance writing.
- Develop a concept for freelance writing which has potential for selling.
- Identify commercial opportunities to sell writing to publishers.
- Describe the preparation of a manuscript for submission to a publisher
- Write commercially viable items for publishing in a newspaper.
- Write commercially viable items for publishing in a magazine.
- Plan for production of a commercially viable book manuscript.
- Write commercially viable advertising.
- Apply all skills and knowledge so far developed to the production of a complete manuscript.