Tutors concentrate on your ability to properly structure an article, and to be both concise and clear in your use of words. Learning outcomes for graduates of the course include:
- 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.
- Know 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:
- Introduction - Categories of freelance writing, getting started, resources, resourcing the market, sources of information, how to develop yourself as a freelance writer, publishing alternatives, self-publishing, terminology.
- Basic Writing Skills - How to improve a piece of writing, essential writing skills, types of language, informative language, clear communication, making meaning clear, inconcise writing, condensing your writing, grammar, rules of speech, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, building a paragraph.
- Planning what you write - Conceptualisation, developing a concept, writing an outline or synopsis, planning your writing, word budget, writing structure, writing process, a writing routine, writer's equipment.
- The Publishing World -Contacting publishers, periodicals, books, sample publisher's contract, protection of writer's work, copyright, income from writing, copyright licensing payments, lending rights.
- Manuscripts - Preparing and presenting your manuscript for publication, editing, writing a sales package, the publishing process, presentation requirements, submitting your work.
- Newspaper Writing - Newspaper article types, news articles, short features, investigative article, human interest article, regular columns, fillers, local newspaper articles, interviews, conducting an interview.
- Magazine Writing - Magazine articles, what does a publisher/editor consider, article types, feature articles, how to articles, hobbies and sports articles, human interest, personal experience, service articles, interviews, travel writing.
- Writing Books - Fiction, writing fiction, plot, other factors to consider, non-fiction books, textbooks, other non-fiction books, fact finding, getting a book contract, books in print.
- Writing Advertising - Writing for public relations, writing press releases, writing a promotional campaign, selling, effectiveness.
- Special Assignment - Reviewing your writing. Special assignment.
Course 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.
Duration: 100 hrs
WORK FOR YOURSELF DOING SOMETHING YOU ENJOY - LEARN HOW TO BE A FREELANCE WRITER.
Many professional writers start out by freelancing. This course will show you how to write, what writing is marketable, and how to go about selling your work. Emphasis is placed on things which are important to publishers who might buy your work.
To be a successful freelance writer is partially skill, but also attitude, persistence and even a little luck.
Comment from a student in this course: "I found the course to be extremely helpful. It has given me the confidence and the skills to present my work to publishers" D. Bond
The hardest thing is often to get your first piece(s) published. In this respect, study with this college can offer opportunities you might not find elsewhere.
- We provide opportunities for students to contribute to electronic and print media publications which our staff write for (once your skills reach an appropriate level
- Students can also submit articles for publishing in the student magazine
- Many of our staff are experienced, published writers; and are happy to provide advice and guidance to graduates of this course.
