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
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are ten lessons covering:
1. Introduction to freelancing
Scope of freelance writing (types of writing, where to begin, styles, etc). getting help, finding resources & contacts, understanding industry terminology.
2. Basic writing skills
What is communication, types of communication, types of language, clear wording, concise wording, parts of speech, grammar, punctuation.
3. The publishing world
Periodicals, books, remaindering, copyright, publishers advertising conditions, public lending rights, contracts, selling.
4. Manuscripts
Types of printing, preparing a type script, etc.
5. Planning what you write
Mechanics of writing, developing an idea, sentence structure, precis, planning what you write, building a paragraph.
6. Newspaper writing
Newspapers, regular columns, fillers, short features, etc.
7. Magazine writing
Travel writing, magazine articles/features, determining potentially marketable articles.
8. Writing books
Non fiction, fiction, short stories, determining what to write and developing an idea.
9. Writing advertising
Writing a press release, writing an advertisement, writing for public relations, etc.
10. 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.
