Masterclasses
Venue: Bayside Christian Church
Units 12/13
Eureka Centre, 29 Moreton Bay Road
Capalaba, Queensland
(Redlands area just outside of Brisbane).
12.30 - 4.30 each workshop
Writing for Children |
Make your fiction impossible to put down |
The First chapter |
Marketing your book. Make a plan… |
Choose one only...
Writing for Children, by Paul Clark
Writing for children should be easy, shouldn’t it? After all they are only kids! Wrong! While children love stories and it is a delight to see stories connect with young people, they are a specific group with particular needs. Indeed, every age group is different, let alone boys and girls!
How do you avoid the common mistakes? How do you not patronise or bore them? What are the little secrets?
In this workshop we’ll spend a little bit of time looking at some of the pitfalls to avoid and some of the secrets to learn. We’ll spend more time looking at each other’s work, learning from each other and even exercising writing skills.
Bring along two or three things you’ve written already – they don’t need to be polished, just something to work with. Also bring a positive attitude, an open mind and a playful heart.
Maximum 15 people.
Make your fiction impossible to put down. Paula Vince
We want readers to come to the end of each of our chapters saying, “I need to read one more.” Our goal is to be scolded for keeping people awake well past midnight. This masterclass is all about straightforward ways to add suspense and urgency to your stories. We will cover what makes plots and themes absorbing, what makes characters charismatic and how to achieve strong beginnings and satisfying endings. Several fun exercises will be offered, so come prepared to have your imaginations stimulated.
Paula Vince puts up a quiet front but loves expounding on her favourite topics; writing, homeschooling and her Christian faith. She is the author of seven inspiring novels including Picking up the Pieces, winner of the religious fiction category of the 2011 International Book Awards, and Best Forgotten, described by one reviewer as the most thought-provoking amnesia story she’s come across. Paula’s motivational blog, “It just occurred to me” is a witty combination of the whimsical and wise.
She loves writing with the background hum of the washing machine or dish-washer as this makes her feel she’s getting lots of work done. Visit her at www.appleleafbooks.com or www.justoccurred.blogspot.com
Maximum 15 people.
The first chapter, by Anne Hamilton
So many features are required of the first chapter of a book. Learn about the narrative hook, point of view and how to make sure your first chapter catches a publishers' eye. You must email your first chapter in advance to get personal feedback. Work on that chapter and learn the tips in the 4 hour workshop.
Maximum 10 people.
Marketing & Promoting Your Book
with Aleesah Darlison
Are you an aspiring or emerging author? Do you want to learn how to establish your presence in the Australian market? And learn the keys to creating successful book launches and events?
Being an author or illustrator means you’re running a business. A crucial part of that business is marketing and promoting yourself and your books. Learn the secrets of successful self-promotion from Aleesah Darlison, one of the hottest new authors and marketers in Australian children’s publishing.
Brainstorm ideas for raising your profile, creating events and making sure your name is remembered. Develop unforgettable ways to launch your next book into the stratosphere. Aleesah provides attendees with all the TIPS and TOOLS a modern or aspiring author needs to stand out from the crowd and get their books selling.
This workshop includes practical exercises, group time and feedback from Aleesah. Handouts are also provided.
Topics Include:
- Creating an online presence
- The power of networking
- Organising school and library visits
- Festivals, workshops and speakers agencies
- Approaching magazine editors for articles & reviews
- Event management
- Creating book trailers
Duration: 4 hours. Maximum numbers: 20 people. For adults and senior high school students. New, emerging and self-published authors or those interested in the publishing industry.