Welcome to our July Newsletter.
We’re delighted to have so many people embarking on their writing journey in our 4-Week Unlocking Creativity June courses, both Live and Online. It’s always wonderful to get feedback from writers who have enjoyed our courses and to hear what they got out of the process.
The course has lit a fire under a number of our writers, who have been asking, ‘I have a story I want to write, what next?’ As you probably know, if you don’t make writing a priority, it is so easy to get caught up in the business of life.
If you want to write a novel or script, our next 10-Month First Draft Online Course commences on the 23rd of September. The course will take you through a step-by-step process to find and write the first draft of your story over the course of 10 months. You’ll be amazed how much your writing and story will evolve.
Inaugural Pitching Your Novel Workshop – Where Creativity Meets Commerce!
The Writers’ Studio has always dreamt of creating a pathway for the novels created in our courses to connect with the publishing industry.
So we are thrilled that we were able to link up with two literary agents with decades of experience in the publishing industry, Lou Johnson and Jeanne Ryckmans from Key People Literary Management. Together, we launched our inaugural Pitching Your Novel Day Workshop at the Writers’ Studio on Saturday the 22nd of June. We had both live writers in Studio and online writers who participated via Zoom.
The workshop was for writers who have completed or have been working on their novels with us in one of our Novel & Script Writing courses.
The idea being that wherever you are at with your novel, exploring how to pitch can be invaluable in creating a story that will attract the interest of readers, agents and publishers.
A successful pitch is a bridge between your story and potential readers, designed to highlight what makes your novel unique and marketable. Pitching is another form of creative communication.
We are pleased to say it was a raging success.
Jeanne and Lou said they really enjoyed being immersed in a community of writers who were all committed to their craft and believed the nurturing and supportive environment was an important ingredient in fostering talent.
‘We really enjoyed meeting the writers and hearing the pitches. We were very impressed with the calibre of the novels presented. Everyone had a strong sense of the story they wanted to tell and what made a story compelling for readers.
‘We enjoyed providing the insights and guidance on how to create an effective pitch for their work to give the writers the best shot of finding a home for their novel in the publishing marketplace.’
Getting a clear idea of what your story is about while writing your novel, can really help you create the most compelling manuscript.
“Unrecognised genius is a myth. For writers who can tell a quality story, it’s a seller’s market. Always has been. Always will be.” Robert McKee
Some feedback from Workshop Participants
“I can’t tell you how enormously helpful I found the day and I was so grateful for the opportunity to participate. Listening to Jeanne and Lou was wonderful, I thought they were encouraging, but also straightforward about the facts of trying to get published. To my mind it demystified the process a little which was brilliant.
“Also, I found the pre-course work and the exercises on the day to be especially helpful. I spent some time thinking and writing about the questions before Saturday and I was very glad I did.
“At this stage in the 2nd draft, it was timely to go back and revisit the original inspiration of why I started. And being this far along in the process I thought it was the right time to take a moment, to stop, and try to distill/articulate the essence of the novel. I now think I have a much clearer picture of what I’m writing and this must surely help as I approach the 3rd draft.
“I now I have a much better handle on what my story is attempting to say and why this theme is so important to me.”
Peter O’Dowd
“Thank you both for your generosity and insight at Saturday’s Pitching session at The Writer’s Studio. It was enjoyable, informative and illuminating.
“Lou, thank you for the feedback on my novel. It was both kind and inspiring and has helped to focus how my story can be both true to my vision and commercially appealing.”
Richard Brooks
Intensive 6-Week Short Story Genre Course
Starting on the 7th of August, the 6-Week Short Story Genre Course will keep your writing process alive and inspired as you learn some key story dynamics within the framework of four key genres. By learning the basics of the various genres you can add drama, depth and resonance to your characters and stories.
It also gives writers considering the 10-Month Novel & Script First Draft Course an excellent opportunity to explore ideas before embarking on the longer journey of writing your novel or screenplay.
This comprehensive course is designed for writers who have completed our Unlocking Creativity course and are looking to continue their writing journey.
Success Stories
All the Missing Children by Zahid Gamieldien
Congratulations to Zahid Gamieldien, an alumnus and tutor of the Writers’ Studio, whose debut novel is coming out this August! He was also awarded a major grant from Create NSW to write his second novel.
If you’re in Sydney, join us to celebrate the release of All the Missing Children on the 14th of August at Better Read Than Dead, Newtown! Zahid will be joined by award-winning stand-up comedian and author, Benjamin Stevenson.
All the Missing Children is a literary mystery-horror novel. It’s about the effect that the enigmatic presence and mysterious disappearance of two children has on various characters, from their working class mother to a suspended detective obsessed with a cold case. While these characters’ stories unfold, the novel gives readers clues to help answer the question—what happened to the children?
Click here to learn more about the book launch of All the Missing Children
Share the Good News!
If you’ve earned recognition for your writing in competitions or received awards, we’d like to showcase and celebrate your accomplishments!
Please share a brief note along with relevant details or links to wstudio@writerstudio.com.au with the subject line “Success Stories.”
We look forward to showcasing your achievements.
Giveaway and Ticket Deal!
The Fabulous Four
Thanks to Transmission Films, we have 5 double passes to give away to The Fabulous Four, a film starring Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally & Sheryl Lee Ralph, opening nationally in cinemas on August 1st.
The Fabulous Four is a riotous comedy where lifelong friends (Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, Sheryl Lee Ralph) head to Key West for their college friend Marilyn’s (Bette Midler) surprise wedding.
Over the course of one outrageous trip, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past resurfaces, and there are enough sparks, raunch, and romance to change all their lives in unexpected ways.
You can watch the trailer here
For your chance to win, email with your name, address, the series title and your mobile to: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au
Uncle Vanya
As exclusive Writers’ Studio subscribers, Ensemble Theatre is offering 20% off performances of Uncle Vanya, from 26 Jul – 11 Aug.
On a crumbling country estate, Uncle Vanya and his niece Sonya work tirelessly to preserve their family’s privileges. Visited only by the local doctor Astrov, it’s a lonely, mundane existence. That is until the sudden arrival of Sonya’s father, Professor Serebryakov, and his alluring new wife, Yelena, awakening long-repressed emotions with devastating consequences.
Celebrated Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith breathes new life into Chekhov’s tragicomedy unveiling a hotbed of disillusionment and all-consuming unrequited love.
You can watch the trailer here
To take advantage of this offer, make sure that ticket type, Company Newsletter 20% Off Full Price, is selected and check your quantity of tickets before continuing to review your basket.
Click here to see Uncle Vanya
Recent Course Feedback
Some snippets of the wonderful feedback that we receive back from recently completed courses. We update these each newsletter.
“Honestly, thank you. I didn’t think a course could be so transformational. But I really felt like a different person by the end of the course. I felt like I knew and understood a deeper level of my creativity. The people in our class were amazing and I loved hearing their writing and also their heart to develop their craft. I wished we’d had more time together because it felt like a really special group. I feel like I have been given the confidence to take the next step with my writing and the process of creating a novel doesn’t feel so scary anymore. ” Anna, Unlocking Creativity
“Starting my journey with the Studio in 2019, I knew I had a story in me that wanted to be told, I just wasn’t sure how to tell it. I’d been writing paragraphs of junk for many years, so when I started learning about story structure, it was like a magic formula or language that finally made sense to me! This is how good stories are written. Aha! Once I got it, things started clicking – I’d be watching a movie or reading a book and suddenly seeing the story steps I’d been learning come to life. What my time at the studio has taught me, is that the most valuable lessons you will get from writing a story/manuscript is not just the journey of discovery that happens while the story is being written, but the sense of self-discovery and revelations about myself along the way. It’s been an experience I’ll always hold close to me as it’s given me the skills to be the writer I’ve always dreamed to be.” Joey, Third Draft Part Two
“I can honestly say that the Unlocking Creativity course is a great confidence booster as well as guided course that gives you building blocks to structure your scenes to create a story that you can see, feel, touch and taste. You should see the creativity that has poured from the other writers on the course. I am really chuffed to feel confident enough to be counted among them.” Sally, Unlocking Creativity
“I can honestly say that I am a better writer after only four weeks, largely due to the fact that I actually started to write on a regular basis. I have also noticed an increased confidence in my fellow writers on this journey and have enjoyed seeing their creativity unfold as well. I still don’t have a clear writing goal but now that I know I can, I plan to continue. It turns out creativity does exist in all of us, you just have to find the tools to help you turn it into something worthwhile.” Melinda, Unlocking Creativity
“My writing has improved tenfold since I started doing courses with the Writers Studio. Not only have I improved in my creative writing, I’ve also used some of the writing techniques from the courses in my writing at work to great success. Writing is no longer a task I groan about at work and I complete the task a lot faster than before. I truly appreciate the skills and knowledge the Writer’s Studio and my tutors have taught me. Thank you to everyone involved in pulling these courses together.” Rachel, Third Draft Part Two
“What truly amazed me was the progress I saw in my own writing and that of my online peers. As we practiced and received feedback, our confidence grew, and our stories became more compelling and vivid. Seeing the improvement in everyone’s work was incredibly inspiring. This course has reignited my passion for writing, and I am excited to see where this journey takes me.” Julia, Unlocking Creativity