* Evening Seminars will resume Fall 2008 > Notes from the The Nuts and Bolts of Freelance Writing for newspapers and magazines are now online - www.paullima.com/blog - Click on "Talk from “Nuts & Bolts of Freelance Writing for newspapers and magazines - May 23, 2008" [BACK TO TOP] 2008 "PWAC Presents" seminar schedule The PWAC National office seminar series provides a choice of five half-day seminars on specialty areas of writing to help you and your business communicate more effectively. You can register for one or come to them all, as best suits your needs. Topics in the 2008 series:
Cost: Single sessions are $42 for PWAC members and $63 for non-members. Group and multi-session packages are also available. Presenters: Presenters are PWAC members and experts in their seminar topic. More information about sessions and presenters: www.pwac.ca/eventsandresources/pwacpresents. To register: http://www.pwac.ca/eventsandresources/pwacpresentsregform If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact PWAC National Office at [email protected] [BACK TO TOP] Online Writing Courses > Self-paced, email based. Start any time. Online writing courses offered by PWAC member and NetWords editor, Paul Lima. Courses are offered on a one-on-one basis. It is possible to customize some courses to meet your particular learning objectives. Course descriptions, pricing and more information: www.paullima.com/ecourses. Courses include: Develop Your Business Vision; How to Find Corporate Writing Assignments; How to Price Corporate Writing Assignments; How to write newspaper or magazine article queries; How to write newspaper or magazine article leads; Search Engine Optimization (SEO); Copywriting 101: How to write effective ad copy; Harness the Business Writing Process: From e-mail to major reports; Writing for the Web; Media Relations: How to write media releases. Discounts for PWAC members. [BACK TO TOP] East End Writers' Group Meets Monthly Wednesday, June 25, 2008 The East End Writers' Group run by PWAC member Sharon Crawford resumes its monthly gatherings Wednesday, January 30, 2008 from 7 to 10 p.m. Bring your short stories, novels, plays, screenplays, poetry, personal essays, articles, etc. for constructive criticism. Location: O'Connor Drive and St. Clair Ave. E. area. More information: www.samcraw.com or e-mail Sharon Crawford - samcr[email protected] East End Writers' Group writing critique gatherings for the rest of 2008: - Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - Wednesday, October 29, 2008 - Wednesday, November 26, 2008 [BACK TO TOP] Online speechwriting course > Ongoing e-courses and registration: Freelance speechwriter Colin Moorhouse has launched an online Speech Writing course. Detailed information here: http://weneedaspeech.com/products-services/wnas. You can find his more general commentary about speech writing at www.weneedaspeech.com and about the freelance writing life in general at www.fearlessfreelancing.com. [BACK TO TOP] The East End Writers' Group presents: Crafting the Short Story Workshop with writer/editor and PWAC member Sharon Crawford > Saturday, June 21, 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location of Event Toronto: St. Clair Ave. E. and O'Connor Drive; e-mail [email protected] for address) Time and Date of Event: 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2008 Cost $75 payable by cheque (pre-registration required with payment in full; non-refundable). E-mail Sharon Crawford [email protected] to register. Mailing address for cheque will be provided upon registration. Make cheque payable to Sharon Crawford. Brief description of Event: What makes a good short story? Plot? Character? Or both? Whose point of view do you use? Do you need dialogue or will narrative only work? What about setting? Style? Voice? Length? Beginning? Learn how to blend these ingredients to write a short story that sparkles. In this hands-on workshop, participants will take a story idea and follow it through with practical writing exercises. You won’t have a complete short story, but you will have the basic techniques and the inspiration to We will also discuss writing contests and markets. More information www.samcraw.com [BACK TO TOP] Weekly Writers' Workshop > Fridays, 6 pm, UofT For all interested in the critique, discussion, creation and marketing of original poetry and prose. Location: Hart House (7 Hart House Circle, near Queen's Park Circle). Time: Friday, 6:00 pm. Cost: Free. Workshop features guest authors and is involved in literary events & publications. Please email for more info: [email protected] [BACK TO TOP] Basic Screenwriting Seminar > June 8, 10 am - 5 pm Learn screenwriting basics in just one day during writing coach Elizabeth Johnston's seminar. Come away with the tools you need to begin writing your own script in whatever genre you're interested. WHEN: 8 June, 10am to 5pm WHERE: 483 Church Street FEE: Early Birds: $95, if paid for by March 14th; Regular Fee: $115 afterwards (Check out the site for a special offer for Early Birds only.) DEADLINE: Registration deadline is June 4th. SITE: www.explore-the-possibilities.com For more info: information~at~explore-the-possibilities.com [BACK TO TOP] Summer Seminar Series for freelance writers, editors and other independent practitioners > July 8, 10, 15, 16 & 17, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM > Register for any or all of the seminars online at www.paullima.com/workshops > Seminars are limited to about 15 people, so register early > Early bird prices in effect until June 15; prices increase by $10 per workshop July 8 - Motivation and Business Vision: If you are thinking of launching a business, but hesitating, or if you've been thinking about expanding your business, but need a boost, then the Motivation part of this seminar is for you. Nate Hendley will apply the principles in his book, Motivation for Freelance Writers to help freelance writers and editors, as well as webmasters, graphic designers and other independent practitioners find the inner motivation to launch or grow their businesses. Once you are feeling motivated, Paul Lima, author of Build A Better Business Foundation, If You Don’t Know Where You are Going, How are You Going to Get There? and A Step-By-Step Guide to Planning & Promoting Your Business, will show you how to turn that energy into a focused Business Vision so that you can begin to build your Business and Marketing Plans. The seminar includes an overview handout of a basic business plan. July 10 - How to Write A Non-Fiction Book In 60 Days + Self-Publishing + Pitching Publishers: This seminar is ideal for consultants, workshop leaders, speakers, freelance writers or anyone with a great idea who wants to quickly write a solid, focused and effective first draft. Paul Lima will show you how to do just that in 60 days. Then Paul and Nate Hendley will discuss everything you need to know if you want to self-publish your book and will show you how to pitch you book to publishers or agents. Between them, Paul and Nate have published or self-published 22 book and e-reports. July 15 - Query Letters that Rock: How to develop article ideas and sell them to newspaper and magazine editors. Based on the book, Business of Freelance Writing: How to Develop Article Ideas and Sell Them to Newspapers and Magazines, this seminar will show freelance writers how to develop article ideas, how to write query letters that rock and how to pitch queries to magazine and newspaper editors. Includes The Yes Checklist -- 21 points to discuss when an editor says "Yes!" to your query. Instructor: Paul Lima. July 16 - Conquering Corporate Markets I: How to market and promote writing, editing or other services. Based on the books The Six-Figure Freelancer: How to Find, Price and Manage Corporate Writing Assignments and Build A Better Business Foundation: Create a Business Vision, Write a Business Plan, Produce a Marketing Plan, this seminar is ideal for freelance writers and editors, webmasters, graphic designers and other independent practitioners who are looking to market and promote their services to corporations, small and medium businesses and even non-profit organizations. Instructor: Paul Lima. July 17 - Conquering Corporate Markets II: How to price and manage writing, editing or other services. Based on the books The Six-Figure Freelancer: How to Find, Price and Manage Corporate Writing Assignments and Build A Better Business Foundation: Create a Business Vision, Write a Business Plan, Produce a Marketing Plan, this seminar is focuses on accurately pricing services and issuing firm quotes -- all while ensuring you don't end up doing more than you estimated. It's ideal for freelance writers and editors, webmasters, graphic designers and other independent practitioners who want to learn how to issue accurate estimates and quotes. Case studies will be presented so participants can practice quoting on jobs. Also discussed: advances, retainers, invoicing and what to do when the client doesn't pay. Instructor: Paul Lima. All Summer Seminars run from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM Place: Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina Ave. Toronto (Alterna Boardroom in suite 400) Price: $75 (general public); $60 (PWAC, EAC, CAA and WEN members) > Early bird prices in effect until June 15; prices increase by $10 per workshop How to pay: Register online at www.paullima.com/workshops Paul Lima has been working as a freelance writer, author and trainer since 1990. He has written for the Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto Star, Profit, Backbone, Time Canada, CBC.ca and a variety of trade and online publications. He is the author of 8 books on business and promotional writing and the business of freelance writing. Nate Hendley is a Toronto-based freelance journalist and author. He has written hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles and 10 books (primarily in the true-crime genre). His latest book is called Motivation for Freelance Writers. In addition to being a reporter and author, Nate is an accomplished public speaker. For more information on Nate’s professional and personal background, please visit his website at www.natehendley.com.. [BACK TO TOP] Books, Blogs, Podcasts, Articles & Resources
[BACK TO TOP] Submit your Listing to NetWords > What is NetWords? How to get your listing listed! NetWords is the e-Newsletter of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (Toronto Chapter ). PWAC Toronto represents almost 150 professional freelance writers in and around the GTA, and is one of many PWAC chapters representing over 500 freelance writers across Canada. NetWords is distributed to both PWAC Toronto members and to non-members -- freelance writers, editors, journalists, writing students and other subscribers. NetWords is compiled and edited and published on an irregular basis (usually a couple of times a month) by Paul Lima, freelance writer, writing instructor and PWAC Toronto VP of Communications. While all submission to NetWords are reviewed (not all submissions make the cut), PWAC, PWAC Toronto, or NetWords cannot be held responsible for the quality of events. To submit your event, workshop or listing: It can take two to four weeks to get your listing online! Email [email protected]. Keep listings brief, no more than 175 words. Include the relevant who, what, where, when and why, as well as an email address, web site and/or other contact info. Submit your listing at least three to six weeks in advance, embedded in an email message. No Word or PDF files. Listings are subject to approval and may be edited. [BACK TO TOP] How to Subscribe/Unsubscribe from NetWords Why subscribe? Subscribers receive email notification when new events are added to this page. General Public: Subscribe: Send a blank email to: [email protected] Unsubscribe: Send a blank email to: [email protected] PWAC MEMBERS ONLY: PWAC Toronto (and other PWAC) members: Subscribe: Request Subscribe information: [email protected]. You will receive the PWAC "subscribe" email. (Note: NetWords is your chapter's sole means of communicating with you!) Important Privacy Note: PWAC Toronto respects your privacy. We do not resell the newsletter email list to anyone or to any organization. Full stop. Contact NetWords: [email protected]. [BACK TO TOP] Cheers, Paul Lima VP Communications Toronto Chapter of PWAC (Paul Lima is a freelance writer, writing instructor and media interview trainer. He is a member of the Toronto Chapter of the Professional Writers Association of Canada. You can read samples of his business and periodical writing, and more about his writing and media interview training services, online: www.paullima.com) |