So You Want to Write a Novel? - Sydney Course

We offer training in face to face and/or online learning formats.

• Please see scheduled class for delivery format.
• Online classes delivered via livestream video over Zoom.

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a novel - or are currently writing one - then this workshop is for you. Award-winning fiction author, Paula Roe, will not only cover the creative stuff (genre, plot, characters, conflict) but also the big-picture things (indie or traditional publishing, the business of writing, social media, marketing and agents) plus how to stay motivated in the face of rejection.

Learn about today’s publishing opportunities, plan your writing career and get honest answers and information from a multi-published author who’s been there, done that.

If you're serious about kick starting your writing career, then make sure you come along to this workshop.

• Paula Roe is a regular Borders Books bestseller and one of only five Australian authors who write for Harlequin Desire, a line published by Harlequin Enterprises, the biggest romance publisher in the world. Harlequin books go out to over 28 countries and are translated into 28 languages in 114 international markets on six continents. Before publication, Paula's writing won and placed in various contests, including Wisconsin Romance Writers Fabulous Five Silver Quill, Magnolia State Dixie First Chapter, Romance Writers of Australia's Emerald Award and the Valerie Parv Award.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!

Course Outline

In this course students will learn:

• how to define their genre and identify tropes
• various writing techniques to successfully develop and plot their novel
• the differences between indie and traditional publishing, the basic structure of a publishing house, the pros/cons of small publishers
• the myths and realities of what agents and editors do
• the pitfalls and highlights of social media
• the value of websites, mailing lists, business/marketing plans

Course Outcome

By the end of the course students will be able to:

• define their targeted genre and identify the popular tropes
• gain practical tools to further improve their creative writing
• gain an insight into the publishing industry
• create an action plan for their writing goals

What to bring

Please bring a:

• Pen and pad or laptop

Other Information:

• No textbook required

Prerequisite

The ability to read and write in English at an intermediate level or higher.

Important Information

Please note: You will need access to the internet and a smartphone, tablet, computer or laptop in order to participate in the livestream video classes.

Delivery Mode

• We offer training in face to face and/or online learning formats.
• To check the delivery mode of the course you are interested in please view the class timetable.

Classroom based: experienced and engaging trainers will take you through the course material face to face.

Classroom based learning for this course includes:

• Scheduled class times and sessions
• Interaction with your trainer and other students

Please note: Government COVID-19 regulations and recommendations, including appropriate social distancing measures, hand washing and other hygiene protocols will be in place at all times and may result in course delivery changes.

Remote learning: experienced and engaging trainers will take you through the course material via interactive livestream video classes online.

Remote learning for this course includes:

• Scheduled class times and sessions
• Livestream video classes online
• Interaction with your trainer and other students during livestream video sessions

Please note: You will need access to the internet and a smartphone, tablet, computer or laptop in order to participate in the livestream video classes.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!