Professional Development Courses
Freelance Article Writing
Learn how to write articles for magazines and newspapers – and get them published – in this informative course. Over eight weeks, you will find out how to develop story ideas, research effectively, write queries that sell, conduct successful interviews, structure articles, deal with editors, market your work and much more. A range of exercises will help strengthen your skills, and a top Vancouver editor will visit the class to take your questions. The course also covers copyright and other legal issues.
Read how this course helped launch the writing career of former student Jane Mundy.
AW518W10A: Tuesdays, Jan 19-Mar 23 (no class Feb 16 or Feb 23), 7-9:30 pm; Room 185, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, UBC Point Grey. $375. Note: This class is now full.
AW518P10A: Tuesdays, May 4-Jun 22, 7-9:30 pm; Rm TBA, UBC Point Grey. $375.
"This class was the most valuable experience I could have hoped to have as an introduction to freelance writing.”
"[The instructor] is professional, enthusiastic and has given me the encouragement and the push I needed to give this a try."
"Jennifer Van Evra is very helpful, approachable, thorough and real."
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Freelance Article Writing - Level 2
Take your freelance article writing to the next level by workshopping your ideas, fine-tuning your queries and polishing your finished stories in a fun and intimate discussion-based setting. A top Vancouver editor will also visit the class to give you invaluable feedback on your work. This class is limited to 12 students.
Prerequisite: Freelance Article Writing Level 1 or equivalent.
Read how this course helped launch the writing careers of former students Jane Mundy and Diane Selkirk.
AW573W10A: Thursdays, Jan 21-Mar 25 (no class Feb 18 or Feb 25), 7-9:30 pm; Rm 1003, Scarfe Bldg, UBC Point Grey. $425.
AW573P10A: Thursdays, May 6-Jun 24, 7:00-9:30 pm; Rm TBA, UBC Point Grey. $425.
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Non-Fiction Book Writing: Rough Idea to Manuscript
This workshop examines the steps involved in preparing a non-fiction manuscript for submission to an agent or publisher. Learn how to explore an idea, research what has already been written in that field, develop a working outline and begin writing your book. Other topics include crafting an effective query letter, chapter-by-chapter outline, and book proposal for potential agents or publishers. The informal workshop format provides time for lectures, writing, individual presentations, group discussion and feedback. You also receive a bibliography of useful resources. Enrolment is limited to 10 participants.
Click here for a sample course outline.
This course is next offered in Fall 2010.
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Non-Fiction Book Writing - Online Version
Getting your non-fiction idea into print isn’t that difficult—if you tackle it the right way. The key step is a dynamic book proposal. In eight lively sessions, this on-line course guides you through all the steps you need to attract the attention of an agent and/or publisher. Topics include: how to build the “bones,” improving your creative skills (and how to cope with writer’s block), and the role of savvy marketing. In-depth online instruction, guest interviews and one-on-one coaching explain all this, and more.
AW606W10A: Feb 1-Mar 26. $425.
AW606P10A: May 3-Jun 25. $425.
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Writing for the screen - Level 1
Are you wrestling with a movie idea that hasn’t quite taken shape? Or do you have an existing draft of a screenplay that desperately needs a rewrite? This series of lectures and discussions helps you to gain an understanding of the craft of screenwriting and to develop
the tools you need to take your project to the next level.
Aimed at beginning to intermediate screenwriters, writers in other media and workers in the film industry, this course provides an intensive study of the vocabulary of the cinema, dramatic structure, character development, dialogue and subtext. The course also addresses the role of the writer in the film industry, the market for Canadian screenwriters and ways to “break in” as a serious screenwriter.
AW508W10A: Thursdays, Jan 21-Mar 25 (no class Feb 18 or Feb 25), 7-9:30 pm; Rm D322, Buchanan Bldg, UBC. $375. Note: This class is now full.
AW508P10A: Tuesdays, May 4-Jun 22, 7-9:30pm; Rm TBA. $375.
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Writing for the screen - Level 2
In this intensive workshop-styled course, you will go beyond the basics and delve into character development, scene development, dramatic conflict, plot structure, dialogue, and pacing. Mastering the complexities of the 3-act structure, bring your story off the page and onto the screen. You should be prepared to come to class with an outline or treatment of your story in hand, ready to present and workshop. This class is limited to 12 students.
Prerequisite: Writing for the Screen - Level 1 (AW508) or equivalent.
AW619P10A: Thursdays, May 6-Jun 24, 7-9:30 pm; Rm TBA, UBC. $425.
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screenWriting 101 - online course
For emerging screenwriters, this online course will introduce students to the art of screenwriting. Each week will focus on a specific area essential to screenwriting, such as conflict, plot, feature film structure, character development, writing good dialogue, visual writing, subtext, and theme. Through online lectures, real-time forum discussion, guest interviews, suggested screenings, and assignments, learn the basic skills to get you started on your first screenplay.
This course is next offered in Fall 2010.
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writing a spec script for television
Breaking into dramatic television is a tough business.
The first step is to write a "spec" script of an existing
show to use as a sample of your writing. In order to
write an episode of an existing show, you must first
analyze the show. Learn how to deconstruct an
existing television series, understand its structure,
the voice of its characters, tone, intended audience,
pacing, theme and writing style. Through instruction,
discussion, in-class exercises, screenings and
assignments, you will be guided in the art of
deconstructing a television series and be poised to
write your own television spec script.
AW616W10A: Tuesdays, Mar 2-Apr 6, 6:30 pm-9:30 pm; Rm 147, Geography Bldg, UBC. $375.
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Creative and Persuasive Copywriting
Learn and practise the techniques, creativity boosters and craft of professional copywriting. This course is a supportive and intensive writing clinic that focuses on the process and purpose of persuasive business writing. In this workshop, you will define the challenges (and best practices) of working with clients, build research plans, learn about (and reach) your desired audience, build a portfolio of resources, complement and piggyback on visuals, organize information and manage projects, and write for a variety of media.
This course is next offered in Winter 2011.
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FOOD AND TRAVEL WRITING
Join a local freelance journalist for this exciting program that teaches you how to craft and sell stories from the fascinating world of food and travel. This course gives you all the building blocks you need to become a published author, including idea generation, how to write query letters to editors and how to construct an interesting and entertaining story.
Read how this course helped launch the writing careers of former students Jane Mundy and Eric Patel.
AW547W10A: Tuesdays, Jan 19-Mar 23 (no class Feb 16 or Feb 23), 7-9:30 pm; Rm 201, Geography Bldg, UBC. $375.
AW547P10A: Tuesdays, Apr 6-May 25, 7-9:30 pm; Rm 102, Ponderosa Annex C, UBC. $375.
"Thank you so much for your excellent feedback and instruction these past few weeks. I feel I've learned a huge amount about the industry, and am looking forward to getting my first articles published!"
"I got a better understanding of what editors want in a travel piece and practical tips on how to market it."
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FOOD AND TRAVEL WRITING - ONLINE VERSION
Learn how to turn your travel and culinary experiences into magazine articles, blogs or newspaper items! This program gives you one-on-one online access to an instructor for eight weeks. BC food and travel journalist Don Genova will guide you through the process of approaching editors, crafting query letters and making sure your ideas will get published. Weekly writing assignments, readings and instruction are supplemented by audio interviews, podcasts, and photography tips. Students will also have a chance to contribute to a blog and discussion forums.
AW608W10A: Feb 1-Mar 26. $425.
AW608P10A: Apr 6-May 28. $425.
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Self-publishing - Is it for you?
Robert Mackwood
A leading literary agent is joined by a successful self-published author with over 20,000 of her own self-published copies in print to discuss the pros and cons of entering the self-publishing arena. Find out what you should be aware of - the pitfalls and tips - in the new world of self-publishing. This workshop will also cover an overview of the book industry, how publishers operate, and explore alternative options for your work. Note: This workshop will focus primarily on non-fiction as it is a genre more suitable for self-publishing. While not impossible to self-publish a work of fiction, it has been proven to be much tougher to distribute and sell fiction.
AW611P10A: One-day workshop, Saturday, June 19, 9 am-4 pm; Rm 1.750, UBC Robson Square. $150.
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More Professional Development Courses ...
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