This course is suitable for journalism students nearing the end of their degrees.

2011 Freelance Writing Short Course with Erin O’Dwyer

In troubled times for newspapers, talented freelance journalists are hot property. As advertising revenues plummet and job losses increase, do you have what it takes to produce a steady stream of stories that editors absolutely have to buy?

In this course, we consider how to spot stories across a range of genres – from sport to travel to fashion – and how to target the best outlet for your story. In workshops, we’ll learn the secrets of pitching ideas and securing the commission. We’ll also consider the tools of the trade, how to deal with editors, illustrating your story, working across print, online and multi-media platforms; and how to file clean copy, written in house-style, to deadline every time. We will also consider copyright and how to re-package and on-sell stories in Australia and overseas.

Prerequisites:  Basic knowledge of news reporting and feature writing.

Erin O’Dwyer is a lecturer in the Journalism, Information and Media Studies group at UTS and an award-winning journalist. She has worked as a journalist for 12 years, and in that time worked on staff at The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and The Sun-Herald in Sydney. She now works freelance and is a contributing feature writer for The Sydney Morning Herald. Erin also contributes to a range of magazine titles including Australian Geographic, Readers Digest and Vogue. In 2006, she was awarded an Australian United Nations Media Peace Award for an investigation into cousin-to-cousin marriages in Sydney’s immigrant community. In 2009 she added broadcast journalism to her kit-bag, producing two radio features for ABC Radio National.

1.   19 May to 23 June – six Thursday evenings from 6 to 9pm – Bldg 10, level 5, Room 425 China Reseach Centre

 2.   4 August to 8 September  – six Thursday evenings from 6 to 9pm – Bon Marche, Level 2, Room 210

Course fee $920 or $690 concession                                     Places limited to 14 participants
Further discounts available for ACIJ members, UTS staff & students.

Please view our complete course program.

To enrol in this course:

Please download our registration form and post, fax or email to:

Tameera Pellegrini , Course Coordinator
Australian Centre for Independent Journalism
PO Box 123
Broadway  NSW  2007

Phone:  02 9514 2488   Fax: 9514 1890
Email:  acij@uts.ed.au         

We are collating Erin’s stories – more to come soon! 

13 Feb 2010 – Inside Stories from Hobart’s Risdon prison

2 Oct 2010 – Call of the Wild – Dingos story published in Good Weekend

Testimonials

What participants liked about Freelance Writing:

“The information presented catered to a broad range of backgrounds of students.” Phil Eligio,Web Marketer/Producer.

“Erin is a passionate and well-informed teacher who seemed very dedicated to go out of her way to help students.” Annie Vaughan, Student.

“Erin took a great interest in each one of us and why we were pursuing this field of work. She gave us great tips – which she had successfully practised – and ideas. I found the course so inspiring and motivating. So glad it’s available.” Linda McSweeny, Journalist.

“The course made specific omments and advice for the website I currently work on.” Tessa Cousins, Project Administration Officer.

“Erin was a great teacher and generally and genuinely interested in everyone in the course. Her feedback was both positive and constructive, and she balanced the content beautifully.” Justine Bashford.

“[The course] was encouraging and a comfortable forum for learning. Regardless of whether I actually pursue freelance writing, it was a great motivator. Thanks, Erin, for bringing warmth and patience to the course.” Rossje Scott.

“The course is well-paced and informative.” Simon Tidy, Media Manager.

“The instructor knew the subject through her own experience, well-structured, oustanding management of course flow and people interaction.” Steven de Vroom, Owner, Amazing Faces Pty Ltd.

“The bulk of practical information is in the booklet that I can implement into my own writing. It gives a great kick-start to the development of ideas.” Renee Miller, Journalist.”

“We were free to ask any questions as and when it came up and would get an answer without deviating too much frozm the lesson plan.” Nicola Hill, Environmental Consultant.

“It was very practical with great advice regarding different magazines and publications.” Lyn Dickens, Student.

Prior knowledge required: Basic knowledge of news reporting and feature writing.

For full details of this ACIJ course, click here.