Society for Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria (SBMEN) is proud to announce its Virtual Creative Writing Workshop for young female writers.  

The aim of the SBMEN Creative Writing Workshop For Women  is to:

• enhance the skills and talent of female writers;
• explore the literary works of inspiring female writers
• and provide a platform for female writers to creatively express themselves.

No enrollment fee or application fee is required is required.

Eligibility Guidelines and Target Audience for the SBMEN Creative Writing Workshop For Women

They are interested in enrolling 20 female writers who are willing to hone their craft.

You can apply:

• If you’re female.
• If you’re between the ages of 18 and 30 years,
• If you write fiction, non-fiction, and cover culture journalism and new media.
• If you’ll be available to participate in the literary workshop.
• There are no geographical restrictions.

Everything You Need To Know About The SBMEN Women’s Creative Writing Workshop.

The workshop will hold over four days from Monday 23 November to 26 November 2020.

It will consist of several sessions with the facilitators online. The workshop will be delivered through:

• discussions,
• writing exercises,
• and guided readings.

The last session will be the guest session with an accomplished writer or publisher from Africa.

Submission Guidelines for the SBMEN Writing Workshop 

To qualify to join the workshop:

• Submit an unpublished 1000-word flash fiction or nonfiction piece for consideration.
• Submission deadline is Saturday 7 November 2020.
• Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday 11 November 2020

Submission Guidelines For The SBMEN Women’s Creative Writing Workshop:

• Please send the following materials in a MS WORD document to womenwriting@sbmen.org.ng.
•  Ensure that the subject head is: Workshop Writing Submission:
• Your writing sample should be an unpublished work in fiction and nonfiction, but not children’s fiction. 
• Include at the top of the Word document your name, contact address, email and phone number.
• Manuscript Formatting Guidelines: Times New Roman size 12 font, black, 2.0 spacing.
• Include a biography of not more than 100 words.
• Include a 200-word personal statement on why you want to participate in this workshop.

Facilitators for the SBMEN Women’s Creative Writing Workshop.

• Dzekashu Macviban, writer and publisher of the award-winning magazine, Bakwa and Bakwa Books from Cameroon.
• Zukiswa Wanner, award winning novelist, journalist and editor from South Africa
• Enajite Efemuaye, writer and managing editor of Farafina books from Lagos.

Awards for Writers Who Participate In This Creative Writing Workshop:

Participants will be awarded:

• a “Certificate of Attendance” after the writing workshop.
• Also, next year, they will receive a free published “SBMEN Writer’s Handbook” a culmination of the workshop courses that will contain lessons and exercises to help with their continuous education to improve their writing.

This workshop is supported by Ford Foundation.

To increase your chances of getting into this highly selective workshop,

• read some interesting short stories online. We reviewed some by Howard Maximus, Simbiat Haroun , Nneka Lesley Arimah , Helon Habila and Others.
• Learn how to write a short story that publishers can’t reject.
• Get inspired by the amazing stories in these recommended podcasts for storytellers.
• Write eloquently.
• Give it your best.

The post SBMEN’s 2020 Creative Writing Workshop For Women Is Supported By Ford Foundation / How To Apply appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Are you a writer who wants to upskill? Completing a course and getting a writing certification can bring you one step closer to landing the writing job of your dreams. 

Choosing the right writing course can be very daunting for both early career and established writers. In this article, Haley shares tips on how writers can upskill using edtech tools and platforms. She also shares the best ed tech tools for writers and writing certifications that can open up visitas of opportunities..

Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Upskilling And Getting  Writing Certifications

Technology plays a big role in how we interact with others and the society around us. As it continues to advance, it’s important that we use technology to our advantage, especially when it comes to upskilling . 

Educational technology, in particular, can make a tremendous difference when it comes to building better writing students and employees. This way of learning creative writing reframes how we approach career advancement and prepare ourselves for the future.

As a writer, you can use Edtech to your benefit by completing online writing certifications. With any position in the writing industry, part of our job is constantly learning. 

Not only will certifications develop your writing skills, but they can also distinguish you from other candidates when applying for positions. Down below we cover how Edtech can boost your career, and how writing certifications can be of benefit to you.

What is Edtech?

Edtech is software material designed to develop the skills of individuals in a particular field of interest. Most of us were introduced to Edtech in the classroom at a young age but may have never noticed it.

For instance, playing with computer games as a child is a perfect example of educational technology at play. Reading on your phone, tablet or PC? That’s edtech too.

A Writing Course Is Worth The Time and Effort: Here’s Why.

An Edtech-AcquireD Writing Certification Improves Your Resume:

Nowadays, most people use Edtech to build out their resumes and further deepen their knowledge of a subject matter. If you’re looking to acquire more writing certificates, then perhaps you need to sign up on some edtech platforms.

Writing Courses Provide Opportunities For You To Upskill.

With Edtech tools, writers can conveniently learn new skills and hone their craft. Take a writing course if you want to excel as a writer. 

Improves your chances of getting writing jobs and creative writing scholarships and grants.

A growing body of evidence suggests that human resource managers prefer to hire writers who have writing certifications. In fact, grad school admissions committee members are likely to admit students who have attended writing workshops and writing courses. So if you want the gatekeepers to take you seriously, complete some writing courses. Get some writing certifications.

How Edtech Can Advance Your Writing Career 

Provides A Great Opportunity To Beef Up Your Resume.

If you’ve been laid off due to the pandemic or are just an upcoming writer with little experience, you may be looking for ways to flesh out your resume.

Helps You Maximize Your Time As A Writer.

Now more than ever we are limited in the ways we can connect with others and learn new skills. As a result, more writers are using their free time to complete writing certifications. 

Gives You A Chance To Make A Good Impression On Employers.

These certifications work great for filling in the empty spaces in your resume. As mentioned, going the extra step with Edtech will distinguish you from other candidates when applying for jobs.

This happens because:

• employers will see that you are taking the extra time out of your busy schedule to advance your career as a writer.
• It’s a reflection of self-discipline.
• It shows dedication  to your writing craft.

The Best Writing Courses On Edtech Platforms.

There are many different options you can choose from when looking for writing classes or writing certifications.

Are you confused about where to begin? Don’t worry. We are here to help. You can start from any of the following are five paths.

Microlearning 

Microlearning is a great option for those with busy schedules ahead of them. This style of Edtech focuses on smaller sized lessons to learn different kinds of skills. The lessons you engage in are typically interactive and enjoyable.

Many microlearning platforms come in mobile applications, making the course easily accessible to you. This way, you can simply pick up another lesson when you find yourself waiting around or with nothing to do. 

For example, Duolingo is an application that uses microlearning to teach people different languages. This platform may be of interest to you if you are considering writing in a different language or to a different audience.

Massive Open Online Courses (Or MooCs)

Completing massive open online courses is one of the best ways to achieve a writing certification. These courses are designed by both universities and Fortune 500 corporations.

Some examples of companies that offer these kinds of courses include Google and Linkedin. They are also usually offered to the public for free, which is great if you are looking to stay under a budget. 

The University of Iowa’s International Writing Program has some free MOOCs you might want to explore.

While these courses are administered by external organizations, there is no added pressure to complete the course under a specific time frame. They are designed for you to work through them at your own pace and own schedule.

Also, there are hundreds of different course options to choose from. You can either further develop your skills in one area, or branch out into other aspects of writing.

Here are some massive open online course platforms for you to dig deeper in:

• Coursera 
• Udemy  
• Khan Academy  
• Canvas Network 

Multidirectional Training

Multidirectional training is a more popular route for once you are already working in the writing industry. When you join a company or team, the training you receive is often only pertinent to what you are responsible for in your position.

You may be excelling in your current field, but lacking in other areas of writing unknown to you. For instance, a play writer’s work may not provide training or knowledge on how to write blog posts. These are two completely different areas of writing.

With Edtech, individuals can bridge this gap between what they do know and what they want to know on their own time. This can help with moving up in the workplace, or also facilitate an easier transition between two different areas of writing. Some workplaces are also becoming more aware of the benefits of multidirectional training, and are beginning to offer it to employees.

Blended Learning

Blended learning is a combination of in-person learning with extra online supplementation. This is a great option for those who learn better in more than one learning environment.

Due to the recent pandemic, many schools have already started adopting blended learning into their framework. Classrooms were transitioned to operate primarily online, with the option of some being in person if needed.

This style of learning can be adopted in the workplace as well. You may be able to write for your company from home, but need to go into the office every once in a while for meetings and training.

Companies are also becoming much more favorable to this because it saves them a lot of money.

Having an office space can get quite expensive, so having your team operate remotely can save a lot of rent costs.

Career Development

When it comes to using Edtech to advance your writing career, you are the one in control of your learning. You can take these courses at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home.

In the workplace or the classroom, everything is structured with a designated deadline. Learning is less personalized and more structured to the group as a whole.

Learning with Edtech can also help prioritize your goals more efficiently. What’s great about this form of learning is that you can pick skills that you want to work on and develop yourself.

This can help you and your writing stand out from the rest of your colleagues. 

Expand Your Horizons

You can use online writing certifications to expand your knowledge into different industries as well. For example, writing poetry is very different from writing short stories.

There are different techniques and styles associated with both types of writing. Take some time to think about different genres of writing you have been interested in over the years.

It’s never too late to learn something new. You may even be surprised that it can help you with your writing as a whole. 

Some writers also use Edtech to help them become much more knowledgeable on topics they write about. Writing can be extremely difficult if you aren’t too familiar with the topic at hand.

It may even decrease your credibility with your audience when they are reading your piece. If you are writing about how people make decisions, consider picking up an online writing course dealing with psychology or human behavior.

This will help flesh out your writing at a much faster pace than if you weren’t to take the course.

You may even find yourself interested in applying for a specific brand that is very focused on one area. Take the fashion industry for instance.

You can be an amazing writer, but not know very much about clothes or upcoming fashion trends. This will most likely make you appear as not the best candidate for this particular position.

Before applying or going into the interview, take a free online course on fashion. This way, you have material you can pull out in front of your potential employer to show your background in the industry. 

How is Edtech Growing?

Edtech is continuously growing and developing at a rapid pace. The way we approach learning and career advancement also change as a result.

The Edtech industry is increasing in revenue as more organizations adopt it into their teaching techniques. Likewise, higher amounts of people are predicted to be using Edtech in the coming years. As the industry increases in popularity, many people won’t want to be left behind.

The rise in educational technology has led to the adoption of gamification techniques when learning. Gamification style courses are structured with rewards as you progress throughout the writing course.

This can keep you motivated at times where you don’t want to continue. In some instances, hitting specific benchmarks has been known to lead to higher productivity rates when learning.

Distanced learning has also become the new norm for many of us in school and at work. This abrupt need for change has caused the world to learn how to adapt very quickly.

As a result, more technology has been developed to fit the needs of our new way of learning. While distanced learning may be a battle for some, it can be very beneficial to other students.

Not everyone is fully capable of coming into the classroom or workplace for their own personal reasons. Distanced learning and Edtech have shown us that education can be available from anywhere and anytime. 

5 Best Edtech Platforms Every Writer Should Take Seriously.

It can be of your benefit to keep up with how the Edtech industry is growing. This can help you find more opportunities to benefit you in your writing.

The following are a few Edtech blogs you can subscribe to if of any interest to you:

• Edtech Center
• Skillshare
• Edtech Digest
• NovoEd
• eLearning Industry    

Wrap Up On Upskilling and Getting Writing Certifications With Edtech Tools.

Educational technology is reframing the way we look at learning. More opportunities are right at our fingertips to help us advance throughout our careers. As a writer, you can benefit extremely from completing online writing certifications. 

• This can work to flesh out your resume,
• develop your writing skills,
• and give you an extra edge against the competition.
• it can also help you in writing about certain topics you may know very little about.

Employers have wholeheartedly adopted technology in their teaching efforts because :

• it’s much more cost-effective and efficient.
• Employees can facilitate learning at their own pace and schedule. 

People are busy and often struggle with fitting more into their schedules. This is why many employers are transitioning their in-person orientation meetings into online module courses. 

The post Upskilling With Edtech Tools: All You Need To Know About  Writing Certifications appeared first on Creative Writing News.

It is not unusual to meet writers who desperately want to find creative writing jobs. It only makes sense to earn a living doing what you love, right? Especially since the internet has made it easy for writers to keep their heads above water.

Also, many youngsters what to know what kinds of creative writing jobs they can get with a creative writing degree or certification. And these concerns are perfectly understandable

You can’t blame parents for not wanting to waste hard-earned money on a useless degree or course. Plus students want to know that their creative writing certificate can earn them a fat paycheck.

And that’s what we’ll be discussing in this article. Creative writing jobs and how you can get them. But before we launch into the details, let’s look at the definition of creative writing jobs.

What Are Creative Writing Jobs?

There are a lot of definitions for creative writing. Some are narrow, while others are more inclusive. Many people think of fiction writing when they hear “creative writing.” More specifically, novels, short stories and poems.

Many people erroneously conjure up images of traditional writers whenever writing jobs are mentioned. 

However, fiction writing and creative writing are not the same things. Creative writing is an umbrella term that includes fiction writing. It also includes many other types of writing.

Creative writing can be found outside the literary realm, and so can creative writing jobs. It’s valuable in business, journalism, education, entertainment, and more.

There’s a creative writing job for everyone who enjoys writing. In 2018, 181,000 writers and authors were employed in the USA. Between 2016 and 2026, that job market is expected to grow by 7.6 percent.

A University of Chicago study also found that authors were one of the top 10 occupations in job satisfaction. Writing is incredibly rewarding.

But deciding to pursue a creative writing job is easier than actually landing one. First, you have to determine what writing job you want. What career would be a good fit for you? Once you decide that, you have to secure a job offer.

Free writing courses and certifications can help you to succeed in your endeavor  Writing degrees and courses will enhance and hone your skills. Also, they will give you credibility as a serious writer.

We’ll first take a look at creative writing jobs. Then we’ll explore five writing courses and certifications to sharpen your resume. You’re on your way to your dream creative writing job!

The Ultimate Guide To Getting Well-Paying Creative Writing Jobs.

Important Tips To Consider When Searching For Advanced Level an Entry-level Creative Writing Jobs.

Below are a few things to consider when selecting creative writing jobs.

Creative Writing Is Broad.

Yes, creative writing has a broad definition. But it does capture the spirit of creative writing.

Study.com defines creative writing as “any writing that is original and self-expressive.”

It’s an art form that comes in endless forms. Creative writing doesn’t necessarily mean writing a plot with characters. Some jobs may or may not include plotting or rounded characters. 

Creative Writing Jobs Can Be Found In Every Industry.

Creative writing can be a rich product description that boosts sales (also called content marketing). Or it can be a moving speech. Creative writing could be a cheerful text on a greeting card. Creative writing could be a blog post about creative writing.

Even creative writing in the “narrative story” form can be used outside the traditional writing industry. A well-placed anecdote can enhance endless written pieces. Stories live in textbooks and academic papers.

Know Your Areas of Strengths and Weaknesses.

Different writers have different areas of strength. Writing jobs are easier to execute if they fall within your area of strength. So before you say yes to that writing job, ask yourself the following questions:

• What skill sets or knowledge do you have?
• Have you attended any creative writing workshops?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What niche/topics are you interested in?

Some Jobs Are Best Suited For Writers Who Enjoy Conducting Research.

Consider your ability or inability to conduct fast and effective research. Sometimes you may have to research unfamiliar or difficult topics. Take into account your preferred assignment or the preferred length of the writing project.

Lengths of Writing Projects Vary.

Would you be happier with short-term freelance writer jobs? Or would you prefer lengthy projects often reserved for full-time creative writers?

Creative Writing Jobs Are Abundant In The Entertainment Sector.

News articles and blog posts. Video games and board games. Advertisements and commercials. Stories are a part of daily life.

An inclusive definition of creative writing opens up the possibilities for careers. Which possibility is the right one for you?

What Jobs Can You Get With Your Creative Writing Skills and Certificate?

Believe it or not, there are plenty of opportunities for creative writers to earn a living doing what they love/ Ready to see a list of lucrative creative writing jobs?

Below are some well-paying jobs that require a lot of creative writing.

Novel Writing:

This means writing a long work of fiction. You have read Harry Potter? Yes? Or Half of A Yellow Sun. You could write novels and self-publish them online, where readers can buy the soft copy and read.

Copywriting:

Copywriters write texts for the purpose of marketing or advertising. They write about particular products (or copy) in a way that attracts the attention of a particular audience to the product.

Content writing:

Content writers write articles for particular blogs on particular topics. Most times they are not credited as the writers, but they get paid for the job. However content writing requires a lot of expertise and training. You might want to learn more about content writing before you venture into this field of creative writing.

Editorial work:

One way to make money as a creative writer is to edit. There are a lot of people who have manuscripts that they need someone with professional eyes to take a look at, to help them give it shape and colour. Currently, there are editorial job vacancies at MayDay Magazine, Fractured Lit & Voyage and One Story.

Screenwriting / Playwriting:

Yes. The movies we watch are written by creative writers. You could start writing for the screen or stage. This pays well, if you get a good gig.

Advert Writing:

Advert writers write catchy and clear sentences that help a company or an organization attract a particular audience. You could write one-liners for different companies to help them get more customers.

Songwriting:

While we all can’t be singers, some creative writers write songs for singers. This is not new. Poems by writers like Lord Alfred Tennyson have been set to music.

Biography/memoir writing:

We have all read books that detail the lives of influential people, or that detail a particular, crucial moment of their lives that coincided with a crucial moment in history.

You also could help write the stories of some influential people, or help give an account of their lives during a particular moment. Learn more about how to write an autobiography, a biography or a memoir.

Translating:

The work of the translator is needed now, more than ever, as the world has become more of a global community. Are you bi- or multilingual? Do you possess translating skills?

You could start working as a translator. You could work as a book translator or even help translate subtitles for the screen.

Journalism:

Do you like reporting news and events? Do you have the right training and skills? You could work as a journalist, writing for a particular magazine or blog, or even set up your own blog. Like Kola Tunbosun does with his blog.

Technical writing:

This is the kind of writing that involves breaking down technical information so that it is easily accessible to a particular audience. If you are able to write clearly and you possess technical knowledge, you could write instruction manuals and how-to guides for tech companies.

Literary magazine entrepreneurship:

If you love writing or editing, you could start a literary magazine. This could be a print or an online magazine. Or you could work as an editor, or even a social media manager, for already established literary magazines. Check out this opportunity.

Podcast Creating:

Do you possess knowledge on a particular topic? Are you willing to share? You can create a podcast where you share your ideas. With podcasts, you can record these ideas and upload them for others to download and share.

Ghostwriting:

This basically means being paid to help a person write the book they intend to write, without taking the credit for the work. You could help write an autobiography for an influential person. You get your pay and the book is theirs.

Teaching:

A good deal of writers are teachers of creative writing. You could work as a lecturer at a university, teaching creative writing. Or you could start writing workshops (either online or physically), or master classes, where you teach others how to write.

Public Speaking:

A lot of creative writers are also speakers; and others, while not speakers, write speeches for influential people. This could be for politicians or motivational speakers.

And this is not an exhaustive list. Many of the creative writing jobs above also span multiple industries. One important career option that comes to mind is content marketing.

Content Marketing.

In many cases, a content marketer combines five or more of the aforementioned creative writing skills to succeed in their jobs. This makes it a great fit for a creative writer.

Bottom line: You have the flexibility to pursue different specialties. You have the power to pursue writing niches that most interest you.

How And Where To Find An Entry-level or Expert-Level Creative Writing Job?

Once you’ve determined the creative writing jobs you want to pursue, you have to find a vacancy or an opening.

Below are avenues where you can find well-paid creative writing jobs.

Try Traditional (Not Freelance) Job Sites.

Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Monster and Glassdoor are popular options. These job sites are good for if you want an hourly or salaried job.

Use Your Google Search Engine Effectively.

A Google search can also help with finding expert-level and entry-level creative writing jobs. It will show you a wide range of opportunities, especially those that aren’t being advertised on traditional hiring websites.

Subscribe To Creative Writing Websites.

Another easy way to get creative writing jobs is through creative writing websites. Subscribing to literary blogs can give you n advantage. This way you’ll know where there are vacancies/opportunities for writers.

Creative Writing News, Writer’s Digest, James Marua’s blog and Brittle Paper are examples of literary blogs that advertise jobs for writers.

Join Facebook Groups For Digital Nomads.

Did you know that you could find writing jobs on Facebook? Well, now you know. All you have to do is join the right groups for digital nomads.

You can get writing jobs via the following Facebook groups:

• B2B Bloggers Boost Group (and no, you don’t have to be a blogger to be eligible for membership).
• Digital Nomads Jobs: Remote Job Opportunities.
• Remote Work & Jobs for Digital Nomads–

Seek Membership In The Right Slack Channels.

You’ll be amazed to know that there are hundreds of thousands of creative writing jobs being advertised on Slack, All you have to do is be at the right place at the right time.

Find freelance and full-time writing jobs in the following slack channels:

• Online Genuises.

• #freelance

• #CreativeTribes

Explore Online Hiring Platforms for Freelancers.

If you want more flexible work, consider freelancing. In that case, you’ll be searching for freelance writer jobs or something along those lines.

One advantage of freelancing is its flexibility. You have complete control of your hours, and also you can also be selective about the type of work you want to take. You can even work remotely from home.

All you have to do is sign up on freelance marketplaces and start sending out job proposals. You can start with the following freelance writing sites:

Upwork:

Upwork has three million jobs posted annually. This makes it the largest freelancer marketplace in the world. In its writing jobs section, creative writers are “Some of [the] most in-demand pros.”

Its top skills in the US include copywriters, editors, creative writers, blog writers, content writers, proofreaders, and writers. If you can write, there is a high demand for your expertise.

• Fiverr
• Toptal
• Simply Hired
• PeoplePerHour
• Freelancer.com
• Guru.com

These are just a hand full of platforms where you can get entry-level creative writing jobs online. Although these are the popular options, they aren’t the only options.

Writing Courses That Boost Your Resume And Help You Get Freelance Writer Jobs.

If you’re looking for a creative writing job, you might want to take some courses and certifications. Some of these courses can help make your resume stand out.

It can be daunting to try for a creative writing job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be strong competition for writers and authors.

This is because so many people are attracted to writing jobs. And it may feel like there’s always a better or more experienced writer than you. But don’t be discouraged.

This is where writing courses and certifications come in. They can help you stand out from other applicants. Writing courses and workshops are a great way to learn new writing techniques. They can also refine the skills you already have.

Writing courses don’t have to be incredibly expensive. Many are very accessible; some are even free. You can find countless courses online. This is especially convenient given the COVID-19 pandemic.

Popular sites for online creative writing courses:

• Coursera
• Udemy
• LinkedIn Learning
• Skillshare
• edX

Plus, there’s a writing course for any topic you desire. There are courses with a narrow, specialized focus. Mary Karr’s course on Memoir Writing is specifically designed for memoirists.

Many other creative writing courses are more general and versatile.

You can start by exploring the sites above. Then you can broaden your search or dive deeper. The courses and certifications in this post are just a tiny fraction of the resources available. 

Some courses also come with a certification that adds value to your resume. Certifications showcase your skills and add credibility. They demonstrate your proven abilities.

Here are five writing courses and certifications that can boost your resume.

High-Impact Business Writing

This High-Impact Business Writing course is from Coursera. Coursera offers courses from top universities and leading companies. This one is taught by an instructor from the University of California Irvine.

This course can help you apply your creative writing skills in a business setting. You’ll learn to select specific formats appropriate for your audience.

You’ll also be able to determine the most effective medium for your message. And you’ll master how to avoid common writing mistakes. 

Ultimately, you’ll communicate objectives and ideas clearly. These skills will apply to a wide variety of business-related writing projects.

Learn to write more effective business documents, memos, yearly reports and more.

You can improve your career outcome with this course. 22 percent of students started a new career after completing this specialization. 12 percent got a pay increase or promotion after they’d completed the course.

This Course Helps You Learn To:

• Communicate effectively to any target audience
• Choose the right format and medium using different techniques
• Edit, proofread and analyze business documents efficiently and effectively
• Spot, correct and avoid the most common writing pitfalls
• Create business reports, press releases, presentations, emails and memos.

Cost of course = Audit for free

Cost of certificate = $50

Copywriting Secrets – How to Write Copy That Sells

This is a comprehensive copywriting course. It covers how to write sales copy, calls to action, White Papers, press releases, and more.

It also helps you target a variety of audiences, from B2B to consumers. Anything you need to know to become a copywriter, this course explores.

Many different learners can benefit from this course. You should definitely take this course if you’re:

• An entrepreneur or start-up founder.
• A small (or large) business owner.
• Involved in marketing.
• Someone who wants to become a successful freelance copywriter.

You can ask questions or seek further explanations directly from the course creators. They usually respond within 24 hours.

This is an extremely valuable resource. The lifetime access you get makes it even more valuable. It is an “insightful and actionable course”, with constantly updated content.

This creative writing-related course teaches you to:

• Generate more sales leads using the power of words
• Understand how to leverage features, benefits, and advantages
• Craft professional press releases that get published
• Create persuasive case studies by interviewing customers with confidence
• Structure and write compelling sales copy.

Cost of course and certificate = $16 – $90 (frequently on sale)

Creative Writing Specialization

This course is also available on Coursera. It’s offered by Wesleyan University, one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges. The Creative Writing Specialization is comprehensive. It has everything you need to craft a compelling story.

The capstone project is a substantial original story in the genre of your choice. Along the way, you develop skills focused on the four key aspects of writing. They are plot, character, setting/description, and style. You’ll also analyze and constructively evaluate peer writing. Being able to critique and revise is essential to improving.

The University of Iowa through it’s International Writing Program (IWP) often organizes free online creative writing specialization courses. 

The career outcomes from this course are especially promising. 58 percent of students started a new career after completing this specialization. 22 percent got a pay increase or promotion. This could be you.

When you take a creative writing specialization, you learn to:

• Write short stories, narrative essays, and memoirs
• Develop bracing stories, memorable characters and interesting settings
• Refine and critique writing to continuously improve
• Develop your own unique and distinctive writing style 
• Draft, rewrite, and complete a substantial original story

Cost of course = Audit for free

Cost of certificate = $50

Learning to Write for the Web

LinkedIn Learning offers courses from industry experts. This course is only 1 hour and 24 minutes. Yet it’s incredibly valuable for such a low time investment.

Almost 4.57 billion people actively use the web. So it’s important to know how to write for the web to stay relevant.

This course has a Q&A feature. 75 percent of questions are answered by instructors and other learners. 34 percent of questions are answered by the course instructor. So you’ll be supported by a community of learners.

A course in learning to write for the web teaches you to:

• Understand that people read differently on the web, and how to write content that goes viral and stays relevant.
• Identify and include documents that could be used to provide supporting evidence in an article
• Determine the expiration date on seasonal articles
• Assess the reading level that body text should be written at
• Move your target audience to care about your text

Cost of course and certificate = $35

Writing With Flair: How To Become An Exceptional Writer

If you don’t have a specific career in mind, this course is a great option. It’ll help you become a better writer overall. With almost 100,000 students, it’s the most popular writing course on Udemy.

This course helps you achieve a variety of goals. Improve business, sales and marketing writing. Make your resume shine. Craft the best essays in your class. Increase traffic to blogs and other sites.

Writing With Flair Shows You How To:

• Write with simplicity by shedding unnecessary words and complex sentences
• Write with clarity by using precise language and focusing your ideas
• Craft elegant writing that flows smoothly and maintains consistency
• Make your writing more evocative and moving with fresh language and varied sentence structures
• Develop or rediscover a love of writing

Cost of course and certificate = $13 – $95 (frequently on sale)

Wrap Up On How To Get Creative Writing Jobs And Find Free Writing Courses That Help You Get Gigs.

Gone are the days when writers were doomed to a life of eternal poverty. Thanks to the internet, you can make a ton of money from writing.

Creative writing jobs come in a variety of forms. They also span many industries, so the opportunities are endless. If you’ve decided to pursue a creative writing job, consider finding a writing course and certification.

If you’re just launching your creative writing career, consider taking writing courses, and certifications.

Or if you’ve already found a job, courses and certifications can still improve your skills. It makes perfect sense to attend a course or two as often as you can.

These courses improve your talents and employability. And the certifications provide tangible proof of your skills.

The courses and certifications in this article are only a starting point. Sometimes you can only rely on experience to teach you how to make your first $100 as a freelance writer. Or how to earn money from writing and publishing poetry.

And you can find other writing courses and certifications that are more suitable for your career goals.

When most people hear creative writing jobs, they first think of storytelling and poetry/play/novel-writing.

A quick Google search for “creative writing jobs” yields millions of pages. You might’ve expected opportunities like novelist, screenwriter, book editor, and ghostwriter. But there are also less “traditional” writing jobs where creative writing is valuable.

Have you been trying to get creative writing jobs? How successful have you been? Have writing courses helped you in any way? Which writing courses do you recommend? Please share your ideas below in the comments section.

The post Creative Writing Jobs And Free Writing Courses that Can Help You Land Gigs appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Mary Karr, the best-selling author who literally wrote the book on memoir (The Art of Memoir, Lit, The Liar’s Club) is teaching an exclusive, new class on memoir on the online learning platform Skillshare, launching Monday, Sept. 2.

The class, called Writing the Truth: How to Start Writing Your Memoir, joins Skillshare’s premium membership catalog—online classes that take you behind-the-scenes with today’s leading creatives. Over the past 12 months, Skillshare has launched classes with best-selling authors Roxane Gay, Lisa Ko, Hanif Abdurraqib, and more.

Mary’s new class is a must-watch for any writer who wants to do memoir. In every lesson, Mary breaks down excerpts from her own memoirs and those of her favorite writers word-by-word. You’ll dive deep into Mary’s approach to writing, including an exclusive look at the notebooks she’s currently using to plan her next memoir, the commonplace book she uses to keep track of writing she loves, and bookshelves stacked with her favorite memoirs from years of avid reading.

Mary shares with her students that their first priority in writing memoir should be to ensure they have enough distance from what they are writing before starting their story. “Writing is not therapy,” Karr says.”In writing, you are the mommy and the reader is the baby – and so you’ve got to be giving them something. It’s not about you and how you feel and self expression – that’s a diary” Before writing a memoir, writers must “Take care of themselves.”

Click to attend Mary Karr’s Creative Non-fiction Writing Course.

You need to pay a subscription fee to attend the course. But if you can’t afford the fee, that’s okay. ‘ll be giving out free codes to over one hundred readers. You know, a little something to reward you for reading Creative Writing News.

How to get a free code to attend Mary Karr’s Creative Writing Course:

1. Subscribe for the Creative Writing News Newsletter. The subscribe button is on our homepage.
2. Follow Creative Writing News on Twitter. And like Creative Writing News on Facebook.
3. Share this post on either Facebook or Twitter or both.
4. Send a snapshot of your twitter or facebook post.
5. Attach the snapshots in an email to creativewritingnews [at] gmail. com (remove the spaces and include the @ yourself. Don’t just copy and paste). The subject of the email should read : Interested in Attending Mary Karr’s Memoir Course On Skillshare

You might also be interested in : Online Creative Writing Class with NYT Bestselling Author Roxanne Gay Available On Skillshare—Register

The post Attend Best-selling Author Mary Karr’s Memoir Class on Skillshare / How To Get A Free Code To Attend appeared first on Creative Writing News.

The short story form is in high demand. Many writers want to learn how to write a short story. Also, many writers wonder how long is a short story?

In this article, Tega explains everything he learned from prolific writer TJ Benson. Wrapped in short story examples are nuggets on short story outlines, elements writing hacks, and more.

Ready to learn how to write a short story? Ready to learn how long a short story should be.? Read on. This article starts with a vivid short story about a writing festival.

How To Write A Short Story: Lessons Learned From TJ Benson’s Short Short Story Day Africa Workshop. 

It’s the Jos Museum Festival. It means the celebration of ancient cultures and histories to keep the future breathing. 

I want to roll with the massive crowd gathering at British-America Junction. I want to soak the raw banging of the local drums and the seismic blast of horns scattered everywhere.

Another thing, the popular Terminus Market is falling flat today. I want to see Chinese engineers setting demolition charges to the quiet sprawl of mossy buildings that were once the economic pride of Jos.

I have also been invited to a Cast and Crew Party at the Jos Repertory Theatre. The party means Jollof rice and baked chicken and groundnut oil. It means moi-moi, and chilled juices and evergreen high-life music.

But guess where I am headed with Lardo, YoungLan and our copies of We Won’t Fade into Darkness?

To a short story workshop taught by fiction writing maestro, TJ Benson. There I intend to learn more about how to write a short story.

For the uninitiated, here’s a definition of a short story.

A short story is a work of prose fiction (sometimes prose poetry) that can be read in one sitting. It can also be defined as a piece of fiction that focuses on a specific moment in a character’s or group of characters’ lives.

On my way to this workshop, someone begged me to ask how long is a short story. But I said, I already knew about the word counts of short stories.

A short story is usually as long as it wants to be. Or as short as it wants to. Thankfully, the short story market is flexible. It can accommodate stories that are as short as six words and as long as 10,000 or even 20,000 words.

Ernest Hemmingway famously wrote a beautiful flash fiction or micro fiction story that was six words long. It read:

TJ Benson had interesting things to say about how long a short story should be. More on that later.

A Short Story About Meeting The Other Workshop Participants.

nHUB is all vintage lamps, impossible warmth, and brilliant graffiti. Poets move up and down, asking for the central Wi-Fi password.

I feel strangely related to all of them even with their mad varieties of accents. I broach one.

“What’s your name?”

“De General.”

“Bro, I mean your real name?”

He observes a long pause as though trying to remember his birth name. “Nuel,” he says, almost with a grudge. He is a performance poet, he says.

Performance poets prefer their stage names. He mourns his lack of earphones. Poets need their earphones, especially spoken word poets. Please, do I have any spare earphones to lend?

In the spacious lobby, Younglan and other poets find belonging in navigating the memories of a Pulitzer photographer who killed himself. Someone makes light of the tragic issue.

“Have you ever been in a deep depression?” Miriam asks the person, her voice bellicose.

“Depression is depression.” The person says, in a quiet shout. “Nothing like deep depression.”

An argument on depression follows. It flows sadly, loudly.

I move away from them to a flower girl filling herself with music by a concrete balustrade. Her name is Sonia.

Her lips are soft passion fruits. Like passion fruits, maybe they will produce some sweetness. Maybe they will be comforting.

Hello, Sonia! What genre do you mostly write? Poetry too? Okay. So, Sonia what was your last poem about? Depression too? Mo gbe! No, pleeeease don’t show me. Thank you! I leap into the hall.

Arriving At The Short Short Story Day Workshop Hall.

The hall is the milk veneer tables, which strangely turn purple when the white lights trip on.

The hall is also a rainbow of neatly arranged chairs and weird wall paintings. I jog my hands across the cold expanse of tinted glass windows that mute the daylight.

But I do nothing to mute the raucous sound downstairs. I roll back one of the windows.

I lower my gaze and take in the reckless movement of cars, and people in ridiculous tribal clothes. They’re dancing their way to British-America Junction for the festival. Someone, an old man with a brilliant toothy smile, waves at me. I wave back.

Write Your Story Immediately The Idea Comes To You.

We sit facing a whiteboard that reads, ‘WRITE IT NOW. SOMETIMES, LATER BECOMES NEVER.’ I feel attacked.

I know I shouldn’t. But I can help myself. Learning how to write a short story isn’t for wimps.

Rudolph, an ingenious spoken word poet and one of the organizers of the workshop, performs a poem while walking around our tables.

I find it hard to catch up with his experimental style. He talks about theme, coherence, plot, rhythm and diction. All the elements of a short story.

He talks as if these elements are things from outer space. I don’t understand much of them, maybe because I am not a poet.

I look at my wristwatch and scribble on my right palm: Where. Is. TJ Benson?

Crafting A Character Profile Of The Workshop Facilitator

TJ Benson breezes into the hall in the cool height of a Toyota Hummer bus, in swaying ash trousers and a white T-shirt that is MALAWI.

His eyes are focused on everyone. He owes Jos some years of his writing life, he says.

TJ’s movement is a lot like Salsa. The way his hands swim, and the way his shoulders swing back and forth when he says he has nothing against people who beer out their bellies. His movements are all endlessly fascinating.

He has the soul of an intricate Tiv song, this TJ. He imagines himself as the character he is writing. And by that way, he is able to find specific things about that character. He stalks himself. Applaudissez! We clap for him.

Straight to the matter. What are your names? He asks. Tell the house something about you.

The first writer is trying to love again. Wow. Bold of him to say that, TJ says. Isn’t writing about churning bold expressions when other art forms are reticent? Be bold. Know and say what you want. Write it. Don’t worry about the short story length. Just write it. Next!

The second is a psychologist who doesn’t socialize.

Her character is unique, TJ points out. She is wearing a shouty blue lipstick to draw our attention. And she doesn’t like socializing, huh?

An accurate irony, something writeable! “It’s green,” she says to TJ, smiling, “my lips are green.” It’s all a story, TJ says. That’s the long and short of it. 

Depictions don’t have to be factual. Just make them interesting and believable. Okay? Next!

Someone wants to situate deep humour inside a short story strictly on pain. More like distilling perfume from garlic. Why not! It’s possible. Everything is. There is something called Speculative Fiction, and there is Fantasy, TJ says.

Someone wants to write a book about life.

‘WHAT PART OF LIFE?’ TJ writes on the whiteboard. Life is too broad, he says facing us, his voice a decibel higher.

Avoid blanket statements. Don’t think of life when writing. Think about specific experiences in life. Good writing thrives on specificity.

But avoid the obvious, he adds. Like poverty, disease, hunger, and other clichéd subject matters that are copious in most African Literature.

Write something new. Write from a fresh and unique angle, he admonishes. Writing is not a tidy experience, he adds. We must avoid the urge to put the process into a small or bland space.

What about urban markets? Bank Vault? About BRT buses? About the surface of the moon? About Maximum prisons? About afterlife? Research. Tell outgoing stories.

Someone says he is a writer who is mostly too lazy to lift a pen. But when he does, OMG happens. For example, he helped a secondary school student write an essay and the essay is taking the student to the USA.

TJ tells him to trust his lazy process as long as it gives him OMG results. He proceeds to ask a moral question: Do we think it was wrong of him to have helped the student write the essay?

An argument breaks out between two participants.

“Oh! It’s cheating.”

“EVERYONE cheats one way or the other.”

“I don’t cheat!”

“He was just helping an underprivileged kid get to the USA!”

“It was a competition for school kids.”

“And so what? What of ghostwriting?”

“What about ghostwriting!?”

“Are you not a ghostwriter?”

“That’s none of your business!”

“Why?”

“Zed.”

Someone says he photographs for a local newspaper.

TJ Benson asks him to give a picture of the newspaper office. The person says it’s conducive, beautiful –

Keep your opinion to yourself, TJ cuts it. Just paint a picture. Show what the place looks like then let the reader say whether it’s conducive and beautiful. Show. Don’t tell.

Next! Next!…

Determining How Long Your Short Story Should Be.

The short story is a compact wonderful literary form. Yes, there’s a lot of contention about the aptest short story length. This explains why budding writers are often asking, how long is a short story?

According to TJ, short story lengths are dynamic. In some cases, they overlap.

Many short story journals and contests often publish short stories with word counts between 2000 – 5000 words. Some flash fiction magazines and contests prefer stories that are less than 1000 words. Some prefer sudden or microfiction stories that are under 500 words.

There is no easy answer to the FAQ, how long is a short story. But below is a yardstick you can use to determine the correct short story length.

Microfiction or sudden fiction: 500 words or less.

Flash fiction (also called short, short stories): 1,000 words or less.

Short story: 1000 to 20,000 words (the style is often cyclical. There are often echoes strewn throughout the story)

Short novel or a novelette: 7,500 to 25,000 words

Novella: 10,000 to 49,000 words

Novel: 50,000 words or more.

More Of TJ Benson’s Tips On How To Write A Good Short Story.

If you’re learning how to write a short story, you must take the following tips seriously.

Your Story Should Haunt The Reader.

Your short story supposed to make the reader feel a strange sense of wonder. There are a bunch of amazing short stories out there. But there will also be a space for yours. Simply make your reader truly feel that strange sense of wonder.

Create Seminal Moments Of Change.

For a short story to be successful, there has to be a profound change. Our lives are stories of changes.

We are born. We die. We change senses. We change our minds. We change our clothes. We change levels.

Something has to change in the story you are writing. The more major and unpredictable the change is, the better the sense of wonder.

Ask Yourself The Following Questions After the First/Second Draft of Your Short Story:

• What makes this piece different from every other piece?
• How does it capture a specific moment or consciousness?
• Why should people give up their precious time for it?
• How can I cut it down? This question is important is you’re wondering how long your story should be.

Practice The Art Of Word Count Economy. Say A Lot In Few Words.

A good short story isn’t unnecessarily wordy. The best short story writers often employ a rare technique called word economy.

Your short story should be able to convey as much meaning as possible in few words. And this must be neatly done –else, it becomes a burden to the reader.

Don’t forget that word count and length matter in short stories. But rather than ask, how long is a short story, pause. Compress your sentences. Delete unnecessary and repetitive words.

Aim For A Rythmic, Voice Driven Tale.

A good short story should flow and show. Don’t spend too much time describing to your readers. Or you will leave them with roadblocks and no story.

Show your reader a picture of the unfolding events. When you show, your readers experience and absorb your story.

Pay Attention To Your Mode Of Representation

There is a certain form of erasure of groups that do not belong to the mainstream in every part of the world.

There is no one-way to being human. Humanity is complex. Showing complexity and difference in your work matters.

Write the marginal in with dignity. But don’t be preachy about it.

Good Short Stories Don’t Waste Words On Stereotypes.

As a writer, assume no default identity. Rise above preconceived notions and unbridled traditional beliefs.

There are no fixed restrictions as to what should be or not be. Always be on the verge of saying something new. Work against stereotypes.

Resist The Temptation To Italicize Non-English Words.

Don’t italicize or explain indigenous words for the West. Your job isn’t to beg people to like your culture.

Your indigenous words aren’t exotic. Exhaust materials peculiar to your culture. Use folktales, songs, riddles, proverbs and so on. Enrich your works with these things.

Your experience is worthy of representation.

Give Your Story Context

Context is the ecosystem of your story. Context matters. It adds believability to your piece. Always check with context.

Pay Attention To Intent and Language

Your intent is the ocean wave that carries your words. It is the guiding spirit of the story.

It is the energy behind each word, the feeling. If your intent is to create a love story let it be clearly felt by the reader. Be intentional.

Favor language simplicity. Don’t rely on heavy or complicated language to tell your story.

Rely on yourself as an artist. Build a confident voice (and you do this by continuous writing practices and of course, reading)

 Watch a video of the workshop. Learn how to write a short story.

Create Moving Dialogue

Characters are different people. The way they talk should mirror their differences. Your characters shouldn’t speak like you. Study the cadence of people.

For example, assertive people talk with curt and short sentences or long rants.

Less self-assured or nervous people beat around the bush or ramble.

Never enter into a writing project without absorbing the sounds of various kinds of people.

 Choose Your Characters Names Wisely.

Humanize your story with names, profound names. Let diversity and color richly show in your characters’ names.

Often, writers assume that readers won’t remember indigenous names. The irony is that such names make them more memorable.

Remember Ralia, the sugar girl? Ali and Simbi? Who can ever forget Ifemelu or Okonkwo or Jagua Nana?

Your Title Should Tell The Reader Something About Your Short Story. 

Your title may cast an informing light on the story but should not give it away. You could get a title from when a major change occurs in the story.

If the essence of your story cannot be contained in its first and second paragraphs then let it be contained in the title.

Read Materials That Make You A Better Short Story Writer. 

To read is to think and to think clearly is to write wonderfully. It opens and renews the mind. 

Reading is the surest way to learn how to write a short story. It gives you more words, more ideas, and consciousnesses.

When you read, you add heft to your voice. You know what is true to you. You know what is not. You know the right length for the short story you’re working on.

Read widely. Don’t look down on any genre. Have an acute consciousness. Read and absorb your environment. Be aware.

Bonus Tips: How To Care For Your Creative Health

• Be kind to your mind.
• Don’t let rejection letters get to you.
• Remove market pressure from your worktable.
• Don’t do it for prizes or for validation. Do it for you. Write at your pace.
• Control your work. Be in charge of the process. Be in charge of how much of yourself you put into your work.
• Network with friends. Have a support system that will insulate you from dark moods.
• Be deliberate about the environments you expose your mind to. Some environments will never be good for you as an artist.
• Don’t disappear into the world you are trying to create on paper.
• Create time to stretch and do some physical exercises. Remove yourself from your manuscript once in a while, and seek out psychical spaces that are new to you.
• Traveling is very essential to the craft. Travel out of your experience and embody other consciousnesses.
• Don’t conform. Find your own formula. Don’t let how any writer writes to be your absolute way.
• You may experience the imposter syndrome sometimes. You may feel you are not worthy of the attention you receive. You do, and you deserve even more.

Because TJ Benson says we deserve more, and because we do, Lardo and Rudolph skip forward bearing a pack of meat pie and frosty coke for each one of us.

Wrap Up On How Long Is A Short Story?: Understanding The Basics Of How To Write A Short Story.

The short story is a unique art form. It is almost as technical as drama and screenplay writing. But it is interesting still.

The easiest way to figure out how to write a short story is to read many, many stories. There are a lot of great short stories you can read for free online.

Rather than worry about the length of your story, simply write. Focus on getting the voice right, on plugging plot holes. Focus on making the most of the elements of the short story.

The tips above will help you write the perfect short story. And hopefully, you now know the answer to the FAQ, how long is a short story.

Have you written a short story lately? What was your experience? Did you have to worry about the short story length? And does reading and analyzing poetry make you a better writer?

Please leave a comment below. Click, if you’d like to learn how to write a novel.

 The workshop was co-organized by Just Create, Tales Afrik and Custodians of African Literature. It held on the 18^th of May, 2019, in Jos, Nigeria.

Bio: Tega Oghenechovwen has attended Short Story Day Africa workshop, Aké Festival writing Workshop, among others. He has published work with the Rumpus, Black Sun Lit, Litro Magazine, Arts and Africa, and elsewhere. He tweets @tega_chovwen

The post How Long Is A Short Story?: A Guide On How To Write A Short Story. appeared first on Creative Writing News.

You probably know that feeling, when your mail has not received any acceptance letter in a while, or, that feeling, when you’ve never been to any creative writing workshop. I was experiencing that feeling one night, when Olakunle Ologunro’s message just popped into my. The email notified me that I’d been selected to attend a prestigious workshop I’d applied to. I was so excited; I almost couldn’t believe my luck.

Now for all those who haven’t heard of Olakunle Ologunro’s legend, here’s his brief bio:

Olakunle Ologunro is a student of English in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He is an alumnus of Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop and a winner of the 2017 Kreative Diadem prize for short fiction. He has been shortlisted for different prizes including, the 2018 Africa Book Club contest and the inaugural Gerald Kraak Award. In 2015, he placed second in the Naija Stories contest, and was also long listed for the AMAB–HBF prize. His short story “A Non required Guide to Writing Love Stories” is published in Brittle Paper. Recently, his short story “Pampers” which was anthologized in the South African anthology Queer Africa 2, was republished in the anthology Queer Africa: Selected Stories, which also features stories from 2007 Caine Prize winner, Monica Arac de Nyeko and the late South African author, K. Sello Duiker.

Two days after the email arrived, I found myself rushing to the venue of the workshop. I really wanted to be at the venue before the stipulated resumption time. I will not bore you with detailed stories of everything that went on in the workshop. Rather, I will list out the cogent tips Kunle gave on writing a good story.

Tips on writing a good, memorable story.

1. You have to read widely:

The first words of advice I heard Kunle utter was this: reading a lot of books. He said reading many books means reading different authors so as not imbibe one writer’s style. Reading widely also helps the writer stand out with a unique (personalized) style.

2. The major approach to writing is what and how:

Ask yourself, what do I want to write, then, how do I write it? When you know what to write, you will then determine your readers because whatever you want to write, has probably been written before. Your job is to write the story from such a unique angle that the story takes on a fresh and unique perspective.

3. Defamiliarisation:

Throughout the workshop, defamiliarization was the most examined technique. The students learned the most important aspects of style.

I will explain. Defamiliarisation means making the common things uncommon. This means presenting a common object or experience in a unique way, so that readers can have a completely new experience of it.

At the workshop, Kunle explained how this can be achieved. He said one can do this by symbolizing the whole story with an object or something that happened or time or event or anything. He gave us Lesley Nneka Arimah’s The Future Looks Good as an example. In Lesley’s story, the story begins with Ezinma trying to open a door and while trying to open the door, everything in the story happens.

Click to read more stories by 2019 Caine Prize Winner, Lesley Nneka Arimah

4. Catching the attention of the reader:

In every story, use significant details to observe characters, events and things. This will help to draw the reader into the story. Your goal as a writer is to entice your reader enough to you’re your story to the end. Your opening word, line, sentence or paragraph should be catchy to the extent that readers would want to finish the story. Make them eager to know how it ends. Make the reader curious. Avoid clichés or stereotypes.

5. Show, don’t tell:

Show us the story, don’t tell us the story. In showing, you describe what a character or event looks like. If a character is angry, show us by telling us may be he flings his clothes or throws something out. “Don’t just tell us he is angry, show us,” Kunle said. However, don’t over show and don’t under show. i.e don’t over describe. Just describe enough. Let your description be accurate.

6. Winging is not a very good idea:

Winging means telling a story somehow as you perceive it should be. Olakunle gave us an instance of a writer who wants to write about being a slut and mingles with sluts so as to know their language and reactions. Write what you know.

7. Sentence Structure:

Make use of shorter sentences if you want to describe a sudden event or an action. It heightens the emotion of the readers. Try to be simplify your senses. Avoid using “big” words. However if it works for you, don’t hesitate to use it, Kunle advised.

Personal Essay: On Getting Writing Advice From Chimamanda Adichie, Bonding With The Literati and Enjoying The Purple Hibiscus Creative Writing Workshop

8. Kill your darlings:

Don’t be afraid to cut out unnecessary details even when you love them. You can save them in a separate file and document for future use.

9. Writing Non-fiction:

In writing non-fiction, Olakunle begins with Teju Cole’s quote that says “A good fiction story should be like non-fiction.”

Then he went further to explain the quote in the following three points.

• One, go where it hurts.
• Two, use your story to relate to the collective.
• Three, don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.

Tips For Starting Your Novel: 8 Lessons From The Aké Art And Book Festival Writing Workshop.

10. Closing a story:

Have a sense of the end from the beginning. Don’t start if you don’t know how to end. Close your story by tying up loose ends. Close your story in a way that makes the reader heave a sigh.

At the end of the workshop, we read out the stories he’d required us to write. I want you to consider writing it as well.

“Write about yourself from the perspective of your mother”.

We all took pictures with Olakunle Ologunro. And he promised to be available whenever we needed his help and advice. I also took a selfie with Ope Adetayo. Ope was the friend who introduced me to the workshop.

About the Author:

Ahmad Adedimeji Amobi is a student of English and Literary Studies at the University of Ilorin. His works have appeared or are forthcoming on Kalahari Review, African Writer, Agbowo, LitroUK, Tuck magazine and others. He was shortlisted for the League of Wordsmiths, 2018.

You might also be interested in: Resonance: A Personal Essay on the 2018 Purple Hibiscus Trust Creative Writing Workshop

The post 10 Lessons from Olakunle Ologunro’s Creative Writing Workshop appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Do you yearn to work as a writer or editor of a print and digital magazine? Do you often dream of designing your own magazine or blog? Are you interested in learning the basics of launching successful websites? Then you should register for the upcoming course titled, SBMEN Practical Editing Workshop for Magazines and Digital Platforms.

What will participants gain from attending this course?

At the end of the workshop, participants will:

• create their own unique magazine concept
• learn the entire process of planning, creating, writing, and developing editorial content for print or online platforms.
• learn how to design an editorial mission
• learn how to use digital tools to advance your craft
• explore the fundamental of writing content for blogs, websites, and interviews
• Participants will be given a foolproof guide for generating unique content ideas, and developing editorial tools to meet required standards.

Bonus: Participants will get a chance to expand their networks. If you want to connect with the world’s leading editors and publishers, simply register for this course.

Bloggers, journalists, content developers, vloggers, and everyone involved in digital publishing/marketing are strongly encouraged to apply.

This course is being organized by the board members of the Society of Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria (SBMEN). Editing for Magazines and Digital Platforms is its second editing workshop for the year. The first workshop was a resounding success. This forthcoming workshop promises to be a lot better than the first.

Editing for Magazines and Digital Platforms is slated to hold from 26 to 27 June 2019.

This course will be taught by the following facilitators:

•  Adesuwa Onyenokwe, founder/editor-in-chief, Today’s Woman magazine;
• Kola Tubosun, writer and founder of award-winning blog, “Ktravula”;
• Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu, founder/editor of Omenana e-magazine, which has published award winning stories;
• Enimien Etomi, a marketing specialist and art photographer.

How To Enroll For This Highly Selective Course:

•  Send an email to: training@sbmen.org.ng
• Alternatively, you can send a WhatsApp message to 08120055823

Want to check out this organization? Visit  www.sbmen.org.ng

This program is being supported by the British Council Nigeria and Quramo Publishing Limited.

About SBMEN

 

The Society for Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria (SBMEN) is a new educational and professional association that represents and supports aspiring and existing editorial professionals to develop editorial skills that meet global best practices. It is also extended to other professionals who work within publications, broadcasting, digital media, legal services, communications, public relations and academia. The organisation provides training and resources for professionals to increase their proficiency in editing.

The post Register For SBMEN’s Practical Editing Workshop for Magazines and Digital Platforms (It’s Set To Hold This June) appeared first on Creative Writing News.

The Bitch Media Fellowships for Writers is currently open for submissions. Writers who are interested in writing about feminism, tech, pop culture and activism are encouraged to apply. Who knows? You could win a spot in this highly selective  three-month intensive writing fellowship.

Bitch Media co-founder, Andi Zeisler, will be directing the program.

If selected, you will have the honor of  working with Bitch Media during any of the following four quarters:

• January 1 – March 30
• April 1 – June 30
• July 1 – September 30
• October 1 – December 31

What subject areas will fellows work throughout the duration of the fellowship ?:

Fellows will be working on: Sexual politics, Pop-culture criticism, Technology and Global feminism.

During the 3-month fellowships, our fellows will:

• Produce a minimum of six online articles for Bitch Media in the topic area of their fellowship. These pieces can take a variety of forms: reported, analytical, advocacy-focused, and even infographic.

• Produce at least one longform article to be published in the quarterly magazine Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture.

• Participate in biweekly discussions (by phone or Zoom if fellows cannot meet in person) with the fellowship director and other members of the Bitch Media staff.

• Receive mentorship and support in creating, shaping, and editing articles and online pieces.

• Receive follow-up support with placing future articles and essays, and make great connections within the feminist-media community.

• Receive a $2,000 stipend for the three-month fellowship.

Submissions :Guidelines:

1. Read the Bitch Media FAQs on the submittable page. It is an important criteria.
2. Write a cover letter (or statement of purpose) of a maximum 600 words. Describe your interest in the fellowships subject area of your choice.
3. Your cover letter should address the following questions:

• What are the topics you’re passionate about?

• What are the facets and angles of this subject that you think are underreported and under-discussed elsewhere in the media?

• What unique experiences and perspectives will you bring to the topic?

1. A 1-2 page(s) long resume. Your resume must include among other things, your publication history if applicable. (You can still apply to a Bitch Media Writing Fellowship even if you don’t have any clips or prior publications).
2. Three (3) relevant writing samples
3. Short answer questions to help Bitch get to know you
4. Upload your documents on the Bitch Media 2020 Fellowship for Writers Submittable Page

Who is eligible to apply for the 2020 Bitch Media Fellowships for Writers?

• Emerging writers with minimal publishing experience.
• Writers who are passionate about any of the aforementioned subject areas/topics.(especially if you don’t have a history of writing or blogging about any of these topics).
• Writers who are still trying to discover themselves.
• Fellows may be based globally, and U.S. citizenship or residence is not a criteria for the fellowship. In other words, writers from all over the world are welcome to apply.

Important fact to note:

This is not a full-time position, but an independent fellowship designed for writers who want to develop confident, well-rounded voices and are particularly interested in feminist criticism and mission-driven journalism.

Good luck.

The post Bitch Media 2020 Fellowships For Writers (Awards: $2000 stipend + Training) / How To Apply appeared first on Creative Writing News.

As the name implies, this prestigious workshop is open to women from the African continent. Slated to hold in Ghana, this 10-day residency program will be facilitated by Yewande Omotosho and Sylvia Vollenhoven. The program is an initiative of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).

Deadline: 24th June 2019.

Who is Eligible To Apply for the African Women Writers Workshop 2019?

• Female writers, journalists, human rights activists and academicians.
• Entrants must be from the African continent. (Africans in diaspora can apply).
• Entrants must be available to travel to Ghana to attend the workshop from 21st October – 30th October, 2019.
• Applicants must show an interest in improving their involvement in the fight for women’s rights and social justice.
• Applicants must be willing to hone and sharpen their creative writing skills.

How To Apply for the African Women Writers Workshop 2019

• Write a sample article (500-1000 words) on women’s rights and social justice.
• Entrants are free to send previously published articles. AWDF will prefer unpublished articles because they intend to publish most of the selected articles on their site.
• Email your entry to communications@awdf.org
• Submit your entry before the Deadline: 24th June 2019 deadline.
• All entries must include the following:· Contact details including name, email address, telephone
  number
  · A short bio (maximum 200 words)

Priority will be given to interested women writers (fiction & nonfiction) journalists, academics who wish to actively engage in women’s rights activism.

Wondering what to write about? Click to find  Inspiration For Writers: 10 Story Podcasts That Inspire Creative Writers With Unique Story Ideas

Successful applicants will receive:

• Round trip fare. Participants from the diaspora may berequired to pay part of the cost of air fare depending on the budget·
• Full accommodation and meals·
• Workshop material and stationary
• Opportunity to learn from (and connect with) the best writers  on the continent.

Good luck to everyone who applies.

Deadline: 24th June 2019.

The post African Women Writers Workshop 2019 /How To Apply appeared first on Creative Writing News.

If you can craft an engaging and compelling micro-fiction in ten words, then you should definitely apply for this free-to-enter writing contest.

Here’s a snippet from the press release:

It may be apocryphal, but the story goes that Ernest Hemingway won a bet by writing a short story that ran fewer than ten words. One version of the story places the bet at the famed Algonquin round table. Whether true or not, there is an actual bet-winning short story attributed to Hemingway:

For sale. Baby Shoes. Never worn.

Challenge yourself to write and submit your 10-words long short story and you could win a 10-week writing scholarship at the prestigious Gotham writers’ workshop.

How To Apply:

Write and submit a unique , unpublished 10-word short fiction.

Word count : 10 words max (title included) . It is also important to note that titles are optional.

No entry free required.

All submissions must be send before the May 20, 2019 deadline.

Winners will be notified June 18, 2019

How to submit:

Click https://www.writingclasses.com/contest/tenwordstory

Good luck

The post 2019 Gotham Writers’ 10-Word Short Story Contest—Apply appeared first on Creative Writing News.