Finish your novel and get it ready
to submit to publishers
You have the idea, you have the characters, you may even have a first draft, but you know it's not quite ready to submit to an agent or publisher. You want feedback from professionals who can help you create the best possible version of your manuscript.
This six-month novel writing course is designed to help you take your novel to the next level. If you haven't finished the first draft, we'll set you a timeframe and a structure to work in so that you have a completed first draft by the end of the program. However, you must have a minimum of 10,000 words to qualify for entry into the program.
If you do have a first – or even a second or third – draft, we'll help you to look at it objectively and improve it significantly. You’ll learn how to identify any problems in your manuscript, ensure your structure is working, and deepen your connection to your reader.
Are you serious about your novel?
Based on a combination of theory and workshopping, this course is for people who are serious about publishing a novel or book-length memoir; who want to understand more about their craft; and who want a community of like-minded people to support them.
The focus on this program is a practical course designed to help you get results.
We will help you craft the crucial opening chapter – the part you submit to
the agent or publisher, and which will make or break your chances of publication.
Workshopping will include:
- Balancing your cast of characters and deepening the reader’s relationship to them
- Targeting structural flaws and getting rid of dead wood.
- Writing dialogue which not only reads well but advances your plot and characterisation
- Writing climaxes – starting with the first page of your book!
Theory will include:
- Your role in the publishing process
- Your relationship to agents, editors and publishers
- How eBooks are changing the nature of publishing
- How to find the best agent or publisher for your work
- How to professionally present and submit your work.
Presenters and guest lecturers
As well as weekly workshops with Pamela Freeman, there will be occasional guest lecturers
from the industry to make sure you are up to date with publishing
trends, editorial requirements and what you need to prepare your work
for agents and publishers. Course theory sessions, while broadly as
described in the outline, will be tailored to the specific needs of the
participants.
Guest lecturers will be Malcolm Knox, Sue Whiting and Kirsten Tranter.
Malcolm Knox is the talented author of 13 books, among them Summerland, A Private Man and The Life, which have all been released to great acclaim worldwide. In 2001 he was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Australian novelists. He also worked for a time as the Herald's Literary Editor, breaking the Norma Khouri hoax story, which earned him a Walkley Award.
Sue Whiting is passionate about children's literature and has authored 60 books including picture books and novels for teens. She regularly presents to children at schools on books and writing. Currently also working as a children's book editor, she credits her time as an ex-primary school teacher with inspiring her current career as a writer.
Kirsten Tranter is an agent and acclaimed novelist whose first book, The Legacy, was released in 2010. It was selected as a Kirkus Reviews Best Debut Novel of the year. It was also shortlisted for a host of awards including the ABIA Literary Fiction Award. Working across a broad range of writing styles, including poetry and literary criticism, her next novel, A Common Loss, will be published this year.
* We reserve the right to make changes to courses but will always endeavour to replace tutors/guests with someone of equal experience and standing.
Special features
A special feature of this program is that you will be matched with other program participants who are writing in the same genre. During a scheduled break from classes, everyone in this group will read all of your book – while you read theirs. When classes resume, you will be getting in-depth feedback from them on the structure, flow and impact of your full draft, and giving feedback to them. Pamela will give guidance on how to read and assess manuscripts so participants will get the most out of this experience. It will not only allow you to have your full book read by discerning readers, it will also develop your own skills in structural editing – and give you a deadline to meet! You will have plenty of time to read the drafts and comment on them.
This process is unique in novel-writing courses in Australia. Pamela has included it because it is hard to have your full draft read and commented on without paying a manuscript assessment service.
This process will give you structured feedback from informed, intelligent readers who will, by then, be experienced in workshopping and understand what kind of book you are aiming for. Pamela will then help you plan your final edit based on that feedback.
Private online forum
You’ll be given access to a private online forum where you can workshop your writing in a safe and monitored environment. You’ll also be given a structured workshopping program to complete outside of classroom hours.
No matter what state your novel is in, this course will give you the motivation and discipline to take it to the next level – and maybe further.
The course consists of:
- 22 x evening sessions, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
- Scheduled opportunities to workshop your novel in class, and to have your entire novel read and commented on by fellow participants.
- Ongoing feedback on your novel from Pamela Freeman.
- Exclusive access to your private online forum, so you can workshop and communicate with your classmates in a safe environment.
As Pat Walsh, the American editor, says, "The number one reason your book may never be published is that you haven’t written it." Don’t let that be true of you.
Rave reviews about
Pamela Freeman
"Pamela was fantastic. Her advice and feedback were always spot on, and the sessions were always very informative and enjoyable. I loved discussing everyone's work and giving feedback and possible ideas for improvement. The feedback from the other writers and a published author like Pamela Freeman is invaluable."
- Cheryl Mathews
"Pamela was fantastic. She always kept the mood friendly and real, and kept the workshopping at a professional level, focusing on what the individual needed most from their time in the course. What was most enjoyable about the course was having a friendly atmosphere, where the group could discuss and critique each other’s work in a controlled environment."
- Gustavo Panucci
"I enjoyed Pamela's usual infectious excitement, enthusiasm, motivation and good feedback. I feel it's helped me build on my writing skills."
- Sonia Zadro
"It was great to discuss the various pieces with the group and hear from various unique perspectives. I recognised what was missing in my writing and this has provided me with a better understanding of what it takes to write an engaging piece of fiction."
- Lawrence Roux
"My writing is much clearer and sharper, and I now know of many details about novel writing I was unaware of before."
- Julian Howard
"Pamela is fantastic. She is encouraging and seems genuinely invested in the success of her students. I now have more confidence in my writing ability."
- Karlene Dalbraithe
"Pamela was insightful and her knowledge is extensive. I appreciated her opinions, particularly about other participant's work, which I found very instructive."
- Philip Winn
Learn from the best
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| Pamela is the award-winning author of over 20 books, most recently the Princess Betony series published by Walker Books. In 2010, Full Circle (Book 3 of the Castings trilogy), was published in the US, UK, France, Spain, Portugal and Germany as well as Australia ... read more |
