FIRST TIME IN VANCOUVER
The Hackwriters Writing and Publishing Programme Autumn 2002

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The course is based around the award winning on-line journal www.hackwriters.com
(Guardian Media Award nominee in 2000, Skylines Travel Writers Award winners in 2001, Gold award from pointoflife.com 2002, recommended writers resource by Lonely Planet in Australia and the Times Higher in the UK.)

Hackwriters graduates are working in the media as journalists, editors, freelance writers, travel writers and their work has appeared in The Guardian and Daily Telegraph UK, Easyjet Travel Magazine, Fishing News, various Spanish Magazines, Elle Décor New York, AfterFive Magazine Toronto and numerous travel and writing websites around the world.
This course originated out of the post-graduate writing programme at Falmouth, Cornwall where Sam North was the Programme Leader until Dec 2001.

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This 10 Week introduction course (running for three hours every Tuesday night) is developed for aspirant writers who want to get up to speed in journalism and editing skills in lifestyle, travel, comment and general feature writing. This is the first time it is offered in Vancouver. It starts September 24th 2002
There is a huge demand for articles in print magazines, but editors demand good research skills, speed and adherence to word counts as well as originality.

What you will do:
You will write commissioned features to a professional standard and build an on-line portfolio to show future editors.
Learn to pitch ideas to editors
Research skills
Learn to submit work for intensive scrutiny in group analysis.
Write articles to strict deadlines
Proofreading and Editing
( These sessions will take place in an informal atmosphere where debate and constructive critical comment is encouraged – moderated by the Editor Sam North).

All work and amended work will be emailed into the editor by the set deadlines:
All work (delivered by deadline to an agreed standard, will be placed on Hackwriters at the weekly update)

Students will be prepared to work on features in lifestyles, reviews, interviews, current events, travel, trade events. The successful freelance writer has to be flexible, well read, understanding and fast. The course is for writers ready for a challenge and wanting to make a career out of freelance writing.

Prerequisites:
Proficiency in English – *this does not exclude foreign nationals – international students with a reasonable grounding in English grammar are very welcome. The magazine publishes in English.
Willingness to accept critical comment from tutor and the group.
Some confidence in speaking in public – often you have to pitch by phone or in person to an editor and this may be your only chance to sell the idea.
You will need your own computer and email at home.
The course will take place in an informal atmosphere where good coffee is served. (This follows in the rich tradition set out by Samuel Johnson – the father of modern English). Students will be expected to attend all sessions, read all work and edit at home in the scheduled timeframe
The Cost: $395 for the 10 week sessions
(Three hours every Tuesday 7-10pm)
Fee to be paid up front
Sept 24th and Oct 22nd Sessions wil be held at The Alliance for Arts and Culture
Suite 100- 938 Howe Street, Vancouver -6.45pm-9.45pm

*The Tutor:

Sam North MA - ex Programme Leader of the Falmouth College of Arts Post Graduate Writers Programme UK
Author of six novels, many radio dramas, freelance writer (Elle Décor – After5 magazine) – screenwriter and editor of Hackwriters.com
10 years of teaching at graduate and post-graduate level

email Sam at editor@hackwriters.com with a writing sample and to reserve a place- don't forget to list your academic or lifeskills and address, phone details.

*This Course only offered in Vancouver, Canada this year

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