From Academic Researcher to Commercial Writer
Graduate Student Centre, Point Grey Campus
Fee – Refundable Upon Completion
Facilitator: Simon Clews, University of Melbourne
Options for Participation:
Two Full Days: Tuesday, March 1st AND Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011 – Refundable Fee $50
(Priority will be given to graduate students registering for both days)
Day One Only, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Tuesday, March 1st – Refundable Fee $25
(Introductory Level – See Description Below)
Day Two Only, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Wednesday, March 2nd — Refundable Fee $25
(Advanced Level – See Description Below)
During these workshops, you will learn about the process of communicating academic research to a general reader. Simon will share advice during interactive seminars which will focus on adapting your scholarly writing to achieve commercial success. Priority will be given to those who wish to attend both days.
Day One: This introductory workshop will cover all aspects of writing research-based, non-fiction for a non-specialist readership; everything from a piece in the daily paper through to an award-winning best seller will be discussed. Participants will examine their writing styles and develop an awareness of the reader. They will look at all the possible outcomes for their expertise in the popular media – including non-print formats – and consider the notion of becoming a public spokesperson in their field. This workshop is perfect for the academic researcher who wants to communicate with a general audience outside the Academy.
Day Two: This advanced workshop will continue on from the introductory workshop. Attendees for this day only will be asked to demonstrate they already have some background in writing outside academia. The aim is to further develop participants’ skills in writing for the popular media. Analysis of potential markets and pitching to publishers will be discussed. Practical writing exercises will allow participants to test their newly acquired skills. The business of being an entrepreneurial writer and the practical steps required to set out on a parallel career in the commercial media will be examined. This workshop is designed for those researchers who are serious about establishing a name for themselves outside the Academy as well as within. Participants are required to bring with them one newspaper and one magazine (again: non-specialist as defined above) that they would like to write for.
The Facilitator: Simon Clews, returns to UBC for the second time to share his expertise. Simon is the Director of the Writing Centre for Scholars and Researchers at the University of Melbourne, Australia, as well as the Creative Program Director for Melbourne’s Writers at the Convent. He is a regular book reviewer and writer of newspaper articles.
Note: Participants are required to bring writing materials or a laptop to each session. Seats are limited to 24 participants. Restricted to UBC graduate students registered in the current academic session.
Refreshments: Light breakfast, refreshments and lunch will be provided. Please bring your own mug.
Registration: Enter your registration information at: https://www.surveyfeedback.ca/surveys/wsb.dll/s/1gbe9
If you experience any difficulty using the online registration tool, please send a message to: gradgps@interchange.ubc.ca
Confirmation and Fee Payment:
You will receive notification of registration status by e-mail within 2 days. If you are accepted into the workshop you will receive instructions for making payment by 12 noon, Monday, Feb. 28th. Fees will be refunded to students who complete the sessions.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies appreciates the support of the Graduate Student Society for this event.
