Have Your Say – The Art Of The Short Personal Essay with Erin O'Dwyer

Learn how to harness your own unique story, or personal point of view, to write a short publication-worthy piece for print or online.

What makes a personal story, or a personal point of view, worthy of publication? We look at news values, genre, and publication; analyse the best short personal essays and opinion pieces; and look at how to develop and draft your essay idea. We will also learn how to pitch your idea, and refine it for publication.

Learning outcomes

As part of this workshop, you will:

• Understand news values and news hooks
• Learn how to turn a personal experience or view point into a personal essay for publication
• Learn how to analyse and critique other personal essays
• Learn how to identify and apply personal essay structure and style conventions to your own writing
• Learn how to develop, research and refine a personal essay idea
• Learn how to structure, draft and shape a personal essay
• Learn how to pitch a personal essay for publication

Format

This is a hybrid workshop with a focus on writing craft and industry information; it will be held in-person at Queensland Writers Centre, State Library of Queensland, and live streamed simultaneously to an online audience via Zoom. As a Level 1 workshop, it is suitable for writers at all levels and writing backgrounds.

About Erin

Erin O’Dwyer is a journalist, writer and editor.

She has worked in the Australian media for more than two decades – in print, digital and broadcast settings. She was a senior staff journalist for Fairfax Media, writing for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and has also been a producer for ABC and an editor for SBS. She has taught journalism and writing at UTS, QUT, UNSW and the University of Sydney. She is currently a freelance editor, consulting to media outlets and publishing houses.

Queensland Writers Centre membership

Consider becoming a member of Queensland Writers Centre ( $79 / year) to save up to 30% across our Program of workshops, courses and events. Queensland Writers Centre membership includes a host of benefits:

• Belong to a vibrant community of Queensland writers
• Discounts of up to 30% across our Program, services, and competitions
• Subscription to the quarterly WQ magazine
• Priority access to writing advice from our experienced team
• Recognition for your writing achievements in our Member Milestones
• Access to Writer's Consults, the Writer's Surgery program and other members only services
• Access to member benefits of other state writers' centres in the National Writers Centre Network

Find more information on our website or get in touch with the team today.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info