There are several ways in which I help other writers on their journey to becoming a published, or better writer. I am a tutor for the Writers Bureau Correspondence Course (the non-fiction element of the comprehensive course) and I am often asked to run workshops at writers’ groups and writing holidays. I also operate a blog, which is aimed at my Writers Bureau students, but anyone can read, sign up to or follow.
The Writers Bureau
See the tutor videos!
The Writers Bureau is a home study course provider offering a variety of writing courses. For more information, visit their website.
The Bureau also offer a monthly e-zine newsletter which not only gives special offers on some of their courses, but also shares stories about student’s successes and includes a practical article on various aspects of writing, along with some useful website links and other resources. To sign up to the free e-zine click here.
Workshops / Talks & Lectures
(Drinking tea at a Grace Dieu Writer’s Circle Workshop)
(Picture Credit - Sue Moorcroft) Simon talking at Caerleon 2009
Here are a few comments that I’ve received from groups following a workshop or talk that I have given:
"I just sat down to write a big thank you, the workshop was excellent, so practical and effective and you got us thinking" - AP - Staffordshire
"Many thanks again for delivering such an enjoyable workshop. Every single writer praised you on their evaluation forms, remarking that your infectious enthusiasm for writing, knowledge and preparation was very much appreciated. Most definitely the best workshop I've been to this year."
KL - Leicestershire
"I just had to write to you to thank YOU for having given us so much food for thought. All of us without exception thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet you and to hear your fascinating talk. We can't wait to invite you back!" JH - Worcestershire
Simon has a reputation as a brilliant speaker - Bournemouth Writers
(the poor souls in my ‘Feature & Travel Writing for Magazine workshops at Caerleon 2007)
If you’d like me to run a workshop or talk for your writer’s circle (depending upon your location - I’m based in Shropshire), please click on the ‘Contact Me’ link to email me. Details of my more popular workshops can be found below:
Writing for the Magazine Market: Whether you write articles, short stories or even poems, you need to know how to write suitable material for the magazine you are targeting. This workshop shows you how to analyse a magazine to identify who its readers are, and where the best 'freelance' slots are in a magazine.
Writing a Non-fiction book: we all have a book inside us apparently, so let's hope it's a non-fiction one because for every novel published, 5 non-fiction books are published. This workshop will show you how to increase your chances of publication by finding a suitable market for your book, and then writing a decent proposal.
Full-time Freelancing: Don't! Well okay, if you want to give it a go, find out where I went wrong and be prepared to accept that your image of a writer sitting in an oak-panelled study gazing out across an enchanting view just doesn't exist!
My Kingdom For A County: County magazines offer a good market for local writers to target. After all, you live in the area, you're already the expert. Find out what sort of subjects they publish and how to break into them.
Jeremy Paxman Gets Creative: Quotes add life to a piece of text, so this workshop shows you what sort of questions to ask to get information from people. With plenty of interaction between workshoppers, we'll explore how to get creative with the information you've gathered to discover that interviews are not all they may seem to be.
Come Fly With Me! Travel writing is a writer’s dream job. But it’s not all lounging in the sun with cocktail in one hand, whilst you type up your latest feature on the laptop with the other. That’s pure fantasy! You stand more chance of success writing about the Seven Wonders of Wigan! Let’s whizz around the world and find out how to write ANY travel feature, even if you’ve never set foot further than the Isle of Wight!
That’s bl**dy c**p!? Constructive criticism is a skill. Destructive comments hurt, but a plethora of positive plaudits from other writing group members isn’t helpful either. Writers need guidance, not insults. In this practical workshop we’ll judge some competition entries, allowing us to be impartial, and from this, discover ten top tips for giving or receiving criticism.
Article Writing - Does the Earth Move For You? When writing articles you need to knock your readers off their feet with an earth shattering title and a pulsating first paragraph. Then all you have to do is keep them on their toes with the rest of your seismic offerings. From a tectonic strategy of producing saleable articles, to creating a tsunami of ideas, this workshop will have your enthusiasm registering off the Richter Scale!
Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells! Dear Writer. One of the quickest routes to publication is to write a letter or filler. Financially, it can be a useful too, paying up to £200 for a top tip or even £15 for a joke you heard down the pub! Disgusted that you’re missing out? This workshop will rekindle your love affair with letter writing – guaranteed. Yours sincerely, Simon Whaley.
How To Be A Positively Productive Writer - It's so easy to become demoralised as a writer, what with all those rejections. But if you can look on the positive side of life, it's amazing how things can change. Let's set out your short, medium and long term goals to help you achieve what you want to achieve, and create a personal booster card for you to look at to remind yourself that you CAN do it! If you need a good kick up the arse, then this is it!