Anyone who hankers to write a history book, is hot to publish a cookbook or pen a travel tome but doesn’t know where to start will find all the answers in U3A noosa’s upcoming short course on nonfiction writing.
The course, titled “Writing nonfiction: from planning to publication”, will run on three consecutive Saturdays from 30 November and will be presented by University of the Sunshine Coast historian, lecturer and academic Dr Jay Ludowyke.
Dr Ludowyke is the author of Carpathia: The Extraordinary Story of the Ship that Rescued the Survivors of the Titanic, a narrative nonfiction title, which was published last year.
During the course, which will be held at the U3A’s Michell House, in Poinciana Avenue, Tewantin, she will introduce students to the techniques needed to successfully write nonfiction, and to an understanding of the Australian nonfiction market.
The course is designed for writers of all nonfiction genres – from cookbooks to self-help to history – with a special focus on narrative nonfiction (true stories that read like fiction).
Topics will include developing ideas that appeal to publishers, learning how to carry out research, planning plot, structure and chapters, crafting character, setting themes and dialogue, understanding the legal and ethical issues that accompany writing about real people and events, and pitching nonfiction to publishers.
The course will run from 9am to 12.30pm on 30 November, 7 December and 14 December and the total cost is $125.
U3A noosa, which is running the course in partnership with USC’s Office of Continuing Education, invites prospective students to register online. Go to www.u3anoosa.com.au, then to What’s New and click on U3A noosa News or phone U3A noosa reception on (07) 5440 5500 to register.
