See What The Professionals Say
Below you’ll find comments about our writing courses from professionals in the industry.
Comments about the Comprehensive Creative Writing course
Comprehensive Creative Writing course.
FROM A NOVELIST
“Having studied The Comprehensive Creative Writing course for would-be authors, I can say that is contains much useful information and advice. In particular, I admired the Modules and Handbooks which are concerned with the writing of text books and of various genres of novels. While it is rightly emphasised that the best way of learning to write is by practising the craft, the manuals and the personal tuition which comprise the course will provide any beginner with valuable guidance.”
Michael Legat
Michael Legat is a former Editorial Director of Corgi Books and of Cassells. He is now a full-time writer who has published five novels and several non-fiction books, the latter including ‘An Author’s Guide to Publishing’ and ‘Writing for Pleasure and Profit’. He teaches Creative Writing and lectures widely.
FROM A JOURNALIST
“THE PERFECT introduction to the wonderland of writing, with all its shades and textures, its emotions and excitements. This is a course which never tries to avoid the truth many writers try to avoid: that there is rarely any gain without pain; that you are likely to need both flair and discipline if you really want to write well. Whether it be for fun or profit, or both.
“You are given a feel for words and the inspiration to search for those descriptive phrases which enable you to communicate your true feelings. You are provided with the framework for creating an organised approach to making the most of your talents. The topics are so varied that even a professional would benefit from this course!”
Tim Taylor
Tim Taylor is a Journalist who has had work published from The Times to The Sport. He has worked on morning and evening papers in Manchester and Birmingham, as a staffman in Fleet Street and as a Sports Editor. Tim now lives in Cheshire with his wife and three children.
A Professional Writer's opinion of the Comprehensive Creative Writing course:
“It’s so hard for new writers to know exactly where to start. They’re bombarded with all kinds of writing all around them and sometimes haven’t a clue about the kind of writing they want to do themselves, or the path they want to take. The Creative Writing course with its comprehensive and consistent advice covers all aspects of writing, thus clearing the confusion and encouraging the student to find the track to which their own voice and their own talents are most suited. The set assignments help to foster good attitudes towards self-discipline and give a kind of mock deadline perspective – good apprenticeship skills.
“The most difficult thing, for beginners, is knowing just how to mould brilliant ideas into workable material. It is sometimes extremely difficult to step away from the performance that happens inside the head and take a long, clear look at what one has actually written on paper. There has to be no room for misinterpretation but, often, the two presentations bear little resemblance to one another. New writers have difficulty observing this. They assume so much knowledge of plot, characters, structure etc or the ‘internal’ play that it is next to impossible for them to stand back in the role of editor/ producer and examine the words they have actually written as though seeing them for the first time. They miss many of the gaps and flaws which can become only too obvious on read-through or presentation.
“The Creative Writing course overcomes this difficulty by showing the student how to develop all of a play’s separate elements one by one and bring them together into a cohesive unit, so that each supports the others in energising the original concept.”
Irene Yates
Irene Yates is a full time writer who wears four different writing hats. She writes for stage and for radio, and has won many awards for her plays. She also writes educational books, both for teachers and for students, and articles for educational publications. Her third hat is as a writer of children’s stories and poems and her fourth is as a writer of articles and fiction for women's magazines. It has to be said that her first love is the stage and if she could choose who to be in her next life, it would be Henrik Ibsen!
Freelance Journalism course
“There is a great deal of raw writing talent in the world. Sadly, most of it remains unpolished and unpublished. The would-be journalist fails by making many stylistic and marketing mistakes. Such writers need someone to steer them towards accomplishment and the Freelance Journalism course expertly pilots them all the way.
“As a new scribe you’ll be shown the writing options open to you – from writing advertorials to active reportage. Told which topics to target and which to avoid. Whatever the subject matter you choose, you’ll be shown how to construct a feature with true verve and focus – given access to professional writing experience with clear emphasis on the knowledge which will serve you most.
“Which types of magazines want soft focus features? What does an editor mean when he asks for hard copy? The new freelance will find answers to those questions and to, literally, hundreds more. Journalistic lingo is fully explained so that the new writer no longer feels as if he is on the outside looking in.
“Ability and persistence are not enough – as a writer you need to understand everything from successful writing styles to seasonal requirements. The Freelance Journalism course provides you with this wealth of information in a clear, compelling and comprehensive way.”
Carol Ann Davis
Carol Ann Davis was short-listed for a Best New Journalist award in her second year of writing. Her health journalism, consumer and lifestyle features have appeared in newspapers and in a wide range of women’s, teenage and general interest magazines. She was a columnist for the late lamented Topical Books and still does occasional book reviewing for crime magazines. Carol has also done film reviewing and interview-based features for the local press. A former non-fiction writing tutor and an ongoing fiction writer, she has also worked in a sub-editing capacity on a woman’s magazine.
An Editor and Publisher's opinion of the Freelance Journalism course:
“Journalism is a craft mastered by trial and error and it needs tremendous discipline if it is to earn you a decent living. But the expertise, the guidance and the sound common sense found on the pages of the Freelance Journalism course make it suitable for both the budding professional and the part-timer after pin money.
“At any level journalism is hugely enjoyable, opening unlikely doors and bringing you into contact with amazing people. It makes you more aware of the world around you and, as you develop news-gathering skills, you begin to realise that saleable stories lurk in the most unpromising places.
“By signing up to such an experienced organisation as STT, you will soon learn to avoid any pitfalls because you will be producing something of value, targeting the right publications and reaping the appropriate rewards.”
Priscilla Hodgson
Priscilla Hodgson is a former Women’s Editor of the Daily Mail and Features Editor of the Birmingham Post. As well as editing both newspapers and magazines, she has been a freelance contributor to major publications as diverse as The Sunday Times and The Sun. She is now head of a publishing company in North Wales.
Writing for Children course
A Children's Writer and Editor's opinion of the Writing for Children course:
“Writing for children requires the same basic skills, techniques and originality as writing for adults. If it’s important to you that you get published, it is vital to understand the current needs and trends of the marketplace so you know what publishers are looking for.
“This Writing for Children course will teach you all you need to know and help you achieve your goal.
“With a logical, progressive and very user-friendly approach, the novice writer is guided through the various techniques essential to the craft of writing for children. Each stage of the course is well illustrated with examples and exercises to reinforce the points learned, and there is no-nonsense advice about how to create and present your work to make it acceptable to a potential publisher.
“At all times the tone is professional, and the advice sensible, practical and comprehensive, taking into account the demands of a specialist market and the requirements of such a specific audience.
“Inspired by the success of J K Rowling or Philip Pullman, it’s easy for all of us to harbour secret dreams of instant success. But the truth is that it can only be achieved with committed application and practice under expert guidance - which this course provides in abundance.”
Jackie Andrews
Now a freelance children’s writer and editor, Jackie Andrews worked first as a librarian, then as a teacher of English, Art and Drama before spending five years with Kestrel Books as an editorial assistant/PA. She then became Editor in Chief for Scholastic’s children’s book club. She writes regular reports on submissions to The Writer’s Advice Centre for Children’s Books and provides editorial support and approvals for the publishing of Ragdoll’s licensed characters. Jackie is currently working on her own novel for teenagers.
FROM A WRITER
“I wish there’d been a course like this at the beginning of my long journey – when I first set out to try and fulfil my dream of becoming a published children’s writer.
“New writers often find it hard to work out how and where to start. Sometimes, they might not be sure which age group they want to write for – or what genre to write. This course will help you decide and, what’s more, help you tremendously when you’ve made your decision. The well-structured course modules show you everything you need to know in an exciting and sparkling way.
“You’re not only told how to get to know your reader, you’re shown how to try and see the world through a child’s eyes. You’ll see how to write responsibly, how to reflect modern society – and what to avoid.
“The sections on Deciding What To Write and Writing for Different Age Groups are extremely helpful for the new writer. The breakdown of what to include in a story is particularly informative; it will serve as a useful checklist when you’ve written your first draft.
“In this course, you’ll find the answers to the most difficult questions and answers to questions you hadn’t even thought of asking! It’s instructive, constructive and so much fun. I can assure you that you’ll have several ‘light-bulb’ moments whilst working through the course.”
Pat Posner
Pat Posner has been writing books, magazine stories and Annuals for more years that she cares to remember. She has adapted traditional fairytales and classics, written activity books and novelty books. Her single title books include: Guinea Pig’s Adventure, No Waifs or Strays and Animal Stories That Really Happened. She has written two picture books and four books in the Pebbledown Bay Series. Under the name Lucy Daniels she has written eight Animal Ark and Animal Ark Pet books.