Non-Fiction Writing & Publishing

Discover the wide world of non-fiction.

Non-fiction writing covers an almost infinite spectrum of subjects and styles, from biographies, newspaper articles, ghostwriting, letters, speeches and historical writing. The only factor binding these disparate strands is their grounding in fact.

The Cengage Education Non-fiction Writing course gives students the broad grounding to take on any non-fiction writing project. You’ll learn about the different varieties of non-fiction, how to plan your project and the use of research and interviews to strengthen your ideas.

The course also addresses the business side of writing – essentials like marketing, self-publishing and finding an agent.

On completion of your course:

Upon completion of this course you will be awarded a Cengage Education Non-Fiction Writing & Publishing Certificate.

* Terms and conditions apply
Course Number 94520
Course Type Correspondence
Course Duration Max 18 months
Study Hours Approx 110 hrs
Qualification Cengage Certificate

Computer requirements

Access to a computer is not mandatory for the completion of this course but would be highly beneficial.

Assessment details

  • 10 written assessments

Entry requirements
Cengage Certificate, Statements of Attainment, Certificate I & Certificate II courses

No entry requirements apply to these courses.

English Language Requirements:

If English is your second language and you did not complete the last two years of secondary education in English you are required to provide evidence of English language competence before enrolling. Examples of appropriate evidence are:

Evidence

Example

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5

TOEFL

530 (paper), 197 (computer) or 71 Internet.

Evidence of employment in an English speaking country.

12 month period of employment: Letters of Appointment, Letters of Reference, Testimonials, Performance Appraisals etc

Not sure if you meet the entry requirements?
Please call 1300 853 033

Subjects You’ll Cover

The wide, wide world of non-fiction

  • Where your book might fit
  • Writing from personal experience
  • Short non-fiction
  • Spin-offs from best-selling non-fiction

Developing your ideas

  • Where to find ideas
  • Developing your idea
  • Understanding your strengths and limitations
  • What your readers need and expect

Planning your book

  • From idea to outline
  • How reader-friendly is your writing?
  • Taking advantage of ideas
  • Research

Anecdotes and quizzes

  • How to write a good anecdote
  • Hints on using fiction techniques
  • The structure of a quiz
  • Using case studies

Writing articles

  • The general structure of an article
  • Writing a query letter to a magazine Editor
  • Using the fiction Writer's techniques
  • How to convert chapters of your book into articles

Writing for the Internet

  • Why writers need the Internet
  • Why readers like the Internet
  • Writing articles for the Internet
  • Writing e-zines

The youth market

  • Writing non-fiction for children and teenagers
  • Re-casting your material for youth
  • Writing non-fiction for children's magazines
  • How other Authors have done it

Collaborating, ghostwriting and self-publishing

  • Should you look at co-writing?
  • The pros and cons of working with other Writers
  • Distributing your book
  • Promoting and marketing your self-published book

Research and interviews

  • Approaches to research
  • Copyright and plagiarism
  • What your readers need to know
  • How to conduct an interview; arranging the interview, preparation, the interview, reconstructing the interview

Editing and polishing your work

  • Getting distance from your manuscript
  • Getting feedback
  • Tips on polishing your work
  • From the first run through to the final draft

Selling your work: query letters, proposals, copywriting tricks

  • Press releases
  • What Editors want
  • How knowledge of copywriting techniques will help you
  • Words that sell

Where to from here?

  • Writing as a business
  • Look ahead and budget to grow
  • Self-promotion and publicity
  • Handling the media

* Fortnightly payment plans also available –     call our Sales team on 1300 853 033 .

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