UMSL's Write Stuff Program: Chancellor's Certificate in Writing, Focused Seminars, Business Writing and More

UMSL's Write Stuff Program offers St. Louis area writers the opportunity to "learn from experts and enhance your skills." 

Writers interested in earning a Chancellor's Certificate in Writing:

* Complete a total of 50 contact hours 

* Contact hours include:

 ** Two core courses (one fiction and one nonfiction) taught by top students in UMSL's distinguished Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing Program 

 ** And focused seminars on a wide variety of topics (including business writing) 

Writers wanting to improve their writing skills but not interested in earning a certificate:

** Can pick and choose from a variety of classes or seminars that interest them

All seminars are taught by published authors

For more information on The Write Stuff Certificate Program or to register, please call (314) 516-7454.

This month, multi-published, award-winning author and writing teacher Dianna Graveman will give a seminar on: 

Writing for Dollars: Earn Income as a Freelancer

The seminar will be Saturday September 20 from 1-4

Here's a description of the seminar: "You've written a short story or have a great idea for a magazine article or personal essay. Now what? Where and how can you get it published and earn money for your work? Find places to publish, choose a market for your story, pitch an article, and more. Come away from this class with a wealth of information about how to start writing for dollars."

Two Business Writing Seminars will also be presented this month: 

Business Writing Seminars will count toward the contact hours needed for the Write Stuff Certificate. 

Business writing seminars are $65 each, or you may register for both on the same day for $100 each. Onsite training is available for a group of 10 or more participants. Please call for special pricing and scheduling options.

* Grammar and Punctuation for the Business Professional

Wednesday, September 24, 2014 • 9 AM–Noon  
Creativity and industry knowledge are building blocks for effective business writing, but common errors in grammar and punctuation can undermine the best efforts. Join this collaborative workshop to refresh your knowledge or to continue to build stronger skills.

* Telling the Story: Narrative Writing for Business Professionals

Wednesday, September 24, 2014 • 1–4 PM  
Storytelling skills aren’t just for novelists; business professionals use narrative writing, too – to weave scenarios, present case studies, develop compelling training modules, craft great blog posts, compose winning press releases, and more. Learn how to craft a piece that will hook your audience, engage them, and send them off with a memorable message.

For more information, visit the Write Stuff Program website.

The Write Stuff Program at the University of Missouri at St. Louis

Are you searching for the "write stuff?"

The University of Missouri at St. Louis is offering a "Write Stuff" program for students desiring to take courses and receive a Chancellor's Certificate in Writing.

The program requires completion of 50 contact hours, which includes two core courses (one fiction and one nonfiction) as well as choosing from seminars covering a wide range of writing-related topics.

I'm scheduled to give a seminar on "Write to Win: Writing Tips from a Contest Judge" at the J.C. Penney auditorium on the UMSL campus on Sep 14 from 1-4 p.m.

During the three-hour seminar I'll share tips and strategies I've learned over years of entering and judging writing competitions. I'll also conduct an exercise where participants judge contest entries to determine if their picks match those selected as winners in a national writing competition.

UMSL Write Stuff Program seminar topics given by other instructors -- including Margo Dill, Dianna Graveman, Bobbi Smith and others -- will cover: research, marketing, publishing and more.

Writers who aren't interested in completing the entire program for a certificate may take individual classes and seminars.

Cost for individual seminars is $65.

To register, phone 314-561-6590.

Here's a link to the UMSL Write Stuff Program site, where you can find more details.