Nine years ago Rob McFarland was an IT consultant who had never been published. Now he’s one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading travel writers, with eight writing awards including Travel Writer of the Year. He’s proof that you don’t need to have studied journalism or worked on a newspaper to break into travel writing.

 

Rob will be running an intensive two-day travel writing workshop for aspiring travel writers.

 

Content

During the course, you will learn how to:

 

·         Recognise good travel writing

·         Generate story angles

·         Write compelling openings and closings

·         Structure a feature

·         Apply a specialised toolkit of travel writing techniques

·         Edit effectively

·         Pitch to editors

·         Take great travel photos

·         Operate as a freelancer

·         Market yourself

 

Most importantly, you’ll get detailed feedback on your writing during the course plus the opportunity to submit a feature to be critiqued after the course has finished.

 

You’ll also join a network of course alumni who receive ongoing support and have regular meetups.

 

Results

Previously unpublished participants have gone on to have their work appear in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, the Sun-Herald, Get Lost, Get Up & Go, OUTthere, Destinations and Signature magazines.

 

Writing credentials

Rob is a regular contributor to the Sydney Morning Herald, Sun-Herald, West Australian, NZ Herald, Dominion Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Luxury Travel, Air New Zealand’s inflight (KiaOra), Let’s Travel, Maxim & GQ magazines.

 

He is a member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) and is a judge for the annual Gourmet Traveller, Hotel Management and International Traveller Hotel awards.

 

He’s won eight writing awards in Australia and the US.

 

Teaching credentials

Rob has lectured at Sydney University, taught at TAFE and worked as a corporate trainer for the learning and development specialist TP3. He’s a qualified trainer with a Cert IV in Training and Assessment and has extensive experience of developing and delivering training programs.

 

Details

When: 2 sessions – 10am – 5pm on Sat Feb 22 and Sat Mar 1, 2014

Where: Pullman Hotel, cnr of Waterloo Quadrant & Princes Street, Auckland

How much: $499 

How many: Limited to 12 spaces

 

To register your interest, email robmcfarland@yahoo.com or see www.robmcfarland.org for more details.

 

Participant feedback

“In all my years of journalism studies and internships, I honestly feel as though this has been one of the most constructive courses I’ve ever completed.” Penelope R

 

“Rob McFarland’s course far exceeded my expectations. Based on Rob’s encouragement, I pitched my article from the course to the Sydney Morning Herald and it was accepted. I never would have done this on my own and Rob not only made it possible, but also very easy.” Emily S

 

“Fantastic, inspiring, exciting, motivating. This kind of knowledge could take months, even years to establish on one’s own. I finished the course feeling that there wasn’t anything you didn’t cover for us be able to go out and have a really good crack at being a travel writer.” Annabelle S

 

“I’ve done a fair few writing courses over the years with the NSW Writer’s Centre, and this would easily be the best, both in structure, presentation, access to information, content and value for money.” Alison A, literacy teacher

 

“I thought it was just terrific. Well planned and structured, and equally well-implemented and presented. I run a business based on communicating with an audience, and Rob is a communicator par excellence.” Jan B

 

“Wow! I have done a few writing courses over the last 7 or so years. Yours was the best structured and most clearly delivered.” Ian B

 

“I really loved your course – very inspiring and so constructive – thank you.” Susan H

 

“I have nothing but praise. The course felt really well-honed, without being regimental in its structure. Everything was useful – practical advice, instantly applicable tools and methodology, great bite-size pieces of information. A really well-balanced structure, with great interaction.” Sara D

 

“I absolutely loved this workshop and I have learned so much. The structure was great. This was the best thing I have done in ages.” Christine H

 

“Attending this workshop was a bit like my first trip to China – I wish I had done it sooner. Highly recommended.” Bronwyn H

 

“I loved the course. I thought it was brilliant. I want to do it again and again just to hear the stories of the other students.” Emily S

"Loved every minute of the day." Judy A