Improve your news and feature writing - Saturday, January 28, 2006

IABC Belgium and the National Union of Journalists, Brussels, are co-sponsoring two one-day workshops on news and feature writing as well as sub-editing on Saturday, January 28. 

Experienced freelance journalist and editorial trainer Wynford Hicks will conduct the workshop, which comprises four sessions: press release writing and press conference briefing; writing news stories; feature writing and sub-editing.

Wynford Hicks has authored or co-authored three books - English for Journalists, Writing for Journalists and Sub-editing for Journalists - in the Routledge Media Skills series and contributes to the Chief sub column of the National Union of Journalists bi-monthly Journalist magazine. He ran one of the first UK BA degree courses in journalism at London City University (1991-1996) and taught journalism at the London College of Printing.

Programme: Each one-day session covers the following:

• News writing (including press releases)
• News definitions and formulas
• Writing press releases·
• Practical exercise: Write a short news story to deadline based on material gathered at a press conference
• Writing a brief for a feature
• Structure
• "Writing do's and don'ts" for endings
• Practical exercise: Prepare a brief for proposed feature on agreed subject; rewrite short feature provided
• The sub's role summarised: handling copy (editing copy to fit, checking facts, ensuring that copy makes sense, is in good English, consistent with house style and free of legal problems); writing headlines; checking pictures to ensure accuracy and good reproduction; checking proofs.
• Practical exercise: Check, correct and rewrite copy; write appropriate headlines; photo caption writing.

There will also be an exercise to test your English.

Cost: The cost of the workshop, including refreshments and lunch, is €195 for IABC and NUJ members and €385 for non-members.

How to book: To sign up for the Saturday, January 28, 2006 workshop, click on the Register button below and fill out the form. You will receive a confirmation by e-mail.

If you would prefer to attend the Friday, January 27 workshop, click here.

Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Places are limited in order to ensure close interaction between tutor and participants.

Terms and conditions: All bookings are considered provisional until confirmed by payment of the participation fee, which must be paid within five days of registration notification. A confirmation e-mail of the payment data should be sent at the time of the payment to: secretariat@iabc.be

If the fee is not paid within the specified period, the organisers reserve the right to cancel the registration and offer the place to someone else.

Fees must be paid by direct bank transfer to the following account:

IABC Belgium

• Account number: ING: 310-0432886-61
• IBAN code: BE62 310 0432886 61
• BIC code: BBRUBEBB

Please indicate your surname and workshop date in the message section (eg SMITH/IABC/NUJ writing workshop 27/01/2006).

An invoice will be sent after registration.

Cancellations: All cancellation requests must be made in writing.

In the event of cancellation 14 or more days prior to the workshop; e.g. before Friday 13 January 2006, the fee will be refunded less 25% to cover administration expenses.

No refunds can be made for late cancellation, but you are entitled to send a substitute. Provided the nominated substitute is an IABC member, no additional payment is required. If the nominee is not a member of the IABC, the non-member rate for the workshop will apply and an additional payment of €190 must be made prior to the workshop.

General information: The workshop includes refreshments and a light lunch. A vegetarian option will be provided for those delegates who notify the organisers upon registration.

The IABC Belgium chapter:

• Cannot offer refunds to delegates who fail to attend the workshop for reasons outside the control of the chapter;
• Will not be held responsible for the travel, accommodation or other contingent expenses for delegates who fail to attend workshops for any reason;
• Reserves the right to alter the programme, date or venue without prior notification.