Please check back for updates from the Writing Program and instructor columns. For information about courses and certificate programs, please visit:
Copyediting: extension.ucsd.edu/copyediting
Creative Writing: extension.ucsd.edu/creativewriting
Feature Writing: extension.ucsd.edu/featurewriting
Technical Communication: extension.ucsd.edu/techcomm
Posted in introductions
Join us on December 3rd for a unique opportunity. Authors, publishers and agents from across California will discuss the publishing world today and help you discover your path to getting your books on the shelf.
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Jo’el Roth has been selected to receive a University of California Alumni “Change the World” Scholarship from UC San Diego Extension to pursue a certificate in alcohol and drug abuse counseling to assist veterans.
All of the more than 1 million UC alumni are eligible to apply for merit scholarships of up to $5,500 to enter any continuing education certificate or special study program offered by UC San Diego Extension.
Roth, who earned her bachelor’s of arts degree from UCLA in 1977, is currently completing a master’s degree at San Diego State University in rehabilitation counseling. “This certificate will help augment my graduate studies and assist me with a career change from electronics to vocational counseling,” says Roth.
The UC San Diego Extension Scholarship Committee cited her “passion for helping returning veterans overcome alcohol and drug abuse.” Roth is currently volunteering in the field through an internship at Veterans Village San Diego, a 220-bed residential facility for veterans who are in recovery from substance abuse and homelessness. The facility provides a full range of life changing services to veterans of all eras. This includes rehabilitation, 12-step counseling and job search support.
All persons who have received a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree from any UC campus are eligible to apply by completing an online “Change the World” Scholarship form from the extension.ucsd.edu/scholarships Web site before the next deadline date of January 15, 2009.
What does it mean to change the world? The definition is purposely broad, and can range from cultural enrichment to regional economic development. UC San Diego Extension is looking to reward alumni with the promise and potential to improve the quality of life in San Diego, and beyond. In the application essay, potential recipients can explain how they would help California build a globally competitive talent pool, accelerate economic vitality or foster community-building conversations if they receive this advanced training.
Certificate programs offer a practical, concentrated study in a specific professional area and most can be started any academic quarter. For the convenience of working adults, classes for most of UC San Diego Extension’s certificate programs and specialized study programs are held evenings and weekends on the UC San Diego main campus and three other locations in Sorrento Mesa, Rancho Bernardo and Mission Valley.
UC San Diego offers approximately 100 certificates or special study programs. Some areas of possible study for career changers or those wishing to add new skills to their resume include: Business; Digital Arts; Education; Engineering and Defense Technology; English Language Studies; Foreign Languages; Healthcare and Behavioral Sciences; Humanities and Writing; Information Technology and Software Engineering; Law; Leadership and Management Development; Life Sciences; Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health; Photography, Art and Music, and Public Service, Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business.
Certificate programs at UC San Diego Extension have never been more popular. This past year UC San Diego Extension had approximately 54,000 enrollees, which translates to a record 22,600 students in more than 4,600 courses.
Pursuing a continuing education certificate on a part-time basis can be a cost-effective and time-effective way to gain applied knowledge for employment areas in higher demand. According to a 2009 survey of 487 certificate graduates, 84 percent reported they accomplished the goals they set for themselves by obtaining an UC San Diego Extension certificate. Approximately 62 percent of certificate graduates are under the age of 39. Approximately 85 percent already have a college degree and 10 percent are alumni of UC San Diego.
The “Change the World” scholarships are automatically renewed, provided the recipient continues to pass their coursework and remains active in the certificate program. Scholarships cover tuition only, are non-transferable and carry no cash value.
Scholarships are awarded each academic quarter. Applications must be received by January 15, April 15, July 15, or October 15. Recipients and non-recipients are notified by email by March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. Applications will be considered for the upcoming quarter. The UC San Diego Extension Scholarship Committee will review scholarship applications four times a year and reserves the right not to award a scholarship.
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Tammy Greenwood’s new novel, The Hungry Season, will be published in February. The Hungry Season is a “story of hope, family, and above all, hunger—for food, sex, love and success—and for a way back to wholeness when a part of oneself has been lost forever.” She has posted information about the book on her website as well as a trailer to give you a little peek into the book. Enjoy!
Tammy is teaching a new course at Extension this winter quarter that focuses on developing characters for the novel. Join her on January 16th for this exciting course
Characterization in the Novel
Many well-known authors have noted that each time they take on a new project, they must learn to live with the intimate details, personalities, and daily lives of their characters – whether they want to or not. Focus on the finer points of characterization – understanding their desires, motivations, and frustrations – while clearly predicting and communicating their histories and futures to your readers. Examine the motivations of your characters to assist in their authenticity. Learn how to face the challenge of creating and integrating the various elements into a cohesive and credible whole.
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La Jolla: On Monday, November 16, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Avenue, will host two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Jesse Katz, who will discuss The Opposite Field. This event is free and open to the public, although in order to be signed, books must be purchased from Warwick’s. For more information, please call Warwick’s at (858) 454-0347.
Background: Faced with the collapse of his son’s Little League program, consisting mostly of Latino kids in the largely Asian suburb of Monterey Park, California, Jesse Katz, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and a former staffer at the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Magazine, finds himself thrust into the role of baseball commissioner for La Loma Park. Under its lights the yearnings and conflicts of a complex immigrant community are played out amid surprising moments of grace. Each day-and night-becomes a test of Jesse’s judgment and adaptability, and of his capacity to make this peculiar pocket of L.A.’s Eastside his home. Through it all, Jesse’s emotional mainstay is his beloved son, Max, who quietly bests his father’s brightest hopes. Over nine springs and summers with Max at La Loma, Jesse learns nothing less than what it takes to be a father, a son, a husband, a coach, and, ultimately, a man.
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Tue. Dec. 1 — The deadline for submission to the LOCAL AUTHOR SEARCH. The San Diego Public Library is searching for local authors who published a book in 2009. This is a great opportunity for San Diego’s literary talents to be recognized. If you are a local author or know of one, please call the San Diego Public Library at (619) 236-5847 and let us know. The 44th Annual Local Authors Exhibit will run through the month of February 2010. There will be a special preview reception for the authors on January 3, 2010. The publications will be displayed in the lobby of the Central Library located downtown at 820 E Street, San Diego, CA, 92101. If you have any questions or comments about this please contact the Exhibit Coordinator, Pamela Sanderson, at 619-236-5847 or psanderson@sandiego.gov.
Posted in books
Almudena Grandes, an award-winning Spanish writer, was born in Madrid in 1960. She became widely recognized as a writer in 1989 with her novel Las edades de Lulu (The Ages of Lulu), which won the XI Sonrisa Vertical Prize. Acclaimed by critics and readers, her novels Te llamare Viernes (I’ll Call You Friday), Malena es un nombre de tango (Malena Is a Tango Name), Atlas de geografia humana (Atlas of Human Geography), Los aires dificiles (The Wind from the East), Castillos de carton (Cardboard Castles), along with her books of short stories Modelos de mujer (Models of Womankind) and Estaciones de paso (Stations On the Way), and the collection of articles Mercado de Barcelo (The Barcelo Market), have confirmed that she is one of the most solid and internationally-known narrators in recent Spanish literature.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
6:00 p.m.
UC San Diego
The Faculty Club – Atkinson Pavilion
The lecture will be in English… a reception will follow the lecture… Free and Open to the Public
The importance of the past comes alive as Almudena Grandes guides her audience on a journey through the process of becoming a writer, using the past century in Spanish history as the basis for her literary work
The James K. Binder Lectureship is made possible by the late Mr. Binder’s generous bequest and honors his wishes that we bring leading European intellectuals to UC San Diego to provide a forum for rigorous discussions of literary topics.
Contact Nancy Daly for reasonable accommodations to enable your access and participation - ndaly@ucsd.edu
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Melisssa Mazzeo, a UC San Diego Extension writing student, recently announced the creation of a new content creation service. They are also searching for writing talent from fellow UC San Diego Extension students. You can contact her at melissa@contentprose.com.
Content Prose Inc. Launches New Website
Brooklyn, Ny: Content Prose, Inc., a company that creates targeted content for any business that markets itself online, has launched its new website, www.contentprose.com. According to the managing partner of the firm, Melissa Mazzeo, the partners have been working in the field for quite some time, but the business itself is relatively new. “We formed Content Prose when we identified the need for a team of professional writers who specialize in the creation of high-value, high-impact content for Internet marketers. Our exceptionally strong marketing background sets us apart from the competition,” she said. “Any person or business that markets online can benefit from our services.”
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2009 LA JOLLA WRITERS CONFERENCE
When: November 6-8, 2009
Where: Paradise Point Resort & Spa (on Mission Bay)
Schedule & Information: www.lajollawritersconference.com
Description: The La Jolla Writers Conference welcomes writers of all levels of experience to participate in an interactive, intimate and fruitful event. Each year, the LJWC faculty boasts a myriad of NY Times bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, writing experts, and PR & marketing gurus looking to share their knowledge and experience. Dedicated to creating a quality learning environment with easily accessible faculty, the LJWC limits its enrollment to the first 200 attendees. Welcoming attendees from all over the country, the LJWC offers more 70 classes, three keynotes, two banquet meals, a reception and an incredible opportunity to further yourself as a writer.
If you attend this year’s conference, keep an eye out for the UC San Diego Extension booth. Stop by and say hello!
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Publishing Panel
Are you interested in publishing your novel or memoir, but not sure where to start?
On December 5th, UC San Diego Extension is hosting a panel to discuss current trends in publishing. Let experts in traditional and non-traditional publishing help you navigate the publishing maze. You will find out what a “platform” is, why it’s absolutely necessary and how to build your own. How to get an agent and when to approach a publisher will be discussed and you’ll discover the many types of publishing available to authors. This three-hour forum brings together authors and publishing experts in panel discussion.
Panelists include Jack Shoemaker from Counterpoint Press, Howard Junker from literary magazine Zyzzyva, literary agent Elise Capron from the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, writer and Psychology Today blogger Meredith Resnick; Brad Listi, author and founder of The Nervous Breakdown website for writers; novelist Nancy Spiller, author of Entertaining Disasters; novelist Jane Vandenburgh, author of memoir A Pocket History of Sex in the Twentieth Century and novelist Amy Wallen, author of MoonPies and MovieStars.
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We are proud to announce that one of our alumni is a panelist at the Writing Your Career Success in Industry seminar at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research next week. Congratulations to Roshni for your success in the field!
Event Description
What is medical communication? What do medical writers do? Where does writing and communication fall in the process between discovery research and FDA approval of a novel drug? What is the scope of a career in medical writing? How is medical writing different from technical or science writing? How do you start your path towards a writing career in industry?
Learn about careers in Medical Communication and Science and Technical Writing as professional writers share their career paths and success stories.
Guest Panelists
Thursday Nov 5th
Fishman Auditorium
4:00-5:00pm
Networking social after presentation
Burnham Institute for Medical Research
Office of Postdoctoral Training
10901 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 646-3100
www.burnham.org
Parking is available in non-reserved spots. Click here for map.
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