WRITE A NON-FICTION STORY

Random House Struik and GetSmarter, South Africa’s leading online educator, are proud to announce the launch of the Random House Struik Write a Non-Fiction Story course. The 10-week part-time course, which starts on October 31, 2011, is presented entirely online through GetSmarter’s innovative online learning platform.

Everyone has a personal story to tell. Whether it’s an autobiography, memoir, a biography of a fascinating family member, a travel adventure or a historical account, people want to write their stories and preserve their memories for posterity. However, few people feel that they have the time, money or opportunity to learn how to craft personal, engaging non-fiction stories.

The Random House Struik Write a Non-Fiction Story course teaches novice and experienced writers alike how to write their personal non-fiction stories. The course is taught by well-known South African author and journalist Mike Nicol who has written several novels and non-fiction books. His most recent work is Monkey Business, an analysis of the tragic and perplexing Anni Dewani murder.

The course is intended for both novices and writers experienced in other styles. Students will learn how to research and plan their stories, create engaging characters and descriptions, and write succinct, memorable and personal prose. They will be taught the styles and techniques for crafting an autobiography, memoir, biography, travel adventure, and historical account.

GetSmarter’s advanced and user-friendly learning model provides students with a personal and professional educational experience. Students work through the course material together and receive continuous academic and administrative assistance during the course. Each of the 10 modules includes comprehensive and up-to-date course notes, discussion forums where students interact with one another, an interactive quiz and video lectures to make the course material more engaging.

Students will leave the course with their own complete 5,000-word non-fiction stories. They will have the opportunities to have their stories featured on the Random House Struik website, and to be considered for publication by eKhaya, Random House Struik’s straight-to-digital imprint.

GetSmarter is a high-touch online education company that works together with top universities and industry experts to present courses throughout South Africa. It has trained over 7,000 students in the past three years, in such diverse topics as project management, internet marketing and using the internet – all from the comfort of the students’ homes or offices. GetSmarter now offers a portfolio of 25 courses.

Random House Struik is South Africa’s largest general trade publisher. It has six local imprints – Struik Lifestyle, Struik Nature, Struik Travel & Heritage, Zebra Press, Umuzi and eKhaya.

The course starts on October 31, 2011, and registrations close on October 21, 2011. Contact Kerry on 021 447 7565 or Kerry@getsmarter.co.za for further information. Alternatively see www.getsmarter. co.za