Writing for Publication - 123

Mohawk College Certificate
Mix of classroom and online
Students working on computers at college campus
Overview

Ideal for beginners and established writers alike who are interested in creating or enhancing their portfolio of written work. Refresh and refine your skills in the fundamentals of plot, prose and character or take specialized courses in a writing form that appeals to you. Whether you're a would-be novelist, filmmaker, poet, or writer of creative non-fiction, this reinvigorated program will help you jump-start your creativity, improve your technique and most importantly, get you writing.

  • Personal enrichment/growth
  • Self employment
  • Enhance grammar techniques
  • Experiment in different genres - fiction, non- fiction, poetry, short story, romance, travel, children's humour, mystery writing
  • Receive valuable feedback
  • How to express yourself
  • Using writing exercises to establish character development, dialogue, plot and structure
  • Developing an individual writing style
  • Learn practical techniques for generating and organizing ideas
  • Awareness of requirements for getting works published
Program Contact
Continuing Education Media and Creative Arts
1-844-767-6871
cecreative@mohawkcollege.ca
  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent (Mohawk Academic Upgrading, GED) OR 19 years of age or older.
  • Successful completion of Secondary School English or equivalent.

You do not need to apply to begin this program. Start by ensuring you meet the admission requirements listed above and then register for the courses listed in the Program of Studies when they are offered.  Some courses have prerequisites, so please check the Program of Studies for details. Find out how to register for a course.

The program of studies displayed below applies to students starting the program in the 2019/20 academic year. Students who began in other academic years may require different courses to be eligible to graduate. If you have questions regarding a strategy for completion contact Continuing Education -  Interdisciplinary, Creative, Media and Business.

Click on the Course number or Course title for more information on each course.

Visit the Mohawk College Bookstore Textbook Search (opens in new window) for information on textbooks.

A selection of courses are available each term. Courses that are currently not available (N/A) for registration may be offered in the future – check back frequently.

Select 3 from the next 10 courses

Register Course number Course title Course Hours
Course description: Explore non-fiction writing, with emphasis on identifying a market, targeting an audience, working with a collaborator, completing research, drafting a professional book/proposal query and dialoguing with the publishing world. 39 hours.
Credits: 3
Course description: Discover your own writing style that showcases your authentic writing voice. Become familiar with the tools, good materials and techniques of prose which you inform your reader by describing, explaining or reasoning. Discussion on the writing of great authors, taking some of their techniques to write effective prose. Helpful feedback given through interesting exercises, inspiring workshopping and editing strategies
Credits: 3
Equivalents: COMM10119
Course description: Focus on the unsung hero of great storytelling:Plot! Study and use various plot mechanics and devices through in-class workshopping. Learn how to refresh classic storytelling arcs and incorporate backstory and thematic content. Avoid plot cliches. Examine great plots from the movies, short stories and novels.
Credits: 3
Equivalents: COMM10120
Course description: Create epic characters your readers will love (or love to hate). Drawing inspiration from multiple genres, improve your skills in character development, with writing dialogue, internal/external conflict, backstory and more. An exclusive Author Reading lets you introduce your own characters and experience being a famous writer for one night.!
Credits: 3
Equivalents: COMM10141
Course description: Examine the basics of fiction and non-fiction writing, with emphasis on finding ideas, plotting, characters, dialogue, research, slanting articles, writing for children and approaching non-fiction and short-story markets.
Credits: 3
Course description: Grammar for Writing Professionals will provide you with a thorough knowledge of the editing and proofreading process. Potential editors, writers and proofreaders will find this course particularly helpful. You will gain experience recognizing and correcting errors in accordance with accepted Canadian standards. This 45 hour on-line course also emphasizes the importance of working as part of an editing team to help produce acceptable full-length manuscripts. Text not included.
Credits: 3
Course description: Explore creative writing and the publishing process, with attention to the various steps of manuscript preparation, including conferencing, editing and proofreading. Examine the writer's craft using professional works as models.
Credits: 3
Course description: Achieve a practical understanding of crime and mystery writing techniques through workshops, discussion, instruction, reading and practical experience.
Credits: 3
Course description: Explore the publishing process with emphasis on the Canadian magazine trade. Consider how to develop your ideas into acceptable compositions and examine strategies for approaching publishers.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: COMMLL125 or COMMLLT03
Course description: The only way to write a novel is to sit down and write it: scene by scene. The only way to know your writing is any good is to share it in a supportive workshop environment. This course covers setting goals, growing ideas, characterization, structure and plot, dialogue, point-of-view and how to market a full-length manuscript. Instructor: R. Preston
Credits: 3

Select 2 from the next 14 courses

Register Course number Course title Course Hours
Course description: Discover the characters that live within you. Focus on character and plot development, and enhanced writing techniques through lectures, exercises and workshop participation. Create two short fantasy stories. Prerequisite: COMMLLT11.
Credits: 3
Course description: Family Stories and Memoirs are explored within the realm of Creative Nonfiction and as tools for creative growth. The course explores Family Stories and Memoir as truly individual windows on a collective experience.
Credits: 3
Course description: This course will look at the wide range of travel writing assignments available to freelance writers, from commercial pieces that border on promotional writing, to literary travel writing and travel memoirs. Along with the pieces themselves, you will study the various publishing markets for this type of work, from traditional publishers to online opportunities.
Credits: 3
Course description: Workshop chapter by chapter. Revise for consistency of character, plot and theme. Prepare to create first draft.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: LANGLL936
Course description: Whether you explore change and identity, loss, recovery, travels, or contemplation on the family photo album, you will find creative inspiration in your life's experience. This course explores the spectrum of the ones that connect us to each other and provides guidance for writing the stories we need to tell.
Credits: 3
Course description: Writing short stories is an introductory course for the aspiring story writer who focuses on the nuances of this literary genre. Character development, narrative unity, and plot construction are explored by analyzing selected short stories and participating in writing exercises. In the latter part of the course, students follow a step-by-step approach to producing a story suitable for publication. The process of submission for publication, as well as the various opportunities for publication are examined.
Credits: 3
Course description: Learn the basics of writing engaging dialogue, memorable characters, and conflicts, suited to both the stage and screen.
Credits: 2
Course description: We will examine a range of technqiues, idioms and gain experience writing different kinds of humour writing. We'll discuss issues on timing, surprise, irony, style, diction and where to get ideas from. Completion of fun and engaging exercises with student feedback of their writing. Examine humouroous sriting by the greats to learn to incorporate some of their ideas.
Credits: 3
Course description: Learn to master fiction's most accessible and beautiful form: the short story. Study and practice the mechanisms of plot, prose and character in works from 500 to 5,000 words long by building on your own strengths as a fiction writer.
Credits: 3
Course description: This course introduces participants to the diverse world of children's literature. Through exploration into stories for young readers and writing exercises that develop the unique skills necessary for success in this field, students will produce stories, poems, and articles for a primary and grade-school readership. Course topics will range from getting ideas to getting published, and students will be encouraged to develop and market their work. Enrollment is limited.
Credits: 3
Course description: Develop skills in creating intriguing plots, fascinating settings, engaging characters, and satisfying romances through examples and practical exercises. Previous writing skills recommended.
Credits: 3
Course description: Develop the skills needed to create and market publishable poems.
Equivalents: COMMLLP04
Course description: Student will focus on a wide range of knowledge and skills related to the writing for publication industry.
Credits: 3
Course description: Student will focus on a wide range of knowledge and skills related to the writing for publication industry.
Credits: 3
Continuing Education FAQ
How do I apply to graduate?

"I have found that this course has pushed me to write very honestly and I've learned a great deal about myself and my writing." – Suzanne Mann, student, Creative Writing 1 - COMMLL904.

  • Opportunity to hone your writing skills
  • Develop a writing style by producing works suitable for publication
  • Opportunity to create short stories, poems, fiction, novel, manuscript
  • Explore their potential as a writer in a practical constructive and goal oriented environment

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  • Self writing for publication
  • Self employment in writing for various establishments

Writers Weekend Introduction - COMM10279

Are you considering writing? Test the waters with an intensive two-day focus on writing fundamentals. Enhance your skills with stimulating exercises, discussion and workshopping with participants and instructor and consider further developing your writing skills. This credit course is not part of the certificate program.