WRITE FOR THE OCEAN
Write for the Ocean is an intense masterclass designed to help participants attract readers, avoid grammatical pitfalls,
write with rhythm and turn their words into powerful tools to advocate for the sea.
write with rhythm and turn their words into powerful tools to advocate for the sea.
Do you want more people to read about your great work? Do you lack confidence in your writing? Not sure on structure? The Ocean Advocate's got your back.
The Write for the Ocean Masterclass helps scientists, conservationists and ocean-lovers:
In the hundreds of articles I read and edit every week, these are five of the most common mistakes I see people make:
The Write for the Ocean masterclass will show you how to fix all of the above and more. It offers 2 hours of training, including live editing and writing; documents for you to keep, including bespoke style pointers and notes on various story structures; ways to keep strengthening your writing muscles; a private alumni community for ongoing writing support after the class.
The details:
Cost: $35 a person
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FINAL CLASS OF THE YEAR IN DECEMBER IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. FOR UPDATES ON CLASSES IN 2026, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.
For group bookings, presentations and conferences, please send an email.
The Write for the Ocean Masterclass helps scientists, conservationists and ocean-lovers:
- Hold an audience’s attention
- Craft stories, press releases, newsletters, educational emails and posts with confidence
- Avoid rookie mistakes that put readers off
- Build reputation
In the hundreds of articles I read and edit every week, these are five of the most common mistakes I see people make:
- Vague headlines that won’t encourage anyone to read further
- Jumbled story structures that don’t hold people's attention
- Important concepts expressed in old, tired ways
- Grammatical errors that harm writers’ reputations
- Sentences that lack flow, leading to pieces that lack rhythm
The Write for the Ocean masterclass will show you how to fix all of the above and more. It offers 2 hours of training, including live editing and writing; documents for you to keep, including bespoke style pointers and notes on various story structures; ways to keep strengthening your writing muscles; a private alumni community for ongoing writing support after the class.
The details:
Cost: $35 a person
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FINAL CLASS OF THE YEAR IN DECEMBER IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. FOR UPDATES ON CLASSES IN 2026, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.
For group bookings, presentations and conferences, please send an email.
TESTIMONIALS
More than 200 people have taken the masterclass since September. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“Thank you for this amazing masterclass. I will now communicate science in a manner that will keep the facts but also prioritise feelings of the readers.” Srinidhi Himani, Annamalai University
“Excellent return on time invested in my writing and editing skills. It will help me improve the structure of the pieces I write and edit, eliminate words like ‘current,’ keep the history section brief, while always having the basics and prep documents to refer to.” Annette Gibbs, Gibbs Media
“It was great to go through the practical examples.” Paul Trouth, HELCOM
“The most important thing I learnt was some fundamental rules on writing and how to apply them. I’ll be using less AI and can spot errors better now.” Aamirah Isaacs, Conservation South Africa
“I'm using the style pointers. They pointed out some mistakes I did not know I was making. The class was just the right balance of theory and a practical example of how to implement what we've learned.” Annerie Visser, business owner and marine sciences student
“I learned how to start the story off right and not use fluffy words. How to change a poor story into a good story. Thank you for your time and valuable insights and experience.” Cathy Hoelzer, Sand Dollar Sports Dive
“Thank you for such an inspiring session. I’m just starting Bluence, a small venture on ocean protection through storytelling, and your class was exactly what I needed.” Gina Maldonado, Bluence
“I learnt how to punctuate correctly, how to write a compelling story. All that you taught was super helpful.” Maureen Wanjiru, International University Network on Cultural and Biological Diversity
“The way you presented and shared information reflected the passion you have for what you do. I felt so INSPIRED after joining your masterclass! Inspired to start writing about the ocean and to nurture my connection with nature.” Sashni Govender, freelancer designer and strategic thinker
“I loved the part on what I’d define as the soul of scientific communication. Your advice on being bold and determined in writing was positively mind blowing.” Paola Vercesi, National College of Ireland
“Best practice when writing for an audience was one of the most useful things I learned. I now reread and edit my writing with the style pointers in mind.” Faaizah Southgate, Save Our Seas Foundation
More than 200 people have taken the masterclass since September. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“Thank you for this amazing masterclass. I will now communicate science in a manner that will keep the facts but also prioritise feelings of the readers.” Srinidhi Himani, Annamalai University
“Excellent return on time invested in my writing and editing skills. It will help me improve the structure of the pieces I write and edit, eliminate words like ‘current,’ keep the history section brief, while always having the basics and prep documents to refer to.” Annette Gibbs, Gibbs Media
“It was great to go through the practical examples.” Paul Trouth, HELCOM
“The most important thing I learnt was some fundamental rules on writing and how to apply them. I’ll be using less AI and can spot errors better now.” Aamirah Isaacs, Conservation South Africa
“I'm using the style pointers. They pointed out some mistakes I did not know I was making. The class was just the right balance of theory and a practical example of how to implement what we've learned.” Annerie Visser, business owner and marine sciences student
“I learned how to start the story off right and not use fluffy words. How to change a poor story into a good story. Thank you for your time and valuable insights and experience.” Cathy Hoelzer, Sand Dollar Sports Dive
“Thank you for such an inspiring session. I’m just starting Bluence, a small venture on ocean protection through storytelling, and your class was exactly what I needed.” Gina Maldonado, Bluence
“I learnt how to punctuate correctly, how to write a compelling story. All that you taught was super helpful.” Maureen Wanjiru, International University Network on Cultural and Biological Diversity
“The way you presented and shared information reflected the passion you have for what you do. I felt so INSPIRED after joining your masterclass! Inspired to start writing about the ocean and to nurture my connection with nature.” Sashni Govender, freelancer designer and strategic thinker
“I loved the part on what I’d define as the soul of scientific communication. Your advice on being bold and determined in writing was positively mind blowing.” Paola Vercesi, National College of Ireland
“Best practice when writing for an audience was one of the most useful things I learned. I now reread and edit my writing with the style pointers in mind.” Faaizah Southgate, Save Our Seas Foundation
WHY TAKE A MASTERCLASS WITH THE OCEAN ADVOCATE?
Renée Bonorchis’ literary credentials began with winning national writing awards and being editor of her high school newspaper. She went on to major in English at Africa’s top-rated university and studied in other fields before working as a journalist for 30 years. Renée was a writer and news editor for South Africa’s biggest financial daily before joining the country’s most influential financial publication as its editor-at-large.
Renée co-hosted an evening radio show, won journalism awards, had short stories chosen for publication, mentored trainees and wrote a book. That was before being headhunted by Bloomberg News, the world’s biggest financial news agency, where she spent 15 years writing and editing for a global audience.
Renée, who has also devoted 25 years to exploring the underwater world on scuba, has been a scuba instructor since 2013 and spent more than three years studying marine sciences. She now works as an executive ghostwriter for corporate and marine conservation clients, while also delivering a masterclass for scientists, ocean storytellers, advocates, activists, communicators, policymakers, conservationists and sea-lovers in general.
We urgently need to be the ocean's translators because, as Mission Blue's Dr Sylvia Earle says, ignorance is the most pressing issue facing ocean conservation. A recent global study by Back to Blue, which surveyed 3,500 respondents in 35 countries, found that 75% of 18-24 year olds were concerned about the state of ocean health, but almost half (47%) thought the ocean was still healthy. And 50% of young people didn't understand how the ocean impacts them and how they, in turn, impact the ocean. Further, a briefing earlier this year by shareholder activism organisation, Just Share found that more than half of South Africa's 40 biggest listed companies don't have a single board director with a formal sustainability-related qualification. Only 5% of the 487 director positions are held by people with these types of qualifications. From young to old, the lack of knowledge about our precious ocean is in itself a crisis.
Working together, writing with impact and confidence, we can boost ocean literacy and do our bit to avert the unfolding crisis.
Renée Bonorchis’ literary credentials began with winning national writing awards and being editor of her high school newspaper. She went on to major in English at Africa’s top-rated university and studied in other fields before working as a journalist for 30 years. Renée was a writer and news editor for South Africa’s biggest financial daily before joining the country’s most influential financial publication as its editor-at-large.
Renée co-hosted an evening radio show, won journalism awards, had short stories chosen for publication, mentored trainees and wrote a book. That was before being headhunted by Bloomberg News, the world’s biggest financial news agency, where she spent 15 years writing and editing for a global audience.
Renée, who has also devoted 25 years to exploring the underwater world on scuba, has been a scuba instructor since 2013 and spent more than three years studying marine sciences. She now works as an executive ghostwriter for corporate and marine conservation clients, while also delivering a masterclass for scientists, ocean storytellers, advocates, activists, communicators, policymakers, conservationists and sea-lovers in general.
We urgently need to be the ocean's translators because, as Mission Blue's Dr Sylvia Earle says, ignorance is the most pressing issue facing ocean conservation. A recent global study by Back to Blue, which surveyed 3,500 respondents in 35 countries, found that 75% of 18-24 year olds were concerned about the state of ocean health, but almost half (47%) thought the ocean was still healthy. And 50% of young people didn't understand how the ocean impacts them and how they, in turn, impact the ocean. Further, a briefing earlier this year by shareholder activism organisation, Just Share found that more than half of South Africa's 40 biggest listed companies don't have a single board director with a formal sustainability-related qualification. Only 5% of the 487 director positions are held by people with these types of qualifications. From young to old, the lack of knowledge about our precious ocean is in itself a crisis.
Working together, writing with impact and confidence, we can boost ocean literacy and do our bit to avert the unfolding crisis.
“The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall
