How to become a freelance writer
- Would you like to see your own byline in your favourite magazine?
- Keen to turn your ideas into articles that you get paid for?
- Want to know how to approach editors to publish
your stories?
- Do you the convenience of learning from anywhere?
- Do you also like the idea of working and writing from home?
- If we’ve just described your ‘dream job’, read on!
The genuine article
Okay, so you love magazines. Whether it’s a lazy weekend with the lifestyle supplements or a midweek appointment with a thick glossy tome, they all offer a mix of views, stories and information from a variety of writers. And more than once, you’ve probably found yourself thinking: “I could do that…” And you’re right – you CAN do that.
There are literally hundreds of titles out there – all vying for shelf space and covering everything from Gaga to lager; fishing to fashion; paparazzi to pepperoni. And each one of them is chockablock with articles written by people just like you. If you’ve got a stack of story ideas, but don’t know how to get them from jotter pad to editor’s desk, then you’ve just hit the jackpot.
The online course in Magazine and Newspaper Writing is one of the Australian Writers' Centre's most popular courses. Our students often end up getting their byline into some pretty major publications, sometimes even before they complete the course!
Online learning – real world results!
If you’re serious about becoming an intrepid freelance writer, our online course in Magazine and Newspaper Writing course will give you the tools and skills to craft magazine and newspaper articles that editors want to publish. We’ve distilled years of knowledge into a relevant and highly practical course – with scripts, templates and insider information from journalists/editors who are currently working in the industry.
This course offers you all the things that classroom training would, with your presenter on hand online to offer feedback or advice. Add in the support and critique of fellow students through your ‘virtual class’ environment and you’re in great hands.
After completing this course, you’ll not only write with more confidence, you’ll get published faster!
Here's what you'll learn:
- A steady stream of ideas – where to get them and which ones work
- The industry – understanding the magazine/news market
- Styles – all the different types of feature articles
- Researching, structuring and actually writing your feature
- Interviewing skills – whether it’s a CEO or circus clown, rock star
or rocket scientist, learn the questions you need to ask
- People power – who to approach to get the best subjects for
your stories
- What editors expect from freelance writers
- Selling your story – a step-by-step guide to successfully pitching your article or idea to a magazine
- and MUCH more!
Feature writers come in all shapes, sizes, makes and models. This course is both perfect for first-time writers and anyone wishing to brush up on their skills.
You might be looking to make some extra cash on the side, or even embark on a brand new full-time career. Or maybe you have absolutely no idea – all you know is you’d love to be paid to write these kinds of stories. Whatever your motivation, we’ll help you reach your goal.
Just remember – all those writers in all those magazines are just like you. With the right set of tools, you’ll be well on your way to seeing your name in print and making those ‘dream job’ dreams come true!
Exclusive access to our Online Writing Forum
When you graduate, you'll also get exclusive access to our dynamic online writing community.
VIDEO: What do students think of Magazine and Newspaper Writing?
Course designed by: award-winning feature writer Valerie Khoo.
Presented by: the best feature writers/editors in Australia.
Course content and outcomes are consistent, regardless of whether you learn at the Centre or online
We are sticklers for consistency and quality in our courses, so you’ll achieve the same outcomes regardless of which presenter you have. Naturally, each presenter brings their own insight to the course, but you can be assured that the content is consistent across the board.
You’ll also achieve the same outcomes regardless of whether you enrol in our online or face-to-face course!
Your online classroom
You can attend the online classroom any time, any day of the week. This
way, you can fit your learning into your schedule and lifestyle. You
do not have to commit to a set time each week. However, you MUST
complete each module during the week specified, or you won't get the
most out of the course. Each week builds on the one before and you have
the opportunity to ask questions and make comments about the topics we
discuss each week. To sample a taste of how this will work, click here.

The online course Magazine and Newspaper Writing Stage 1
is an interactive web-based class. Lessons are delivered via our
password-protected classroom. You and your online classmates are
encouraged to participate and ask questions online. The presenter will
answer your questions online as well. You need high-speed internet
access (cable or ADSL) to participate in this course.
How much time should you commit each week?
You need to commit a minimum of 2 to 3 hours a week. The audio program
itself is around 2 hours a week. Beyond that, we recommend that you put
into practice what you have learnt that week.
While you are expected to commit to a minimum of 2 to 3 hours a week, we
won't hold you back if you are super keen and want to spend much more
time than that on your writing. We are happy to give you feedback on any
feature writing you do during the course.
Rave Reviews for online course: Magazine and Newspaper Writing Stage 1
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AOIFE MCGEE
“The practical and informative courses with great support and wonderful teachers make the Centre a great place to learn. I am the living proof that you don't have to have a degree, which is what I had previously thought. You just have to have the determination to follow your dreams. It was a fantastic insight into the world of feature writing, I learned much more than I thought I would. Thanks again for your guidance at the beginning of my journey."
Aoife is now a freelance writer who has been published in Body and Soul (Sunday Telegraph), Echo Paper and TNT magazine. She is a regular contributor to Australia and New Zealand Magazine in the United Kingdom.
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PERSEPHONE NICHOLAS
"The course equipped me with all the practical information I needed to get started in my new career as a freelance writer. I learned how to develop and pitch appropriate ideas to editors, techniques for improving my writing plus countless insider tips that have helped me behave professionally in my dealings with magazines and newspapers. I believed I was a reasonable writer before I did the course - but doing it has enabled me to get published.
"I am now working as a writer and recommend the online course ‘Magazine and Newspaper Writing' to anyone wishing to do the same."
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Rave reviews for
Online Course: Magazine Writing Stage 1
"Completing the Feature Writing course with the Sydney Writers’ Centre gave me the confidence to take my writing further.
"I have since had a 2 of Us, Good Weekend (Sydney Morning Herald) story published as well as several articles with different magazines."
- Claire McTaggart
"I just took the BEST writers’ course at Sydney Writers’ Centre and if you're interested in writing feature articles this is the place to be. You will love it!"
- Shawnnita Fairbairn
"I submitted my article and it's been accepted. The editor said it was a 'very, very fine article, very professionally done indeed'. I'm stoked. Thanks to the Sydney Writers' Centre, thanks to Sue and most of all thanks to you for going out of your way to help me with this first article."
- Stephanie Hunt
"I loved everything about the course! It was exactly what I was looking for when I enrolled. It was clear, practical and thorough. The opportunity to ask questions was great – I would never have had the opportunity to ask someone with that amount of experience and knowledge all those questions I've been stewing on! I found Valerie completely inspiring – every time I listened a new module I had a smile on my face. She truly made me believe that being a feature writer was possible. I've benefited in a thousand ways! I know things now that would have taken me years to learn otherwise. I think the knowledge and skills Valerie taught us are invaluable."
- Velvet Garvey
"Just a short note to say thanks! Within a month of completing your online Magazine Writing course I’ve had my first article accepted for publication in ‘Finally at 40 – Life Begins’, with the promise of more work. I now have the confidence (and skills, thanks to you) to approach some bigger mags. My journey begins…"
- Steve Wilkinson
"The most enjoyable part of the course is the ability to get the course done without hassles. The online concept is fantastic, and makes the course accessible. Also the fact that the course is delivered by a professional - who is also accessible. Valerie has earned her stripes, but speaks as though she is next to you, not a cut above."
- Tim McKeon
Rave reviews about
the online course
VIDEO: Participant Anna Spargo-Ryan.
VIDEO: Participant
Aine Dowling.
VIDEO: Participant
Rose Wintergreen.
VIDEO: Participant
Randall Longmire.
VIDEO: Participant Stephanie Hunt.
Learn from the best
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| Valerie is a feature writer, editor and author of five books. She has
written on a range of topics including business, technology, fashion,
homes and living, entertainment and much more. She writes regularly for The Sydney Morning Herald and her popular Enterprise column appears every week in smh.com.au, theage.com.au, brisbanetimes.com.au and watoday.com.au. Her
career as a journalist and editor has involved interviewing CEOs,
celebrities, authors, entrepreneurs, and ordinary people with
extraordinary stories ... read more |
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Sue White is a successful feature writer and travel writer whose work has featured in
The Sydney Morning Herald, Vogue Australia, Travel + Leisure
(Australia), Sun Herald Travel, Women’s Health, Vogue Entertaining +
Travel, CNN Traveller, various ABC outlets, Green Living, G magazine and numerous other publications in both Australia and overseas ...
read more |
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Allison Tait is a freelance writer with more than 20 years’ experience
in magazines, newspapers and online publishing. During that time, her
byline has been seen regularly in titles such as Madison, Marie
Claire, CLEO, Cosmopolitan, Vogue Australia, Sunday Life, Spectrum
(SMH), Essential (SMH), Weight Watchers, Australian Women’s Health,
Voyeur, the Qantas magazine, and Elle, as well as House & Garden, Belle, Vogue Living, Australian Country Style, and more ...
read more |