blog | Australian Writers’ Centre writing courses

From newsreader to published author: Nicole Webb publishes debut memoir ‘China Blonde’

Courses taken at AWC:
Life Writing
Plotting and Planning
Fiction Essentials: Characters

Nicole Webb was a trained journalist and newsreader, with a wealth of writing talent. But when she sat down to write her memoir of life in China, she knew she needed to learn and utilise a whole new set of skills. After taking three courses at the Australian Writers’ Centre, doing hundreds of interviews, writing thousands of words, and doing many rewrites, her debut China Blonde is out now with Brio Books.
“Without doing those courses, I really don’t think I would have had the knowledge or know-how to start a book properly, let alone finish a book,” Nicole says.

Q&A: What or which?

Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, we’re finding which/what answer will

Decision 2020: VOTE Plotters vs Pantsers

This is it – the biggest decision of the year is taking place this week and we want YOU to cast your vote and elect the best way to approach writing a novel. Is it by being a PLOTTER (planning your novel in advance) or is it by being a

Ep 357 Meet Malcolm Knox, author of ‘Bluebird’.

In Episode 357 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Are you a morning writer? Meet Malcolm Knox, author of Bluebird. Learn how dogs are helping kids to read. Discover how to get motivated for NaNoWriMo. Plus, we have 3 copies of What Cats Want by Dr Yuki Hattori up for grabs.

The turning point that led to James Antoniou becoming a published picture book author

Courses taken at AWC:
Writing Picture Books

James Antoniou was in the middle of a haphazard gap year when he decided to enrol in Writing Picture Books at the Australian Writers’ Centre. He had always wanted to be a published author, had studied English at Oxford, and was ready to launch his writing career. But it was the course at the AWC that gave James the practical tools he needed to finish his manuscript.

WIN ‘What Cats Want’ by Dr. Yuki Hattori

This week’s giveaway is What Cats Want by Dr Yuki Hattori – Japan’s leading cat doctor, sharing EVERYTHING you need to know about feline behaviour. We have three copies to be won. Cats are so mysterious. Why do they feel the impulse to climb into tiny spaces? Why do they

5 ways writing can help reduce your teen’s anxiety

Anxiety is better recognised and understood than ever before, but for parents of teenagers struggling with anxiety it can still be hard to know how to help. One great way is to encourage them to express themselves via writing. Bestselling parenting book author Michael Grose shares with us some practical

10 top tips for writing creative non-fiction

Creative non-fiction is an increasingly popular genre for readers and writers alike. The real world can be stranger than fiction, and audiences are eager to learn and be entertained at the same time. If you’re searching for tips to make your creative non-fiction writing stand out, look no further: we’ve

Ep 356: A.L. Tait’s ‘The Fire Star: A Maven & Reeve Mystery’ [Story Sessions series]

In Episode 356 of So You Want To Be A Writer: This ‘inbetweenisode’ is part of our Story Sessions series featuring ‘The Fire Star: A Maven & Reeve Mystery’ by A.L. Tait. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this exciting book.

Q&A: Celebrate or commemorate?

Furious Fiction October 2020 winner and shortlist

One of the great things about Furious Fiction is that for one weekend, writers all around the world are working on the same brief at the same time – and this month, they did so with a full moon out the window. Here were the criteria: Each story had to

4 biggest mistakes to avoid when writing creative non-fiction

Creative non-fiction – whether it’s retelling stories from human history or publishing a compelling memoir – is a genre of writing which is more complex than it may first seem. When combining truth and facts with writing style and techniques, there are plenty of potential obstacles for writers to run

Ep 355 Meet Rose Carlyle, author of ‘The Girl in the Mirror’.

In Episode 355 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Rose Carlyle, author of The Girl in the Mirror. Learn about the rise and rise of ‘stealth help’ books. We congratulate the Ned Kelly award winners! Plus, we have 3 copies of The Windsor Diaries by Alathea Fitzalan Howard to give away.

COMP CLOSED ‘The Windsor Diaries’ by Alathea Fitzalan Howard

This week’s giveaway is The Windsor Diaries – the never-before-seen diaries of the late Alathea Fitzalan Howard, who lived alongside the young Princess Elizabeth and Margaret at Windsor Castle during the Second World War. Alathea Fitzalan Howard was born in 1923. Had she been a boy, she would eventually have

Danielle Norton’s journey from teacher to travel and food writer

Courses taken at AWC:
Travel Writing
Food Writing
Freelance Writing Stage 1
Copywriting Essentials
Freelance Writing Masterclass Program
Creative Writing Stage 1

Danielle Norton was half way through the AWC’s Food Writing course when she managed to sell her first two recipes to an online magazine. Not bad for a former school teacher who, by her own admission, was naive about the media industry. Now a veteran of six AWC courses, Danielle is an established freelance writer and copywriter, and she is sought after by editors for her travel and parenting articles.

The rise and rise of ‘stealth help’ books

‘Stealth help’: everything you need to know about the new genre that’s snuck up on us. The phrase ‘stealth help’ might not be one you’ve heard of before – but in the literary world, it’s one that’s gaining popularity. It refers to a growing category of books which don’t fit

Ep 354: Petronella McGovern’s ‘The Good Teacher’ [Story Sessions series]

In Episode 354 of So You Want To Be A Writer: This ‘inbetweenisode’ is part of our Story Sessions series featuring ‘The Good Teacher’ by Petronella McGovern. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this gripping book.

The smart Story Dogs who are helping kids to read!

Spending time reading aloud to a dog sounds like heaven to us here at AWC headquarters. But for kids in the Story Dogs program, it’s more than just puppy cuddles and books – it’s the key to improving literacy. Founded by Janine Sigley and Leah Sheldon in 2009, Story Dogs

Q&A: “If worse comes to worst” vs “if worst comes to worst”

When life gave Kerry Ridley lemons, she opened a mobile bookshop

What do you do if you love travelling, have a passion for books, and find yourself at a significant turning point in your life? For Kerry Ridley the answer was obvious: start a travelling bookshop! “The concept of starting a bookshop on wheels began a few years ago when I

Little Hare Prize for Illustration now open

Unpublished and emerging illustrators, this competition is for you. Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing has announced their inaugural Little Hare Prize for Illustration. This will be an annual prize from Hardie Grant with the winner receiving a publishing contract as well as full editorial support to illustrate a new story for

5 ways to engage readers in your young adult book

By Anna Morgan. The latest book by YA writer and bookseller Anna Morgan is Before the Beginning. Here she reveals her top five ways to engage readers in your young adult book. Do strengthen your plot. One of the most common pieces of feedback I’ve heard from readers is: ‘Once

COMP CLOSED new illustrated edition of ‘Quidditch through the Ages’

A school holiday treat this week, with a giveaway of the upcoming Quidditch Through the Ages Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Emily Gravett. An essential 160-page companion to the Harry Potter series, this spectacular new full-colour edition brings together one of the world’s best loved storytellers with the

5 things illustrators should know about writing picture books

Image above: By Judith Rossell Multi-award-winning author and illustrator Judith Rossell teaches Writing Picture Books and How to Write for Children and Young Adults at the Australian Writers’ Centre, and has been writing and illustrating children’s books for nearly 20 years. She was an illustrator first before adding writing to

Ep 353 Kate Mildenhall’s ‘The Mother Fault’ [Story Sessions series]

In Episode 353 of So You Want To Be A Writer: This ‘inbetweenisode’ is part of our Story Sessions series featuring ‘The Mother Fault’ by Kate Mildenhall. Narrated by veteran Australian actor Claudia Karvan, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this book.