Australian Writers' Centre Team | Australian Writers' Centre

Alumni/Student success stories

Jennifer Mackenzie Dunbar: from writing student to published novelist

“It might sound cheesy but the AWC courses changed my life! I finished a (very rough) first draft of my novel while I was in Scotland and haven’t stopped writing since. The courses provided me with great foundation information, the basic building blocks for any novel writing. It is information I have retained and, through my writing groups, I’ve felt confident in sharing my learning with others.”

9 June 2023

Other

The write-changing joy of tidying your office

I know Marie Kondo has had her third child and given up on tidying up, but I find it an invaluable part of my writing process. At the beginning of each year, I tidy my office. And by tidy, I mean go through it like a dose of salts and

6 June 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

WRITER 543: Richard Pritchard, co-author of Wylah The Koorie Warrior series

Meet Richard Pritchard, co-author of Wylah The Koorie Warrior series. How to the select the right quotes of praise for your pitch to a publisher. The unique meaning behind lagom. And win The Interpreter by Brooke Robinson. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or

6 June 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED: ‘The Interpreter’ by Brooke Robinson

In this week’s giveaway, the power of one person could make the guilty innocent and the innocent guilty. But interfering with justice comes at a price and while being an interpreter sounds like a dream job to some, there are always two sides of the same coin. We have three

5 June 2023

Fiction writing

‘It’s never too late’ and other great writing tips

The So You Want To Be A Writer podcast has become a feature of the Australian publishing landscape since it first appeared more than eight years ago. Since that day, the podcast has been downloaded more than 2.5 million times and featured hundreds of writers, who’ve shared the ins and

31 May 2023

Podcast: So You Want to be a Writer

WRITER 542: Janette Paul, author of The Summer Place

Meet Janette Paul, author of The Summer Place. She talks about her crime writing alter ego Jaye Ford, her creative process and much more. You’ll also discover tips on how to get the most out of a writers’ festival, whether or not you should court book bloggers, and much more.

30 May 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED: ‘Fire With Fire’ by Candice Fox

Bestselling author Candice Fox is back with another gripping novel and we have three copies to give away. Fire With Fire is a unique story following the investigation of a cold case with high stakes and you won’t be able to put it down until you’ve reached the very last

29 May 2023

Podcast: So You Want to be a Copywriter

Ep 055: Top 10 tips to launch your copywriting business

If you’re looking for practical strategies to transform your business and maximise customer growth this is the podcast for you. Amy Miocevich is one of Australia’s leading digital marketers and the author of “The Very Good Marketing Guide: How to Grow Your Business on a Budget.” In this episode I

29 May 2023

Furious Fiction

Furious Fiction: May 2023 Story Showcase

Welcome to May’s Furious Fiction story showcase – a monthly celebration of our community’s creativity and the chance to have YOUR OWN story featured or acknowledged. So, without further ado, let’s remind ourselves of what May’s criteria were: Each story had to include a character who was BEING CHASED or

26 May 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

How Richard Pritchard became a successful children’s author

Having worked for years in the visual effects and animation industry, Richard Pritchard knew a lot about storytelling. But when he wanted to write a middle grade novel, he felt that he needed solid guidance, so he turned to the Australian Writers’ Centre.

26 May 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

WRITER 541: Samera Kamaleddine, author of The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart

Meet AWC graduate Samera Kamaleddine who reveals the writing process behind her second novel The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart. What you need to do if you have two main point-of-view protagonists. And win Search History by Amy Taylor. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on

23 May 2023

Fiction writing

Is your protagonist too comfortable?

The best moment of every author talk I ever give in a school is when I share the dirty secrets of being a professional author. “Writers are horrible people,” I say, to a response that varies from gasps (grade three) to blank faces (grade eight). “Writers are mean and they

22 May 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED: ‘Search History’ by Amy Taylor

This week’s giveaway is an amazing debut by Amy Taylor. Search History explores how the use of social media impacts our lives and the ins and outs of modern dating. Buckle up for a funny and insightful read, because we have three copies to give away. Here’s the blurb: After

22 May 2023

Podcast: So You Want to be a Writer

WRITER 540: Joanna Jenkins, author of ‘How To Kill A Client’

Joanna Jenkins, author of How To Kill A Client, talks about her big break. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite podcast app. Links mentioned in this episode Buy So You Want to be a Writer

19 May 2023

Podcast: So You Want to be a Writer

WRITER 539: Ilsa Evans, author of ‘Family Baggage’

Ilsa Evans on her latest novel Family Baggage. How to motivate yourself to finish your novel. And win Everything and Nothing by Heather Mitchell. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite podcast app. Links mentioned in

16 May 2023

Fiction writing

Is it time to bring back the author blog?

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but there’s been a sudden rise in the number of authors who’ve begun blogging again. Around ten, and even five, years ago, blogging was a big part of building a platform or profile for many authors, and I count myself among them. It was

15 May 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED: ‘Everything and Nothing’ by Heather Mitchell

This week’s giveaway is the powerful and vulnerable memoir Everything and Nothing by Australian actress Heather Mitchell in which she dives into her life and the experiences that impacted her on and beyond the stage. We have three copies to give away. Here’s the blurb: Heather Mitchell is an esteemed

15 May 2023

Fiction writing

Finding the most compelling point of view for your story – even if it takes a loooong time

In 2000, I was contacted by a nun from the order of the Sisters of St Joseph – the order established by Mary MacKillop (who is now Australia’s first saint). They wanted to commission me to write a children’s book about MacKillop, and I’d been recommended because I’d been brought

12 May 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

WRITER 538: Emma Grey on her novel ‘The Last Love Note’.

Emma Grey on her novel The Last Love Note. And she’s interviewed by the wonderful Allison Tait! Gearing up for the Sydney Writers’ Festival. When should you write a scene versus a summary? And win The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks.

9 May 2023

Fiction writing

Is your publishing offer legit?

The So You Want To Be A Writer podcast community on Facebook is a wonderful place to be on those days when a writer posts about their first publishing deal. The excitement is palpable and the goodwill is genuine. But I confess my heart occasionally sinks when I see that

8 May 2023

Author: Australian Writers' Centre Team

Jennifer Mackenzie Dunbar: from writing student to published novelist

The write-changing joy of tidying your office

WRITER 543: Richard Pritchard, co-author of Wylah The Koorie Warrior series

COMP CLOSED: ‘The Interpreter’ by Brooke Robinson

‘It’s never too late’ and other great writing tips

WRITER 542: Janette Paul, author of The Summer Place

COMP CLOSED: ‘Fire With Fire’ by Candice Fox

Ep 055: Top 10 tips to launch your copywriting business

Furious Fiction: May 2023 Story Showcase

How Richard Pritchard became a successful children’s author

WRITER 541: Samera Kamaleddine, author of The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart

Is your protagonist too comfortable?

COMP CLOSED: ‘Search History’ by Amy Taylor

WRITER 540: Joanna Jenkins, author of ‘How To Kill A Client’

WRITER 539: Ilsa Evans, author of ‘Family Baggage’

Is it time to bring back the author blog?

COMP CLOSED: ‘Everything and Nothing’ by Heather Mitchell

Finding the most compelling point of view for your story – even if it takes a loooong time

WRITER 538: Emma Grey on her novel ‘The Last Love Note’.

Is your publishing offer legit?

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