The Australian Writers’ Centre (AWC) is celebrating the remarkable achievement of four of its creative writing alumni who have been announced on the longlist for the 2024 Richell Prize, one of Australia’s most esteemed literary awards for emerging writers. And we are SO excited for them! Established in 2015 by
Mo Davey used to distract her kids by telling them stories on the walk to and from school. She wanted to be able to remember them, so when another mum suggested they enrol together in Writing Children’s Novels, Mo jumped at the chance. She has now published her debut picture book, I Am Tree Rex, with Berbay Publishing.
Amanda Willimott was working in marketing, a job she enjoyed but saw as just that – a job, not a career. Her true passion lay in writing, but she wasn’t sure where to start. After discovering the Australian Writers’ Centre, Amanda went on to complete ten courses over eight years, and ultimately became a published author.
Brigitte Stanton was working as a mental health nurse, a job that could be stressful at times. She had been wanting to write for a few years as a creative outlet, but didn’t know where to start. After discovering the Australian Writers’ Centre, Brigitte went on to complete several courses that fit around her lifestyle and has now published her debut picture book. Brigitte’s picture book Wanda Needs a Haircut is out now with Tiny Seed Publishing (an imprint of Starfish Bay Publishing).
Troy Hunter had completed a full first draft of his debut novel but felt it wasn’t working, particularly in the middle section. After discovering the Australian Writers’ Centre, Troy went on to complete FOCUS ON… The Second Act and has now published his debut young adult detective novel Gus and the Missing Boy with Wakefield Press. He was also recently shortlisted in the 2024 Ned Kelly Awards for Best Debut Crime Fiction.
“I enrolled in the Writing Picture Books course to learn as much as I could about the industry I was entering and build on my confidence and capabilities as an author. I’m so incredibly grateful that I did.” With her newfound skills, Sarah went on to publish her debut picture book ‘Down the Road, Little Bee’.
Lisa Kenway had a rewarding career as an anaesthetist and the young family she’d always wanted, but she felt that something was missing from her life. She discovered the Australian Writers’ Centre and loved that it offered short targeted courses she could fit around her busy life, and went on to complete eight courses. She kept writing, editing and honing her craft, before landing a publishing contract with Transit Lounge for her debut thriller, All You Took From Me.
Cassy Polimeni always wanted to become an author and even studied creative writing at university. She followed this with a career in magazines and publishing, while putting her own creative pursuits on the back burner. But while he was on maternity leave, she took the opportunity to enrol in a course at the Australian Writers’ Centre, which came highly recommended from writer friends. That investment and commitment to her craft paid off: Cassy has now published two books for children with another on the way.
Jenna Lo Bianco, a secondary school Italian teacher, experienced what she calls a magical moment when she was on leave after the birth of her second child. Amid the chaos of the pandemic, she stumbled on a Tweet about the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Romance Writing course. At the time, Jenna had completed two manuscripts: Love & Rome and The Italian Marriage but she hadn’t yet found a publisher.
Jess Horn was a busy working parent with no time for hobbies, but she decided she could just squeeze in a few minutes to enter the Furious Fiction competition at the Australian Writers’ Centre. After that, she was hooked. With her childhood love of writing rekindled, Jess enrolled in Creative Writing Stage 1 and then dived into Writing Picture Books.
When Paula Gleeson’s grade four teacher told her she should write stories, Paula ran with it – or rather, ran away from it! She instead decided to pursue a career in film and television. Fast forward a few decades, and Paula finally followed that teacher’s advice by enrolling in Reinvent Yourself at the Australian Writers’ Centre, followed by Anatomy of a Crime: How to Write About Murder and Pitch Your Novel: How to Attract Agents and Publishers. She went on to secure a two-book six-figure deal with Thomas and Mercer and her debut thriller, Original Twin, is out in bookstores right now.
Jane Sullivan was already a published author and journalist when she discovered the Australian Writers’ Centre. But when she wrote the manuscript for her crime novel, she realised she needed specialist skills in order to master the suspense and pacing of the genre. So she enrolled in Crime and Thriller Writing at the Australian Writers’ Centre and rewrote her manuscript with her new knowledge.
Deborah Frenkel reignited her long-held dream of becoming an author when she became immersed in the world of picture books after the birth of her daughter. Throw in frequent long walks and she soon started to simmer with stories of her own.
Knowing she needed some direction to get her stories on to the page, Deborah jumped into Writing Picture Books at the Australian Writers’ Centre.
Anna Johnston started telling stories at a young age, writing plays and short films for her parents as a child. But she left her storytelling passion behind when she went into healthcare and started her family. A course at the Australian Writers’ Centre changed that, reigniting her love of creative writing, and Anna is now celebrating the publication of her debut novel The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, in a two-book deal with Penguin Random House.
After a 17-year career in the army, M. Dane was facing a medical discharge. The dramatic change in lifestyle was a difficult period for Dane, and after some soul searching he decided to embark on a transformative journey to realise a long-held dream – becoming a successful author. This led him to the Australian Writers’ Centre.
By Andrea Barton, author of The Godfather of Dance Andrea Barton’s novel, The Godfather of Dance, dives into murder, dance and family secrets. Journalist Jade is determined to write a career-defining article. Her dance instructor Anton wants to know who killed his fiancée. Anton’s life is set between the glamorous
When television producer Amy Hutton decided she wanted to switch careers and become a writer, she went all in. After making such a decisive move, Amy knew she had to learn the craft of writing if she were to succeed. She liked the variety of courses on offer at the Australian Writers’ Centre and she jumped in, learning the essentials of Fiction and Grammar, Plotting and Planning and how to Pitch Your Novel.
Sarah Speedie was a full-time stay-at-home mum and, when her children reached an age where she could carve out time for herself she chose to embark on a new journey – one that would reignite her passion for learning and storytelling. Sarah enrolled in the Writing Picture Books course at the Australian Writers’ Centre.
After studying a suite of courses, starting with Novel Writing Essentials, and including History, Mystery and Magic and Plotting and Planning, Kell’s publishing dream came true when she landed a two-book deal with publishing powerhouse Tor US. Kell’s debut novel, After the Forest, was published in 2023, with international publication by Titan Books in the UK and HarperCollins in Australia/New Zealand.
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