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
Tim Ayliffe has spent years scaring adults. His John Bailey thrillers – The Greater Good, State of Fear, The Enemy Within, Killer Traitor Spy and The Wrong Man – are the kind of books you start on a Sunday afternoon and finish at 2am, cross with yourself but unable to
Angie Cui’s road to becoming a published children’s book author is a story of unexpected turns, persistence, and creative discovery. “I was a new mum juggling family life and work when I decided to take one of your courses,” Angie shares. Initially aspiring to be a journalist, she found herself
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.
The only thing that Jemima Parker regrets about the Writing Picture Books course is not doing it sooner! With a varied career that spanned law, communications and visual arts, Jemima knew she wanted to take a writing course ‘one day’. But it wasn’t until she was knee-deep in wedding decorations that she finally made the commitment to herself.
The moment journalist Natalie Murray started writing short romance stories, she fell in love! Having discovered her new passion for writing fiction, Natalie decided to write a novel – but first she needed to learn the basics.
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.
By Pamela Freeman, Director of Creative Writing, Australian Writers’ Centre Most advice on fugal structure in fiction focuses on the mechanics: repeating motifs, alternating voices, mirrored patterns. But as Pamela Freeman, Director of Creative Writing at the Australian Writers’ Centre, explains, that formula misses the element that actually makes it
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.
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
Bridie Blake is now a published author, thanks to her debut novel The Boyfriend Clause, released by Text Publishing. Her path there was built through persistence and a clear decision to take her writing seriously. At a certain point, Bridie reached a confronting realisation. “I decided that the dream I’d
“I knew I needed to improve my writing skills, so I decided to bite the bullet and register for the Writing Picture Books course. I completed the modules and assignments in pockets of free time around my kids and job, and it sparked the desire to dive even deeper into the kid lit world. The more I learnt, the more I realised how little I knew!” Rebecca told us.
If you’ve been thinking about creative writing for a while but aren’t quite sure how to begin, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions people ask! You might have great ideas, a love of stories, maybe even a notebook or two filled with half-written thoughts –
Leonie Jarrett went from running a legal firm to becoming a widely published travel writer – proof that it’s never too late to follow a creative path you’ve been dreaming about. After selling her legal practice and stepping away from full-time law, Leonie found herself at a turning point. Her
In this Q&A, award-winning children’s author Susanne Gervay speaks candidly about her new picture book Guess How I Was Born – a joyful, science-informed celebration of the many ways families are formed. Inspired by her own family’s experience with IVF and surrogacy, the book centres on love, honesty, and inclusion,
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.
Engineer-turned-maths teacher Charlotte Barkla never imagined she’d become a published writer – but three children’s books later, she’s thrilled to have rediscovered her passion.
Megan White is fast becoming a force in the world of fantasy – with her latest 2025 release of The Anatomy of Gods following hot on the heels of her breakout debut novel The Anatomy of Songs, both through New Dawn Publishing. Yet just a few short years ago, she
By Valerie Khoo Are you writing a middle-grade novel right now? Then you should also be reading middle-grade novels right now – and the newer the better! Why? Because what’s in bookshops today gives you the best possible insight into what publishers are looking for – and it may not
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