Fiction writing | Australian Writers' Centre

Alumni/Student success stories

How AWC graduate Paula Gleeson scored a two-book six-figure deal

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.

25 July 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

Jane Sullivan discovers her inner crime writer at the Australian Writers’ Centre

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.

9 July 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

From soldier to storyteller: How M. Dane found his voice at the Australian Writers’ Centre

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.

11 June 2024

Fiction writing

What I learnt about murder

By Andrea Barton, author of The Godfather of Dance and A Killer Among Friends. 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

31 May 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

Seth Haddon scores his dream book deal

Seth took all the skills and tips that he learned in that class and has gone on to forge a career as a writer in the gaming industry. He has also published three books with Blind Eye Books and his latest novel, Volatile Memory, is being published by Tor Books. “I absolutely believe I wouldn’t be where I am without having attended the Write Your Novel course,” Seth says.

7 May 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

AWC courses helped Kyra Geddes become a published author

Kyra had built a successful ten-year career in marketing and was also raising her children. When the family moved to Melbourne for her husband’s work, Kyra took the opportunity to return to university and study English. She also began taking creative writing courses to continue learning her craft, including Reinvent Yourself and 2 Hours to Scrivener Power at the Australian Writers’ Centre.

30 April 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

Deborah Pike masters her storytelling skills in her novel ‘The Players’

With the story in her draft manuscript spanning ten years, set across six continents and featuring eight points of view, Deborah Pike knew she needed to get the pacing of her story exactly right. She enrolled in FOCUS ON… Pace at the Australian Writers’ Centre and got the insight she needed.

23 April 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

Larissa Ferenchuk’s dream of becoming a picture book author comes true

Larissa Ferenchuk had had story ideas swirling around her head for some time, but wasn’t sure how to get them into a picture book. So she enrolled in Writing Picture Books at the Australian Writers’ Centre to give herself a creative outlet – and hopefully learn to write down some of those stories.

9 April 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

Laura Holloway turned her idea into a published picture book

Although she had lots of ideas, Laura knew she needed knowledge and structure if she wanted to see any of her stories in print one day. She enrolled in Writing Picture Books and Reinvent Yourself and began to take her writing more seriously.

2 April 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

How Ruth McGurk got her picture book contract for ‘The Dinosaur Did It’

Ruth was drawn to the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Writing Picture Books course because it was short and punchy, and she finished feeling like she knew exactly what publishers were looking for. After working on a few manuscripts, Ruth signed with Five Mile to publish her first picture book, The Dinosaur Did It, and is also contracted to write another one.

12 March 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

From police force to published author

Kerryn Mayne was on maternity leave from her job on the police force when she returned to her high school love of writing. She soon realised that her professional experiences of crime and policing could be useful when penning her own stories, so she fired up her computer and got down to work. With an outline for a new book idea, Kerryn enrolled in Creative Writing Stage 1 online at the Australian Writers’ Centre, so she could learn about the writing process and connect with other aspiring writers.

5 March 2024

Fiction writing

7 Tips for Success as an Indie Author

by Jodi Gibson There’s more to success as an Indie author than simply writing your book and hitting publish. As an indie author, you’re not only the author but the publisher, marketing specialist and bookkeeper. And with all of those roles comes many responsibilities. With three indie published books under

22 February 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

Judy Wollin’s creative collaboration leads to her middle grade novel

When Judy Wollin heard young family members say they didn’t like reading, she decided to write something they would love! As an education professional, she knew that she could benefit from learning the practicalities of how to write a novel, and so she turned to the Australian Writers’ Centre.

14 February 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

AWC alumna Brooke Graham’s picture books helps kids with anxiety

As a mum and a primary school teacher, Brooke Graham knew the value of good children’s books. Reading to kids was one of the most enjoyable parts of her job. Then after completing the Writing Picture Books course at the Australian Writers’ Centre, Brooke became hooked on writing and was determined to write her own. Her debut picture book Go Away, Worry Monster! has now been published by EK Books.

30 January 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

Liz Foster on the steps she took to get published

Liz Foster always imagined being a published author one day. She says: “Imagine being the key word there.” But it was while doing courses through the Australian Writers’ Centre that she learned the difference between writing well and writing well for an audience. “I literally would be nowhere without AWC’s

17 January 2024

Fiction writing

Getting back to writing after a break

Are you ready to get back into writing? Gearing up to return to your writing practice after a break is never easy, no matter whether you’ve been away from your computer/typewriter/notebook for a few days, a few weeks or a few months. Sometimes you’re mid-manuscript and you need to pick

8 January 2024

Fiction writing

VIDEO: Allie Reynolds on her novel ‘The Bay’

Allie Reynolds is the author of The Bay and Shiver. She’s also a former professional freestyle snowboarder who spent five winters in the mountains of France, Switzerland, Austria and Canada. Her short fiction has been published in magazines in the UK, Australia, Sweden and South Africa. Allie swapped her snowboard

31 December 2023

Fiction writing

5 lessons from publishing 3 books in 15 months

There’s nothing quite like having three traditionally published books in 15 months to give you a crash course in the world of book publishing! Things I had no idea about just over a year ago are now like second nature to me. Here are my five biggest takeaways so far:

20 December 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

Michelle Upton goes from school teacher to successful author

A few years ago, Michelle Upton made the life-changing decision that she wanted to be a writer. So she focused her efforts on learning about the craft and getting as much practical experience as possible. This included entering literary competitions, enrolling in the Romance Writing course at the Australian Writers’ Centre and taking part in the Centre’s Furious Fiction competition.

29 November 2023

Author Madeline Te Whiu working at her desk, surrounded by editorial notes and bookcases.

Alumni/Student success stories

How Madeline Te Whiu became a fantasy author

For veterinary nurse Madeline Te Whiu, her writing dreams started with a simple scene. As an avid reader, she thought she’d give writing a go by sketching out a few scenes for her own story. She wasn’t quite sure what to do next, but committed to writing 4000 words a week.
“After that, I really threw myself into writing. I was very strict with myself to try and reach my word count every week; I spent many of my days off at my local library in an attempt to keep myself distraction-free.”

24 November 2023

Category: Fiction writing

How AWC graduate Paula Gleeson scored a two-book six-figure deal

Jane Sullivan discovers her inner crime writer at the Australian Writers’ Centre

From soldier to storyteller: How M. Dane found his voice at the Australian Writers’ Centre

What I learnt about murder

Seth Haddon scores his dream book deal

AWC courses helped Kyra Geddes become a published author

Deborah Pike masters her storytelling skills in her novel ‘The Players’

Larissa Ferenchuk’s dream of becoming a picture book author comes true

Laura Holloway turned her idea into a published picture book

How Ruth McGurk got her picture book contract for ‘The Dinosaur Did It’

From police force to published author

7 Tips for Success as an Indie Author

Judy Wollin’s creative collaboration leads to her middle grade novel

AWC alumna Brooke Graham’s picture books helps kids with anxiety

Liz Foster on the steps she took to get published

Getting back to writing after a break

VIDEO: Allie Reynolds on her novel ‘The Bay’

5 lessons from publishing 3 books in 15 months

Michelle Upton goes from school teacher to successful author

How Madeline Te Whiu became a fantasy author

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Creative Writing Stage 1

AWC Creative Writing Program

Fiction Essentials

Writing for Children of different ages