Category: Interviews with writers

After rediscovering her joy for writing through the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Dare to Dream and Plotting and Planning courses, Adelaide author Kylie Mansfield signed a multi-book deal with Allen & Unwin. Her debut historical novel, inspired by true events, will be released in 2026.

After completing a series of AWC courses, Emma Mugglestone turned her love of romance into In the Long Run, published by Penguin Random House.

AWC graduate Emily Paull has released her historical novel The Distance Between Dreams with Fremantle Press. After completing Novel Writing Essentials with the Australian Writers’ Centre, Emily found the structure and confidence she needed to bring her long-time writing dream to life.

AWC graduate Andrew Pettifer turns a lifetime of football fandom into a heartfelt memoir blending sport, travel and friendship – inspired by his late friend Cam.

For years, William J. Byrne carried the quiet dream of writing a novel while juggling family and a public-sector career. “Many years ago, I completed Creative Writing Stage 1 at the Australian Writers Centre. Then life pulled me in all sorts of directions – family, career, children – all the

Physiotherapist-turned-author Leesa Allinson has combined her love of children and conservation in her debut picture book One Koala, One Hundred Trees.

When Zoe Crowest signed up for her first Australian Writers’ Centre course, she was a stay-at-home mum to toddler twins. With minimal time and maximum exhaustion, she was craving a creative outlet and a way to stretch her creative muscles. “I did all three courses when my twins were just

Anne Farrell’s journey from marketer and copywriter to published author is proof that it’s never too late to follow a long-held dream. After completing more than a dozen courses at the Australian Writers’ Centre, Anne has signed a three-book deal for The Rakali Trilogy, with the first junior fiction title

Tasmanian author and Australian Writers’ Centre graduate Rhonda McCoy has published her debut novel Crow, a rural family saga set in the central highlands of Tasmania. Rhonda’s path to publication began after she retired from a long career in health, managing hospitals and aged-care facilities. Following her husband’s cancer diagnosis,

The word ‘persistence’ is often thrown about in the world of publishing. And Alex Dook is a perfect example of it paying off – with a little help from the Australian Writers’ Centre! Alex’s journey to publication was a long one – the culmination of years of learning from the

For best friends Viktoriya Butler and Steven Reynolds – who write together under the pen name Mette Menzies – a love of storytelling has turned into an extraordinary partnership. These pals are now co-authors of their debut novel, The Watervale Ladies’ Writing and Firefighting Society, published by HarperCollins. For Viktoriya,

Any author will tell you that inspiration can strike anywhere. And in the case of Jemima Shafei-Ongu, that ‘anywhere’ was during a weekend writing competition. The competition was Furious Fiction – a monthly 500-word story challenge created by the Australian Writers’ Centre. And while her story didn’t win the top prize, it would go on to become her latest picture book, A Lemon for Safiya, published in 2025 through Hachette. 

When Holly Brunnbauer decided to write a book, she turned to the Australian Writers’ Centre. And the result is her debut novel, ‘What Did I Miss?’

Australian Writers’ Centre graduate Jess Horn turned her love of wordplay and imagination into two published picture books. Discover how our Writing Picture Books course gave her the skills and confidence to bring Train of Thought to life.

Karen Wasson changed careers to write for kids, and as a graduate of the Australian Writers’ Centre has found success with her graphic novel and picture book.

They say, ‘write what you know’. And for Kasey Whitelaw, a marine biologist with a passion for ocean education, there was probably only ever going to be one subject top of mind. In fact, it was during her day job that she identified an opportunity that has seen her now

Plenty of authors have day jobs – in fact it’s more common than not, such is the nature of the business. For Dr. Jo Skinner, she is adamant not to let her medical career stifle her writing. In fact, it has actually become a source of inspiration. “I always say