Category: Fiction writing

10 online courses you can complete in two weeks

Craving a creative outlet right now? We hear you. The good news is it’s easier than ever to engage your mind and fast-track your learning from the comfort of your own home. If you’re feeling inspired to focus on your writing right now – or just seeking a... read more

Fast-track your editing career with the 2020 Residential Editorial Program

Calling all editors!  Applications for the 2020 Residential Editorial Program hosted by the Australian Publishers Association is now open. According to the media release, the Residential Editorial Program is “an intensive 5-day program for talented mid-career editors in the Australian book industry to work with experienced mentors and... read more

Berbay Publishing accepting chapter book and junior fiction submissions

An exciting opportunity for children’s book authors – Berbay Publishing has opened its doors to submissions.  They’re accepting chapter book and junior fiction manuscripts for consideration. According to their media release: We'd like to see contemporary narratives, with or without a touch of whimsy, and stories that inspire... read more

How to learn and stay connected from home

If you find yourself stuck at home, we have good news. Now is the perfect time to start an online course. You can learn a new skill without leaving the house. We live in a golden age of online learning. You can learn how to crochet on YouTube, study financial... read more

Picture book writing competition now open

Attention picture book writers. If you have an original picture book manuscript burning a hole in your proverbial drafts’ drawer, now’s the time to pick it up and dust it off.  The 2020 Writers Unleashed Picture Book Writing Competition is now open and is offering some sweet prizes. First... read more

Pamela Freeman has a whopping 9 books under contract

We already knew that AWC presenter Pamela Freeman was amazing but now we think she's stratospheric! She currently has not one, not two, not five, but NINE books under contract! Incredible. We were so impressed by this feat that we had to ask Pamela just what it means to... read more

5 ways to improve your writing MOJO

We’re only a few weeks in but this year has already been a rough ride, with so many other things to distract and deter you from your wordsmithery. So as the entrance gates to Twenty Twenty start to fade in the rear-view mirror, it’s a great time... read more

Write Your Novel. And again. And again…

There are few things more satisfying than completing a manuscript. And there are few things more challenging and isolating than the process of writing that manuscript! The act of writing a book is usually a lonely experience, immersing yourself deep in your story and your own mind. But you don... read more

Which creative writing course is right for me?

If you're a lover of words, at some point you might decide to explore writing fiction. Perhaps you've been scribbling out short stories for years, or you may have suddenly developed an itch to tell tales. In any case, taking a course is a great way to start... read more

Furious Fiction December 2019 winner and shortlist

It was the day before Christmas and throughout the world, writers sat waiting and curiosity swirled.  Whose holiday was about to get merrier? Let’s find out – here were the criteria... Each story had to include SOMETHING EITHER BEING SENT OR RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. Each story had to include... read more

Writing Picture Books in Perth

It was a hot weekend in November when we held our Writing Picture Books course in Perth, the last for 2019. Five students from across the city got together to spend two days learning about the craft of picture books with award-winning author Judith Rossell. In fact, one particularly... read more

7 smart things you can do for your writing in 2020

If you can’t quite believe that 2019 is almost over, don’t worry, you’re not alone! We hope you’ve had a great year with many wonderful achievements. And guess what? 2020 is right around the corner! Which means you can already start planning all the incredible things... read more

Writing Picture Books in Brisbane

Our Brisbane classroom was buzzing earlier this month, with children’s author Zanni Louise leading the weekend Writing Picture Books course. “The course went really well,” Zanni told us. “There was a very warm, positive energy, and heaps of great story ideas.” A typical Writing Picture Books classroom course will... read more

Exercises for writers: Keeping healthy at your desk

Writing is a surprisingly physical experience. When you’re caught in the middle of a story, hours can pass while you tap at your keyboard or scratch away at your notebook. When inspiration catches you, time becomes irrelevant. And when you finally step away from your desk, you may find... read more

New children’s literature prize from HarperCollins

Do you write middle grade or young adult fiction? We are excited to share with you this new competition. The Matilda Literature Prize is a brand new inaugural prize from the folks at HarperCollins. The winner of this prize will receive a publishing deal and a $10,000 advance against... read more

OPEN NOW: The Penguin Literary Prize 2019

The Penguin Literary Prize 2019 is now open for submissions. Do you have an unpublished manuscript burning a hole in your proverbial drawer?  The Penguin Literary Prize value is a whopping $20,000 with the winner also receiving a book every month for a year. Plus, winners have the potential... read more