What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I'm keen to develop my writing skills and I am travelling to some interesting places over the next few years, so I thought this could be a way to keep motivated to write, learn to write for a different market and have some fun.

The course is well organised, the learning outcomes are clear and it was easy to negotiate online.

I enjoyed being pushed out of my comfort zone. It's a little daunting to have your assignment seen by other members of the course, but it's a good way to learn and is consistent with up-to-date teaching and learning theories which advocate peer learning.

If you want a 'no nonsense', concise, but comprehensive introduction to travel writing then this is the course for you!

I hope to continue my writing with AWC in some way. Thank for another excellent course.

The feedback was clear and constructive and much appreciated as it helped me to see where I was going wrong. I enjoyed the clear instructions on how to approach an editor and make a pitch, plus reading other students' pitches and intended destinations.

I've gone back over the itineraries for the out-of-the-way/less usual places I have travelled to, re-accessed the posts I made at the time and started working on the sorts of angles for each that might appeal to an editor, with a view to pitching some of the destinations as possible travel stories.

The course covers the basics of travel writing concisely and clearly, with relevant and timely feedback. A five-week course is do-able for someone combining work with study and will get them quickly to a point where they can start pitching ideas and writing.

Valerie was great, and it was awesome to have someone with her experience guiding us. The feedback was always useful.

I loved the actual writing. It was so good being creative, as that is sometimes lacking in my work. I also really enjoyed the overall learning experience and reading the work of other participants. The course is super practical, and I'm ready to pitch.

AWC courses are excellent, practical and highly useful. They are led by experienced professional writers, who openly share their knowledge and experience.

The tutor was knowledgeable and helpful. Interesting technique to have all assignment feedback shared for all to hear and learn from. Good idea!

It was a serious course, but I really got into it and enjoyed the challenge!

I learned so much that I now look forward to documenting my future travels and I no longer fear the thought (even) of submitting a pitch to a travel publication. I do not fear rejection, but never knew the first thing about how to go about trying to get anything published! It's confidence I did not have before.

It was a great learning experience and I loved it!

The huge amount of practical info given is just invaluable. I'm so impressed. I also loved all the real articles we were given to read.

I loved Valerie's super pragmatic and positive approach. I love that she told us the realities of the industry but always made it seem like it was within our grasp. I have a tendency to succumb to overwhelm and imposter syndrome and feel like I need to know EVERYTHING before I can start, so Valerie's approach and encouragement was really refreshing.

I feel a bit emotional actually, because in many ways my creative life had stalled a bit, but I now feel really excited about possibilities again.

AWC courses are hugely practical with a real focus on getting you started in the industry, giving you invaluable insider info and concrete steps you can take to start your career.

I have always been interested in travel writing but was never sure how to start. It would have taken me months or probably even years to find out all of this information on my own. Without this course, I wouldn't have known how to pitch my story to an editor, what a 'famil' or 'on spec' was, or how to structure my article. I now feel confident to start my freelance travel writing career.

I really enjoyed getting feedback on my work as it gave me confidence to continue learning and improving my work. I also enjoyed learning about the business side of travel writing, such as how to email an editor and rates of pay.

One major learning point was understanding the different types of travel articles and how they are written. After learning this, it was really interesting to look at newspaper articles and analyse their structure.

I would definitely recommend the Australian Writers' Centre to anyone thinking about pursuing a career in writing.

I intend to get back in to the world as my last child leaves home this year and was a freelance writer previously. I have done previous courses and I enjoy the structure and discipline which makes me shift my own career forward rather than getting caught up in everyone else's needs.

The tutor was great. Love the feedback in its honesty and clarity. I am always hungry for feedback so the recordings of these was a highlight. I like being forced to write as I enjoy it. Also working with such a wide variety of people in an online class.

It has made me think that maybe I can do this. I have been published for many years before but lost a lot of confidence over the years of doing other stuff.

A good way to get going with your writing, whilst being able to fit into your week.

As always, Valerie is thorough, visionary and practical. Some of her suggestions were quite unexpected; but she was right.

I now have the confidence to get on with travel writing and, in particular, pitching.

Do yourself a favour. Do it.

I have an interest in travelling throughout Australia and I wanted to learn a change of writing style to gain flexibility.

Valerie is down-to-earth and honest, but also approachable and encouraging. I learnt a lot about travel that I never knew: Pitch, hook, and angle.

Just do it if that's your passion!

I wanted to expand on the freelance writing skills course and write about my travels.

Valerie is an amazing tutor with a wealth of knowledge, who provides very specific targeted feedback. This is incredibly helpful.

I enjoyed learning how to describe my travels in a commercially viable writing format. I feel equipped to be able to pitch articles to publications with confidence. Now I just have to do it!

Excellent quality of both content and teaching, intensely packed with useful information.

I follow the Australian Writers' Centre newsletter. This course seemed perfect for my love of travel and writing. The time difference between Canada and Australia initially seemed like an obstacle but since all of the modules are recorded with printed handouts, that turned out not to be a problem.

The course is well presented and provides great information about the travel writing industry. Valerie is extremely professional and clear in her presentation of the course modules. She has a direct approach to feedback that was helpful.

It has broadened my knowledge about the travel writing industry and the approach to submitting pitches. It is very different from the type of writing I have been doing lately - which is poetry and memoir writing.

The information about the travel writing industry is excellent and will help shape your path as a travel writer.

I thought the specifics in term of instructions, explanations and examples were fabulous. The tutor was brilliant. So much knowledge. I found learning about the process in such a chatty style entertaining and enlightening.

I actually loved the process of evaluating the way other travel writers had tackled the task.

I knew the time was going to be pressured and I struggled to keep pace, but I'm so glad I pushed myself to do it. I now have a lot more strategy to my vague idea that this is something I could now do.

I enjoyed the flexibility and the bite-sized learning modules. I feel empowered that I can actually do this...I know I am still learning but I am confident to call myself a freelance writer now.

The Travel Writing course reinforced many of the underlying principles I learnt in the Freelance Writing course earlier in the year. But as this course is purely about travel writing it really made me focus my attention on looking for even better angles to fit with this genre. Just practising the craft - analysing, writing and pitching - in a safe environment has been, along with the excellent feedback from Valerie, really confidence building.

Over the last few weeks I've noticed a new habit: when I'm out and about - walks or hikes with friends, exploring somewhere new, visiting a museum or new micro-brewery - I'm asking myself: "Is there a story in this?" or "This is interesting, where's the angle?"

The AWC offers a really good framework for budding writers. You are guided supportively by some great tutors. Week by week they build on very well-structured lessons with great advice, examples and feedback that helps build skills and confidence. I have learnt tons from the AWC courses.

Anything is possible i.e. becoming a freelance or travel writer. Trust the process, do the homework, listen to the tutors, and I'll get there!

Valerie is an incredible tutor and so knowledgeable about the ins and outs of travel writing. Every piece of her feedback and insights were invaluable.

I enjoyed writing the assignments, having creative freedom to run with an idea. The planning, the research, the writing and receiving the feedback on all the work within the class.

I think for a short 5-week course, it covers everything and is delivered in the most efficient way. It has given me the confidence and motivation to pursue my travel writing, feeling ready and equipped to write more stories and approach editors.

It is an absolute game changer. Excellent value. Prepare to learn a lot in a short time, within a fantastic and supportive community.

I loved the course. It was super professional and very well run. I have done some online courses before and was not impressed. They put me off online courses whereas this one has made me want to do more online courses with AWC.

The tutor was very professional. Very knowledgeable. Very passionate. Gave very honest, helpful feedback.

I enjoyed doing the assignments the most. And being able to see the work of others and listen to their feedback also was extremely helpful and enjoyable.

It has encouraged me to do more courses, and to do more writing...

Very professionally run courses which are very informative and make online learning fun and personal! Getting the feedback directly by seeing the lecturer on screen is awesome.

Overall, an excellent experience which I will be doing again!

Travel writing is something I have been interested in for years and what better time to do some study than when I am in lockdown.

I looked forward to the feedback each week [hearing everyone's feedback] - this is what makes the course so special.

I enjoyed the satisfaction of actually writing an article.

I feel confident that I could write an article and pitch it to a publication.

Go for it. If you want to achieve something in the writing field, these courses help you get there.

I am about to retire and we are buying a camper trailer to spend time in regional centres. I notice that there is little information for older women who are travelling in this way and yet it is a big potential audience. And there is a strange perception that these women are a bit dim and dull just because they wear tracky daks. Not sure about the 'market' though.

It was an excellent course. And applicable to generic skills too, I think. The tutor was very talented and skilled. I enjoyed the inspirational writing as well as practical tips and examples.

I recognise that my writing (if it eventuates) will focus on the small details that make life absurd. I think I can make people laugh - no not laugh, a perceptive grin maybe. So I will think about a blog or some such. Just for fun. Maybe something will come out of that once I get the genre right.

Sue gave great feedback, keeping her comments upbeat and positive. I always looked forward to reading her feedback.

It's achievable to complete in the time given. The content is very interesting and you walk away with tools to achieve your travel writing dreams.

I now have direction and motivation to start writing my travel book.

Thank you, Sue, for your feedback and encouragement. Thoroughly enjoyed this course.

I was excited to learn from professionals working in the field. I thought Sue provided constructive criticism as well as positive encouragement. Great for someone like me who is just starting out.

I liked the structure of listening to the modules, completing the assignments and reading the feedback. I looked forward to learning something new each week.

It has encouraged me and given me confidence to pursue freelance writing as a career.

I really enjoyed this course and see this as the beginning of my journey. It's also made me realise how much I have to learn. I am keen to continue my education.

If you are interested in writing as a profession, AWC will give you the knowledge that will help you get into the industry.