What’s it like to learn with AWC?
Each year, thousands of students just like you achieve their writing goals through our courses and world-class presenters. Here they share how their new-found skills and confidence enriched their life.
I found the lessons inspirational and have enjoyed listening to them many times. It helped me to develop the idea for my picture book, which grew from an exercise I started in the first Writing Picture Books course. So it was hugely practical and fun.
I feel more confident and purposeful in the way I refine my work now
Jump in and get inspired.
The checklists and advice regarding structural editing, line editing, and polishing were superb. In practice, showed me where my story needed work and how to re-draft and re-draft. I'm inclined to tweak and re-tweak bits and bobs in a story almost endlessly. The Masterclass helped me understand when the manuscript was the best it could be for submission - and how to craft all the details supporting that submission.
I enjoyed: (1) Its encouraging and positive approach. (2) The detailed handouts. (3) Valerie's excellent presentation style and pace. (4) Its professionalism. (5) How it offered me hope that perhaps, one day, I might share my writing with a young audience.
I feel more confident about writing picture books. I am reinventing myself as a dedicated writer thanks to the AWC. I have connected with emerging and established authors. Writing is a joy! Sharing my work through publication would be magic.
Want to learn more about writing? Want to connect with other writers - emerging and established? Looking for support and encouragement in what can be a lonely and solitary endeavour? You need the AWC! Their tutors, courses, and members are invaluable. Beyond A-B-C is the AWC!
The course engaged my thinking and creative mind with this wonderful craft of words. I love the pattern aspect of the structure of the storytelling.
Just do it! Start with the basic knowledge courses and build on them with the Master courses to achieve the skills of the craft.
I wanted to learn more and refine my skills after completing the introductory Writing Picture Books course
I found the self-paced nature of this course over the 12-month period very beneficial as I worked on my story draft after each module. I think this helped to cement what I learned and progressively improved my writing.
I found the resources and references very useful and will continue to refer to them in future. I also found the exercises supportive of my learning. Examining existing books referred to in the modules has expanded my understanding of picture book writing and presentation in general.
I find I really enjoy writing. Refining one story has taught me so much that I can contemplate taking it further.
This course gives you plenty of time to work at your own pace, and if you do the exercises and take good notes as you go, you will learn so much.
The presenter was engaging and very easy to understand. The tutor who I received specific feedback from was very useful with constructive and positive feedback.
I enjoyed the depth and specifics of the course. It gave me the structure and details to put me on the right track to what is expected by publishers. It also gave me insight as to the structure of these books which I have read hundreds of but hadn't realized certain things.
With so much content covered in the foundation course, I did not expect the masterclass to be so detailed and with valuable refreshers. It definitely exceeded my expectations and I recommend it to other authors I know.
Although I have read a lot of picture books for pleasure and in my library work, I had no idea about the exemplary way to create picture books. I had some understanding of writing narrative from courses done for adult non-fiction and the publishing industry, but of course this course added so much to my understanding of writing and publishing in a very different genre. I had learnt about things like show-don't-tell etc but with the Writing Picture Books course I can use some of what I learnt for adult non-fiction as well. And I am now wanting to write more picture books!
I completed the writing picture books course. I enjoyed the process and wanted to know as much as possible before I submitted my manuscript. I was nervous and wondered if I would be able to produce a story of good enough quality to feel comfortable submitting it.
The tutor was fantastic! I feel really comfortable submitting my work to Cathy. I know my manuscript is in good hands and that any advice she can offer is invaluable.
Overall I enjoyed the quality of information and how easy it is to follow.
The creative juices are flowing!
A very professional online course. So great to be able to stop and start when your busy life allows you to. Seriously just give it a go you might surprise yourself.
I enjoyed doing the Writing Picture Books class and wanted to continue writing so I thought the Writing Picture Books Masterclass was the next step.
I thought the online tutor had a great deal of knowledge regarding this course
I enjoyed learning the different steps involved in writing a picture book and how to edit and submit your manuscript.
I have discovered I like reading and writing for children. It helped me get through a tough year being in lockdown due to covid.
The course is informative, well-structured and provides the tools for you to write your picture book. I enjoyed learning throughout the course. At the start of my picture book journey, I would never have believed how much work goes into creating a picture book.
Thank you for creating the Masterclass course. The information I have learnt is valuable and provides me with the tools to create my picture book.
I loved the Writing Picture Books class but felt like I needed to learn more.
The tutor was very easy to understand. I enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing what to do next and the confidence that I had the information I needed.
I've just sent my first picture book off to an illustrator.
Fabulous, more than expected. The ability to listen to the lessons and follow the handouts. I personally learn better by listening.
I submitted my first manuscript to Austen Macauley publishers (after much editing and many drafts!) 'The Shaky Cactus' has been accepted and is currently in house styling. I have written another two manuscripts, including 'Purple Bananas' which I will submit shortly.
There were many 'aha' moments, so here's two - learning how to 'kill your darlings' and when the concept of 'show don't tell' finally clicked!
If you are passionate about writing, but you don't know where to start, the Australian Writers' Centre has an extensive range of inspirational and educational courses. Even if you're trying to discern whether you'd like to pursue writing as a hobby or career, this is the place to start.