What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I found it really informative with a lot of information in the handouts and the Audio.
The best part was the video feedback where you could hear the other writers' feedback too. I learnt so much from other feedback.

The tutor was fantastic, very knowledgeable and asked some great questions of our writing. One of the things I learnt was often we see it happening in our heads but do not describe it fully or make the changes the character is making in the writing.

I had not realised how little I understood tense and POV. And my previous writing before the course was jumping tense all over the place. So that was a huge takeaway for me.

It really sets you up for success and lays out exactly what you need to do to get there.

I was attracted to this course because I've always wanted to write children's picture books but needed clear guidance on how to shape my ideas into strong stories. The Australian Writers' Centre's reputation for practical, high-quality teaching made this the right place to learn the craft properly.

I hesitated because I wasn't sure whether I had enough skill or confidence to write picture books. I had plenty of ideas but wasn't sure I could shape them into a proper story, and I wondered whether the course might be too advanced. In the end, I'm glad I enrolled - the structure and guidance were exactly what I needed.

This course was excellent - rich in content, clearly structured, and genuinely transformative. It helped me organise my many story ideas and understand the discipline required to shape a strong picture book narrative.

The course is rigorous, and that's a strength. The feedback is constructive and eye opening, the rules are clear, and the expectations are high. I particularly valued the focus on emotion as the 'stuff of fiction', the importance of structure and tension, and learning how to let the protagonist drive the story. The modules on point of view, show don't tell, and the rule of three were especially helpful. Module 7 felt like a real gift.

I most enjoyed learning the craft of picture book writing - especially understanding structure, tension, and how to use child-true language with purpose. The feedback was incredibly valuable, and the course gave me real clarity and confidence. It was exciting to see my ideas take shape as an actual story.

I'd recommend the Australian Writers' Centre because the teaching is practical, clear, and genuinely eye-opening. The course gives you the structure, skills, and confidence to turn ideas into real stories, and the feedback is both supportive and transformative. It's an excellent place to learn the craft properly.

I'd just add that this course exceeded my expectations. It was practical, clear, and genuinely transformative. I now understand the craft of picture-book writing in a way I didn't before, and I'm finishing with a story I'm proud of and the confidence to keep going.

I loved listening to Pamela explain this. I've gone back and checked for filter and filler words and found heaps. Once you recognise them you see what she means.

Do it. You soon learn what you don't know!!!

Bernadette Foley is always an excellent tutor, and I find her feedback right on point and helpful.

I enjoyed the handouts - and the feedback, both on my story and those of others.

AWC courses are great quality, value for money, and have excellent tutors. Leap right in.

Thank you for another focused, affordable and worthwhile 'snapshot' course.

I thought Mark was a great tutor who was fair and even-handed.

I enjoyed how accessible and flexible the course was. I thought that it was a pleasant, informal, and highly engaging experience. It showed me that copywriting is a potential business venture to consider.

I would say it is a great experience that makes writing easy, fun, and addictive.

This course has given me the confidence to return to freelance writing -- I'd kind of given up on it and decided to focus on other kinds of writing, which I've done with a tiny bit of success. But I'm excited about the prospect of returning to a career I used to really love.

I was glad I could work at my own pace and start right away. Also, I have all my resources printed and annotated in a binder, so I can return to my work as a real handbook going forward. I found the templates for the pitch letters and the invoice especially useful.

I would say AWC provides approachable, reliable courses that get the job done.

The course was well structured and covered a broad range of topics regarding SEO in the age of AI.

Grant's depth of knowledge and real-world experience came through clearly in both his explanations and the examples he shared. The wealth of information was what I enjoyed most. There was real depth to the content, and plenty to take away and put into practice.

The course expanded my awareness of the range of tools available beyond ChatGPT and how they can be used together. That's especially valuable in thinking about how to refine and streamline my workflow moving forward.

My biggest 'aha' moment was realising just how much AI-generated overviews at the top of Google searches are changing user behaviour. People are increasingly getting what they need from those summaries, rather than clicking through to individual websites like they used to. As an affiliate marketer, that shift has significant implications for visibility, traffic, and how I approach content moving forward.

I'd recommend the Australian Writers' Centre as a practical, well-rounded place to build your skills and stay current. This course wasn't just theoretical... it reflected what's happening right now, especially with how quickly things are shifting around AI and search. I came away with a broader toolkit and a clearer sense of how to adapt my work moving forward.

I am discovering more details about what I am writing about because of the techniques that I have learned. Things that I had forgotten about.

I noticed that a lot of things I have been doing naturally. I realised that I CAN do this!

The workbook was great for keeping me focused. The course is really accessible and self-paced, no pressure. The detail in the information reminds you of skills that you may have forgotten you had. Everyone has a story, and the courses offered can help you tell it.

Making sure that each scene in the story has to fight for its place was a great discovery. My manuscript is way too long and your courses on scenes and structure have shown me how I can cut out at least 50,000 words. I am learning to tighten up the essence of the story.

Your courses are great.

I had no hesitation in enrolling in this course as this is the fifth or sixth course that I have done from the Fiction Essentials. Every single one of these courses has been really enlightening.

I can see that you can make strong sentences or weak ones. Having a better understanding of commas and their use will have a big impact in my sentence constructions, and understanding past perfect is a huge relief to me.

AWC courses are easy to access and use. The content of each and every course I have completed with you has helped me by honing in on the essentials that I needed to become a better writer. I cannot recommend them enough.

Nat was kind, energetic and welcoming. I actually felt that she understood my pain from PTSD and the challenges that come with it which was reflected in her careful and empathic comments. Her feedback was encouraging and for the first time I began to believe that I could write a memoir. Nat was approachable in messaging too.

I loved the format, Valerie's presentations and explanations, and Nat's insights. PTSD has turned my brain to mush, especially when crippling anxiety enters the space and I loved the simple examples and explanations. I loved the writing exercises and although it was anxiety-inducing at first, sharing the writing was actually helpful.

Sounds cliched, but this 6 weeks has changed my life and given me back my voice. Being a broken Ambo and tossed aside by the Ambulance Service when I retired meant that I have struggled with my self-esteem and felt that I didn't belong in any space. The course has shown me that I do have stories and I matter.

Just a heartfelt 'Thank You' to Valerie and Nat. You will never know the difference that you made to me by offering the course and including me in it. The course has opened my eyes and heart, allowing the light to shine for the first time in decades. I will continue to write and tell my story, slowly but steadily. I can't thank you enough.

Choose a course and jump in. The centre is a wonderful place to start the writing journey.

I really enjoyed the discipline of writing every day and loved the requirement to use pen and ink - now I must find my Parker Fountain Pen...

The tutor was very experienced and friendly and easy to relate to.

I am ready to go. I have rented a lock up and I'm preparing to set it up as a "writing den".

Do it now, not tomorrow.

Natasha's passion for Scrivener shone through in every module. She communicated the key points in a clear, concise and engaging manner so she kept my concentration from start to finish.

This is a whole new dimension to book writing beyond the words. As a person who keeps many notes in many places, the ability to organise everything on one platform with so many options is a game-changer. Scrivener would also be ideal for shorter stories and articles. I loved the linguistic feature. It's an invaluable tool for better writing.

Inspired me to get cracking on my book (non-fiction).

I found the multiple examples and references to other works very useful.

I was struggling with major imposter syndrome and this course encouraged me to start writing again, by offering a manageable goal.

Practicing the short story form is an excellent way of refining your writing skills.

Thank you again, AWC, for another great course.

This was a very well structured, insightful course. I really enjoyed the balance between writing tips and industry tips in particular.

I really enjoyed the in-depth analysis of different articles to demonstrate the points that were raised in the lessons. Also, despite the breadth (and depth) of information covered, the tone was friendly and conversational, which I really enjoyed.

It's given me the confidence to start pitching.

AWC offers great courses that have a good balance between theory and practice.

Amy was warm and helped build my confidence. Her feedback was always very positive.

I enjoyed having the accountability to write each week. It's a great way to learn the basics and develop a good writing habit.

It has inspired me to keep writing and to hopefully develop a good writing routine.

Amy has done a really good job in providing weekly feedback for our assignments. She provided comprehensive details that we students can take away and build upon it.

The weekly assignment gave me freedom to write about the story I created in my head and it was fun seeing that on the paper.

It's well paced, lots of supporting materials and good tutors :)

Thank you for all your guidance and support.

Loved the peer group process and agree with AWC that the process of giving and receiving peer feedback is an integral part of improving as a writer. I highly recommend the course for anyone thinking of writing that first novel. As for me, I'm 66 and just beginning the process.

Margaret was great and provided very good feedback in a very supportive way. I really liked the video format that she used to provide it as it made the feedback far more personal.

I was able to review my academic style of writing and try a radically different way of writing, then pull it back a little based on very gentle feedback.

If you have the desire to write a novel, this is an absolutely fantastic place to start the process. It is a really safe and nurturing environment to take those first steps.

Finally I have got down to writing a novel that has been in my mind for a decade or so.

This course is perfect for those interested in how to plan a story. The course went beyond my expectations, as I learnt so much more than just plotting and planning. I found Dr. Kate Forsyth knowledgeable on so many different levels and thoroughly enjoyed learning from her. My reading list since doing the course has also grown, both for non-fiction and fiction.

Kate's extensive and insightful knowledge, along with the well-planned modules, made every aspect of the experience exceptional.

An absolute must!!!

The Short Story Essentials course has really helped me to better craft my short stories. It included a lot of information I hadn't considered. Great value.

I found the exercises challenging. I think I'm a pantser. Putting it all together into my story though was really satisfying.

I now have confidence in myself as a writer. Better still, confidence to call myself a writer.

The AWC has great courses and a lot of really great resources. The courses are really comprehensive and they have had a lot of successes too.