What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I was starting a new job and needed some tips on copywriting - something I had done organically throughout my career but, with no formal training, I felt I needed some guidance.

Bernadette was fabulous - humorous, clear and concise, with great genuine feedback.

The course gave me confidence to start a new role and introduce myself as a writer. It helped with the imposter syndrome.

The AWC has lots of varied courses to suit any type of writing. The tutors are professionals working in the industry and have plenty of good tips.

Kate is such a generous teacher, sharing her vast knowledge and understanding in such beautiful and fun ways. I will treasure this experience always.

I now have loads of tools that I'm already putting to use in planning my next novel. I have a deeper understanding of story structure in a concrete way that I can put into use immediately.

I had completed the How to Write for Children and Young Adults course as I was curious about writing. I've always wanted to write a novel, just didn't know how to go about it. During that course I discovered that I really enjoy the writing process and gained some insight on how to go about it. I came up with a rough idea for my novel and then enrolled in this course to continue and learn more.

Angela was great - insightful and helpful feedback, which I will put into place in my subsequent drafts.

A great course that got me inspired to actually write a novel.

The opinion writing course was fabulous. So much was covered over the three lessons and it was structured well. The assignments were challenging but not too overwhelming. I feel confident to tackle the world of opinion writing.

Vivienne was truly wonderful. She was warm and friendly, full of knowledge and shared her personal experiences with us. She was open to all questions and made me feel confident in the fact she knew what she was teaching. She is very personable and shared her wealth of experience and enthusiasm for opinion writing.

It's given me the confidence to put myself back out there. And have since scored my first opinion piece commission!

The AWC is the ONLY place for short writing courses. Keep the courses coming. (I'm an AWC junkie)

I really enjoyed all the practical advice and the format of the course. I can't believe so much useful ground was covered in not much time.

I really enjoyed interviewing a classmate. I also really enjoyed researching the publications. I loved how the modules were delivered by audio but also had useful handouts.

I am more aware of transitions and I feel more motivated to continue. I like to believe that it's possible as you say :)

The course gives useful, practical advice about how to become a freelance writer. I really enjoyed the course and feel motivated to give it a try.

I am really impressed and very happy I took the plunge.

Mark was very friendly, approachable, and eager to share his insights. From the get-go I realised that he knows the industry inside and out. He offered us a range of practical tips, from both sides of the client and the experienced copywriter. I enjoyed listening to his constructive and encouraging advice, especially about my writing style and the persuasive art of marketing through the written word.

I really enjoyed the fact that the instructors and creators of the course distilled the essentials of copywriting and delivered these into sizeable, easy to digest online content. They did not throw volumes of information and content on each module. The well-planned modules (audio, PowerPoint, and handouts) catered to and fit around my busy schedule. I could listen to the audio whilst going for a walk, and then review the presentation afterwards. In particular, I love the practical, concise assignment activities. I love how Mark gave the feedback on each of our work, whilst allowing us to listen to his feedback on other people's work - just like in a face to face classroom environment.

Overall, this amazing course has given me confidence to seriously pursue copywriting as a side career. I cannot wait to learn more (SEO, UX and starting my own copywriting business).

I highly recommend AWC's copywriting course to everybody. I learned that the essential elements of copywriting are not just handy for marketing. In fact, these are very crucial in persuasive written content, ensuring that your words can drive engagement, action, as well as creating impact.

Thank you very much Mark and Bernadette, and I am looking forward to the Copywriting Bootcamp and taking more copywriting courses at AWC. Thanks to you, I feel more confident in creating my copywriting portfolio, and hopefully build a writing career.

I was inspired by the title. It's exactly what I'm searching for...to recreate myself as a writer.

Valerie was an excellent presenter. Presentation was professional, pace was good - not too onerous in terms of expectations.

I was introduced to the idea of freelance writing which for some reason never really inspired me before, but it is exactly what I'm after in terms of the life I'm trying to create for myself, I just couldn't see the pathway before. Now I understand there is a path for me and I just need to learn the more technical aspects of writing, so I will be definitely enrolling in more courses to explore.

I realised that I can use my previous experiences and passions (corporate, culture, sports, wellbeing, neurodiversity advocacy and parenting) to help me to recreate myself as a freelance writer.

Very easy to access online (for us in the regions), first class material, makes me feel excited to be back in Australia again and like a new start is actually possible for me now. I feel less stuck and more empowered, after massive changes brought about by the pandemic.

I have lots of opinions to share and wanted to learn the specifics of writing opinion pieces.

The presenter is a lovely, clever, friendly woman who made it easy for us to participate.

I now have a much better idea what an opinion piece is and how to construct it.

AWC courses are worth the money. Keep up the good work:)

I really enjoyed learning more about the process of writing and reading everyone else's work!

Angela was great, I found her feedback to be helpful and I looked forward to what she had to say each week.

I enjoyed the actual writing part. I haven't written consistently, ever, and I found myself drafting and re-drafting my assessments each week which improved my writing, but also became more enjoyable the more I did it.

I signed up for Novel Writing Essentials during the last week because I have an idea and I want to run with it as far as I can. The idea that I might actually write a novel is really exciting.

I really enjoyed the course. If you do the work and interact with the other participants you will get a lot out of it.

Alex provided useful feedback at every step of the way.

I really enjoyed learning the art of transitions, and the opportunity to interview my classmate and to write a profile about her. I also found the handouts and examples of good and bad writing really useful.

I think it provides a really good foundation for someone wanting to pursue freelance writing. It has given me the confidence and skills to develop ideas into feature articles, and pitch them to prospective publications.

These short courses are a great opportunity to dip your toe into a subject you've been curious about. The timeframe is manageable and the cost isn't too prohibitive, so why not embrace the chance to learn something new.

Margaret is lovely. She was very encouraging throughout and timely in marking submissions. I felt that she gave feedback constructively, offering praise where it was due, picking up writing errors - large or small - and providing suggestions for improvement. She seemed genuinely interested in what everyone had to write.

I enjoyed the flexibility of accessing course material at any time and the assessment tasks. I liked how the assessments were of a manageable length and scaffolded my learning week by week; they didn't feel overwhelming or onerous.

This course has basically ignited the hope that I could be a published author someday... like it's not completely outside the realms of possibility! I hadn't written a story since I was 10 years old. Since then, I had limited myself, thinking writing was just a pipe dream. Now I have a good deal more confidence in myself - I know that I will still need to work hard - but since completing this course, I feel that writing a novel is actually achievable now.

My major learning point came when writing was described as a 'craft'. For years, I have been trying to find a creative outlet - learning an instrument, silversmithing, woodworking - you name it. The idea of crafting, having a craft, is really important to me. I never considered writing to be that... but it is! I've realised that writing is like weaving with words, it can be rhythmic like music, you can mould it like sculpture... it seems so obvious now!

GO FOR IT. If you want a course that gets straight to the point, that gives you the tools and inspiration to start writing without hesitation, this is the one.

Thank you for putting this course together. It has been an absolute pleasure being a part of it!

Writing fiction is a relatively new pursuit for me and I know I need guidance so this course was an ideal entry point. I recently finished a PhD so waited until I had the time and headspace to be able to tackle the exercises and story writing before starting.

I enjoyed the variety of sample stories and exercises, but my favourite part was watching my story develop from the structure I'd mapped out.

I come from a journalism background and this course has made me appreciate the value of just writing instead of editing as I go and giving myself the time to edit and redraft to make sure my story is polished, rather than going with the first draft and one round of edits.

The Short Story Essentials online course is structured so you can work at your own pace, with everything you need to plan, structure, write and edit a short story.

I loved trying a new writing style on for size. Thanks.

Vivienne is an engaging and motivating facilitator. The supporting docs and slide decks were well thought through and presented.

I had never understood what OpEd was in a newspaper and who wrote them or how easy it is. This knowledge will be an easier first step for me to get my writing out there. The hardest part is gaining confidence and getting an understanding of how the industry works.

AWC offers professionally-crafted courses in all types of writing disciplines, designed and taught by industry leaders and accessible to everyone.

I've thoroughly enjoyed all the courses I've ever done with AWC (6,7?), the material and the people I've met.

Vivienne is professional and a good online tutor. I enjoyed the work and feedback, also the content of slides. It gave me some tools and the confidence to write an opinion piece.

The course is for all levels and capabilities as long as you enjoy writing. I have already recommended it.

Thanks Vivienne.

Lesley was a pleasure to listen to. She clearly presented information and tips that were really helpful.

The opportunity to send a small assignment and receive positive feedback from Lesley has given me the confidence to write a chapter book for 6-9 year olds. Thank you, Lesley. The next AWC course I am doing is Laugh out Loud with Tim Harris.

To anyone wondering - there's no set time. You can have 12 months to do the course. AWC sending the course outline, before you decide to go ahead, is very useful. Give it a go and delve into the writing world.

Vivienne is knowledgeable, kind and interesting to listen to. She has a way of encouraging ideas and discussion within boundaries so that participants didn't get too derailed.

This is my third course with the AWC and I've enjoyed each one. It is very professional and personable. They communicate well and the tutors are knowledgeable, experienced and lovely.

It has given me confidence to try new ways of writing. I have always wanted to be a novel writer but now I am looking at exploring other ways of writing.

I was amazed at how many ways you can write and writing professions.

You have to do some courses through AWC; they are great. You learn so much and the tutors have a wealth of knowledge.

What a kick start! The course has woken me up from a long nap in a dreary world where I honestly started to believe that writing was not achievable for me. Feeling and being proactive in my own goal now seems achievable and a reality. Ultimately, I feel I have been given the permission to write and that is what I am now doing.

If you are stuck in your own beliefs and trapped by unhelpful thought patterns then this is a course that will lift and inspire you as well as answer questions regarding the process of writing and publishing in an honest and helpful way. It is short, sweet and motivating.

I actually hadn't realised just how much could be taught in only two lessons, but Kate has completely packed these lessons with so much information and examples for writers. It is such a gift.

I loved the way Kate gave us so many examples, and she also unpacked trickier concepts so that all of us could grasp the way different plotting and planning ideas can be used in our own work.

Everything was enjoyable about this course!

Kate's example and discussion of her own plotting plans, including the word count she aims for with each incident in a story, has profoundly impacted my ideas for writing. I feel so much more capable and able to tackle the projects in my imagination.

Kate's planning session lined up with what I had done for when I was undergoing my PhD, but the plotting session just completely blew me away. Her explanation of how to go about plotting your story and its course is just the biggest help I could have asked for.

Any writing course you choose from the Centre is going to give you the *best* advice. And you will learn so much, you'll wonder how you never knew about this great resource before now.

Thank you for making these courses that are filled with information so affordable. It makes a huge difference, and sparks both our imagination and determination to go for our dreams.

I knew picture book writing was a finely honed craft with specific conventions, and I wanted to get clear, concrete information on this, as well as a sense of how the industry works, particularly expectations in presenting manuscripts to publishers. I was happy with the quality of the information covered in the modules.

Suzanne is very encouraging and constructive in her feedback and responded to questions promptly. It was good to have her insights as someone who works as an editor/publisher within the industry.

I liked the way the information in the modules was designed and structured, and released weekly rather than all at once. This made the course more dynamic i.e. to be a part of a small group receiving info, specific learning outcomes and deadlines each week with personalised tutor feedback. I also loved that the course allows each participant to get what they want from it and there's plenty of time to access the information afterwards.

From my earlier exposure at RMIT, I understood the incredible craft and perspiration it takes to write the best picture books, and the course cemented this well and truly, but it also offered important insights into the publishing side and great information on how to become immersed in the thriving children's writing community. I feel more confident now, though I know it's a pretty tough road to get published.

The course is very enjoyable and provides a solid foundation in the elements of the craft and up-to-date industry insights.