What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I loved this course and learnt so much. I now have more information and I feel that self-publishing is a definite possibility.

I enjoyed the clear step by step instructions and advice and the links provided.

I feel that I have a possible end to my writing. I feel confident that once I seek out high quality editing with high design elements, I can have a book that is worthy for my reader to purchase and read.

If you are writing a novel, you can still achieve your goal to be a published author. This course will help you achieve this. All you need to do is write a great story, have it edited and ensure your cover is of a high standard and it is a very real possibility.

I loved how practical this course was! It got right down to the nitty gritty of how to actually turn your ideas into a picture book.

I’ve had several ideas (for many years!) and I was looking for something to help me translate my ideas into reality.

The tutor was great. I loved her helpful and honest feedback.

I really feel like I have the confidence to pursue this new direction with my writing.

I really enjoyed doing this course. The feedback was very helpful. From the beginning to the end, instructions were very clear. I'm glad it laid out the amount of hours to spend on the course each week, as that made me more organised.

The tutor clearly has a lot of expertise; the feedback was really helpful.

I loved being able to learn so much by listening to the audio whilst cooking dinner or doing something else. It was really good for my wellbeing. The tasks were a perfect challenge/opportunity to put into practise the learning from the modules.

Also, it was really affirming to be finally taking the plunge to have a go at picture book writing and using my creative side which I haven't been able to do much for several years due to working full time.

It's a great time out for your own life whilst learning/working on something you care about.

I was very impressed with the information regarding obtaining work and the appropriate methods of contacting editors etc. Made me realise that I CAN do this and all I need to do is put the work in.

The tutor was excellent; very knowledgeable and helpful.

The course was easily understood and has up to date AUSTRALIAN information which is great.

Thank you all for your hard work in putting this course together :)

Cat was a fantastic tutor. She was very clear on areas I needed to work on. Her knowledge is truly valuable.

I enjoyed the assignments. Putting the theory into action was a great experience.

I feel I have the tools to go forward and pursue freelance writing.

Thank you so much to Valerie. Her classes and words of wisdom are priceless. Do it! You won’t regret it.

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.

It's a very specific area within children's writing, and it aligned with my style of writing and the type of books I hope to create/publish. Tim being the tutor was a draw card.

The course has made me much more conscious of the humorous techniques used in kids’ books and with my own writing - which was the whole point of the course! So that is great.

Extremely suitable and appropriate tutor. I loved that Tim shared examples of his own work and other popular pieces to demonstrate the lessons. Video delivery was great. Very engaging course.

I really enjoyed this opportunity, and it gave me the confidence to believe in myself, my knowledge and my writing. It also made me a better teacher of writing and literature, so thank you!

I was hesitant about sharing my writing but my fears were soon put at ease.

The tutor was amazing! So knowledgeable, caring and wise.

I loved all of it. Sharing work; listening to podcasts. I am so much more confident now, and look at writing in a different way. Thank you :-)

I am in the process of editing my book, and I have my structure working for me. Now am editing at the scene level and I want my scenes to zing! My experience with Fiction Essentials: Structure gave me confidence this course would be excellent - and it was.

All the tips about what new writers often do and how to fix those mistakes were like gold dust scattered through the course - I recognised so many of those mistakes in my writing, and now I know what to watch for AND how to fix it!

I wanted to make sure that my grammar was up to scratch. As a teacher I teach grammar to 8 years, but needed a bit more for my stories :)

I enjoyed the quizzes. I understood some simple grammar things especially commas and apostrophes that I had been confused about.

A great course to refine your grammar skills.

Valerie has so much knowledge to give and does so in such a warm and welcoming manner. She gave very clear information and advice. I have the tools and confidence I need to get started.

I have had a book idea in my brain for quite some time, but am stuck before I begin at the plotting and planning stage. This course is PERFECT for me.

While the course tutor may not be someone I'd choose to take as a best mate, I thought she was incredibly generous with her insights, wisdom and skill. I have great respect for her process and the manner in which she communicated to the class.

I know the story I want to write, I know the characters, but I don't know anything else! This course is giving me all of the missing pieces, so I can start writing my book.

If you are after a fairly brief but intense short course that will help you understand and focus upon the essence of your book, this is the one.

Digging deeper into my characters and giving them more depth has been very exciting and rewarding, and learning so much more than what I thought I already knew, and now armed with all this knowledge, I hope I can create something to be proud of.

I feel I am now equipped to make my characters real and not just cardboard cut outs.

What attracted me to this course was the fact that this was a workout. The exercises that kept me interested were just as helpful as the Zoom sessions where I got to interact with Stephen, Pamela, and other amazing writers.

Before enrolling in the course I had lost my... 'MOJO' so to say. I couldn't get myself to write, create the whole concept of a novel, despite my many ideas, felt daunting, unachievable.

Both Stephen and Pamela were lovely and insightful. They were attentive to the needs of the class and gave amazing feedback.

I enjoyed the Zoom sessions where I got to sit down with others who shared my passion for writing and storytelling all working together to help each other improve.

I'm writing my novel now! I've just enrolled in the Scrivener Course because I've invested in the software and am compiling my resources to try and bring my ideas to life.

If you have a million ideas in your head but are too scared/insecure about doing something about them, come to AWC. They have the toolkit that you need to develop that unsure desire into a plan of action.

This course is fantastic!

Zanni and her feedback was fantastic and insightful. As a result I have learned heaps and I’m excited to continue learning.

I enjoyed learning about all of the other aspects that go into picture book writing as well as the publishing process which I never knew before.

Thank you for offering this great course and thank you Zanni for your teachings! Definitely 100% do it - it’s great!

What attracted me to the course was that I needed to be motivated in some way to make headway with my novel — but more than that, to be able to create a habit of writing & getting it done, as something to prioritise & tick off on the to-do list.

I wrote over 12,000 words, so it was way more than I thought I’d be able to achieve in 30 days!

I enjoyed getting the emails posted into my inbox every day with a dose of inspiration for my writing session. Also, meeting those word counts!

If you want to write but don’t know where to start, the Australian Writers’ Centre will have a course for you, no matter what kind of writing is your thing. Enrol now & you won’t regret it!

The course presented a useful mix of writing styles and applications as well as loads of supporting materials to see the theories being used in published articles and blogs.

The straight forward language that Valerie uses as well as a broad scope of applications and examples kept me interested and engaged.

The course has provided me with lots of frameworks with proven successful templates to use for future blog posts and other content creation.

The course provides well put together resources that are easy to follow and understand - a 'formula', if you like, for writing succinctly and with purpose.

I felt I really fitted this course i.e. the lessons, handouts, assignments and feedback all pushed me one step further in my expectations of self, ability and understanding of 'polishing my craft'.

The tutor was great! Cindy was very thoughtful, helpful, thorough and positive in feedback to me.

I liked the freedom of doing the course online when I was ready to meet each challenge i.e. listen to the audio, take notes and listen again later, reading handouts and absorbing the information, instead of being in a classroom with so many distractions. I liked the method of sharing assignments amongst the group. I really enjoyed doing the profile of another person.

The whole course was challenging, encouraging and exciting. The lessons were easy to understand (Valerie is brilliant at breaking down her years of experience and translating her knowledge into the right words and at the right pace for a learner), the assignments were not too difficult and easy to understand and the whole course was laid out in well thought out steps.

At the beginning of the course I thought, "I really want to do this course but that will be it". Now there is a voice in there telling me to go on and take the next step, put my big toe in the water and try being a freelance writer. Take it as it comes but keep moving forward. Push through the self-doubt.

I would say definitely to give it a go. The course is conveniently online, with easy self-paced lessons, weekly feedback to keep you on track AND I won't forget the support I had from Abby and the encouraging messages from Rah. This all adds up to a very encouraging, supportive writing experience.

I really enjoyed the course and congratulate all of you at AWC for doing a grand job in this really trying time of COVID etc.

The course was incredibly digestible. We were given so much aiding information with such a manageable delivery.

I have to praise my tutor's nature for offering feedback in a supportive, friendly way. Definitely the kind of teacher we need more of!

I loved the format of the assignments and all of the lessons leading up to it. I thoroughly enjoyed offering and receiving feedback from my peers and those of my tutor.

I feel equipped to write in a way I never have before and I'm busting to apply all I've learned. I love that I can look at a book or even a film with a new, critical lens.

This course taught me more than I thought it would - including to believe in what I am capable of.

The tutor was awesome. I loved the video feedback.

It has given me the tools and encouragement to push for a different career in life, and that I am not just stuck at a desk job.

Overall this was an amazing experience. I have learnt a lot about myself and my skill set. I look forward to working toward my goal of getting published this year and cannot wait to share my successes!