What’s it like to learn with AWC?

The course had some great tips, lots of detailed explanations and was also really inspiring. It made me believe getting published is possible - for me!

It's given me renewed energy to complete my manuscript, guidance on what level it needs to be at, and concrete steps that I can take to get it published.

I've learnt so much from all the courses I've done. They are well-designed, practical and informative. I highly recommend the AWC for anyone serious about a career in writing, or just wanting to improve their skills or exercise their creativity. I've learnt so much, especially the difference between being able to write well and being able to write a good story.

I enjoyed the sections covering the logistics of submission and the expected outcomes. Everything was explained well in each module, and the handouts useful.

It has helped me to understand more about the whole pitching and submission process. I had a certain amount of knowledge, but this course has helped me to know a lot more.

This is a comprehensive information package on the pitching and submission process. It clearly explains everything that you need to know.

Margaret was fantastic. Her feedback was so helpful. She tailored her feedback specifically for each member of the cohort and their current stage, which was really helpful. I came away with clear ideas about how to improve each of the three picture books I wrote during the course.

I discovered that I'm actually good at this format (current WIP is a YA novel), and I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I had a couple of ideas that were nothing more than that when I started the course and walked away with three drafted picture books. I absolutely intend to continue to develop them. In some ways, I think this might be a better format for me.

I enjoyed the insights it gave me into crime, which I can weave into my own work. It's given me great intel I can use to improve my debut novel.

This is a standout course for crime fiction writers, packed with usable insights, explained in easy-to-grasp ways by two of the leading lights in contemporary Australian writing. A not-to-be-missed bargain!

Margaret is so knowledgeable in her craft. I really enjoyed how she tackled the 3,000-word submissions and let her inner editor come through. I learned a great deal about sentence structure and what it means to trust the reader (and *how* that looks!). She picked up on small things that I feel would improve a manuscript (like filter filler words and how they take away from a story rather than enhance it, for example).

I found the videos to be very useful in elaborating on some of Margaret's comments and also contextualising them. I learned a lot about my areas for improvement from her comments. I wanted to learn where my strengths were and what I could improve on, and I found her comments were very useful in providing me with the starting point in improving my work.

I liked her direct approach because she cut straight to the point, explained why she didn't agree with something, why it didn't work for her, and how it could be improved. What I loved most was that she never made it seem like it *had* to be done - it was always a suggestion, but one that I felt added value to a draft. I loved her encouragement, too - when something worked, she'd make sure to tell you as much.

The level of feedback we got from her was one of the best parts of the course. I didn't expect that much detail! I would definitely do another course with Margaret as the tutor.

Other than receiving feedback from Margaret, the workshopping was the best part of the course. I've never put myself or my work out there like that before, so this was a new and terrifying experience for me. The students were so generous with their time, compliments and constructive feedback.

I get to walk away from this course not only with more confidence than when I entered, but also with people whom I hope to be friends with and share my love of writing with. The relationships you make in the course are invaluable. Writing is no longer a solitary thing for me.

I found the daily emails motivating and helpful in getting me into writing mode. It was a commitment, and I held myself to it.

I enjoyed the structure of the program - every day was a different approach to my writing, a different word count, location, thought process.

It ensured I set time aside every day to prioritise my writing. It also wasn't 'bossy' - the prompts are an invitation that I accepted, a commitment that I could keep.

Even if you only write a few words each day, that is a few more words than you had the day before. Those few words add up to a lot over a month.

Do it! If you want to write, you need to make it a priority in your life and find a way to incorporate some time, however little, to your craft. This program will help you find that space.

Workshopping was very useful in helping me be a bit more critical of my own work.

The tutor was very professional.

I feel more motivated and committed to progressing my book.

It doesn't matter how bad your first draft could be; keep writing. Re-drafting over and over again will eventually lead you to a compelling, well-written book.

The AWC courses are excellent. Workshopping and receiving feedback from a teacher who is an expert in the writing field is invaluable.

I enjoyed learning new ideas and the course showed me that all ideas have meaning and truth.

I found the feedback invaluable. I had trouble with commenting on other people's work due to my own issues about being critical of others, but I eventually got to notice the benefits.

The tutor was good. Supportive and direct.

I feel more self-confident with the words I'm writing, and understand little steps all the time lead to something bigger.

Go for it, you never know what part of the learning will sneak up on you which you didn't know. It's a great hobby.

The module content and delivery were designed exceptionally well, and appreciate the sustainable model in having these recordings. I found the greatest value in this course came from interactions and observance by Alex - formative, constructive and relatable for an individualised experience, avoiding a 'rinse-and-repeat' approach. A great model.

Alex was professional, personable and extremely constructive. Feedback was honest and offered direction for how to improve, or how to extend an idea, or identified problematic areas with suggestions of how to avoid these. I think there was a lot of integrity in these weekly moments, and generosity in sharing expertise.

Love the information about back story, characters connecting and unravelling.

Great value great knowledge and online learning at you own pace.

It really opened my mind as to how scenes function, some rules in applying them and how to make sure they have a good balance of elements to make a scene feel really rich. I really enjoyed the Module on setting as well, as it's not something we usually think about in terms of conveying what is happening in the story, but it's really useful and valuable.

AWC is a terrific place to learn and develop your writing skills, for anyone interested in writing. All types of topics, levels and backgrounds with great courses and tutors. I highly recommend them!

I subscribed to the newsletter and all of the inspiring stories and feedback on courses piqued my interest. I knew I wanted to take the path to publication so I chose Creative Writing Stage 1 as my starting point after completing Anatomy of a Crime.

I was unsure how feedback would work and how I would be interacting with other writers online, but I found these some of the best aspects of the course.

I loved the deep dive into the major areas of developing a work of fiction and I picked up so many valuable tips that I'll carry with me in my writing toolbox.

This has been a really great experience and, as someone who hasn't shared her work with others, I've found it to be a real confidence-booster. I'm very motivated and excited to continue on with writing the first draft of my novel after completing this course!

If you've always dreamed of writing a book but don't know where to start, the AWC will give you a roadmap and a toolbox for your journey! It will also give you something else less tangible but just as valuable: the self-belief and motivation to begin.

Before I started this course I thought I knew a lot about the craft of writing, but there is so much more to explore and I couldn't be happier about that because the journey of learning with the AWC is so exciting! I've signed up for more self-paced courses and seminars and plan on getting the first draft of my novel written before I apply for the Write Your Novel workshopping course. Thank you for providing such a rich resource of knowledge and inspiration.

It confirmed what I thought I knew and showed that different writing styles are all valid. The different structures within the writing were also helpful.

It has assured me that writing for others (other than the corporate world) is valuable. I feel I have gained a better insight into why I am writing, not just the writing process. It has also removed my excuses I made for myself for not writing. I now feel I can gather together all the chapters, stories and scrapes of events and compile them into one definitive book (or 2 or 3).

I enjoyed the clear guidance through modules with examples, and the fact the modules weren't too long.

I learnt some new things - relating to more current practices.

Do it! It's great, easy-to-understand, concise content, with templates and slides to download.

I found it very informative and instructional. It's very easy listening to Valerie's voice. I enjoyed the interviews with the authors and hearing first-hand experiences.

It's reinforced what I had learnt along the way with other courses and put into a nonfiction context.

You won't get more information, affordable and instructional courses anywhere else. The variety is sensational.

Nat was fantastic. She gave such useful feedback and always made sure that she found some positives in everyone's writing. Moving forward I now know about filter words, how to look at the world from a character's point of view and many other tricks and things to look out for in my writing.

I am feeling much more confident about my writing and especially editing my work. I have enrolled into Historical Fiction and hope to write about my grandparents.

I had never thought about point of view limitations before, that the point of view character wouldn't think in certain ways, about how they look for e.g. I have since read many books where I pick up on this being done poorly.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and thought the tutor was great.

Deciding to write an historical fiction novel, I wanted to find out more information on resources and how to access them.

I enjoyed the in-depth coverage of elements of fiction writing and applying them to an historical event/ setting. How to access information other than via google or my local library!

The spark of an idea for a novel is now underway, and I am excited to be fulfilling my dream.

AWC courses are thorough, informative and fun.

I completed three of AWC's fiction essentials courses and they all helped me write my novel. Once my draft novel was complete, I felt that AWC's Cut, Shape, Polish course was bound to help me refine my story.

The step-by-step editing process works well. I enjoyed listening to Valerie too. :)

The Australian Writers' Centre is brilliant. If you're serious about your writing, it's worth investing in their courses.

If you want your novel to be published, you need to put in the work. There are no shortcuts. Once you've finished your first draft, AWC's 'Cut, Shape, Polish' course will help you do the work needed to make your novel a standout jewel.

I enjoyed the self-paced aspect. I also appreciated that exercises and summaries of the video content were provided in PDF handouts.

I (hope!) that my writing will be more well-rounded and interesting.