What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I've started writing my 2nd psychological thriller and I wanted to learn the specific genre elements to make sure that my book has the best possible chance of getting published.

The writing exercises were hugely helpful, especially the ones on elevator pitches and openings. I now have an awesome new opening for my book!

Louisa is incredibly knowledgeable in her field and I loved how engaging she was throughout the whole course. She's very personable and I felt comfortable asking questions and sharing my own writing, which doesn't happen often.

I enjoyed the level of engagement with Louisa and the rest of the group, and the ideas that came from this.

I'm back in creative flow and my mind is oozing with ideas and scenes for my second book. Since completing the course, I now have the confidence and inspiration to write my first draft.

AWC is the best place to learn about creative writing and gain the skills to become a professional writer.

Pamela Freeman is fabulously enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She knows when to praise and when a thorough (and necessary) critique is called for.

Fantastic and assorted feedback. Pamela's was the most useful but everyone contributed in some way. A good, hard critique is jarring, but it is enjoyable in the long run when your novel improves.

If you're serious about writing, do Australian Writers' Centre courses.

Thanks for everything! I'll be doing more courses!

I thought the course was better than I hoped. Lots of practical and specific information as to writing and researching articles, how to structure articles, and how to approach potential editors. I can't think of an outstanding question the course does not cover.

Alex had a very professional and encouraging manner. Feedback was specific and comprehensive. I liked being able to see/hear the feedback on others' work too.

I enjoyed the tone and content of the online course. I liked that the course covered the nuts and bolts of how to go about being a freelance writing, not just the writing itself. Learning about who to speak to, what to say, when to contact is invaluable insight to someone who has no links to the media industry. I was very aware that I had no idea about how to approach getting published and this lack of knowledge was a showstopper in pursuing a writing career. I feel I now have the tools to proceed with some confidence.

I liked listening to the online modules - Valerie Khoo's engaging delivery hit the right combination of professionalism and friendliness. The assessments built on each other in a logical way and always felt achievable (by contrast, my first task in Week 1 as a journalism student at the NSW Institute of Technology in the 80s was "go and cover tonight's City Council meeting". No scaffolding, no background, no advice - nothing. It was sink or swim. I lost confidence in myself and changed my course - and my life!)
I also liked that the pacing was good - the content and assessments were doable in the time frame.

I feel I have the tools to draw on make a start on getting published. And here's that word again - confidence. Doing the course has given me confidence to proceed.

I think a major learning was the freelance writing hasn't been killed by the internet. Rather, the internet has expanded potential markets and has certainly enhanced research. Good to know, as I was half expecting to learn that potential markets were dying.

Expect an enjoyable and challenging course. Do it!

Just a pleasure learning. I will enjoy enhancing my knowledge and experience as I do my next course

The tutor was excellent.

Learning about how stories are developed and the insight I have gained now allows me to look at movies/stories in a more informed mind. It has opened my eyes to what I can do.

I have recommended it. Broaden your mind... Looking forward to my next course.

The tutor was very clear, concise, motivating and affirming.

I enjoyed all of it!

I am determined to become a published author and to share my recovery story first as my memoir followed by a fiction novel about Family Violence. I have ideas for poetry and four other books. This course has helped spark my creativity.

I enjoyed having an expert help me to improve my manuscript through their guidance and suggestions, especially when I'm not experienced enough to work out how.

The tutor was excellent. Fabulous. Knowledgeable. Knows what works and what doesn't.

I like seeing how other writers have grown through the process of feedback by others and tutor. I like seeing everyone on Zoom. It makes it real. I like the diverse questions, which I hadn't considered. I like the diverse suggestions to improve my manuscript when I was at a loss, but then after tutor feedback especially small changes make a difference in giving me confidence in myself.

Seeing me improving over numerous courses, helps me believe in myself.

The AWC courses are back by a truckload of experts in their field.

Pamela is wonderful. The feedback she gave me nearly always hit the nail right on the head for what needed to be addressed in that submission. The zoom sessions with her were also brilliant - being able to ask questions and bounce things off her is fantastic, given her incredible experience and depth of knowledge both of writing and the industry as a whole.

I love the Discord chat! Also the zoom sessions.

I finished a first draft of a novel. Even if it is never published, I wrote a book, and I think that is pretty profound. I have hopefully found a writing group (thank you for setting up Discord!) that will help me moving forward also.

I have recommended it, many times! The AWC courses are worth the investment. Getting feedback from experienced industry professionals is invaluable, especially if you are writing commercial and genre fiction - what we learned in school doesn't begin to help us with this type of writing.

Just thank you to Pamela. She's amazing. I learnt so much and had so much fun.

I've enjoyed the course and Charlotte's feedback on every student's assignments, including my own.

The course is informative and, as it progressed, there was information that I was able to review and incorporate into my own writing and story.

There were many 'aha' moments that I've incorporated into my own writing, and it's made my story flow. Thank you.

Louisa is very well versed in the genre and enthusiastically delivers the course. She provided knowledegeable and implementable feedback to all participants.

Louisa's delivery of the course was passionate and that made things fun. Being able to do exercises as a group was a lot of fun too.

I'm now clearer on specific areas of crime/thriller writing and that everyone has to 'get their words out' - it won't be perfect the first time, and even seasoned writers have 'first drafts'.

Great to interact with Louisa and the other course participants.

Thank you for a well run course, materials and zoom details always worked, Louisa always knew what we were going to cover and kept things moving. Learned a lot, I have a lot to do, and know my steps forward from here.

It's like exploring a new thing. Each Sunday at midnight, I used to open the new module and check all the titles that we were going to learn in that module.

It made me understand how picture books are created and its various aspects. With my little illustration skills, I tried to create a picture book.

There are so many 'aha!' moments throughout the course. For example, learning Approaches to Illustration is an 'aha!' moment, learning Visual Literacy is an 'aha!' moment, learning about the storyboard template, and so on. All the Modules are 'aha!'

I learned some key features for importing Word documents and creating scenes that I wish I'd known earlier!

I now have a more structured approach to creating my manuscript in Scrivener and better use of some of the features.

It's always worth spending the time (and money) to make sure that you're using the software in the most efficient way. It will save you time in the long run!

I had completed Novel Writing Essentials and I wanted to get a complete first draft of my novel. I work well with deadlines etc. I was also attracted by the tutor feedback as well as workshopping.

The tutor was very experienced and helpful. Her feedback seemed spot on and direct which I really appreciated. Her expertise shone through.

The most enjoyable part was typing The End and submitting a rough, but done, first draft. I can't believe that! I loved the course - everything about it - the participants were great and supportive and I really, really appreciated Pamela's feedback.

The fact that I have a first draft has shown me that I can do it and I think I can get my novel to publishable standard. That is gold.

Huge thanks. The course was fabulous and very worthwhile.

I enjoyed the readings (love your voice Valerie!!! - huge fan of the podcast) and the way Kate analysed them and showed by example the meaning behind her lessons.

I did the course primarily to make sure I was adhering to the basic structure and plot 'beats' for writing historical fiction and magic realism. There was so much information and Kate's professional tips that I know I can inject into my second novel so that it might make it across the line re publishing.

I would say there were several 'Aha!' moments in each and every one of the five modules. I can say, however, if this is helpful, that each of the modules (two of which were not at all genres I write in and, as such, I had wrongly presumed would not shed any light on my learning) gave me those moments of profound insight, revelation, and 'Ohhh - I get it' epiphanies which was incredibly gratifying and worthwhile.

Go on the website and look for yourself - there will DEFINITELY be something there of interest, yes, but also of incredible benefit for your own writing.

I felt Louisa was very knowledgeable of the genre, and keen to share that with the students.

I enjoyed the exercises and homework assignments.

I found most of it very useful. It made me confident that when I do eventually try to write a crime/thriller novel, I will be strong in some areas of it.

I enjoyed the challenge of being able to follow the guidelines as given in the course.

It gave me ideas about writing, confirming some of what I was already doing. Also, it helped to confirm that short stories is definitely the way I want to go.

I have found the course very useful. I especially like courses where you get constructive feedback of your work.

I enjoyed the online videos from Bernadette. They were easy to follow and delivered pleasantly.

I enjoyed the assignments. I like that we had to apply the skills we were taught about and create our own copy from it.

It has given me a new boost of energy to write more and hone my skills as well as got me excited about pursuing copywriting as a side hustle for now and then hopefully a career in the future.

I like how the course kept it simple and didn't try to overcomplicate things. I kept this in mind each time I was writing my assignments and it made things a lot more fun. This is the approach I plan to take as I move forward with writing.

Check out AWC as the courses are not overwhelming, you'll have fun as you learn and you'll come away with valuable skills and a revived energy to go hard out towards your writing goals.

I enjoyed all of it. It was exactly what I was after.

I've no doubt it will make writing and editing (especially editing!) my next novel wayyyyy easier

AWC deliver exactly what you say. The self-paced 12-month access is ideal. Plus the option to extend for another year for a cut fee. I've loved all the courses I've done so far!

I enjoyed the clear instructions, the excellent content, Valerie's clear diction (has she ever thought of reading an audio book?)

AWC is very comprehensive in what they cover and it is well presented and easy to follow.

I recently worked with a copywriter who provided such a great service to the organisation that I work for - I thought, “I want to learn how to do that.''

Glad I signed on because it has been excellent. Both Bernadette and Mark have been great and I enjoyed learning more about copywriting.

I think Bernadette's presentation style is excellent. Her experience and passion for the subject matter is apparent, plus she really cares that you understand and enjoy learning too.

Mark's feedback videos were great and I definitely learnt a lot by going through the full feedback videos. He also had a great presence on screen.

I liked that the assignments helped consolidate my learning per module but they weren't arduous. It was just the right amount of work for my time poor schedule.

I think I want this to be the next step in my professional journey. I'm a bit obsessed actually.

I was excited about having a deadline, a community of writers to work with and the expertise of an instructor.

Pamela did a great job. Very helpful. She delivered exactly what the course promised.

I most enjoyed collaborating with the other writers, most especially The Sapphires in our final group.

My two biggest takeaways were the idea of the "head, heart, body" and keeping the scene focused on the visible action.

I'm glad I did this course.