Angie Cui's road to becoming a published children's book author is a story of unexpected turns, persistence, and creative discovery. She has two picture books set to be published in 2025 – My Mum is a Bird with UQP and Our Map with Wombat Books, and she has learnt plenty along the way.
“I was a new mum juggling family life and work when I decided to take one of your courses,” Angie shares. Initially aspiring to be a journalist, she found herself drawn to writing through a more unexpected route. “Writing had always been a passion of mine, but I didn't have the confidence or the time to fully explore it.”
Finding her voice
Angie's writing journey began with the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Freelance Writing Stage 1 course, driven by a desire to be a published journalist. “I'd been toying with story ideas for years but struggled to turn them into something coherent and compelling,” she explains. What she sought was more than just a course – she wanted “guidance, structure, and a community of like-minded individuals to help me take my writing seriously.”
The course proved to be transformative and the feedback from instructors and peers gave her the confidence to embrace her unique perspective. “The practical advice on story structure and character development was invaluable, but what stood out the most was the encouragement to find my voice.”
Bringing her stories to life
Surprisingly, Angie's writing path took an unexpected turn towards books after reading to her children, and she enrolled in creative writing courses at the Australian Writers’ Centre, including Writing Picture Books. “Initially, I thought I would write adult fiction … children's books seemed so challenging to me – telling a big story with just a few words, often in under 500 words, was intimidating! But when I started reading picture books with my kids, I thought, maybe I could write something like that!”
Angie's debut books explore themes including individuality, empathy and identity. My Mum is a Bird uses a humorous lens to tell a story of an embarrassing parent at school, while Our Map is about a child who discovers that his parents’ homeland no longer exists on a map. Both books reflect her belief in the power of storytelling to bridge understanding.
Once she had polished her manuscripts, Angie attended conferences where she was able to successfully pitch to publishers. “Hearing back from a publisher with interest was surreal – it felt like a dream!” she recalls. She then worked closely with her publisher, editor and illustrator to refine her stories even further. “It was a collaborative process that helped shape the books into something even better than I had imagined.”
And on becoming a published author? “I was absolutely thrilled!” Angie says. “It felt like validation for all the hard work and late nights. It also felt deeply personal – proof that my stories and voice mattered.”
Writing in the real world
Despite working full-time, writing has become an integral part of Angie's life. “While I don't write every single day, storytelling is always on my mind,” she says. “I often find myself playing out scenes or imagining dialogues during quiet moments.”
Angie has completed at least a dozen courses at the Australian Writers’ Centre and has a simple message for those considering taking the leap: “If you have a story inside you – or even just a spark of curiosity about writing – this is the place to start. The courses are practical, supportive, and inspiring, offering the tools you need to bring your ideas to life.”
Angie's debut books explore themes including individuality, empathy and identity. My Mum is a Bird uses a humorous lens to tell a story of an embarrassing parent at school, while Our Map is about a child who discovers that his parents’ homeland no longer exists on a map. Both books reflect her belief in the power of storytelling to bridge understanding. 
Despite working full-time, writing has become an integral part of Angie's life. “While I don't write every single day, storytelling is always on my mind,” she says. “I often find myself playing out scenes or imagining dialogues during quiet moments.”
