Australian Writers' Centre Team | Australian Writers' Centre

Podcast: So You Want to be a Writer

Writing Podcast Episode 549: Nicole Madigan, author of ‘Obsession: A journalist and victim-survivor’s investigation into stalking’

Meet Nicole Madigan, author of the memoir Obsession: A Journalist and Victim-survivor’s Investigation Into Stalking. And we discuss filter words and the phenomenon of tautological place names. And win None of This is True by Lisa Jewell. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or

18 July 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED: ‘None of This is True’ by Lisa Jewell

This week’s giveaway None of This is True by master of suspense Lisa Jewell (you can meet her on our podcast in episode 311) follows an unassuming true crime podcaster, whose world is turned upside down by a strange podcast guest. We have three copies to give away. Here’s the

17 July 2023

Fiction writing

You’re invited to Zewlan Moor’s picture book launch!

We are so thrilled for AWC graduate Zewlan Moor who is celebrating the launch of her debut picture book Nothing Alike on 19 August. Zewlan never imagined that she would be a published author one day until she started listening to the ‘So You Want to Be a Writer’ podcast.

14 July 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

Writing Podcast Episode 548: Megan White, author of ‘The Anatomy of Songs’

Meet Megan White, author of The Anatomy of Songs. Finding inspiration and the importance of writing great openings. Also win The Little French Village of Book Lovers by Nina George. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite

11 July 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED: ‘The Little French Village of Book Lovers’ by Nina George

This week’s giveaway takes us to a special bookstore in France where books are prescribed to customers. We have three copies of The Little French Village of Book Lovers by international bestselling author Nina George to give away. Here’s the blurb: Monsieur Perdu returns in this new novel from the

10 July 2023

Podcast: So You Want to be a Copywriter

Copywriting Podcast Episode 057: How to structure your key messages and win media attention

Theresa Miller is a seasoned journalist and media guru. She possesses a remarkable talent for helping individuals master the art of media storytelling. With an impressive background working for prestigious news organisations like Good Morning Britain, Sky News, and CNN, Theresa now shows business experts how to leverage the media

10 July 2023

Fiction writing

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing Effective Suspense and Thriller Stories

When you’re writing a suspense or thriller novel, you want to make sure you keep your readers hooked and compelled to turn every page. But sustaining that level of devotion from a reader means that every word needs to count. And you need to ensure that your plot, characters and

9 July 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

Penguin Random House Australia announces shortlist for 2023 Write It Fellowship

Penguin Random House Australia has just revealed the shortlist for the 2023 Write It Fellowship. We are so excited that six out of the 11 shortlisted writers are AWC graduates! Here are the details from Penguin Random House’s website: We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for Write It, a

8 July 2023

Build your profile and promote your book

Simple steps to blog your way to success as an author

I’m going to be upfront with you – I’ve stolen the title of this post. Fortunately, I’ve, er, borrowed it from Bernadette Schwerdt, head copywriting tutor at the Australian Writers’ Centre, and, in particular, episode 30 of her So You Want To Be A Copywriter podcast. I’m pretty sure she

7 July 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

Enter the 2023 Stiletto Awards

Attention Australian crime and mystery writers! The 30th Scarlet Stiletto Awards are now open. Here are the details from the Sisters in Crime website: Sisters in Crime’s Scarlet Stiletto Awards for best short crime and mystery stories turn 30 this year and are offering a record $12,720 in prizes. The

7 July 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

From physiotherapist to published novelist

Megan White loved to write during high school and university, but always in a wishful way. It was only after taking the course Creative Writing Stage 1 that she realised she could take her love of fiction further.

“Creative Writing Stage 1 taught me how to write a scene which instantly changed the way I looked at writing,” Megan told us. “Having a little knowledge in craft meant I could begin to take writing a little more seriously. It meant that becoming a writer felt more attainable as something you could learn and practice and less about being a natural prodigy.”

5 July 2023

Build your profile and promote your book

10 Australian authors on Substack

“What are you reading on Substack?” If I had $1 for every time someone has asked me this question over the past few weeks, I’d be able to buy myself a nice long lunch somewhere fancy. Even Valerie Khoo and I were trading recommendations just a day or two ago.

5 July 2023

Podcast: So You Want to be a Writer

Writing Podcast Episode 547: Tim Ayliffe, author ‘Killer Traitor Spy’

Meet Tim Ayliffe, author Killer Traitor Spy. Tim is also Managing Editor of Television and Video for ABC News and the former Executive Producer of News Breakfast. Tim also spoke exclusively to our Write Your Novel and Edit Your Novel students as part of our Industry Author Event series. Also:

4 July 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED: ‘The Guest Room’ by Tasha Sylva

Have you ever wondered whether your BnB hosts snoop through your belongings? This week’s giveaway gives us an insight into the mind of an obsessive BnB host who likes to get to know her guests a little too well. We have three copies of The Guest Room by Tasha Sylva

3 July 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

Claire Thompson fulfils her dream to be a published picture book author

Deciding to write picture books was literally a lightbulb moment for media and communications manager Claire Thompson. Each time she put her newborn baby in the carseat, the interior lights flashed on, so Claire and her four-year-old invented a story about a magic baby. She immediately realised she wanted to write a children’s book and enrolled in the course Writing Picture Books a few days later.

2 July 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

AWC graduate Fiona Lloyd’s debut novel ‘Being Jimmy Baxter’

Fiona Lloyd had assumed her creative writing aspirations were nothing but a childhood dream. But after deciding to reconnect to that former love, she threw herself into the writing community, attending writing events and completing the course Plotting and Planning at the Australian Writers’ Centre. Fiona’s debut middle grade novel Being Jimmy Baxter has now been published by Puffin (Penguin Random House Australia).

28 June 2023

Podcast: So You Want to be a Writer

Writing Podcast Episode 546: Meet four-time Academy Award nominated Anthony McCarten, author of Going Zero.

Meet Anthony McCarten, author of Going Zero. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards. What word count is normal for a writer? And win Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite

27 June 2023

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED: ‘Unfortunately Yours’ by Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey is a #1 New York Times Bestselling author and she’s back with another hilarious premise – a sham marriage for money brings Natalie and August together, but could their union be about more than that? You have the chance to find out because we’re giving away three copies

26 June 2023

Furious Fiction

Furious Fiction: June 2023 Story Showcase

Welcome to June’s Furious Fiction story showcase – our monthly fiesta of 500-words-or-fewer fiction fabulousness! Most importantly, it’s a chance to shout out our community’s creativity and the opportunity to have YOUR OWN story featured or acknowledged. So, without further ado, let’s remind ourselves of what June’s criteria were: To

23 June 2023

Fiction writing

How to create a book series bible

You may have heard authors, particularly authors of book series, talk about their ‘bible’ when discussing their writing process. And no doubt you realised they were talking about the notebook or document that helped them to keep track of characters, relationships, settings and other important information in their book or

23 June 2023

Author: Australian Writers' Centre Team

Writing Podcast Episode 549: Nicole Madigan, author of ‘Obsession: A journalist and victim-survivor’s investigation into stalking’

COMP CLOSED: ‘None of This is True’ by Lisa Jewell

You’re invited to Zewlan Moor’s picture book launch!

Writing Podcast Episode 548: Megan White, author of ‘The Anatomy of Songs’

COMP CLOSED: ‘The Little French Village of Book Lovers’ by Nina George

Copywriting Podcast Episode 057: How to structure your key messages and win media attention

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing Effective Suspense and Thriller Stories

Penguin Random House Australia announces shortlist for 2023 Write It Fellowship

Simple steps to blog your way to success as an author

Enter the 2023 Stiletto Awards

From physiotherapist to published novelist

10 Australian authors on Substack

Writing Podcast Episode 547: Tim Ayliffe, author ‘Killer Traitor Spy’

COMP CLOSED: ‘The Guest Room’ by Tasha Sylva

Claire Thompson fulfils her dream to be a published picture book author

AWC graduate Fiona Lloyd’s debut novel ‘Being Jimmy Baxter’

Writing Podcast Episode 546: Meet four-time Academy Award nominated Anthony McCarten, author of Going Zero.

COMP CLOSED: ‘Unfortunately Yours’ by Tessa Bailey

Furious Fiction: June 2023 Story Showcase

How to create a book series bible

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