Non-fiction writing | Australian Writers' Centre

Alumni/Student success stories

Ariane Beeston’s journey to writing her compelling memoir

Having a baby is a life-changing experience, and for Ariane Beeston it was profoundly so. She experienced postpartum psychosis, a rare and debilitating mental illness. As part of her healing journey, she started writing about her experiences. After completing Freelance Writing Stage 1 at the Australian Writers’ Centre, Ariane kickstarted her freelance writing career and has now published a memoir, Because I’m Not Myself, You See, with Black Inc.

14 August 2024

Alumni/Student success stories

AWC graduate Miranda Young’s biography on Olivia Newton-John

Miranda Young didn’t expect to receive a “smashingly good confidence boost” for her birthday, but that’s exactly what she got when her mother gave her a voucher for the course Creative Writing Stage 1 at the Australian Writers’ Centre.

17 October 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

Carla Francis loves cats – and is making a career out of writing about them!

We already know that cats rule the internet, but AWC graduate Carla Francis is making sure they rule our bookshelves, too! After the successful release of her debut memoir, The Cat With Three Passports, Carla has now published The Zen of Cat, and a follow-up is in the works, as

19 September 2023

Alumni/Student success stories

Racquel Collard publishes her book Marketing Launchpad

Racquel Collard was at the peak of her career in marketing but felt that she needed a new challenge. The next natural step was a CEO role, but that didn’t feel like the right fit for her, so instead Racquel decided to write a book. She completed Write a Book That Showcases Your Expertise with the Australian Writers’ Centre and, with the publication of her debut, Marketing Launchpad, has now left the corporate rat race behind and embarked on a new career.

21 June 2023

Fiction writing

4 writing books you need

Do you love a new writing book as much as I do? Even after co-writing my own book about writing (‘So You Want To Be A Writer: How To Get Started While You Still Have A Day Job’), I find myself adding new writing books to my shopping cart way

12 June 2023

Freelance and copywriting

AI Content vs Human Written Content for SEO

By Kayla Chauvel For decades, one powerful concept has captured the imaginations of millions: artificial intelligence (AI). An evergreen topic in popular culture, it’s been the subject of dozens of bestselling novels and blockbuster films, like Bicentennial Man, Her, Minority Report, and Ex Machina. While we’re still lightyears away from

21 March 2023

Business writing

Why aspiring and established copywriters need to master email marketing

The inbox. For many people, this is one of the first places they check every single day. Often, multiple times a day. And that means emails play a powerful role in the world of communication. This is why email copywriting is such a critical skill and can be a great

24 February 2023

A photograph of author Danielle Clode and a Koala, accompanied by the cover of her book Koala A Life In Trees.

Non-fiction writing

So you want to be a natural history writer

Love koalas, nature and writing? You might be interested in the life of a natural history writer. But what is a natural history writer and what do they actually write about? We talk to Danielle Clode, a biologist and natural history writer. She is the author of five books, including

12 October 2022

Interviews with writers

Video: Rebecca Lee on ‘How Words Get Good’

Rebecca Lee is the author of author of How Words Get Good: The Story of Making a Book. She’s also an editorial manager at Penguin Random House, with twenty years of experience managing hundreds of high profile books from delivery of manuscript to finished copies, signing off millions of words as

12 July 2022

Fiction writing

The importance of ghostwriter agreements

This article was written by Sharon Givoni. We’ve all been there. At a party, at a dinner table, out for coffee with the gang—you are telling a story. You’ve told this story so many times and it’s a winner. You embellish here, cut out a few boring bits there, and

26 October 2021

Non-fiction writing

10 top tips for writing creative non-fiction

Creative non-fiction is an increasingly popular genre for readers and writers alike. The real world can be stranger than fiction, and audiences are eager to learn and be entertained at the same time. If you’re searching for tips to make your creative non-fiction writing stand out, look no further: we’ve

24 October 2020

Memoir writing

4 biggest mistakes to avoid when writing creative non-fiction

Creative non-fiction – whether it’s retelling stories from human history or publishing a compelling memoir – is a genre of writing which is more complex than it may first seem. When combining truth and facts with writing style and techniques, there are plenty of potential obstacles for writers to run

21 October 2020

Memoir writing

The rise and rise of ‘stealth help’ books

‘Stealth help’: everything you need to know about the new genre that’s snuck up on us. The phrase ‘stealth help’ might not be one you’ve heard of before – but in the literary world, it’s one that’s gaining popularity. It refers to a growing category of books which don’t fit

16 October 2020

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED ‘488 Rules for Life’ by Kitty Flannagan

This week’s giveaway book is 488 Rules for Life – Kitty Flanagan’s way of making the world a more pleasant place to live. Providing you with the antidote to every annoying little thing, these rules are not made to be broken. 488 Rules for Life is not a self-help book,

6 January 2020

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED ‘The Strayan Dictionary’ by Dom Knight

In this holiday week, we’re kicking back and embracing our Aussie-ness, with three copies of Dominic Knight’s new book, The Strayan Dictionary, to give away. This is a true-blue, rinky-dink, the most un-un-Australian dictionary ever created – a hilarious journey through our unique words and phrases. The Strayan Dictionary is

23 December 2019

Competitions and Opportunities

COMP CLOSED ‘Last Christmas’ by Greg Wise and Emma Thompson

It’s that time of year and this week’s giveaway is Last Christmas – curated by Greg Wise and Emma Thompson. It’s a fascinating collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas, written by a unique plethora of voices from the boulevards of Hollywood to the soup kitchens of Covent

16 December 2019

Competitions and Opportunities

Enter The Deakin University Non-fiction Prize 2019

Write non-fiction? The Deakin University Non-Fiction Prize is now open and there’s $3,000 AUD up for grabs! Entries for this competition close on 1 September 2019. It’s open to writers aged 30 and under, writing long-form non-fiction who are also Australian residents. From the media release: Entries between 5,000 and

14 August 2019

Build your profile and promote your book

10 online courses to make you a better writer

There’s nothing like the convenience of online learning to help you fit personal projects around your busy schedule. And if you’ve had the same writing resolutions popping up on your list again after again – why not make 2019 YOUR year to make them happen. Your future self will high

28 December 2018

Interviews with writers

Lee Zachariah on his new book “Double Dissolution”

Lee Zachariah is a writer who has worked across film, television and journalism. He has written on politics and the arts for a range of publications and co-hosted the ABC2 film comedy series The Bazura Project. He has also written for The Chaser on The Hamster Wheel, The Checkout and

1 December 2016

Interviews with writers

Talking ‘Practical Perfection’ with Kelly Exeter

Editor, graphic designer, freelance writer, blogger, productivity ponderer and self-confessed perfectionist Kelly Exeter is also an author – and her latest book has just been released. It’s called Practical Perfection and it’s all about “smart strategies for an excellent life”. We quizzed everyone in the office and we all wanted

17 April 2016

Category: Non-fiction writing

Ariane Beeston’s journey to writing her compelling memoir

AWC graduate Miranda Young’s biography on Olivia Newton-John

Carla Francis loves cats – and is making a career out of writing about them!

Racquel Collard publishes her book Marketing Launchpad

4 writing books you need

AI Content vs Human Written Content for SEO

Why aspiring and established copywriters need to master email marketing

So you want to be a natural history writer

Video: Rebecca Lee on ‘How Words Get Good’

The importance of ghostwriter agreements

10 top tips for writing creative non-fiction

4 biggest mistakes to avoid when writing creative non-fiction

The rise and rise of ‘stealth help’ books

COMP CLOSED ‘488 Rules for Life’ by Kitty Flannagan

COMP CLOSED ‘The Strayan Dictionary’ by Dom Knight

COMP CLOSED ‘Last Christmas’ by Greg Wise and Emma Thompson

Enter The Deakin University Non-fiction Prize 2019

10 online courses to make you a better writer

Lee Zachariah on his new book “Double Dissolution”

Talking ‘Practical Perfection’ with Kelly Exeter

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