Top 10 Q&As for 2023
Q: Hi AWC, it’s time to pick our top 10. A: Oooh fun. We certainly covered some interesting stuff this year. Q: As always. The
Writing Podcast Episode 582: Chris Hammer on ‘The Seven’ and adapting his novels to TV
How to navigate the challenges that often emerge towards the end of the year. Valerie also discusses her own personal career reinvention from accountant to
Furious Fiction: December 2023 Story Showcase
Welcome to the jumbo-sized December Furious Fiction story showcase – and a chance to celebrate our community’s creativity! It’s also the opportunity to have YOUR
Q&A: 2023 Words of the Year
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its
5 lessons from publishing 3 books in 15 months
There’s nothing quite like having three traditionally published books in 15 months to give you a crash course in the world of book publishing! Things
Writing Podcast Episode 581: Alli Parker on her novel ‘At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree’.
Meet Alli Parker, author of the Australian historical fiction novel, At the Foot of the Cherry Tree. The novel is based on the real-life story
COMP CLOSED: ‘The Broken Wave’ by Matthew Ryan Davies
This week, we’re giving away three copies of The Broken Wave by Matthew Ryan Davies. Matthew is also the author of Things We Bury, which
Q&A: The origin of chocolate bar names
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its
Writing Podcast Episode 580: Benjamin Stevenson on his latest novel ‘Everyone on this Train is a Suspect’
We chat to award-winning stand-up comedian and author, Benjamin Stevenson, about his latest novel, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect and the success of
COMP CLOSED: ‘The Summer Party’ by Rebecca Heath
This week, we’re giving away three copies of The Summer Party by Rebecca Heath. Unfolding in a seemingly perfect suburban setting where family secrets are
Q&A: The origin of ‘vandalism’
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its
Vikki Conley’s path to becoming an award-winning children’s author
Courses taken at AWC:
Writing Picture Books
Writing Picture Books
Vikki Conley dreamed of writing for children and, over the years, that little voice telling her to write books got louder until she simply couldn’t ignore it. She threw in her marketing job, enrolled in an Australian Writers’ Centre course and started writing. Within two years, she has already established herself as a prolific author, with the publication of seven picture books and contracts with four publishers. Her most recent book is the CBCA shortlisted Amira’s Suitcase, while Milly and the Mulberry Tree and Where the Lyrebird Lives will be released in 2022. Vikki’s other publications include Tomorrow Girl, Little Puggle’s Song, The Lost Moustache and Ella & Mrs Gooseberry.
Writing Podcast Episode 579: Jillian Cantor on her gripping novel ‘The Fiction Writer’.
We chat to best-selling author Jillian Cantor. Jillian shares her experiences with the writing process, and her newest book The Fiction Writer. Discussing her transition
How Reece Carter became a full-time children’s novelist
“I enrolled in Writing Children’s Novels and became a much better writer for it,” Reece told us. “I took everything I’d learned and wrote a fourth manuscript, A Girl Called Corpse, and the rest is history!”
COMP CLOSED: ‘Leave The World Behind’ by Rumaan Alam
This week’s giveaway is bestselling novel Leave The World Behind by Rumaan Alam, author of Rich and Pretty and That Kind of Mother. Soon to
Copywriting Podcast Episode 064: The anxiety of the writing life
Anxiety. We all have it, or elements of it, but some of us have it more than others. Writers, it would seem, have more of
Q&A: ‘Stationary’ vs ‘stationery’
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its
20 picture books kids love
Picture books are fantastic gifts for kids of all ages. They wrap easily, introduce visual literacy alongside the joy of words, and give endless joy
Michelle Upton goes from school teacher to successful author
A few years ago, Michelle Upton made the life-changing decision that she wanted to be a writer. So she focused her efforts on learning about the craft and getting as much practical experience as possible. This included entering literary competitions, enrolling in the Romance Writing course at the Australian Writers’ Centre and taking part in the Centre’s Furious Fiction competition.
Writing Podcast Episode 578: Christos Tsiolkas on his latest novel ‘The In-Between’.
In episode 578 of ‘So You Want To Be A Writer’, Valerie Khoo, the CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre, talks about her passion for
COMP CLOSED:’Kill Your Husbands’ by Jack Heath
This week, we’re giving away three copies of Kill Your Husbands by Jack Heath, bestselling author of The Hangman series. You can also meet him
How Madeline Te Whiu became a fantasy author
For veterinary nurse Madeline Te Whiu, her writing dreams started with a simple scene. As an avid reader, she thought she’d give writing a go by sketching out a few scenes for her own story. She wasn’t quite sure what to do next, but committed to writing 4000 words a week.
“After that, I really threw myself into writing. I was very strict with myself to try and reach my word count every week; I spent many of my days off at my local library in an attempt to keep myself distraction-free.”
Furious Fiction: November 2023 Story Showcase
Welcome to the November Furious Fiction story showcase – a chance to bathe in the crystal clear (and sometimes murky) waters of our community’s creativity!
15 can’t-go-wrong books for middle-grade readers
When it comes to a great gift for kids, you can’t go wrong with a book. Not only are they the gift that offers a
Zewlan Moor launches her career as an author with two picture books!
When Dr Zewlan Moor started her training to become a general practitioner, she had two goals: to complete her GP fellowship and to write a novel for National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo). It might seem like an unusual combination, but Zewlan was determined to follow her passion for writing alongside her medical career. She was drawn to Writing Picture Books at the Australian Writers’ Centre and is now delighted to announce that she will be publishing two picture books in 2023.
Top 10 Q&As for 2023
Q: Hi AWC, it’s time to pick our top 10. A: Oooh fun. We certainly covered some interesting stuff this year. Q: As always. The English language hath no shame. A: Agreed! It’s a fascinating, writhing, living thing. Q: That’s one way to put it. A: Well, let’s get into
Writing Podcast Episode 582: Chris Hammer on ‘The Seven’ and adapting his novels to TV
How to navigate the challenges that often emerge towards the end of the year. Valerie also discusses her own personal career reinvention from accountant to writer. An interview with leading Australian crime author Chris Hammer, where Chris discusses his latest best-selling novel, The Seven, and his approach to telling stories
Furious Fiction: December 2023 Story Showcase
Welcome to the jumbo-sized December Furious Fiction story showcase – and a chance to celebrate our community’s creativity! It’s also the opportunity to have YOUR OWN story featured or acknowledged – out of hundreds received from around the globe. Here were this month’s criteria: Each story had to take place
Q&A: 2023 Words of the Year
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, can we have a word…
5 lessons from publishing 3 books in 15 months
There’s nothing quite like having three traditionally published books in 15 months to give you a crash course in the world of book publishing! Things I had no idea about just over a year ago are now like second nature to me. Here are my five biggest takeaways so far:
Writing Podcast Episode 581: Alli Parker on her novel ‘At The Foot Of The Cherry Tree’.
Meet Alli Parker, author of the Australian historical fiction novel, At the Foot of the Cherry Tree. The novel is based on the real-life story of Alli’s grandparents, who were among the first Australian-Japanese couples after the Second World War. The discussion covers Alli’s journey as a writer, her transition
COMP CLOSED: ‘The Broken Wave’ by Matthew Ryan Davies
This week, we’re giving away three copies of The Broken Wave by Matthew Ryan Davies. Matthew is also the author of Things We Bury, which has been optioned for television, and of the young adult novel This Thing of Darkness. The Broken Wave is a gripping mystery that explores the
Q&A: The origin of chocolate bar names
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, vandal with care… Q: Hi
Writing Podcast Episode 580: Benjamin Stevenson on his latest novel ‘Everyone on this Train is a Suspect’
We chat to award-winning stand-up comedian and author, Benjamin Stevenson, about his latest novel, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect and the success of his previous novel, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Benjamin discusses his unique skill set of being both a mystery writer and a comedian,
COMP CLOSED: ‘The Summer Party’ by Rebecca Heath
This week, we’re giving away three copies of The Summer Party by Rebecca Heath. Unfolding in a seemingly perfect suburban setting where family secrets are better off concealed in the shadows, The Summer Party is an irresistibly captivating psychological thriller that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Here’s
Q&A: The origin of ‘vandalism’
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, vandal with care… Q: Hi
Vikki Conley’s path to becoming an award-winning children’s author
Courses taken at AWC:
Writing Picture Books
Writing Picture Books
Vikki Conley dreamed of writing for children and, over the years, that little voice telling her to write books got louder until she simply couldn’t ignore it. She threw in her marketing job, enrolled in an Australian Writers’ Centre course and started writing. Within two years, she has already established herself as a prolific author, with the publication of seven picture books and contracts with four publishers. Her most recent book is the CBCA shortlisted Amira’s Suitcase, while Milly and the Mulberry Tree and Where the Lyrebird Lives will be released in 2022. Vikki’s other publications include Tomorrow Girl, Little Puggle’s Song, The Lost Moustache and Ella & Mrs Gooseberry.
Writing Podcast Episode 579: Jillian Cantor on her gripping novel ‘The Fiction Writer’.
We chat to best-selling author Jillian Cantor. Jillian shares her experiences with the writing process, and her newest book The Fiction Writer. Discussing her transition from historical to contemporary fiction, how she develops characters, and her writing routine. She also shares her top three tips for aspiring writers. Additionally, Valerie
How Reece Carter became a full-time children’s novelist
“I enrolled in Writing Children’s Novels and became a much better writer for it,” Reece told us. “I took everything I’d learned and wrote a fourth manuscript, A Girl Called Corpse, and the rest is history!”
COMP CLOSED: ‘Leave The World Behind’ by Rumaan Alam
This week’s giveaway is bestselling novel Leave The World Behind by Rumaan Alam, author of Rich and Pretty and That Kind of Mother. Soon to be adapted into a film starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, and Kevin Bacon, Leave The World Behind is a gripping story about two
Copywriting Podcast Episode 064: The anxiety of the writing life
Anxiety. We all have it, or elements of it, but some of us have it more than others. Writers, it would seem, have more of it than most. In this revealing podcast, Kerri Sackville, one of Australia’s most prominent columnists and popular writers discusses her writing life, and in particular,
Q&A: ‘Stationary’ vs ‘stationery’
Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, action stations… Q: Hi AWC,
20 picture books kids love
Picture books are fantastic gifts for kids of all ages. They wrap easily, introduce visual literacy alongside the joy of words, and give endless joy when they hit the spot – just ask any parent who’s been asked to read a favourite picture book over and over again. But how
Michelle Upton goes from school teacher to successful author
A few years ago, Michelle Upton made the life-changing decision that she wanted to be a writer. So she focused her efforts on learning about the craft and getting as much practical experience as possible. This included entering literary competitions, enrolling in the Romance Writing course at the Australian Writers’ Centre and taking part in the Centre’s Furious Fiction competition.
Writing Podcast Episode 578: Christos Tsiolkas on his latest novel ‘The In-Between’.
In episode 578 of ‘So You Want To Be A Writer’, Valerie Khoo, the CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre, talks about her passion for fostering a love of reading in young people, her Christmas shopping struggles, and ongoing writing projects. Special guest Nat Newman shares her experiences with theatre
COMP CLOSED:’Kill Your Husbands’ by Jack Heath
This week, we’re giving away three copies of Kill Your Husbands by Jack Heath, bestselling author of The Hangman series. You can also meet him on episodes 221 and 439 of our podcast. Sharp, witty and compelling, Kill Your Husbands is a mystery full of intricate twists. Here’s the blurb:
How Madeline Te Whiu became a fantasy author
For veterinary nurse Madeline Te Whiu, her writing dreams started with a simple scene. As an avid reader, she thought she’d give writing a go by sketching out a few scenes for her own story. She wasn’t quite sure what to do next, but committed to writing 4000 words a week.
“After that, I really threw myself into writing. I was very strict with myself to try and reach my word count every week; I spent many of my days off at my local library in an attempt to keep myself distraction-free.”
Furious Fiction: November 2023 Story Showcase
Welcome to the November Furious Fiction story showcase – a chance to bathe in the crystal clear (and sometimes murky) waters of our community’s creativity! It’s also the opportunity to have YOUR OWN story featured or acknowledged – out of hundreds received from around the globe. Here were this month’s
15 can’t-go-wrong books for middle-grade readers
When it comes to a great gift for kids, you can’t go wrong with a book. Not only are they the gift that offers a ticket to a whole new world, but they’re easy to wrap and they last forever. With that in mind, we’ve pulled together a list of
Zewlan Moor launches her career as an author with two picture books!
When Dr Zewlan Moor started her training to become a general practitioner, she had two goals: to complete her GP fellowship and to write a novel for National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo). It might seem like an unusual combination, but Zewlan was determined to follow her passion for writing alongside her medical career. She was drawn to Writing Picture Books at the Australian Writers’ Centre and is now delighted to announce that she will be publishing two picture books in 2023.
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