COMP CLOSED: ‘My Mother, The Spy’ by Cindy Dobbin and Freda Marnie Nicholls
This week’s giveaway takes us back in time. This true story of Mercia Masson – a spy during the Cold War – will stay with
Copywriting Podcast Episode 058: How copywriters can become travel writers
Have you always wanted to be paid to travel? Would you like to stay in luxurious resorts for free? If you’d like to indulge your
Heidi Walkinshaw’s new career as a picture book author and copywriter
After the birth of her first child, Heidi Walkinshaw knew she wanted to try a new career, so she enrolled in a psychology degree. However, it didn’t quite scratch her creative itch, so she turned to the Australian Writers’ Centre.
“After procrastinating for a little while, I took the plunge and enrolled in the Writing Picture Books course with Cathie Tasker and suddenly all those notebooks of ideas that I had been scribbling in for years made sense,” Heidi told us.
Furious Fiction: July 2023 Story Showcase
Welcome to July’s Furious Fiction story showcase – a monthly chance to shout out our community’s creativity and the opportunity to have YOUR OWN story
How to build your author platform before your book is published
It’s one of the number one questions that emerging authors ask: “How do I build an author platform before my book is published?” Followed closely
Q&A: How did ‘Barbie’ and ‘Ken’ get their 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
Davitt Awards shortlist nominations announced
The 23rd Davitt Awards shortlist has been announced and we are so excited to see AWC graduates Dinuka McKenzie, Fleur Ferris and Louise Bassett on the list! Here are the
Writing Podcast Episode 550: Fiona Lloyd, author of ‘Being Jimmy Baxter’.
Meet Fiona Lloyd, author of Being Jimmy Baxter. We also discuss what to consider when naming characters. And win The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson by
COMP CLOSED: ‘The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson’ by Karen Brooks
This week’s giveaway features powerful and courageous women who rebel against the rules of society. We’re giving away three copies of The Escapades of Tribulation
How to write your book’s acknowledgements page
The world is divided into two types of people – those who pore over the acknowledgements page at the end of a book and those
Q&A: The origin of “in your wheelhouse”
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
Carolyn Swindell’s brilliant novel ‘We Only Want What’s Best’
Carolyn Swindell was working in a “high heels and business suit job” in corporate responsibility when she decided to enrol in her first AWC course.
“The biggest thing about the courses is the permission you give yourself to be a writer by investing in yourself,” Carolyn told us. “I had been shy about admitting this ambition, but going along and sitting with other aspiring writers and learning the craft and the business was such a boost to my motivation and my skill level.”
Carolyn put that motivation and skill to good use, with her debut novel, We Only Want What’s Best, out now with Affirm Press.
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
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
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
Q&A: The origin of “in good nick”
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Q&A: Why does ‘chicken’ mean coward?
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
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.”
COMP CLOSED: ‘My Mother, The Spy’ by Cindy Dobbin and Freda Marnie Nicholls
This week’s giveaway takes us back in time. This true story of Mercia Masson – a spy during the Cold War – will stay with you. We’re giving away three copies of My Mother, The Spy by Cindy Dobbin (Mercia’s daughter) and Freda Marnie Nicholls. Here’s the blurb: The true
Copywriting Podcast Episode 058: How copywriters can become travel writers
Have you always wanted to be paid to travel? Would you like to stay in luxurious resorts for free? If you’d like to indulge your passion for food, wine, wellness or any other passion and get paid to do so, this is the episode for you. You may not realise
Heidi Walkinshaw’s new career as a picture book author and copywriter
After the birth of her first child, Heidi Walkinshaw knew she wanted to try a new career, so she enrolled in a psychology degree. However, it didn’t quite scratch her creative itch, so she turned to the Australian Writers’ Centre.
“After procrastinating for a little while, I took the plunge and enrolled in the Writing Picture Books course with Cathie Tasker and suddenly all those notebooks of ideas that I had been scribbling in for years made sense,” Heidi told us.
Furious Fiction: July 2023 Story Showcase
Welcome to July’s Furious Fiction story showcase – a monthly chance to shout out our community’s creativity and the opportunity to have YOUR OWN story featured or acknowledged. And this month it was all about connecting with your inner child – here were the criteria: Each story had to include
How to build your author platform before your book is published
It’s one of the number one questions that emerging authors ask: “How do I build an author platform before my book is published?” Followed closely by: “And why do I need to?” Before I dive into this, I need to say this upfront: Always focus on writing the book first.
Q&A: How did ‘Barbie’ and ‘Ken’ get their 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, we have toy stories.. Q:
Davitt Awards shortlist nominations announced
The 23rd Davitt Awards shortlist has been announced and we are so excited to see AWC graduates Dinuka McKenzie, Fleur Ferris and Louise Bassett on the list! Here are the details from the Sisters in Crime website: Crime alert: Sisters in Crime has announced its shortlist for its 23rd Davitt Awards for the best crime and
Writing Podcast Episode 550: Fiona Lloyd, author of ‘Being Jimmy Baxter’.
Meet Fiona Lloyd, author of Being Jimmy Baxter. We also discuss what to consider when naming characters. And win The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson by Karen Brooks. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite podcast app.
COMP CLOSED: ‘The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson’ by Karen Brooks
This week’s giveaway features powerful and courageous women who rebel against the rules of society. We’re giving away three copies of The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson by Karen Brooks. Here’s the blurb: It’s 1679 and into the tumult, politics and colour of Restoration London and its lively theatre scene comes
How to write your book’s acknowledgements page
The world is divided into two types of people – those who pore over the acknowledgements page at the end of a book and those who don’t even glance at it. If you’re an aspiring author, whether of fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry, I recommend you join the first
Q&A: The origin of “in your wheelhouse”
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, we are behind the wheel..
Carolyn Swindell’s brilliant novel ‘We Only Want What’s Best’
Carolyn Swindell was working in a “high heels and business suit job” in corporate responsibility when she decided to enrol in her first AWC course.
“The biggest thing about the courses is the permission you give yourself to be a writer by investing in yourself,” Carolyn told us. “I had been shy about admitting this ambition, but going along and sitting with other aspiring writers and learning the craft and the business was such a boost to my motivation and my skill level.”
Carolyn put that motivation and skill to good use, with her debut novel, We Only Want What’s Best, out now with Affirm Press.
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
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
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.
Q&A: The origin of “in good nick”
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, we are getting nicked off..
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Q&A: Why does ‘chicken’ mean coward?
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, chicken feed… Q: Hi AWC,
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.”
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