What’s it like to learn with AWC?

I enjoyed all of it. It was exactly what I was after.

I've no doubt it will make writing and editing (especially editing!) my next novel wayyyyy easier

AWC deliver exactly what you say. The self-paced 12-month access is ideal. Plus the option to extend for another year for a cut fee. I've loved all the courses I've done so far!

Brilliant. So much detail and practical advice. THANK YOU!

The examples were excellent, and the handouts were really useful. I think I will go back to them again and again.

I have been able to finish editing my first novel! Huzzah! After writing a first draft a couple of years ago, I knew there was a big gap between what it was and where I wanted it to be but I wasn't sure how to get there.

Writing out the scene list immediately helped me see a bunch of problems.

Save yourself a bunch of time wriggling your way through the dark (on your own) and just do it!

Halfway through my first manuscript, I realised I'd need help on how to edit and shape it. The course outline ticked the boxes of my needs, with the bonus of doing it at my own pace around my schedule.

The Cut Shape Polish course provided an essential checklist with a process and templates to follow. Methodology and structure are important to me, and this course gave me confidence in spreadsheets I had already set up for my first manuscript, as well as crucial tools and skills to make it better. And better again!

I now have a tried and tested process to follow for future manuscripts. This course is a must-do!

The course not only provided me with excellent insight into the self-editing process for the book I had only recently completed, but it gave me tools to be mindful of with future writing. It also validated a lot that I was doing naturally, which was excellent for my confidence.

I enjoyed the analytical breakdown of story structure. I was surprised when I broke down my novel and it was very close to what was expected. However, the process made me realise that I had a (sub) character in my story that did not have a complete arc which led me to adding more chapters, which I think has helped my story considerably. The process made me think through the eyes of the all the characters, not just the one controlling the narrative.

I am new to all of this. My passion for writing has started late. I accept that this is a hobby, but I am certainly going to try to either get published or self-publish at some time in the future. The process of writing is escapism for me. Furious Fiction has helped me continue to write, even when the passion dies down a little.

If you have a passion for writing it is a worthwhile investment to take one of the courses AWC offers.

I thought it would be a basic outline and broader coverage of editing, but there was so much more on offer, including examples, questions and step-by-step instructions.

This course emphasised the importance of getting into the depths of your story, which is something I knew but now I have a really structured approach that I can use with all my manuscripts. This has also helped develop my abilities as an editor, an understanding I can use when giving feedback to others.

I found the exercises to be very helpful - the layout of the course is great in the way it really guides you through each part of the self-editing process.

I thought my manuscript was done. I have learnt it is very much not. It's a little daunting but I'm very excited to do the work to polish my book into the best version it can be.

Go for it. You will learn skills that will serve you in every piece of writing that you create moving forward, whether creative or professional.

The step-by-step process took something that seemed really overwhelming and turned it into manageable chunks.

I didn't have any roadmap for bridging the gap between what I had drafted and what I wanted my book to be. I knew my manuscript needed work, but I didn't know where to start. This course felt like having Pamela and Angela in my pocket, breaking down something that seemed overwhelming into something achievable.

If you want to take your writing seriously, invest in yourself and your craft! Just do it!

I enjoyed having a set structure to follow through the editing process and through the course. Gave me structure and targets to meet when editing. It gave me motivation to get the job done.

I've cut, shaped, and polished my story through to the manuscript stage. It's been a satisfying journey on its own. My 'aha' moment is that I now believe that I have the skills required to become a published writer.

I was unsure where to begin with editing my manuscript and hoped that this course would point me in the right direction.

I like that the editing process was broken down into manageable steps which made it not feel so overwhelming. Also, the checklist was a handy reference and I loved that I could mark off the steps I completed as I went.

I feel like I have made some good changes in my manuscript as a result of going through this process.

The Key Issues and Changes List has been life-changing and I have used it so much as I work through my manuscript. I like having all my required notes and changes in one place and I can't believe that such a simple tool makes a huge difference.

Everything was really on point and very relevant. Every module struck a chord (sorry for the cliche!) It has really helped in developing my novel to the next step.

Every course I have done at AWC has helped me develop as a writer.

I enjoyed the intimacy of the course. Writing is often a space void of other people's voices and just listening to Valerie's voice felt very personal; like a character in a self-help script with Valerie as the POV narrator (writing doctor) helped with the diagnosis, cure and healing. I came away from the course with a sense of calm for what is a huge operation to dissect a manuscript.

No matter where you are with your writing, the AWC will meet you with the knowledge to take you to the next level.

I've been getting the newsletter for ages and thought it was about time I did a course. I chose Cut, Shape, Polish because I have self-published books and want them perfect. I also have two manuscripts that I am submitting to traditional publishers. I wanted them polished before I went the submission rounds.

There was a lot packed into the course. Everything I needed to correct the parts of my story that weren't working, improve the overall plot and revise until I am happy with the results.

I'm now confident to submit when I do my final read-through and proofread. I had lost confidence and had let the MS sit for about a year.

I know a lot of writers who use critique groups and beta readers and think it's enough to fix a manuscript. I recommend this course to cut, shape and polish until your MS shines like a diamond. You'll still have to send it to beta readers but it will be a much cleaner copy and close to publication standards. Thanks, AWC, Angela Slatter and Pamela Freeman for creating this editing course, and Valerie Koo for the lovely audios.

It was a very helpful guide in self-editing. The steps were laid out in an easy way for referencing. That chapter on characters was great as it made me look at my secondary characters differently.

There is a course for everyone. The content is clear and enjoyable and you will learn so much about writing.

I enrolled in the course because I had a newly finished manuscript and wasn't sure what to do next to tighten it up. I wasn't sure it was going to teach me enough... (but it definitely did!)

I enjoyed seeing my manuscript get better and better each time I followed the steps.

This course seemed to be perfect for me. I have written a novel and edited it many times. I also paid to have my novel professionally edited. She gave me loads of really useful information and advice that I painstakingly put into place. I was always worried though, that if I didn't start to really take on the 'how to' of editing myself, that I would never get anywhere with my novel.

This course offered a way to really attack my novel and get it to be the best it can be. I am really grateful for the information given.

It's pretty clear that if you follow all the steps properly, that you will end up with a far better novel than what you started with. I really liked how this course gave such a clear answer to the question 'what do I do now?'

I really feel ready to move my novel into the next phase. I already knew that my novel had significantly improved since being professionally edited. The advice that I was given after that read was so in line with what came out in this course that I wish I had have done this course first. Then I could have had her read it after I had done all these checks and changes.

So easy. You just jump on your computer whenever you have the time and start learning. You can do it all in a day, or a little bit every week. I also really loved how the language used in the audio really made me (the writer) feel completely normal for wanting to write a book even when I don't know if I have what it takes. It was reassuring.

There is so much content that I wish I knew before I wrote my first draft but it will definitely make it a faster writing process next time.

I like the fact that steps are fed to you in a particular way for a reason which you don't realise until you get to the end.

It has made me realise that all the mistakes, habits, patterns, etc are not unique to me - they happen to everyone, especially first-time writers. It was a great confidence booster in that regard.

The courses give you structure, a place to start, a roadmap. I have done many AWC courses and live workshops and all have been worthwhile.

I had no idea editing could be so fulfilling and enjoyable! The step-by-step structure of the course really appealed to me, and of course, having completed each step with my first-ever manuscript to show for it speaks for itself.

I bought this course as a "carrot" to push me to finish a manuscript. As in, I had half a dozen unfinished manuscripts sitting in my digital desk drawer that I kept neglecting because a) I didn't think they were particularly good and b) I was scared of the editing process. Buying the course was meant to make me accountable to achieve something.

I LOVE step-by-step, guided processes. Knowing you could literally tick a box once you'd completed a step was very gratifying. I also loved the feeling of empowerment, that I really could edit my own story, do it justice, and come out with a polished manuscript ready for beta readers!

As I was working through editing my existing manuscript, I could see how the course content provides not only a beautiful framework for work I have already completed but how easily applicable the knowledge will be to the words and stories that are yet to come. For example, for an idea I have been nurturing for a while, I am already starting to think about where my inciting event needs to occur, how I need to show the motivations of the main characters, and establish a compelling and unique voice from the get-go, among a myriad of other considerations.

Go for it! I have completed three courses now and the knowledge I have gained has been invaluable.

I like that there were different exercises that gave 'bird's eye views' of the manuscript.

It has given me new tools to approach editing (which will also affect how I plan and write in the future).

AWC courses are good and well designed for self-paced learning.

The course gave me so much more than I was thinking it would. I enjoyed the amount of detail. It confirmed I have done quite a bit right but there are areas that need improving.

As I am writing historical fiction, I have come to understand it takes a great deal of learning, research and being open to feedback and however many drafts it takes, to get to a point where I am ok with sending it out there!

The amount of detail is guiding me to make positive changes to my writing and has given me more confidence that I can get my story into good shape!