What’s it like to learn with AWC?

Suzanne was so gentle and kind with her feedback, but you could also clearly see the constructive value of what she said. She was so specific, it was incredibly helpful. Oozing with knowledge. I have not had many opportunities for feedback with professionals before. Coming from a publisher/editor perspective, I found it extremely valuable. Thank you so much, Suzanne.

In the past, I have been nervous showing others my writing, but during this course, I've been giving it to friends and family each week for extra feedback. It seems to have broken through that barrier in seeking first readers.

Loved the specific tools, websites, etc to show exactly how to do keyword research, find source code, etc. Also loved the extensive coverage of my nemesis - writing a good title. Being given title formulas has relieved a lot of the anxiety I had around writing them. Felt I got good value in terms of content.

Bernadette has a very warm, open and personable teaching style.

I found the assignments really useful, as I used my real-life clients as examples, so got feedback on work that I can actually pursue with them.

The online format is very accessible, the course is well-paced and the assignments just enough to make you think, but not so onerous they become a burden. For the courses I've undertaken, the presenter has been extremely knowledgeable and generous with that knowledge.

I really loved this course. Felt like excellent value.

Thank you for making this available and to Pamela for writing such an excellent and useful course. I enjoyed learning new things that will prove helpful in my own writing. Audio and handouts were easy to follow.

It has made me more aware of various pitfalls to watch out for.

I have taken a number of courses (online) from AWC and think it is an excellent place for aspiring authors to learn what is needed to succeed in their writing goals.

I wanted to acquire more structured understanding and writing skills of this deceptively 'simple' category of children's books.

The course as a whole is very well structured, all modules instructive and enjoyable, offering a wealth of specific information on picture book writing. Being a librarian, I thought I knew something about picture books, but this course proved me wrong. Definitely an eye-opener!

A BIG thanks to Cathie! And I also appreciate the ability to access the course for a full year!

I will keep trying to improve my writing.

I've always loved stories and writing as a hobby. One night my mother suggested this program. I was keen to get advice and guidance from an experienced author on how to improve your writing.

The online tutor was very insightful and had very good genuine feedback. She explained the good feedback of my work and some areas that needed work on very clearly. I've learnt now the difference between a climax and a backstory.

I found the audio exercises most enjoyable because they included a guide of how to set your setting, which I've continued to do for other pieces of writing for school and non-school pieces. I've also gone back into one of my own pieces which I'm working on and used it.

If you enjoy writing as a hobby and are keen to get advice or another person's way of it, go for it. They have good exercises and audios. And it doesn't take up much of your time.

I really enjoyed sitting down with a notebook and pen in my spare time, listening to the audios and writing down key points. It was an enjoyable experience with zero stress.

It was interesting to hear about the journeys of published writers - their stories made me feel like I could do it too!

I am keen to get started - learning the skills I need to be able to start writing for publication. I am determined to put aside time regularly to write. The course has also broadened my outlook - my main goal has always been to write children's picture books but I can also now see myself writing other genres as well.

A great short course to just motivate you and to give an overall picture of the world of writing/publishing.

The tutor was superb. Angela gives great advice and leads the writer to their epiphanies. Imposter syndrome now has a name and when she rears her head, I feed her chocolate (thank you Angela Slatter).

I enjoyed the interaction with other writers, their insights and comments. It has inspired me to a better writing practice.

If you want to write well, try a course. If you want to enter a supportive writing community then this is the best way to do it.

The audio lessons were a lot of information jampacked into short sessions which I think is such a good way in which to take the work in. I could do one audio lesson a day and mull over the info for the rest of the day.

Vivienne was very good. She made a big effort to give us feedback promptly (even when she was impacted by the floods) and to answer all of our questions. Her personal feedback was easy to follow and apply in my future assignments. I like that she gave very personalised and detailed feedback so I had a lot to work with.

I've realised that I truly do love writing and even if I never get published I will continue to write because it absolutely sparks joy in me.

The biggest thing that I learnt is that it isn't so much about whether you're a fantastic writer or not, it's more about applying the principles that work. This is opposite to what I thought of freelance writing, I thought that you were either a good writer or not.

It's a practical, useful short course if you're looking to learn the basics of freelance writing.

I have written children's books but I wanted to develop a young adult voice for my next series. This course has really helped.

The tutor was great; lots of help. I liked listening to all the pointers.

It really helped me define my audience and writing style. I have developed two stories out of this course.

I wanted something that was general and at a basic level. Also something that I could do at my own pace. The course was good quality, well run, no online hassles - it all works well. Content seems to be comprehensive.

I enjoyed actually stretching my brain while doing the assignments. I'm thinking about story ideas and book ideas more of the time, and points from the course echo in my mind such as POV, structure, scenes etc

Thanks to all who have put this course together and I'll give AWC a big plug when my book is about to appear in a bookshop somewhere.

Angela provided great feedback and insights. She pointed out some things I never thought of / was totally unaware of. I learnt a lot from reading her feedback on others' work as well. She is personable, approachable, and genuinely seemed interested in bringing new writers up a level or two.

Interaction with fellow writers was beneficial and inspiring. Watching their work and writing abilities develop was great. I learnt a lot from providing feedback - gaining the ability to understand why something worked or didn't work.

AWC courses are exceptional, highly professional, industry-focused, and great value for money. I have undertaken three creative writing courses (plus two others) with AWC and have always been thoroughly satisfied. Aside from the gaining of technical skills and industry knowledge, the interactive courses are brilliant at providing essential feedback for developing writers; and the learning of what works and what doesn't, and why. The courses greatly assist with focus and a commitment to a regular writing schedule - challenges most budding authors struggle to overcome.

I can't believe how much I got out of it. I feel like writing a book is now achievable. That's a big deal, that belief.

Suzanne was great and noticed things I'd never have found. I enjoyed the clear guidelines and direction/steps about putting a story together.

You'll be a way better writer in 5 weeks.

Angela was a dream to work with and learn from. She is generous in her time and feedback, and will go above and beyond to help.

I enjoyed working to deadlines with a group of writers. It gave me motivation to keep going, and the feedback from the group and Angela were fuel for the engine.

Angela Slatter is amazing. Truly.

Angela was amazing. She was so positive and fun. But she also gave great feedback and had brilliant ideas about how to solve problems. Despite being very busy, she was always responsive and engaged. And she is a fantastic writer and human.

I enjoyed giving and receiving feedback, and the interactions with Angela and the other students. It was very supportive and helpful.

I feel motivated to get into my second draft. With positive feedback and great suggestions, I feel confident about my story and ready to keep moving forward.

It's a great way to stay motivated and stick to deadlines. It's wonderful to get feedback at very raw stages and be able to integrate them into a first draft, even though it's quite scary. But going through it with the other students makes it easier. It's a very supportive environment.

This was the final, pulling-it-all-together stage in my copywriting course journey. There were so many great ideas and techniques given to us in the course - can't wait to get started!

Bernadette is a great teacher - knowledgeable, hugely experienced, and very engaging.

I now feel really ready to start my business and know what to do. Whether I succeed or not is now entirely in my own hands.

The AWC offers high quality, relevant and affordable courses in all genres and aspects of writing. There really is something for everybody. Thanks again for another very enjoyable learning experience!

I enjoyed the clear structure and expectations contained in each module. Valerie's professional and interesting reading of the information made it highly enjoyable.

I've re-thought the structure, characters and potential plot of a romance I had started writing.

I felt that Valerie has distilled the essence of feature writing information into a succinct, current and highly relevant course. She is generous, honest and practical with the information she gives and clearly warns of pitfalls for the unwary novice writer.

I feel that I have the confidence to pitch to an editor as I know how to construct a feature with an angle and subject relevant to a particular publication.

Go ahead and do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

This was one of the best courses I have ever done - and I say this as a uni graduate. The quality of the information and the presentation was engaging and useful and all round fabulous. Can't stop raving.

Loved Vivienne. So encouraging and always giving interesting and constructive feedback.

I got commissioned DURING the course! I got so much confidence that yes, I can do this that I threw all caution to the wind. And now I feel like I have some real solid foundations on how to pitch especially which has been so great.

Thank you so much for such a lovely supportive environment. I could not be happier with what I've learnt.

The wonderful feedback provided by the other participants was more helpful than I anticipated.

I loved Angela's no bullshit attitude, and her amazing knowledge of all the writing tips and tricks. I loved the set out. Loved the podcast delivery and the wealth of knowledge supplied.

My confidence levels have increased significantly. Imposter syndrome now has a name and I am able to kick it to the curb when I need to.

DO IT! It will refine your writing practice and bring you into contact with amazing fellow writers.

The course gave me clarity about feature writing. I now understand the various types of stories, how to research and create balanced pieces, and how to market my ideas.

If you want to learn freelance writing, this is the course to start with.