What’s it like to learn with AWC?

The huge amount of practical info given is just invaluable. I'm so impressed. I also loved all the real articles we were given to read.

I loved Valerie's super pragmatic and positive approach. I love that she told us the realities of the industry but always made it seem like it was within our grasp. I have a tendency to succumb to overwhelm and imposter syndrome and feel like I need to know EVERYTHING before I can start, so Valerie's approach and encouragement was really refreshing.

I feel a bit emotional actually, because in many ways my creative life had stalled a bit, but I now feel really excited about possibilities again.

AWC courses are hugely practical with a real focus on getting you started in the industry, giving you invaluable insider info and concrete steps you can take to start your career.

Bernadette was great, she clearly knows what she's talking about, and I enjoyed hearing about her experiences. She was easy to understand and clear with the topic at hand.

Looking at some of the copywriters I follow or know I thought they'd had to go through years of study to get where they are, but Bernadette's examples, tips and tools make me realise you don't need a marketing degree. That this course can be the great starting point for me. That there's ways and means, and tools to use to help you write the copy.

So worth it, go for it!

The content was amazing, easy to follow, fun, very informative. Cathie was great, providing helpful honest & encouraging feedback. Cathie's expertise is a great asset.

I especially liked how after the first lesson I was looking at picture books differently and already understanding what I was learning.

The gained knowledge and insight is invaluable to me achieving my writing dream and becoming published. This course has led me in the right direction.

I had no idea what to expect but I just trusted the process set out and followed the instructions. It was amazing how much I learnt in five short weeks. I loved all of it.

Cindy was very knowledgeable and I really appreciated the feedback she gave us all. It was a great way to grow in my skills and understanding.

I have been motivated to write every day since starting the course. I get out my journal and am committed to writing one page every day.

If you have ever wanted to learn what it might be like to be a freelance writer then you will not be disappointed in this course.

Bernadette was fantastic, her feedback was exceptional and thoughtful! She is engaging and has a really wonderful teaching manner.

I thought the course was fabulous and I enjoyed the 5 weeks of the course. I thought it was paced out really well. I loved how rich the course was with examples of great advertising, marketing and copywriting. Was the best way to learn. The assignments were also very easy to complete alongside working full time.

It has given me the ability to expand on my marketing skills as I enter a new job. It has also shown me alternative career paths.

I would definitely recommend the AWC because of the reputation I believe the Centre has with regard to hosting a variety of writing courses. It is accessible to anyone who wants to improve their writing skills, which we all need and use every day.

I was looking for something to improve my writing as I find myself adding 'fluff' to my text. This website was recommended to me by a colleague.

Grant Doyle was fantastic in his presentation and explanations. He was clear when speaking and obviously understood the subject matter very well. He was engaging and interesting to listen to. Fantastic course; I picked up many things that I will use going forward.

It was well run with a great presenter and you will definitely get something out of it.

It was genuinely lovely to engage with everyone in the class and our tutor. The audio lessons contained solid technical writing advice and were also easy to listen to, in the manner of a podcast.

Bernadette was very warm and engaging, whether in the Zoom sessions, in her audio feedback or in the course chat. She provided great advice on things to improve and it was very lovely to hear her appreciation of my work as well.

It was a highlight to see people engaging with my story. Having my character and story be 'real' outside my head : )

The course gave direct things to action, such as how to set writing time and how to technically improve things in writing. It also provided stories from authors to give an encouraging view of the writing journey which certainly encouraged me to keep going.

If you want some solid things to improve in your writing and have a solid novel opening/synopsis, give this course a go. You will receive not one, but a number of feedbacks on your work, including from an industry expert. And it's all in a friendly group setting.

Pamela explains novel essentials in simple language. She highlights the importance of some things, such as setting up the climax in the first act.

I've gone from some degree of ignorance to enlightenment.

Not only did I learn new things, but thanks to the information provided in the seminar, I discovered there are a lot of things in my story that I've got right. Things that I wasn't entirely certain or confident about previously. That was a good feeling and my 'aha' moment.

I'm 63 and have always loved writing, olde world poetry especially. I've two books in the making and want to get them to the point of publishing.

I love my own company and spend a lot of time alone; this course showed me there is a lot to be said for group effort. I'm grateful for all the fellow students' input very much.

If there's a character in your head and it's going places and doing things and got something to say... AWC will help get it to paper.

Just thank you to Petronella giving me her time and knowledge and encouragement.

Dean has a very unique way of presenting the course; makes you feel like a friend. And he has a lot of valuable information to share (with lots of puns thrown in for good measure).

I am now inspired to reinvent myself as a freelance copywriter, focusing on my interest in real estate.

Highly recommend. If you have ever had a curious thought about discovering how writing can open up a whole new revenue stream, then just visit the AWC. Best of both worlds, getting paid for what you love to do!

Kate's lectures were very interesting and informative - I learnt a lot. And I really loved the time we spent going over extracts from published works and talking about the various techniques the authors used to achieve different effects.

Kate is clearly experienced and knows a lot about writing across a number of genres, and I really loved getting to learn from her.

Other than the lectures - which were excellent - I also really loved getting to take part in a writing course specifically about genre fiction! In the past writing courses I've done with AWC, most people were not writing genre fiction, and even fewer were writing fantasy - so it was really nice to feel like I wasn't the odd one out for a change.

Going through the extracts has inspired me to read some favourite passages from other novels more closely, and try to learn how the authors are working their magic. It was also just really motivating and inspirational to be in the course. Since finishing it, I've been working on my novel idea again, with more confidence about how I'm mixing genres. There was so much information in the course that I feel like I am still 'digesting' it all, and will be for some time to come yet.

I loved the dialogue examples, particularly the opportunity to rewrite examples for clarity, action etc. I now feel better equipped to write dialogue and look forward to building my confidence in this area.

The examples and writing exercises make the courses very practical, and the self-paced format allows you to revisit the course materials and exercises repeatedly to hone your skills and build confidence.

Bernadette was very knowledgeable and shared her knowledge willingly. Her feedback was always considered and backed by her wealth of experience.

The course has made me even more determined to follow my goal of being published one day.

The information was delivered in an easily accessible and understandable format.

It has inspired me to start writing again.

I wasn't sure how much information would be included or how much I would learn from the course. Having now completed the course I can confidently say it was well worth the time and money spent.

Cathie was very knowledgeable and her insights as someone who has worked in publishing were invaluable.

The most enjoyable part of the course was writing work for feedback each week.

I have a better understanding of how to write picture books specifically, as well as how to present my work professionally when submitting to authors.

The AWC is a great place to learn the ropes or to further hone and polish existing writing skills.

Petronella was great. The feedback was supportive and useful.

I enjoyed the interaction with other students and reading all the great work everyone did.

I have only just started writing for myself again. So being able to just write with some feedback has given me the wings to carry me forward.

I would recommend doing any course at the AWC as it takes you away on a journey of discovery. It can answer the questions you have and any doubts you feel. It can open your eyes to possibilities and adventure!

Really great and engaging feedback from Vivienne. I really appreciated the time and effort she put into personalising feedback for each of us and the value I gained from listening to feedback for others in the course too.

I enjoyed how all the modules connected and flowed step by step to show you that you could really write a proper feature article with the assignments.

I feel more confident in being able to write a proper feature article.

No matter what experience level or what ideas you have, you will gain so much value from AWC courses.

I love listening to Kate; she is so passionate and so great at making the complex simple. I love getting a look inside her plotting process and visual way she does her research and plans her story. It was fascinating to see.

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'm over halfway through my novel and I thought it might be a good time to check in to see if I was on the right track.

Prior to the start, I was surprised and pleased to watch the pre-recorded video of writers who took advantage of AWC courses, utilised the knowledge and tools they were given and found themselves published authors. As for the seminar itself, Pamela presented well and was very knowledgeable. I've been published only once (non-fiction) but find myself in this exciting novel space. It's a long haul -- joys vs challenges, brain drains vs emotional highs, crickets chirping vs conceiving explosively exciting concepts. You'd think I'd have given it all away by now, haha!

I took the course to reassure myself I was heading in the right direction. I found myself nodding as Pamela was presenting, and realised with relief that I am hitting my marks as I progress through my novel. There was a series of 'yay!' moments all the way through as I realised I was on the right track. It was the reason I signed up and for that reason, it was very much worth the fee. Going forward, it's also great to have notes to remind me of my compass points.

Keep doing what you're doing, and thanks for providing guiding lights for the Australian writing community.