This could be you

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 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 podcast app.   Links mentioned […]

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.”

Claire Thompson fulfils her dream to be a published picture book author

Deciding to write picture books was literally a lightbulb moment for media and communications manager Claire Thompson. Each time she put her newborn baby in the carseat, the interior lights flashed on, so Claire and her four-year-old invented a story about a magic baby. She immediately realised she wanted to write a children’s book and enrolled in the course Writing Picture Books a few days later.

AWC graduate Fiona Lloyd’s debut novel ‘Being Jimmy Baxter’

Fiona Lloyd had assumed her creative writing aspirations were nothing but a childhood dream. But after deciding to reconnect to that former love, she threw herself into the writing community, attending writing events and completing the course Plotting and Planning at the Australian Writers' Centre. Fiona’s debut middle grade novel Being Jimmy Baxter has now been published by Puffin (Penguin Random House Australia).

Racquel Collard publishes her book Marketing Launchpad

Racquel Collard was at the peak of her career in marketing but felt that she needed a new challenge. The next natural step was a CEO role, but that didn’t feel like the right fit for her, so instead Racquel decided to write a book. She completed Write a Book That Showcases Your Expertise with the Australian Writers' Centre and, with the publication of her debut, Marketing Launchpad, has now left the corporate rat race behind and embarked on a new career.

Writing Podcast Episode 545: Meet Carolyn Swindell, author of We Only Want What's Best

Meet Carolyn Swindell, author of We Only Want What's Best. What are eggcorns and what have they got to do with words? Win Feast by Emily O'Grady. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite podcast app.   Links mentioned in this episode […]

Jennifer Mackenzie Dunbar: from writing student to published novelist

“It might sound cheesy but the AWC courses changed my life! I finished a (very rough) first draft of my novel while I was in Scotland and haven't stopped writing since. The courses provided me with great foundation information, the basic building blocks for any novel writing. It is information I have retained and, through my writing groups, I've felt confident in sharing my learning with others.”

Writing Podcast Episode 543: Richard Pritchard, co-author of Wylah The Koorie Warrior series

Meet Richard Pritchard, co-author of Wylah The Koorie Warrior series. How to the select the right quotes of praise for your pitch to a publisher. The unique meaning behind lagom. And win The Interpreter by Brooke Robinson. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS feed manually to […]

Writing Podcast Episode 541: Samera Kamaleddine, author of The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart

Meet AWC graduate Samera Kamaleddine who reveals the writing process behind her second novel The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart. What you need to do if you have two main point-of-view protagonists. And win Search History by Amy Taylor. You can listen to the episode below, on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or add the podcast RSS […]