Author-illustrator Mandy Foot shares the creative process behind her gorgeous picture books
Mandy Foot has illustrated dozens of picture books with Hachette Australia. But when she decided to write her own story, she knew she had to gain new skills. After completing the Writing Picture Books course at the Australian Writers' Centre, Mandy published her debut picture book as an author, Joey and Riley. Mandy’s second picture […]
Read MoreCraig Sheather reinvents his career to become a picture book author with ‘The Incredible True Story of Sparky the Wonder Puppy’
Writing Podcast Episode 412 Gabrielle Tozer discusses her latest novel ‘Can’t Say it Went to Plan' [Story Sessions series]
This ‘inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features ‘Can't Say It Went to Plan' by Gabrielle Tozer. This is the latest young adult novel from the fabulous Gabrielle Tozer, author of ‘The Intern', ‘Faking It' and ‘Remind Me How This Ends'. This time, Gabrielle is taking on schoolies – that infamous break […]
Read MoreGraci Kim becomes a published children's author with her middle grade adventure ‘The Last Fallen Star'
Novel Writing Essentials
“It hit me – none of the books I read and treasured as a child had people like me in them. All the books I'd loved were about white people. I had been invisible on the page my whole life,” Graci says. She signed up for a course at the Australian Writers' Centre and started writing books about Korean diaspora kids having magical adventures.
Graci's debut middle-grade novel, The Last Fallen Star, has now been published by Disney Hyperion (Rick Riordan Presents) and the trilogy has been optioned by the Disney Channel for a live action television series.
Writing Podcast Episode 401 Kaneana May's ‘All We Have is Now' [Story Sessions series]
This ‘inbetweenisode' is part of our Story Sessions series and features ‘All We Have is Now' by Kaneana May. This is Kaneana’s second novel, following her incredible debut ‘The One'. Kaneana has once again weaved together the story of three different women who run a wellness centre together. It’s a beautiful novel full of compassion, […]
Read MoreHow Sam Buckerfield’s passion for writing led to a publishing deal with Hachette Australia
Write Your Novel
Plotting and Planning
How to Write for Children and Young Adults
Build Your Author Platform
Novel Writing Essentials
Freelance Writing Stage 1
“Although I was ambitious, I didn't know for certain that I had the seeds of an author in me,” he says. That was until presenter Pamela Freeman invited him to join the Write Your Novel program at the Australian Writers' Centre.
“It was in that very moment that I felt believed in by a professional,” Sam says. “And I, in turn, believed that I had the capacity to be a published author.”
Sam's first published book is Generation Alpha, co-authored with Mark McCrindle and Ashley Fell, and it is out now with Hachette Australia.
Sandie Jessamine becomes a published memoirist with her powerful story ‘Borderline’
Life Writing
Write Your Novel
Write Your Novel Masterclass
Self-publish your Novel on Kindle
“I turned into a writer,” Sandie says about the period that followed her decision to enrol in the Write Your Novel program with Pamela Freeman. “During Pamela's course, I put all my attention and energy into completing a draft novel. The writing gave me a safe space to retreat into away from the emotional pain but eventually I began to write within the pain until the pain was writing itself”
Her extraordinary story, Borderline, has now been published by Bad Apple Press..
Gaiti Rabbani becomes a published business book author in just one year
Multi-talented Amy Adeney finds success as a children’s book author
Writing Picture Books
Writing Chapter Books for 6-9 year olds
Build Your Author Platform
MOJO MONTH
“My debut picture book, Turning Cartwheels (EK Books, 2021), actually began its life as an exercise in the AWC Writing Picture Books course!” Amy says. Her tutor, Cathie Tasker, provided Amy with feedback that made her realise that her story idea had potential. “Cathie's feedback became part of my pitch for the book, and even formed the basis of the book's description in the EK Books catalogue.”
Shankari Chandran’s newest manuscript acquired by Ultimo Press
We’re thrilled to hear that Shankari Chandran has had her latest novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens snapped up by Ultimo Press. Shankari is one of our superstar alumnae who found publishing success with her debut novel The Barrier after the Crime and Thriller Writing course at the Australian Writers' Centre. “This is an evocative, […]
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