Samera Kamaleddine quit her job as editor of Women’s Fitness magazine to finally write the novel that was in her head – but she quickly discovered she had no idea where to start! However, after taking a course at the Australian Writers’ Centre, she found her writing rhythm, and now
Cassy Polimeni always wanted to become an author and even studied creative writing at university. She followed this with a career in magazines and publishing, while putting her own creative pursuits on the back burner. But while he was on maternity leave, she took the opportunity to enrol in a
Do you have a short story inspired by the Australian country and a story you’re ready to share? The 2026 Ernestine Hill Memorial Award, presented by the Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW, invites Australian permanent residents to submit original short fiction of up to 4000 words for the chance to
JoJo Leslie’s picture book Fish Don’t Hop has been published by Woodslane Press, and she both wrote and illustrated it. JoJo is a graduate of our Writing Picture Books course, and she credits it with changing the way she approaches writing for children. “For me it was a game changer,”
From the ice rinks to the locker rooms, sports-related romance is sizzling HOT right now. So perhaps it comes as no surprise that AWC graduate and debut author Emma J. Warrender found herself in a fast and furious bidding war for her street-racing-romance, Driven! In this episode, she shares that
This week, we’re giving away three copies of A Word for All Seasons by David Crystal. Linguist David Crystal traces the origins of over 100 seasonal English words and phrases – from “spring chicken” to “dog days” to “Halloween” – drawing on some 200 historical figures from St. Augustine to
Want to go to Mars? The main character in Jordan Prosser’s new novel Blue Giant certainly does, and will stop at nothing to achieve this goal. In this episode, Jordan explores the origins of this story, the intriguing cast of characters and how writing a novel differs from other forms
This week, we’re giving away three copies of The Extraordinary Florence Stoker by Karen Brooks. The witty Florence Balcombe marries theatre impresario Bram Stoker in 1878 Dublin, becoming a celebrated literary powerhouse in London – yet her marriage is strained and she’s haunted by visions of a monstrous fanged demon.
Tim Ayliffe has spent years scaring adults. His John Bailey thrillers – The Greater Good, State of Fear, The Enemy Within, Killer Traitor Spy and The Wrong Man – are the kind of books you start on a Sunday afternoon and finish at 2am, cross with yourself but unable to
With a mountain of rejections, AWC grad Leearna Shaw was ready to throw in the proverbial towel with her dream of novel writing. But just a few years later, her rural romance A Farm in Golden Clouds wins the Romance Writers of Australia’s Emerald Award and she lands a 2-book
This week, we’re giving away three copies of Realms of Gold by A.J. Mackinnon. Decades after his bestselling first voyage, A.J. “Sandy” Mackinnon sets sail again, single-handedly rowing and sailing from Romania to Venice through Istanbul, Ithaca, and the ruins of Troy. With his trademark humour and enthusiasm, he recounts
If your phone just pinged an alert, then it’s probably warning you about a fast-moving creative front incoming for this month’s Furious Fiction challenge! Here were this month’s prompts: Each story had to take place during an EXTREME/UNUSUAL WEATHER EVENT. Each story had to include something being lifted. Each story
Have you ever sat on a train and wondered about the lives of the other passengers? Author Samantha Sotto Yambao certainly has. In fact, she’s written a book based on that very concept! In this episode, Samantha shares her experience crafting and publishing her new novel, The Elsewhere Express, the
This week, we’re giving away three copies of She Lied First by Dinuka McKenzie. Sisters Devika and Kalyani seem to have it all in their dream shared apartment – independence, fresh starts, and each other – until each realizes the other is hiding a devastating secret. When betrayal tears their
Dinuka McKenzie was a busy working mum when she decided to start writing as a creative outlet. The more she wrote, the more she loved it, so she decided to complete a few courses at the Australian Writers’ Centre to hone her craft. After finishing her first crime manuscript, she
After completing more than 10 courses at the Australian Writers’ Centre, graduate Jenny Marshall is now a copywriter and a self-published picture book author.
Ever wanted a step-by-step insight into building a novel? Well, in this episode, you have access to bestselling author Kate Forsyth’s note-taking, research and writing process in the creation of her latest novel, The Changeling! It’s a fascinating look into the actual nuts and bolts of crafting a story, from
This week, we’re giving away three copies of Bad Neighbours by Joanna Jenkins. From the bestselling author of How to Kill a Client and The Bluff, Joanna Jenkins delivers another cleverly constructed thriller of fraud, lies, and murder with Bad Neighbours. Ruth Dawson’s dream Potts Point apartment turns sinister when
Angie Cui’s road to becoming a published children’s book author is a story of unexpected turns, persistence, and creative discovery. “I was a new mum juggling family life and work when I decided to take one of your courses,” Angie shares. Initially aspiring to be a journalist, she found herself
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