Kirsten Ealand’s path to becoming a published picture book author is a testament to the power of persistence. After completing Writing Picture Books Masterclass at Australian Writers’ Centre, Kirsten’s debut picture book, Like a Gannet, is now published with Windy Hollow Books. But that’s not all – she already has a second book, The Big Backyard Plan, coming out with Affirm Press.
The moment journalist Natalie Murray started writing short romance stories, she fell in love! Having discovered her new passion for writing fiction, Natalie decided to write a novel – but first she needed to learn the basics.
When Peta James decided to make a lifestyle change, she never imagined it would lead her to becoming a published children’s author. But that’s exactly what happened after she took the Writing Picture Books course at the Australian Writers’ Centre.
It seems like a strange path from neuroscientist to picture book author, but that’s exactly the path Danielle Camer has followed, establishing a successful freelance medical writing business along the way. After completing Writing Picture Books and the Writing Picture Books Masterclass at Australian Writers’ Centre, Danielle’s most recent picture
The Australian Writers’ Centre (AWC) is celebrating the remarkable achievement of four of its creative writing alumni who have been announced on the longlist for the 2024 Richell Prize, one of Australia’s most esteemed literary awards for emerging writers. And we are SO excited for them! Established in 2015 by
Mo Davey used to distract her kids by telling them stories on the walk to and from school. She wanted to be able to remember them, so when another mum suggested they enrol together in Writing Children’s Novels, Mo jumped at the chance. She has now published her debut picture book, I Am Tree Rex, with Berbay Publishing.
Amanda Willimott was working in marketing, a job she enjoyed but saw as just that – a job, not a career. Her true passion lay in writing, but she wasn’t sure where to start. After discovering the Australian Writers’ Centre, Amanda went on to complete ten courses over eight years, and ultimately became a published author.
Brigitte Stanton was working as a mental health nurse, a job that could be stressful at times. She had been wanting to write for a few years as a creative outlet, but didn’t know where to start. After discovering the Australian Writers’ Centre, Brigitte went on to complete several courses that fit around her lifestyle and has now published her debut picture book. Brigitte’s picture book Wanda Needs a Haircut is out now with Tiny Seed Publishing (an imprint of Starfish Bay Publishing).
Troy Hunter had completed a full first draft of his debut novel but felt it wasn’t working, particularly in the middle section. After discovering the Australian Writers’ Centre, Troy went on to complete FOCUS ON… The Second Act and has now published his debut young adult detective novel Gus and the Missing Boy with Wakefield Press. He was also recently shortlisted in the 2024 Ned Kelly Awards for Best Debut Crime Fiction.
“I enrolled in the Writing Picture Books course to learn as much as I could about the industry I was entering and build on my confidence and capabilities as an author. I’m so incredibly grateful that I did.” With her newfound skills, Sarah went on to publish her debut picture book ‘Down the Road, Little Bee’.
Lisa Kenway had a rewarding career as an anaesthetist and the young family she’d always wanted, but she felt that something was missing from her life. She discovered the Australian Writers’ Centre and loved that it offered short targeted courses she could fit around her busy life, and went on to complete eight courses. She kept writing, editing and honing her craft, before landing a publishing contract with Transit Lounge for her debut thriller, All You Took From Me.
Having a baby is a life-changing experience, and for Ariane Beeston it was profoundly so. She experienced postpartum psychosis, a rare and debilitating mental illness. As part of her healing journey, she started writing about her experiences. After completing Freelance Writing Stage 1 at the Australian Writers’ Centre, Ariane kickstarted her freelance writing career and has now published a memoir, Because I’m Not Myself, You See, with Black Inc.
Matt decided to enrol in Writing Picture Books at the Australian Writers’ Centre and was hooked. Finally, he could put his picture book ideas into practice. After a meeting with an editor at Yellow Brick Books, Matt was offered a contract and his debut picture book The Other Side of the Clouds will be published this year.
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 course at the Australian Writers’ Centre, which came highly recommended from writer friends. That investment and commitment to her craft paid off: Cassy has now published two books for children with another on the way.
Mitch Jennings had always harboured ambitions to write a novel, but he says that working fulltime as a journalist meant that writing at home after work wasn’t very appealing because he had already been writing all day. He knew that he needed structure and accountability, so he enrolled in Novel Writing Essentials at the Australian Writers’ Centre.
Jenna Lo Bianco, a secondary school Italian teacher, experienced what she calls a magical moment when she was on leave after the birth of her second child. Amid the chaos of the pandemic, she stumbled on a Tweet about the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Romance Writing course. At the time, Jenna had completed two manuscripts: Love & Rome and The Italian Marriage but she hadn’t yet found a publisher.
Jess Horn was a busy working parent with no time for hobbies, but she decided she could just squeeze in a few minutes to enter the Furious Fiction competition at the Australian Writers’ Centre. After that, she was hooked. With her childhood love of writing rekindled, Jess enrolled in Creative Writing Stage 1 and then dived into Writing Picture Books.
When Paula Gleeson’s grade four teacher told her she should write stories, Paula ran with it – or rather, ran away from it! She instead decided to pursue a career in film and television. Fast forward a few decades, and Paula finally followed that teacher’s advice by enrolling in Reinvent Yourself at the Australian Writers’ Centre, followed by Anatomy of a Crime: How to Write About Murder and Pitch Your Novel: How to Attract Agents and Publishers. She went on to secure a two-book six-figure deal with Thomas and Mercer and her debut thriller, Original Twin, is out in bookstores right now.
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