What’s it like to learn with AWC?

It is clearly set out and broken down into smaller parts. I like the breaks for actionable content, so I don't try to get ahead of myself and take on too much at once.

I loved the timeline. Such a simple idea 🤯 but so useful for seeing what's missing to get from one event to another.

Take the course you're thinking about. You won't be disappointed.

I enjoyed the very clear framework, in detailed steps, to enable a thorough and practical understanding of the editing process.

I now feel like I have the steps to undertake to do a thorough self-edit. And even if I don't do it for ages, when I come back, the steps are clearly and concisely laid out. I don't need to remember the steps between manuscripts.

This course was just what I needed. Loved the Power editing 28-step process.

I feel more confident to write and on the path to improvement.

I completed three of AWC's fiction essentials courses and they all helped me write my novel. Once my draft novel was complete, I felt that AWC's Cut, Shape, Polish course was bound to help me refine my story.

The step-by-step editing process works well. I enjoyed listening to Valerie too. :)

The Australian Writers' Centre is brilliant. If you're serious about your writing, it's worth investing in their courses.

If you want your novel to be published, you need to put in the work. There are no shortcuts. Once you've finished your first draft, AWC's 'Cut, Shape, Polish' course will help you do the work needed to make your novel a standout jewel.

I like that the process has been put into step-by-step chunks. This made it seem less daunting.

Writing is a process, step by step, many drafts and that is okay.

If you want to learn about the craft of writing in the comfort of your home, these are the courses for you.

I have completed numerous AWC courses, and always find them informative and rewarding. Cut, Shape, Polish has been particularly motivating. It has given me a clear guideline of how to proceed on editing and re-drafting my m/s.

I now have the confidence to edit my m/s, and know what to look for to tighten it and make it a better - hopefully publishable - novel.

I have recommended your courses to anyone who'll listen. I think they are invaluable for anyone who is interested in writing, and although there is "work" involved, the courses are always enjoyable and rewarding.

I enjoyed all of it. It was exactly what I was after.

I've no doubt it will make writing and editing (especially editing!) my next novel wayyyyy easier

AWC deliver exactly what you say. The self-paced 12-month access is ideal. Plus the option to extend for another year for a cut fee. I've loved all the courses I've done so far!

Brilliant. So much detail and practical advice. THANK YOU!

The examples were excellent, and the handouts were really useful. I think I will go back to them again and again.

I have been able to finish editing my first novel! Huzzah! After writing a first draft a couple of years ago, I knew there was a big gap between what it was and where I wanted it to be but I wasn't sure how to get there.

Writing out the scene list immediately helped me see a bunch of problems.

Save yourself a bunch of time wriggling your way through the dark (on your own) and just do it!

Halfway through my first manuscript, I realised I'd need help on how to edit and shape it. The course outline ticked the boxes of my needs, with the bonus of doing it at my own pace around my schedule.

The Cut Shape Polish course provided an essential checklist with a process and templates to follow. Methodology and structure are important to me, and this course gave me confidence in spreadsheets I had already set up for my first manuscript, as well as crucial tools and skills to make it better. And better again!

I now have a tried and tested process to follow for future manuscripts. This course is a must-do!

The course not only provided me with excellent insight into the self-editing process for the book I had only recently completed, but it gave me tools to be mindful of with future writing. It also validated a lot that I was doing naturally, which was excellent for my confidence.

I enjoyed the analytical breakdown of story structure. I was surprised when I broke down my novel and it was very close to what was expected. However, the process made me realise that I had a (sub) character in my story that did not have a complete arc which led me to adding more chapters, which I think has helped my story considerably. The process made me think through the eyes of the all the characters, not just the one controlling the narrative.

I am new to all of this. My passion for writing has started late. I accept that this is a hobby, but I am certainly going to try to either get published or self-publish at some time in the future. The process of writing is escapism for me. Furious Fiction has helped me continue to write, even when the passion dies down a little.

If you have a passion for writing it is a worthwhile investment to take one of the courses AWC offers.

I thought it would be a basic outline and broader coverage of editing, but there was so much more on offer, including examples, questions and step-by-step instructions.

This course emphasised the importance of getting into the depths of your story, which is something I knew but now I have a really structured approach that I can use with all my manuscripts. This has also helped develop my abilities as an editor, an understanding I can use when giving feedback to others.

I found the exercises to be very helpful - the layout of the course is great in the way it really guides you through each part of the self-editing process.

I thought my manuscript was done. I have learnt it is very much not. It's a little daunting but I'm very excited to do the work to polish my book into the best version it can be.

Go for it. You will learn skills that will serve you in every piece of writing that you create moving forward, whether creative or professional.

The step-by-step process took something that seemed really overwhelming and turned it into manageable chunks.

I didn't have any roadmap for bridging the gap between what I had drafted and what I wanted my book to be. I knew my manuscript needed work, but I didn't know where to start. This course felt like having Pamela and Angela in my pocket, breaking down something that seemed overwhelming into something achievable.

If you want to take your writing seriously, invest in yourself and your craft! Just do it!

I enjoyed having a set structure to follow through the editing process and through the course. Gave me structure and targets to meet when editing. It gave me motivation to get the job done.

I've cut, shaped, and polished my story through to the manuscript stage. It's been a satisfying journey on its own. My 'aha' moment is that I now believe that I have the skills required to become a published writer.

I was unsure where to begin with editing my manuscript and hoped that this course would point me in the right direction.

I like that the editing process was broken down into manageable steps which made it not feel so overwhelming. Also, the checklist was a handy reference and I loved that I could mark off the steps I completed as I went.

I feel like I have made some good changes in my manuscript as a result of going through this process.

The Key Issues and Changes List has been life-changing and I have used it so much as I work through my manuscript. I like having all my required notes and changes in one place and I can't believe that such a simple tool makes a huge difference.

Everything was really on point and very relevant. Every module struck a chord (sorry for the cliche!) It has really helped in developing my novel to the next step.

Every course I have done at AWC has helped me develop as a writer.

I enjoyed the intimacy of the course. Writing is often a space void of other people's voices and just listening to Valerie's voice felt very personal; like a character in a self-help script with Valerie as the POV narrator (writing doctor) helped with the diagnosis, cure and healing. I came away from the course with a sense of calm for what is a huge operation to dissect a manuscript.

No matter where you are with your writing, the AWC will meet you with the knowledge to take you to the next level.

I've been getting the newsletter for ages and thought it was about time I did a course. I chose Cut, Shape, Polish because I have self-published books and want them perfect. I also have two manuscripts that I am submitting to traditional publishers. I wanted them polished before I went the submission rounds.

There was a lot packed into the course. Everything I needed to correct the parts of my story that weren't working, improve the overall plot and revise until I am happy with the results.

I'm now confident to submit when I do my final read-through and proofread. I had lost confidence and had let the MS sit for about a year.

I know a lot of writers who use critique groups and beta readers and think it's enough to fix a manuscript. I recommend this course to cut, shape and polish until your MS shines like a diamond. You'll still have to send it to beta readers but it will be a much cleaner copy and close to publication standards. Thanks, AWC, Angela Slatter and Pamela Freeman for creating this editing course, and Valerie Koo for the lovely audios.

It was a very helpful guide in self-editing. The steps were laid out in an easy way for referencing. That chapter on characters was great as it made me look at my secondary characters differently.

There is a course for everyone. The content is clear and enjoyable and you will learn so much about writing.