What’s it like to learn with AWC?

Writing picture story books has been something that I have wanted to do for quite some time. The timing was right to pursue this now.

Zanni's weekly feedback was much appreciated and welcomed. It was honest, critical and constructive. Thank you Zanni :)

I enjoyed the opportunity to put pen to paper and to bring to life some of the ideas for stories that I have been collecting for years.

I am inspired to continue writing and to refine some of these ideas.

Amazing! I was so impressed with Zanni, and I am so glad that I did the course. She was extremely professional and knowledgeable.

Zanni's video feedback was great. Having access to all of the stories was excellent too, and hearing Zanni's feedback to all of the stories allowed me to learn so much more because I learned where they needed to improve and where they went well etc.

I feel that there is a lot there I did not know. I did not realise how much goes into writing a picture book. I learned a lot about what publishers look for etc.

I feel that the amount I have learned in these five weeks would have taken me years to learn on my own. I am going to immediately listen to all of the material again and write more stories. I am going to make the most of it while I have it, as I feel it is a really valuable resource. I am so glad that I did it.

Do it. It is money well spent. There is so much you don't know. You would be crazy not to do it.

It was great to be held accountable by handing in assignments at the end of each week.

Feedback was great. Always encouraging with gentle ways to change things, that needed to be changed in our stories. Although I had a heart attack on the first feedback via Loom and my story was read out for all. But it was really good and I see the value of all stories being read out. Heart back to normal beat :)

I enjoyed immersing myself in the world of children's picture books, as this is a totally new world to me. With travel off the cards at the moment, creative imagination is the next best thing. It was challenging and rewarding.

It has given me the confidence to keep going – something I always lack. I don't think you are ever too old to start something new. Really loved immersing myself into the world of children's picture books.

I worked on the same characters and story for the whole course. Loved seeing each week the story develop, improve and fall in love with my character Wilbur. Now, I want to see how far I can go with my little mate.

Thank you to Zanni for support, feedback provided and steering me in the right direction. :)

Having written two books and attempting to approach publishers and agents already, I now know to a greater degree what I didn't know before. I didn't have the knowledge I have now to better my chances in my manuscripts, pitch, bio etc. catching the eye, mind and heart of a publisher or agent.

The tutor was very thorough with a genuine care to help. Always finding the good and a keen eye for the areas that can be improved.

A heartfelt huge thank you for all the individual help and feedback. It has been a great wealth of knowledge and fun.

Don't wait! Don't wait for that more spare time you think you'll have later. If you want to be a successfully published children's picture book writer then go take this course. It will equip you with what you need.

I had completed the Writing Chapter Books for Young Children but felt my style might go younger. So I thought I would give it a try! I've completed a few AWC courses - this one is by far the best!

Zanni provided some valuable feedback - was very supportive in her approach.

Doing this in conjunction with feedback from Cathie Tasker on my first draft of my chapter book - I can better see how this links. Just worked!

The page layout format became really important - and the sparkling language. Gave a terrific perspective for the depth of work required for a children's picture book.

Just pick a course & do it!

I loved how practical this course was! It got right down to the nitty gritty of how to actually turn your ideas into a picture book.

I’ve had several ideas (for many years!) and I was looking for something to help me translate my ideas into reality.

The tutor was great. I loved her helpful and honest feedback.

I really feel like I have the confidence to pursue this new direction with my writing.

I really enjoyed doing this course. The feedback was very helpful. From the beginning to the end, instructions were very clear. I'm glad it laid out the amount of hours to spend on the course each week, as that made me more organised.

The tutor clearly has a lot of expertise; the feedback was really helpful.

I loved being able to learn so much by listening to the audio whilst cooking dinner or doing something else. It was really good for my wellbeing. The tasks were a perfect challenge/opportunity to put into practise the learning from the modules.

Also, it was really affirming to be finally taking the plunge to have a go at picture book writing and using my creative side which I haven't been able to do much for several years due to working full time.

It's a great time out for your own life whilst learning/working on something you care about.

This course is fantastic!

Zanni and her feedback was fantastic and insightful. As a result I have learned heaps and I’m excited to continue learning.

I enjoyed learning about all of the other aspects that go into picture book writing as well as the publishing process which I never knew before.

Thank you for offering this great course and thank you Zanni for your teachings! Definitely 100% do it - it’s great!

I’ve just retired from a career in schools where I was often telling stories. I also tell stories to my grandchildren and I enjoy writing. I just needed to know what was required and how to go about it.

I had no idea of all the components and the assignments really helped me generate more skills. The feedback was good and very useful for future writing.

It has given me the structure and all of the resources and areas to look at and how to go about getting something published.

I loved this course and it has given me my new purpose and direction.

I have wanted to do something like this for a very long time. I just didn't know how to fit it in with my already busy life. This course and structure were just perfect for me.

I was concerned about the cost as to would it be worth it. I have no regrets. I have learnt so much from the course, the tutor and my fellow classmates.

For someone who was always hesitant to share my stories with the world for fear they would not be good enough, I am now happy to begin my journey of submitting to publishers for the world to read them.

The feedback is really useful. At first I was worried that everyone would see my work and hear my feedback but it is so useful and you learn so much from it.

I really like the flexibility and audio classroom as I can listen wherever I like and as many times as I need to. I also like that the course talks to you as if you are a writer already, making you feel the dream is possible.

If writing is something you are interested in pursuing, this is definitely the place to begin that journey.

Zanni's feedback was warm but critical. It was not condescending and did not come across like Zanni was a 'know-it-all'. Her feedback was very insightful and you can tell she has broad knowledge in how to write picture books

I feel I have a better technique for the structure of my picture books and making them more focused on the theme and main emotion.

AWC writing courses, and particularly this one, have a very strong reputation. I was missing something in my picture book education, and I turned here because I knew the course was written and delivered by Australian professionals who knew their stuff. It did not disappoint!

The price is higher than some other courses, and it kept me away for a while, but I knew it would be worth the cost and it was. The feedback we got from Zanni was amazing and made the price 100% worth it.

I have been writing picture books for a number of years, have taken a zillion courses and even won a couple of competitions. But this course was still for me!!! I learnt so much!

Zanni is professional and caring. She gives her honest opinion but she has critiquing mastered because she does it gently and with care. The video format for feedback was amazing. Best way to receive feedback on writing!

It really is the combination of everything coming together. The audio is bite sized and entertaining (thank you Val!). The handouts are comprehensive and easy to follow. The assignments are challenging but achievable. And the weekly feedback is unique and so, so helpful. It helps take you from doing okay, to really understanding where you need to focus your attention.

I was missing something before, or maybe it was that I had all the information but it hadn't sunk in the way it should have. This course changed it all. Picture books are still challenging (and so they should be), but I feel like I have a rock solid foundation and clear roadmap to tackling every picture book draft. I've never felt this prepared before.

It was a brilliant course and I loved every second of it! Huge thank you to Zanni for her generous and detailed feedback. It pushed us all to new heights, which is exactly what you want in a critique.

Want to know how to write better? This is the place you need to go. They know their stuff, and they'll tell you EVERYTHING!

I have been wanting to learn how to write better picture books. The Australian Writer's Centre felt professional to me so I decided to give it a go.

I was mainly wondering if the content was going to be as helpful as I hoped - and it was. It has been wonderful to have not only the actual learning in the form of handouts and audio, but the feedback in real time was incredibly supportive and helpful.

I have really appreciated Zanni's feedback. Her non-judgement has been very supportive. There has been no comparing to another's work either - again very supportive and encouraging.

It has been so inspiring and motivating to have the weekly assignments which kept me going. Life gets very busy some times and there were weeks that I thought 'perhaps it doesn't matter if I don't submit it on time’ (knowing it wouldn't be marked), but I pushed through because the feedback has been invaluable to receive.

I now understand much more about rhythm and so much more. I feel even more inspired to keep writing.

I would say that The Australian Writer's Centre present professional, comprehensive and applicable courses. You will learn a lot, from the actual lessons as well as through the sharings of other students and they will inspire you to keep going with your writing.

Simply thank you.

I regularly listen to the AWC podcast with Val & Al and was inspired to do this course after listening to some feedback from a number of people who had completed the course and had gone on to publish their work.

Zanni was extremely professional and able to get straight to the heart of issues/problems with texts submitted by students, both my own and others. I was constantly aghast at how she so diplomatically found the words to convey her criticisms; and not once did I disagree with anything that she had to say.

I loved the depth of content and the concise, clear delivery. There is a wealth of information in this course and I will be going over it and over it again as I continue to practise my writing.

I now feel legitimately equipped to just 'get on with it.' I have always wanted to write and be published but the fear of failure has been quite a barrier. This course, because it is so comprehensive and the delivery so professional, has provided me with both the tools and the confidence to keep working at it.

I've listened to the podcast and loved it and heard the testimonials for this course. Also I liked how short it was (although once it started I didn't want it to end).

I was worried I would not have time to complete the assignments but it was very manageable.

I got so much out of this course. LOVE! I feel so excited to keep writing. All of the practical tools and knowledge this course gives was exactly what I was hoping for.

I love the tutor. OBBSESSED! Is that too creepy? I thought she gave such great constructive feedback and really broke everything down clearly. She was a wealth of knowledge and definitely the highlight of this course for me.

The practicality and straight to the point approach. It didn't waffle on and it wasn't airy fairy. I loved that it focussed on trying to get as much information about the picture book process into the 5 weeks as possible.

It's given me the writing bug and now I'm obsessed; I just want to keep writing.

Amazing loved it!! 10/10

It was fabulous, and exactly what I needed to learn. Spot on! I felt I had my money's worth by the end of week two :)

Zanni was really great. Her feedback was thorough and insightful. I found her personality warm and friendly, and felt she genuinely cared about helping us with improving our work. She encouraged me tremendously.

The length of this intensive 5-week course was perfect. Long enough to cover a lot of ground, but short enough for me to be able to put other areas of my life temporarily on hold, and really throw myself into it. I worked from 5am-7am each morning on the modules, and completed the assignments each weekend. Sometimes spending 12hrs on Sundays for the longer ones (but loving the process).

Having a weekly assignment deadline was fabulous...they really helped me stay on track, and put the course first in my priorities! Then eagerly waiting to hear Zanni's reviews which were always informative, motivating and spot on.

Firstly it has given me a huge confidence boost. I've written stories on and off for many years, but have not done anything about them as I knew I had much to learn. What I was taught in the course has changed the way I approach my writing, and filled in the gaps I knew were there (without knowing what they were). This new knowledge has turned a key for me, and unlocked a flood of writing!

Secondly, I'm now mentally ready to pursue writing in a serious way. I plan to keep learning and improving with the goal of one day being published as an author. Eventually writing the books I illustrate.

Thank you to Zanni Louise, Valerie Khoo and Cathie Tasker for presenting this excellent course. I intend to follow up with the Writing Picture Books Masterclass and Writing Chapter Books.

I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of information and its detail in the course. The feedback on assignments was excellent in the care taken to consider different aspects of the writing

The tutor was generous with her time and encouragement, well prepared, attention to detail, feedback unfailingly delivered in a constructive and positive way.

I enjoyed the opportunity for self-paced learning and appreciated the care that had gone into the lessons and resources. It also forced me to write several stories for children which otherwise I might not have done.

It has made me think again about the start of my novel. I will shorten the lead-in and get into the action sooner than before. There was something about the first chapters that was niggling at me and this course clarified what the problem was. Also writing the elevator pitch for the last assignment led to me revising the elevator pitch for my novel and clarified for me what the novel was really about. I also revised the synopsis giving it a new emphasis.

I wanted a kick start to write that picture book I'd always been wanting to write.

Zanni was wonderful and very thoughtful in her feedback. She knew exactly what she was talking about and provided actionable steps to improve the manuscript.

I now have two picture book manuscripts that I'm proud of. One is more polished than the other but I feel I'm ready for next steps and learning more.

I loved the amount of detail we covered, and Zanni's constructive and honest feedback. The way she explained different methods was inspiring and you could tell she is very knowledgeable!

It has inspired me to keep writing. Zanni's encouragement gave me the boost I needed to submit a manuscript to a publisher. Wish me luck! ;)

Zanni was knowledgeable, down-to-earth and kind. I thought she did a fantastic job and hearing the feedback was very useful though I was hesitant (just because of time constraints) at first.

I enjoyed the lectures and especially the course notes. It's a great to go away with clear, precise information that I can refer back to as I revise other manuscripts.

There were several concepts which I thought I understood (e.g. show don't tell, pacing, structure) but I clearly hadn't grasped them completely or wasn't applying them successfully. This course provided clear, straightforward instruction and practical advice. It has made a huge difference to my writing—thank you!

Great experience —well worth the money! Some of the concepts and advice will be familiar but the way the information is presented makes all the difference.