What’s it like to learn with AWC?
Each year, thousands of students just like you achieve their writing goals through our courses and world-class presenters. Here they share how their new-found skills and confidence enriched their life.
Cathie provided very practical feedback that was easily understood and therefore applied. Being able to make purposeful changes supported progress and motivation to continue to improve.
I enjoyed the flexibility to access the content and revisit when needed. I looked forward to the feedback for each task also.
I have gained new knowledge and it has shown me that my desire to write a picture book for the very young child is indeed a wonderful thing.
Do it! You will learn a great deal and thoroughly enjoy it.
Thank you to all the staff involved for their hard work in putting together the course. I appreciate your time and effort. it was a pleasure to complete. Onward to the next one!
I loved being held accountable each week, and it was really beneficial to receive Cathie's feedback regularly. Her guidance helped me improve my writing, explore new ideas, and build confidence in creating inclusive and engaging children's stories. I appreciated the structure of the course and the opportunity to experiment with different techniques while having expert support along the way.
My overall impression of my online tutor, Cathie, was excellent. Her feedback was always constructive, encouraging, and thoughtful. She helped me see where my writing could be stronger while celebrating my ideas and creativity. I really appreciated her guidance, which pushed me to think deeply about storytelling, inclusivity, and how to engage young readers effectively. Her support made the course enjoyable, motivating, and rewarding.
The most enjoyable part of the course was creating my own children's stories and experimenting with different ideas, characters, and themes. I loved the chance to write for young readers and explore inclusivity in my stories. Receiving Cathie's feedback and seeing my writing develop each week was also very rewarding. I especially enjoyed the combination of creative freedom and practical guidance, which helped me build confidence in my storytelling skills.
The course has given me the confidence and skills to write children's books that matter to me. I've learned how to craft engaging stories, focus on language that sparkles, and create inclusive narratives for young readers. It has inspired me to explore new ideas, experiment with different characters and themes, and think deeply about how stories can reflect diversity and belonging.
My biggest 'aha!' moment was realising just how challenging it is to write for children. I learned not to assume that everyone knows the same things I do, and that clarity, simplicity, and showing rather than telling are essential to making a story engaging and accessible.
I would definitely recommend the Australian Writers' Centre to a friend or colleague. I have already recommended it to friends because it's a fantastic way to know where to start, understand the writing process, and gain practical skills with expert guidance. The courses give you structure, confidence, and the chance to experiment with your ideas while receiving thoughtful feedback.
I just want to say how much I've enjoyed this course. It has been inspiring, practical, and really fun to see my ideas develop into stories. The support, feedback, and structure have given me the confidence to keep writing and exploring new children's book ideas. Thank you to everyone involved for making it such a positive learning experience!
Cathie was great. Her feedback was so helpful to help reshape my story and truly grasp concepts.
I enjoyed challenging myself to rewrite my original story and also stretch my brain to create new stories.
I've learnt so much, and I'm so grateful I did this course. I think it would have been a mistake to have gone out into the world without these essential lessons on the do's and don'ts of picture book writing!
Great course if you're wanting to write children's picture books!
Margaret was great. She gave invaluable feedback - some of it was hard to hear but it has helped me so much.
Every word counts in a children's picture book. Every word needs to advance the story and needs to be emotive.
I learnt what I had done wrong in my drafts BUT learnt that I can create an awesome picture book.
Fantastic practical courses.
I have always loved picture books. After studying Children's Literature at university many years ago, I wanted to revisit this fascinating genre and finally put some of my own ideas down on paper. I previously completed the Travel Writing course through AWC and thought it was fabulous. I knew this course would be as equally well structured, informative and organised.
I really appreciated the feedback from our tutor on our own work/writing. The information in the course covers every angle of writing for picture books as well as providing crucial community contact information and pitching to publishers tips, which I feel is really important when trying to get a start in this industry.
Margaret was great. Lots of very helpful suggestions.
I loved writing and challenging myself linguistically and thematically. It was so uplifting to feel creative again. I really enjoyed revisiting language techniques and learning the specific layout and patterns of picture books.
The course has inspired me to commit to writing, be creative again and feel confident that I can achieve a lifelong dream.
Do not hesitate! This is an excellent online learning institution, which offers comprehensive material and learning opportunities in all their courses.
I have written on and off all my life and the best part of my job, as a primary school teacher, is seeing the kids immerse themselves in stories as I am reading to/with them.
I enjoyed dedicating time to myself and doing something that I love - writing.
Very thorough course, professional recordings, so many brilliant resources shared, worth every cent.
The course covered questions I did not know I had and filled in huge gaps of awareness in writing picture books, particularly the three-act structure and the insights into the publishing world.
Cathie has been a gift, she is insightful, highly qualified, and her feedback has been on point and much valued, thanks Cathie!!
In no particular order, I enjoyed: The flexibility, the short duration of 5 weeks, the huge volume of relevant information, the structure of the course with awareness of our steep learning curve and development. And also I really appreciated the additional information for illustrators, as I would love to have one of my books published one day with my own illustrations!
Prior to the course I had confidence in character development both written and visual (I'm an artist) plus the story background and basic outline, but I have had a major boost in awareness of how to develop a plot using the three-act structure.
Just do it! the course fills in so many of the gaps in knowledge I previously had, and I feel so much more empowered now to actually have a book published!
A huge thanks in gratitude to Cathie Tasker and Valerie Khoo for writing this course and making it available to us :)
The Writing Picture Books course well and truly exceeded my expectations. There was so much information available in the modules and handouts about writing in this genre. The tutor, Cathie Tasker, was incredibly knowledgeable and very supportive. Cathie gave valuable feedback and was always kind and encouraging. Thank you, Cathie.
Cathie was amazing - her feedback was greatly appreciated. Cathie was able to tell you where you were going wrong in a kind and encouraging way, and would let you know when you had done something well. Cathie's experience and professionalism was evident throughout the course.
I loved that I was writing at last! The course was structured really well and the content was perfect.
It has made me realise that I can do this, I can write. I know that I need lots of practice - but I can see myself publishing a book one day.
I just needed some guidance and encouragement to get going with my writing and AWC's Writing Picture Books gave that to me. I would highly recommend the course; it is full of relevant, topical information and the tutor is very experienced in the publishing industry. The modules are well structured and the feedback is truly valuable.
I would just like to say thank you to Cathie for her amazing guidance and her patience with us newbies! After Cathie's feedback I would read over my story and could see exactly what she meant. Thanks so much! Will be doing the Chapter Books course next.
Cathie Tasker's feedback had the brilliance of a Catherine wheel firework - it was lively, unforgettable and it did spark my passion each time. Cathie Tasker encouraged me (and my other classmates) to ask questions, to keep asking them, and she answered them all consciously.
I found it most enjoyable when I challenged myself, saw my finished assignments and waited for my WEEKLY feedback (score!)
It reconfirmed and solidified in the most marvellous way that writing picture books (as a part of storytelling) is where my life should go. Writing and earning a contract from a traditional publisher means a lot to me, and I can't let it go. I won't.
Even if you knew say 5% of the things that they teach, what it does is reconfirm that your thinking and understanding was on the right path. There will be plenty of surprises and tips. Additionally, the Australian Writers' Centre, based upon my experiences, takes the complex warren of writing a picture book and manages to map it out so effortlessly that you really can't get lost. I'd say: Go for it, bunny!
Simply and sincerely a thank you to Cathie Tasker and Valerie Khoo. :)
Cathie is wonderful! The revisions and explanations she gave for the assignments were punctual, clear, objective, and extremely professional. Her evaluations were of great value and helped me understand where I need to improve and study to be able to write better. This motivated me to seek more knowledge, since I am a beginner on this journey and still have a lot to learn.
What I enjoyed most was the assignments and the exercises, because both point us in the right direction and help us stay focused on what we should be doing.
I would say the Australian Writers' Centre is one of the most renowned institutions in Australia, with excellent quality courses.
I do like self-paced learning, as I have a regular job, and the flexibility fits in my schedule.
I was impressed by the depth of the feedback I received and felt honoured to have it. This feedback has been incredibly beneficial and has shown me that I needed to take this course. It will be invaluable for my story writing. I am addicted to the Australian Writers' Centre website. I have taken an interest in the Master class and will register for this shortly. I am really excited about my writing development and improvement.
I loved the whole class, handouts, audio, and assignments. I am on the way to better writing and have the tools to do so.
Without a doubt go do the course. You will walk away with a different perspective.
I learned about simple mistakes I was making, as well as tools to help me be critical about my writing. I also appreciated the cut-to-the-chase teaching as I know we are all adults with real world goals in mind.
Do it. It's not fluffing around. It won't waste your time.
Thanks for the flexible learning, we need more of it for people like me!
I've always loved writing and being creative, but I'd never really considered children's books as a pathway to explore. The idea had been niggling away at me for a few months. When I was researching courses, this one stood out because it was online and could be completed in my own time throughout the week, which was a huge bonus.
My overall impression of Cathie was very positive. She clearly understands her craft! Her feedback was useful, insightful, and encouraging, helping me continue to strengthen my ideas and manuscript.
I feel like I've unlocked something I've had inside me for a long time. The course has given me the tools and confidence to write my own picture books. I'm still writing, and the ideas keep flowing!
I'd say my major learning was about onomatopoeia, rhythm, and the small details that bring a picture book together. It made me see writing a picture book like composing a song.
Definitely check it out!
Margaret was a great tutor. She took the time to fully examine our work and provide detailed commentary via videos. Her feedback was kind and constructive.
This course taught me so much. I didn't realise so much work went into picture books.
This course really helped me plan my idea and it gave me the confidence I needed to keep writing even when I doubted my own idea or skills. It was easy to follow and it gave me the knowledge/understanding to work towards writing an effective story.
Margaret was fantastic. Her feedback was so helpful. She tailored her feedback specifically for each member of the cohort and their current stage, which was really helpful. I came away with clear ideas about how to improve each of the three picture books I wrote during the course.
I discovered that I'm actually good at this format (current WIP is a YA novel), and I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I had a couple of ideas that were nothing more than that when I started the course and walked away with three drafted picture books. I absolutely intend to continue to develop them. In some ways, I think this might be a better format for me.
The feedback was really helpful and the course excellent.
Cathie gave wonderful and very specific feedback I needed to correct my work and make it more appropriate for my audience.
The tasks were fun and made me work.
Great tutors, great courses, great guides. I am grateful for having found these courses.
This was the perfect course for beginners. There is so much more to learn than I expected, and it is taught in a way that provides motivation to continue.
The tutor was very knowledgeable, very constructive and honest. Wonderful.
The different learnings all made sense, and it's like it provided understandings of things that were in the subconscious to some degree.
The course has provided the confidence that if I want to pursue this, if I put lessons into practice, research, and develop my skills I can achieve any goals that I set.
A wonderful course for any budding author.
Cathie was clear with her feedback and delivered feedback in a very nice manner.
It was an appropriate pace and each week built on the previous week. The assignments were not heavy. I had two occasions where life and travel got in the way and I was still able to submit on time because the assignments are not large. Valerie's voice is a real pleasure to listen to, so that made it enjoyable and easy.
Cathie's feedback on my work has shown me that I am on the right track. It's given me the confidence that I lacked before.
I have already recommended the course! I said it was well worth the money, helps you learn the basics and develop your writing. It's a very manageable course to complete while also working.
I'm very pleased and have already purchased the masterclass. Thank you!
I did not appreciate how much technical knowledge is required to craft a children's picture book. I have learnt so much in a short period of time.
Margaret's knowledge and review of each of our stories seemed so effortless. Her constructive feedback was always encouraging.
I found the feedback to our assessments very helpful. It was also useful to listen and learn from the feedback given to other writers.
The course is a compass for writing children's picture books. The destination and the journey are now mine to map. I am beginning to believe it could be possible.
Do it! You will learn so much. I had no idea about the structure of a picture's book and now I have some great tools for my future stories.