What’s it like to learn with AWC?

All modules were helpful, and the handouts listing short stories to read were excellent.

I enjoyed the module on Point of View. I think that can be tricky to master.

I have referred a lot of fellow writers to AWC's courses. They are well constructed with tutors who have a wealth of experience in their fields.

The feedback I received was helpful, and I felt like Margaret was very supportive.

I enjoyed the way the program was delivered (audio with handouts) and the added deadline for weekly assignments kept me accountable.

It gave me structure and insight into the writing community. There is a lot of helpful information that would be difficult to find elsewhere, and that alone is worth the investment.

I have recently started to travel more frequently again and have always enjoyed writing and it occurred to me when writing my own travel journals that my recounts are something that I would like to share. I considered starting a blog (which I may still do) but getting the basics of how to embark as a travel writer going forward is something I wanted to pursue. I have enrolled and completed other courses at AWC so was confident in the course material and teacher.

I was pleasantly surprised by the number of useful and informative additional resources that have been made available for this course (relating to all the handouts especially) in addition to the examples provided and explained.

I found it easy to follow and pick up the information being explained. In fact, I was honestly able to draw on the information throughout the day and would be distracted from my day job when inspired by different story ideas. So much so I always kept a small book next to me to jot these down so that I could expand on them when I was able to.

I loved the selection of books across the different genres, and how the course offered both breadth and depth deconstructing these books in each area. It taught me so much and deepened my understanding of how literary devices are used in writing. I'm excited to start rewriting my own work, now equipped with the insights I've gained.

This course is truly a game-changer! I was so captivated by the content that I completed it in just one week. The material is both fascinating and incredibly informative. Now, I'm excited to dive into the challenge workbook and start applying what I've learned. I genuinely believe this course will transform my writing for the better—it's a must-do for anyone serious about improving their skills.

I love Kate's passion and expertise, and will definitely sign up for more of her courses.

I have worked in the travel sector for some years but never as a writer and I know there is a budding travel writer within me! I felt that a course offered by the Australian Writers' Centre would be very professional and I have found it to be so!

There were lots of fabulous handouts, Valerie and Katrina were easy to understand and spoke and presented at a good pace which was easy to keep up with!

I am going to finalise my website, and start pitching some stories from my recent trips. It has motivated me.

I found myself bogged down in notes and files, wondering how I could streamline my writing process. Scrivener is a program I'd heard lots about but figured it would be too complex to learn. But after watching the trailer for this course, I decided to have a look to see if it might be something I could manage.

What a surprise! Natasha's course is easy to follow and I'm now successfully utilising Scrivener. I still have quite a bit to learn, but the course has given me confidence to make a start.

I'm now feeling much more in control of my writing process.

I wish I'd learnt about Scrivener years ago. I can now access all my work (including my formerly-ratty post-it note jottings, images, research...) easily. They're all in the one place! The cork board feature also helps me keep track of plot and character arcs.

I love the way Kate structures her courses and draws on other creative elements like sketches and paintings to underscore the key points in the lesson. She is also very generous with sharing her knowledge on writing and literature and is an inspiration.

The last segments of the course where Kate talks about her writing process was very useful. It's so easy to follow as she breaks everything down into bite size pieces. I will definitely try this approach with a book I am trying to write.

The tutor was fantastic. Margaret's feedback was thoughtful and constructive. I enjoyed listening to her weekly videos.

I will be trying to write 500 to 1000 words a day now! Just sit and write, bum in seat and words on paper. Get the ideas out and worry about details later.

Give it a go! It's easily accessible, fun and encouraging.

I was blown away by just how much I learned. I have worked as a writer in a variety of contexts over decades and, as a linguist, understand something of child language development. I had some awareness that writing a picture book was likely not as effortless as it might seem but what I discovered was a craft deeper and more fascinating than I imagined.

Margaret's experience, skill, and commitment to quality writing for children shone in her feedback to all of us. I plan to go on to do the Masterclass so I can benefit further from her wisdom.

On top of those skills, Margaret also seems like someone who would be great to sit next to at a dinner party! A terrific person. We were lucky to have her as our tutor.

I enjoyed the learning, Margaret's experienced feedback, and (to a huge extent), the privilege of seeing EVERYONE who participated develop their skills significantly over the 5 weeks. It was a lovely, encouraging cohort of students.

I have deeper belief in myself as a creative writer and know what I need to do to pursue my dream of having a picture book published.

The AWC will give you what you need to free your writing spirit. Whether it's the quality of the content, the systematic approach, or the brilliant tutors, somewhere in there may lie the key to unlocking what's holding you back.

I needed something to motivate me to actually complete my manuscript and this seemed like the right way to go about it.

The entire course was so helpful. The tutor was fantastic. I enjoyed giving and receiving feedback.

I've learnt so much and found a community of people to help and be helped by.

Margaret provided well considered, helpful and constructive feedback to myself and the other students in the course.

I enjoyed the variety in the assignments, the opportunity to be creative, and then being able to read other students' wonderful writing too.

I learnt some new techniques that gave me a bit of a jump start to get motivated to write regularly again. It is nice to have a push, in that I have thought it is all a bit too hard, but this course showed me it is not that hard, and I just need to write. I appreciated that a lot.

I have recommended it already to friends!

I loved it. I enjoyed learning new information and applying it to my work.

Margaret is a fantastic tutor. Her feedback is gold.

I have a clearer understanding of areas I needed to work on. I'm excited to keep improving on my current manuscript and making it better.

Thank you so much. This is one of the best courses I've ever done. I feel more confident to keep moving forward with my writing career.

There was a lot more technical information than I was expecting! It was fantastic.

I enjoyed submitting my own work and being given excellent suggestions to improve.

Excellent course. Highly recommend.

I enjoyed the writing - the lectures were also so well done, very interesting and educational. I loved that it forced me to start writing :)

I really appreciated the feedback given; it was very helpful!

It got me started and feeling more confident.

Definitely a great course if you're unsure how or where to start.

After listening and attending other online picture book courses I was concerned that the information I would receive would be the same as what was freely available on YouTube. I was VERY wrong. This course was highly informative and enjoyable.

A giant thank you to Margaret for her feedback. I also really enjoyed the fact that there was a forum to speak to the other people who were taking the course. Overall, I was very happy with everything that I learned and the engagements.

My overall impression of Margaret was that she was extremely professional as well as encouraging to us new writers. I loved that. Her feedback was both positive as well as informative.

I cannot imagine a way to improve this course. I did not leave it wanting anything more except for it to run longer.

I've learned that I now have the skills, foundation and confidence to pursue what I've always wanted to do and dreamt of, writing stories for children's picture books.

It is the most reputable source that I have ever seen available or experienced.

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.

I liked the structure of the course. I have always liked writing but having a formula to work with was great. I enjoyed the realistic approach. It felt like being in a classroom.

I most enjoyed being exposed to the author's writing process towards the creation of her work, which I deeply enjoy. Kate Forsyth is an excellent speaker, elaborator, teacher. The visual aids add to the illumination.

I liked the broad scope of the course, in terms of explanations of the different types of writing, as well as the very supportive approach of the process of getting started.

I really like Valerie's well considered and very humanized approach to this topic for beginner writers.

I feel a much stronger interest in the prospect of developing a writing career after doing this course.

I have had a long hiatus from writing following having two books published and wanted to refresh my memory and get some inspiration to start writing again.

The structure and length of the videos made the course accessible as it didn't require excessive time commitment. The examples Kate provides are very useful. The way the content kept building on its foundations added a lot of value.

I have a deeper understanding of the different narrative structures - it's great to understand these are conscious choices. I feel like I have the tools to start writing again. I have more confidence to try.

Great way to learn, accessible and the content is challenging without being overwhelming.