This could be you | Australian Writers' Centre

Claire Thompson inspires with her true-story picture books

Deciding to write picture books was literally a lightbulb moment for media and communications manager Claire Thompson. Each time she put her newborn baby in the carseat, the interior lights flashed on, so Claire and her four-year-old invented a story about a magic baby. She immediately realised she wanted to write a children’s book and enrolled in the course Writing Picture Books a few days later.

Shelley Dark’s writing group and travel memoir

Australian Writers' Centre graduate Shelley Dark has completed several courses with us. After completing our Write Your Novel program, Shelley formed friendships that evolved into a writers’ group – THE ALLWRiTE CLUB. We were delighted to hear that the group is still going strong. Many members of the writing group have gone on to secure […]

Angie Cui maps a unique journey into picture books

Angie Cui's road to becoming a published children's book author is a story of unexpected turns, persistence, and creative discovery. She has two picture books set to be published in 2025 – My Mum is a Bird with UQP and Our Map with Wombat Books, and she has learnt plenty along the way. “I was […]

In her words: Anna Johnston on her global two-book deal

Anna Johnston started telling stories at a young age, writing plays and short films for her parents as a child. But she left her storytelling passion behind when she went into healthcare and started her family. A course at the Australian Writers' Centre changed that, reigniting her love of creative writing, and Anna is now celebrating the publication of her debut novel The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, in a two-book deal with Penguin Random House.

Karina May keeps delivering ‘that rom-com feeling'

Karina May was working in digital marketing when she started dabbling in creative writing just for the fun of it – but she soon found herself hooked on the craft of storytelling. She voraciously attended courses at the Australian Writers' Centre, including two rounds of Write Your Novel with Pamela Freeman, which gave her the structure to complete her first manuscript. After signing a two-book deal with Pan MacMillan, Karina has now released her novel Duck à l'Orange for Breakfast.

Kirsten Ealand's journey to picture book success

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.

AWC graduate Natalie Murray's path from journalist to successful romance author

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.

Peta James graduated from AWC and is now a published picture book author

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.

How Danielle Camer forged a new career as a picture book author

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 book Squirrel Takes the Cake, […]

Australian Writers' Centre alumni shine on the Richell Prize longlist

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 Hachette Australia in partnership with […]