This could be you | Australian Writers' Centre

Picture book author Millie Lewis with baby

Millie Lewis finds success with her picture book ‘Mr Price's Pet Emporium’

Millie Lewis had an unexpected birthday treat when she received an ‘I'm interested' email from publisher James Layton at Larrikin Books. While on maternity leave from her job as a paediatric psychologist, Millie had turned to writing to reclaim her pre-mummy identity, enrolling in courses at the Australian Writers' Centre. And just a short time later, she had a positive response to her manuscript for Mr Price's Pet Emporium.

Rebecca Marshallsay on ‘Facing the Wave’ and becoming a published children’s author

Having completed a picture book manuscript, Rebecca turned to the Australian Writers' Centre.

“I knew it was worth taking the time to workshop it a bit and, serendipitously, an AWC Writing Picture Books course was starting the following week. I took the leap and signed up straight away,” Rebecca says.

That manuscript became Facing the Wave and it has now been published by Larrikin House.

“I was very excited to be published from my first pitch and I know that the things I learned through the AWC helped me be as prepared as possible.”

Jeanette Stampone, author of picture book Shadow and the Girl

Jeanette Stampone becomes a published author with debut picture book, ‘Shadow and the Girl’

When Janette Stampone came across AWC's Writing Picture Books course, she was intrigued. She was on maternity leave and felt like the right time to take her writing seriously.

“Enrolling on the course meant I had actually invested in myself and my dream,” Jeanette says. “While I was taking the course, I felt a strong sense of ‘this is what I should be doing’.”

Jeanette’s decision to invest in herself paid off and she can now call herself a published author. Her debut picture book Shadow and the Girl has been released by Red Paper Kite with illustrations by Demelsa Haughton.

Al Campbell: From full-time mum and carer to published author of ‘The Keepers’

Al Campbell knew she needed a creative outlet to balance her full-time responsibilities as a mother and carer. She enrolled in a creative writing course at AWC – and then another and another.

“Enrolling in those AWC courses made all the difference in the world, the best thing I ever did – I wouldn't be published now if I hadn't!” Al says. Her debut novel, ‘The Keepers' published by University of Queensland Press is out now.

Jacinta Froud: From teacher to published children’s author

When Jacinta Froud came across the Writing Picture Books course at AWC, she jumped at the chance to learn the practical storytelling skills for children's fiction.

“I loved the fact that it was online, self-paced and that I could complete the course around my family commitments,” Jacinta says. “I made connections with the lovely writing community and more recently I secured a publishing deal with the amazing Larrikin House.”

Jacinta's debut picture book Jingle Belly will be published by Larrikin House in November 2021, with illustrations by Gabriella Petruso.

Gary Nunn: From freelance journalist to published author of ‘The Psychic Tests'

Although he had a successful career as a freelance journalist, Gary turned to the Australian Writers' Centre to help hone his craft in writing fiction and creative non-fiction. The result is his first book, The Psychic Tests: An Adventure In The World Of Believers and Sceptics, published by Pantera Press.

“The AWC was such a key part of that: meeting other writers, access to those who'd done it, the community that forms around those taking a course. Writing can be such a solitary pursuit for a gregarious, garrulous person like me! The AWC was the antidote to that.”

Freda Chiu combines her creative talents with debut picture book ‘A Trip to the Hospital’

“My heart was pounding hard in my chest and I felt so elated and relieved that my childhood dream was finally coming true!”

That's how Freda Chiu describes the moment she found out that her debut picture book, A Trip to the Hospital, was going to be published by Allen & Unwin. Although she was a successful freelance artist and educator, Freda wasn't sure she had the skills to write her own picture book. But after taking the Writing Picture Books course with the Australian Writers' Centre, Freda was unstoppable.

“I loved how structured and practical the Writing Picture Books course was,” Freda says. “I learned more in the two days I was at the AWC than in the few years prior doing self-research.”

Fiona Murphy becomes a published author with her debut memoir ‘The Shape of Sound’

As a budding writer, Fiona Murphy had a slew of writing ideas, but felt she lacked the confidence and skills to make them come to life. After taking a few freelance writing courses with the Australian Writers' Centre, something clicked and she started successfully pitching stories.

That momentum led to the start of her career as an essayist and has culminated in the release of her memoir The Shape of Sound, published by Text Publishing in March 2021.

“Signing the contract was an out-of-body experience—it was both thrilling and terrifying! It took weeks for it to sink in.”

Anika Molesworth shares her powerful story with debut book, ‘Our Sunburnt Country’

With an outline for her book, Anika secured a contract with Pan MacMillan to write about her experiences of climate change as a scientist and farmer. But after months of writing, she knew she needed some expert advice to shape her thoughts into a coherent book. She enrolled in the Australian Writers' Centre's Creative Non-fiction course.

“As I worked my way through the course, I began to feel more confident as a writer. And once I completed the course, I was so eager to dive back into my manuscript and apply all my new learnings.”

Anika's debut book Our Sunburnt Country is out now with Pan Macmillan.

How Rebekah Campbell’s 138 dates led to a publishing deal with Allen & Unwin

Whenever Rebekah Campbell told people the story of how she met her husband, they would lean in and ask for more. That's when she knew she had to write a book about her three-year search for love. So when she saw the Write Your Novel six-month program at the Australian Writers' Centre, she felt it was the push she needed to write the book she'd been putting off for years.

Doing the course paid off. Rebekah's book 138 Dates has now been published by Allen & Unwin.