This could be you | Australian Writers' Centre

From newsreader to published author: Nicole Webb publishes debut memoir ‘China Blonde'

Nicole Webb was a trained journalist and newsreader, with a wealth of writing talent. But when she sat down to write her memoir of life in China, she knew she needed to learn and utilise a whole new set of skills. After taking three courses at the Australian Writers' Centre, doing hundreds of interviews, writing thousands of words, and doing many rewrites, her debut China Blonde is out now with Brio Books.
“Without doing those courses, I really don't think I would have had the knowledge or know-how to start a book properly, let alone finish a book,” Nicole says.

The turning point that led to James Antoniou becoming a published picture book author

James Antoniou was in the middle of a haphazard gap year when he decided to enrol in Writing Picture Books at the Australian Writers' Centre. He had always wanted to be a published author, had studied English at Oxford, and was ready to launch his writing career. But it was the course at the AWC that gave James the practical tools he needed to finish his manuscript.

Danielle Norton's journey from teacher to travel and food writer

Danielle Norton was half way through the AWC's Food Writing course when she managed to sell her first two recipes to an online magazine. Not bad for a former school teacher who, by her own admission, was naive about the media industry. Now a veteran of six AWC courses, Danielle is an established freelance writer and copywriter, and she is sought after by editors for her travel and parenting articles.

Sonya Bates: Speech pathologist finds license to thrill with debut novel

Sonya Bates was a speech pathologist who dabbled in writing on the side. But when she had the idea for her thriller Inheritance of Secrets, she knew it was time to take her writing seriously. She signed up for the Anatomy of a Crime: How to Write About Murder course at the Australian Writers' Centre to get the skills and confidence she needed.

Sonya is now proud to call herself an author with her debut adult novel, Inheritance of Secrets, out now through HarperCollins.

How Felicity McVay reignited her creative passion to become a published picture book author

Sitting in darkness feeding her newborn daughter each night, Felicity McVay began to dream up the character of a boy who loves to burp. After taking two courses at the Australian Writers' Centre – Writing Picture Books and Creative Writing Stage 1 – Felicity is now a published author, with her picture book The Boy Who Burped released by New Holland Publishers. “I feel a great thrill when I tell people that I'm a writer,” Felicity says. “The courses at AWC gave me a sense of legitimacy.”

Penelope Janu: Meet the lawyer who became a bestselling romance novelist

After more than 20 years as a solicitor and legal academic, Penelope Janu thought it was high time she finally followed her creative impulses. She completed a short course at the Australian Writers’ Centre (AWC), which gave her the confidence to pursue a creative writing degree – and led to her first novel, In at the Deep End, being accepted for publication. She has since gone on to publish several more popular romance novels.

Tania Blanchard: From physiotherapist to full-time fiction author

A debut historical novel kicking off a two-book deal with a major publisher seems a million miles from life as a lapsed physiotherapist and stay-at-home mum. But that’s exactly the journey that Tania Blanchard has undergone over the past few years.

How Jo Jukes created a successful side-hustle as a travel writer

Jo Jukes had always wanted to be a writer, but had no idea where to start before the Australian Writers’ Centre’s courses gave her the guidance she needed to become a successful freelance travel writer.

Charlotte Barkla rediscovers her dream to become a successful author

Engineer-turned-maths teacher Charlotte Barkla never imagined she’d become a published writer – but three children’s books later, she’s thrilled to have rediscovered her passion.

Victoria Mackinlay achieves her childhood dream to become a published author

When she was a child, Victoria Mackinlay assumed she would grow up to be an author. And now, with the release of her picture book Ribbit Rabbit Robot and more on the way, Victoria’s dream has come true. To top it off, Victoria has won the State Library of NSW Award for Emerging Children's Author.