An amazing year of published books by AWC alumni and presenters

Nothing makes us prouder here at the Australian Writers’ Centre than seeing writers reach their publishing dreams. Over the years, our students have published hundreds of books, and 2019 has been another amazing year of success.

From short stories to novels, picture books to picturesque romances, non-fiction, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, memoir, mystery and marvellous adventures – our family of writers have done it all.

Our graduates, in particular, have knocked it out of the park this year. 

Vikki Conley published three picture books – Christmas Wonder, Little Puggle’s Song, and Ella and Mrs Gooseberry – with three more due out in the next year. 

Laura Waters’ memoir Bewildered took readers with her across the rugged landscape of New Zealand and through her own personal battle with anxiety and depression.

Petronella McGovern thrilled readers with the nail-biting Six Minutes, tapping into the most primal fear of all parents.

Astrid Scholte dazzled young adult and older readers with her fantasy murder mystery Four Dead Queens.

Kaneana May hooked in romance fans with The One, a fun love story in a reality TV setting.

Sandy Barker whisked readers away for One Summer in Santorini for a delightful escapist romance.

Megan Blandford revealed the truth behind I’m Fine (and other lies), exploring her post-natal depression with courage, kindness and candour.

Everybody loved Jenna Guillaume’s What I Love About Me, a heartwarming YA story with a real Aussie feel.

Ali Berg delighted book lovers and romance readers alike with While You Were Reading.

Joanna Nell took her readers along for the bittersweet misadventures of The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker.

Nat Amoore’s debut Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire was a much-loved middle-grade buddy mystery adventure.

Sarah Bailey continued to thrill readers with Where the Dead Go, the third in her Gemma Woodstock series.

Stef Gemmill captivated young readers with her picture book, A Home for Luna, with another one due out in 2020.

Therese Spruhan made a splash with The Memory Pool, Australian stories of summer, sun and swimming.

Penelope Janu published her fourth novel, the rural romance Up on Horseshoe Hill, confirming her spot as one of Australia’s favourite authors.

And not to be outdone, Penelope’s daughter Tamsin Janu published her fifth book for children, Winston and the Wondrous Wooba Gymnastics Club.

Mandy Foot continued her phenomenal publishing success, releasing two more picture books, Joey and Riley and The Hip Hop Barn.

Fleur Ferris branched into middle-grade fiction with her tale of fairies and science Nullaboo Hullabaloo.

Sandie Docker charmed readers once again with feelgood romance The Cottage at Rosella Cove.

And Maggie Hutchings enchanted younger readers with her picture book adventure Mermaid!

Are you one of our graduates who has found success? We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at [email protected]

Meanwhile, our presenters have hardly been resting on their laurels. As well as providing brilliant courses, they’ve also been writing, editing and publishing. Here is just a sample of what they’ve been up to in 2019.

Lesley Gibbes went Searching for Cicadas in her beautiful non-fiction picture book. 

Natasha Lester’s The French Photographer wowed readers with her gorgeous tale inspired by true events.

Patti Miller’s extraordinary memoir, The Joy of High Places, interwove her own love of hiking with her brother’s story of recovery following a life-changing accident.

Zanni Louise delighted littlies with not one but two picture books in her Tiggy series, A Very Wobbly Tooth and A Hide and Seek Sleepover.

Kate Forsyth was absolutely unstoppable, publishing a novel, The Blue Rose, a picture book, Once,  and a collection of short stories, The Buried Moon.

Candice Fox was another publishing powerhouse, releasing three incredible thrillers, Gone by Midnight, Hush Hush, and The Inn.

David Leser brought out the much talked about Women Men and the Whole Damn Thing, exploring the #metoo movement with a fresh perspective.

And our very own Valerie Khoo along with Allison Tait ratcheted up another publication with the So You Want to be a Writer book.

Phew.

So in case you didn’t already know, our graduates and presenters are absolutely amazing. We can’t wait to see what they do in 2020!