If we told you there was one simple thing you could do which would take your writing to the next level – and you already knew how to do it, it was enjoyable, and could often be done for free – would you believe us? It’s one of the top
Anxiety is better recognised and understood than ever before, but for parents of teenagers struggling with anxiety it can still be hard to know how to help. One great way is to encourage them to express themselves via writing. Bestselling parenting book author Michael Grose shares with us some practical
Creative non-fiction is an increasingly popular genre for readers and writers alike. The real world can be stranger than fiction, and audiences are eager to learn and be entertained at the same time. If you’re searching for tips to make your creative non-fiction writing stand out, look no further: we’ve
Spending time reading aloud to a dog sounds like heaven to us here at AWC headquarters. But for kids in the Story Dogs program, it’s more than just puppy cuddles and books – it’s the key to improving literacy. Founded by Janine Sigley and Leah Sheldon in 2009, Story Dogs
What do you do if you love travelling, have a passion for books, and find yourself at a significant turning point in your life? For Kerry Ridley the answer was obvious: start a travelling bookshop! “The concept of starting a bookshop on wheels began a few years ago when I
By award-winning author, Allison Rushby. We’ve all been there. It’s Sunday. Your chores are done. Everyone else in the house has gone out. The dog/cat/ferret has been walked/played with/whatever you do with a ferret. You’ve got a few hours up your sleeve. Uninterrupted time! You were all set to write
For writers, self-editing is a crucial skill, especially if you’re planning to send your finished manuscript off to a publisher or enter it in a competition. Whether or not you have friends who can help you as beta readers, you need to be able to edit yourself well. The Australian
By Adrian Beck, author of the Derek Dool: Supercool series.
Making time to write is tough.
Making time to write when you have kids is an even bigger challenge.
But making time to write when you have kids (doing remote learning) whilst in the middle of a pandemic is MISSION IMPOSSIBLE! Well, nearly. But like Tom Cruise, I’ve found a way. And I also do all my own stunts.
Teenage writers are bursting with creativity and fresh perspective, but between the structure of the English curriculum and all their other work, sometimes writing falls by the wayside. If you have a talented teen you’d like to support as a writer – or you’re wondering how to get your teen
As writers, creativity is the lifeblood of our work. From searching for the truth of an idea, to understanding the motivations of a character, or simply moving words on a page to make the perfect phrase. Without it, we’d be lost but its value isn’t limited to just writing. Creativity
Australian Writers’ Centre CEO Valerie Khoo and bestselling author Allison Tait hosted the biggest party for the So you want to be a writer podcast community. The Block Party Facebook Live event attendees were invited to ask any burning questions they had about all things writing and publishing. With their
It can be hard to get cut-through with your new book with so many others competing for attention. If you’re stuck for ideas, here are 21 ways to spread the word about your book which are simple yet effective. Be active on social media. Make sure you have public accounts
The vast majority of authors who are starting out juggle their passion for writing with a day job. If you want to write a novel, you might wonder how to get that done when you’ve already got a bunch of other commitments. The authors we spoke to all combined day
Today, searching for a good book is easy to do since the internet is everywhere. Before we had the internet, people had to look for other options. Bookstores and libraries were easy places to get to for those who lived in town, but people who did not live in the
Your bookshelf can give people an insight into your soul. Big statement, we know. But your choice of books can reveal a lot about your passions, interests, hopes, fears – and everything in between. So we’re taking a peek at what some famous people have on their bookshelf. Global English
A guest post by Vanessa McCausland I have a theory that a big part of what makes someone a writer is what writing does for us. It’s an outlet. It’s a balm. For me, writing has always been a place where I can let all my emotions out. I’ve had
This is a guest post by Cassie Hamer Until two weeks ago, I’d never ever contemplated the idea of homeschooling my three daughters. Not once. Not ever. Never ever ever. Can I make that any clearer? Never. As an author and mum of three, school has been a life-saver. For
The team at the Australian Writers’ Centre are old hands at from working home. As we offer courses across Australia, we have staff all over the country. There are a lot of articles out there about how you can stay productive, organised and distraction-free – all while doing your job
Reading aloud with your kids is one of life’s most precious moments. It’s a special time to connect with your children or grandchildren, nieces, nephews and neighbours. There’s nothing like sitting down together to share storytime. If it’s been a while since you last had the chance to read with
Each month, members of the Freelance Writing Masterclass Program can join an “Ask Me Anything” session with Valerie Khoo, journalist, editor, and CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre. Participants have access to Valerie’s amazing wealth of knowledge, as they can literally ask her anything to do with the art and
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