The perfect three-month course for people who wish to write picture books.

Children are discerning readers, and the children’s publishing industry is highly competitive. To write a children’s picture book that will stand out on a publisher’s desk, and then on bookstore shelves, you need to be aware of what is already out there, while creating something that reflects your personality.

Securing a literary agent is often an important step towards publication, with an agent acting as an intermediary between writer and publisher. But how do you know if you’re ready to submit your manuscript to an agent for consideration? It is hard for any writer to know if their work is really ready – an opinion from an expert is invaluable.

Securing a literary agent is often an important step towards publication, with an agent acting as an intermediary between writer and publisher. But how do you know if you’re ready to submit your manuscript to an agent for consideration? It is hard for any writer to know if their work is really ready – an opinion from an expert is invaluable.

Write your novel, discover your readers and meet with industry insiders

For aspiring and emerging novelists ready to dive in and commit to completing a full manuscript, this online course will guide you through the process of planning and beginning your novel, developing essential skills in writing, while establishing a dedicated writing practice.

For aspiring literary nonfiction writers ready to leap in and get serious, this course will guide you through the process of planning and beginning your manuscript. You will develop key skills in collecting information, storytelling, reviewing material, and establishing a dedicated writing practice. Whether you are planning to write first-person memoir or deeply-researched reportage, this course will help you find the best way to present your facts.

Crime Fiction not only spans genres and age groups, its protagonists can range from hardboiled to cosy, professional to amateur, and from the innocent to the guilty. Since the Golden Age of crime writing the genre has remained hugely popular, featuring in bestseller lists and often making the leap to movie and television screens.

In this course, Oscar Schwartz—a freelance writer with bylines in The New York Times, Harper’s Magazine, The Monthly, among other Australian and international publications—will teach you how to turn an idea into a compelling pitch for publication.

Nonfiction can, in many cases, be sold to a publisher off the strength of a book proposal and a set of sample chapters. In this intensive, practical program you will be taught the essentials of putting together a solid working document to show to agents and publishers as a ‘proof of concept.’

Project plan your manuscript with one-on-one consultations with a leading writer.

You will be paired with a leading author for a series of fortnightly one-on-one consultation sessions to discuss your work, and help you negotiate the roadblocks and challenges you might be facing.