Welcome to our December Newsletter!
We are excited to announce the winners of our 2024 Short Story Competition – please see all details below and the link to read the winning entries!
We also want to extend to you our very best wishes for a safe, happy & relaxing Christmas and New Year with your family and friends.
We are excited to share everything we have in store for 2025, including our second annual Pitching Day with two fabulous literary agents, Lou Johnson and Jeanne Ryckmans.
For anyone who dreams of writing a novel of a screenplay, our 10-Month Novel & Script First Draft Online Course starts Wednesday 5 March 2025. The Live-in-Studio Course commences Saturday 8 March.
For writers who want to kick start the new year with a fresh approach to their writing, our 4-Week Unlocking Creativity Online Course starts Wednesday 22 January. The Live-in-Studio Course commences Thursday 16 January.
Unlocking your creativity is the best gift you can give yourself.
We wish everyone a peaceful and joyful festive season leading into a productive and creative new year.
Courage and Creativity
As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible creative journeys all our writers have embarked on over the last twelve months.
Whether you’re crafting a short story, creating your novel, memoir or screenplay, this is a testament to your courage, determination and commitment that lays the foundation for creating a compelling story that other people will want to read.
Caroline Myss, in her ground breaking book Sacred Contracts, captures the heart of this journey:
“You are not born knowing how great an artist you could be in this lifetime. In order to discover your potential, you have to learn to act with courage, self-confidence and faith.
“These are potentials you need to discover within yourself. These are spiritual qualities that must be earned. Like characters in mythic stories, we are meant to struggle to make the right choices.
“Our creative potential calls us to rise above the self’s basic need for survival in the physical world. We’re called to grow beyond our self.”
Every time you confront the blank page, wrestle with story problems, or delve into the depths of your imagination and characters, you’re answering that call to adventure to grow beyond yourself. You’re developing those essential ingredients of a writer – your courage, self-belief and faith—qualities that must be earned through effort, daring and perseverance.
At the Writers’ Studio, we often talk about writing as a journey—not just of storytelling, but of self-discovery and growth that every writer goes on when writing their story.
Like the characters we create, we rise to meet the challenges before us. That’s where the learning and growth happens and that’s what makes the process of writing fiction so rewarding and transformative.
Thank you for letting us share in your journey, for trusting us to guide you, and for showing up for your creative work with passion and persistence.
As we look ahead to the new year, we hope you take a moment to honour how far you’ve come, no matter where you are in your writing journey. Each step forward is a victory and takes you closer to your goal.
For those of you who haven’t yet began your creative journey with us, writing fiction is a great adventure. There’s no perfect time to start. When you are ready, we’d love to have you join us and help you make your writing goals a reality.
If your dream is to write our courses will get you doing it.
Upcoming Xmas-January Break
Our tutors will be heading off on their annual Xmas-January break from Friday 20 December and back on Monday 20 January.
Some tutors may come back earlier and will be in touch with you directly about their individual holiday schedules.
The Studio office will close on Tuesday 24 December and reopen on Monday 6 January.
Please note that your course materials and your Boards will be available over the break.
Congratulations To Our Competition Winners!
We are very excited to announced the winners of the Writers’ Studio 2024 Short Story Competition.
We were thrilled with both the quality and number of entries received.
Winners
1st Prize – The Vape Lord of Queanbeyan by Omar Musa
2nd Prize – Amber Sky by Deborah Carrington
3rd Prize – Short Story by Carola Bieniek
Read the Winning Entries here!
Short List (in no order)
Duckling by Kristen River
Further than just here by Liv Declerck
Good Neighbours by Danielle de Natris
Ingrained by Claire Denness
Regarding the Accidental Deaths due to Product Malfunction by Jonathon Schmidt
The Barber’s Wife by Natalie Young
The Boot by Juliet Hill
The Broken Fixer by Fernanda Ladeira
The Foxes by Annette Kwan
The Midwife Roslyn Millar
Long List (in no order)
Business by Benn Joiner
Corridini by Paul Best
Devils in the detail by Nick Benecke
Dog Tears by Rhys Binney
Fifteen by Stephanie Basile
I Am Darius by Gayle Beveridge
The Elf King by Andrew Brown
The Medium by Tao Lee
The Wallet by James Hughes
The Will by Kate Matcham
Commended (in no order)
A Slow Train to Melbourne by Ineke Blakeman
Bird Face by Sarah Wood
Cú Sidhe by Roisin Quinn
Drumbeat by Nikki McWatters
Lady Chatterley in Zagreb by Aneta Marovich
Spit In My Mouth by Ella T Holmes
The Italian Marketplace by Jenny Susanto-Lee
The Last New Friend by Tatia Power
The Lonely Sea and The Sky by Wendy Levy
The Penfriend by Jo Stubbings
Christmas Gift Certificates!
Did you know we offer gift certificates for both the Unlocking Creativity Online and Live-in-Studio courses?
If you are thinking about creative Christmas presents, this would be an excellent gift for any writer and creative in your life!
You might have a loved one who has been wanting to write but needs a push, or is wanting to develop their writing further. Unlocking Creativity is the perfect stepping stone in helping them achieve their goals. Plus, it is such a generous act to support people in realising their creative dream.
The Certificate will arrive almost instantly in your inbox. Valid for 3 years, the recipient will have the choice to select the course dates that suit them!
Purchase your Unlocking Creativity Gift Certificate here.
Success Stories
Between Husbands and Wives by Susannah Glenn
Congratulations to Susannah Glenn, an alumna of the Writers’ Studio, whose debut novel, Between Husbands and Wives, has been published by Pantera Press!
After a tragic car accident leaves Jennifer Ashby haunted by guilt, she persuades her husband, Jon, to move to the beautiful but wild Daintree region for a fresh start.
As Jon spends long hours at his new job and Jennifer makes plans to absolve her lingering guilt, cracks begin to form in their idyllic new life. Will the shadow of their past continue to haunt them? Will their dark secret be exposed?
Click here to buy Between Husbands and Wives
Cry Out in Silence by Carol Rozzoli
We are privileged to share the news that beloved alumna, Carol Rozzoli’s debut novel, Cry Out in Silence, has been published by IngramSpark!
When Sean, a twelve-year-old boy from a Catholic orphanage, dies mysteriously, his art teacher, Caitlin Cheney, confronts a web of secrecy about his death.
Cover ups, secrecy and abuse … can a young boy’s drawings lead Caitlin to his killer?
Carol Rozzoli’s Writing Journey
Her writing journey began with our Unlocking Creativity course, where her enthusiasm inspired her husband Kevin to join her in the Novel course. It was one of the greatest experiences of their life together and, as they proceeded through the three stages of the course, their respective novel’s took shape.
Carol was however beset with some severe medical problems so her process of refining the structure of her novel was interrupted on several occasions. But life was never meant to be easy, and just as she had commenced the process of finding a publisher, her son died from a heart attack. The devastating effect of this halted the progress of finding a publisher.
Carol passed away two years ago and therefore could not see her book published, but Kevin was determined that it should receive the recognition it deserved and the book is now available to the public.
Cry Out in Silence is now available, a testament to Carol and Kevin’s love, perseverance and resilience. Kevin’s own novel is set to follow soon.
Click here to buy Cry Out in Silence
Halloween Horrors by Matt Bray
Congratulations to Matt Bray, an alumnus of the Writers’ Studio, whose short story has been published in eerie fundraising anthology, Halloween Horrors!
Enter, if you dare, a world where the eerie and macabre meets the spine-tingling and unexpected.
From ghostly encounters to sinister secrets, these twelve terrifying Halloween tales explore the darkest corners of the human psyche, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and threatening to disrupt your dreams.
In Matt’s words, “I had my first short story published! It’s the first ever accepted, so I thought I’d share it here. I think my other short literature has been rejected 50 times plus. But finally had a yes.
“Thanks to everything you have taught me, my stories have changed a lot since I’ve done the course: I have now been a finalist in the Crystal Lake Publishing magazine short story contest twice and I have some flash fiction to be published in another anthology in Feb.”
Click here to buy Halloween Horrors
Share the Good News!
If you’ve earned recognition for your writing in competitions or received awards, we’d like to showcase and celebrate your accomplishments!
Please share a brief note along with relevant details or links to wstudio@writerstudio.com.au with the subject line “Success Stories.”
We look forward to showcasing your achievements.
Giveaways!
The Truth About My Daughter
Thanks to Hawkeye Publishing, we have 3 copies of Writers’ Studio alumna, Jo Skinner’s debut novel, The Truth About My Daughter, to give away!
Sisters Fin and George Steinbauer navigate their love/hate relationship growing up in a highly dysfunctional family.
Their father moves them to an isolated property where his dreams to create an idyllic retreat crumble while his family tiptoe around his unpredictable moods.
Steinbauer family history is rewritten even while it is happening until it becomes difficult to recall which bits are fabricated or embellished.
You can watch the book trailer here
For your chance to win, email with your name, address, the book titles and your mobile number to: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au
Signora Volpe: Series 2
Thanks to Acorn TV, we have 5 DVDs to give away to must-see crime drama, Signora Volpe: Series 2.
Ex-spy Sylvia Fox (Emilia Fox) has embraced life in Italy, reconnecting with her sister and falling for the handsome Capitano Riva. But soon she’s investigating a murder, going undercover for MI6, and fighting for her life against an old foe.
You can watch the trailer here
For your chance to win, email with your name, address, the series title and your mobile to: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au
Magic Beach
Take a trip with the ones you love. Thanks to Madman Entertainment, we have 5 double passes to give away to the film, Magic Beach.
Alison Lester’s much-loved illustrated children’s book is reimagined for the screen through a unique mix of live action entwined with extraordinary animated stories from ten leading Australian animators. In Australian cinemas from January 16, 2025.
After reading the iconic book by Alison Lester, nine children and a dog find themselves on the titular Magic Beach.
They explore caves, build giant sandcastles, poke around rock pools and converse with sea creatures. This is where their animated imaginations begin…
You can watch the trailer here
For your chance to win, email with your name, address, the series title and your mobile to: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au
Recent Course Feedback
Some snippets of the wonderful feedback that we receive back from recently completed courses. We update these each newsletter.
“The whole course has been a great experience. Way beyond my expectations. Can’t wait to start the next one!” Mardi, Unlocking Creativity Online
“Almost two years ago I enrolled in your Unlocking Creativity Course and my life changed. My abilities and beliefs have indeed improved, but the greatest gift you have given me is that writing brings me joy, absolute joy! I have moved from doubt and insecurity to a place of joy and self-acceptance. The essence of what it means to be a writer to me is about embracing the process for its own sake rather than for external validation. Creativity can flourish when we allow ourselves the freedom to explore and express without fear, and The Writer’s Studio has not only allowed me but encouraged me to do so.” Angela, Second Draft
“The course has not only taught me about writing and how best to structure and execute stories, but also and possibly more importantly, it has taught me ways to tackle my inner critique.” Zoe, Unlocking Creativity Live
“This course has given me permission, structure, tools, great feedback and a community. I wouldn’t have written a word of this story – or even found it – if I hadn’t started on this journey with the Writers’ Studio. That’s the truth. And I’m eternally grateful.” Mary-Anne, Third Draft Part 1
“Thanks to everything you have taught me, my stories have changed a lot since I’ve done the course: I have now been a finalist in the Crystal Lake Publishing magazine short story contest twice and I have some flash fiction to be published in another anthology in Feb. All great prep for my long fiction.” Matt, Unlocking Creativity
“The Second Draft Course has been fantastic in guiding me along the process and keeping me going with a plan in mind rather than helplessly editing my first draft (as I’d spent a year between courses doing). I feel much more content that there is a coherent structure to it and better able to play further with that from here on. The course has given me confidence in my story and my story telling ability. The support from my tutor and fellow writers has all been helpful in keeping me positive and moving forward. It finally feels like a story that I would be proud to put out there and share with others.” Danielle, Second Draft