Welcome to our June Newsletter.
One of the most important lessons in writing is learning how to move past self-doubt, to take action and start writing.
Many people wait for the perfect moment to begin, but the truth is, writing improves by doing the work, learning the craft and getting constructive feedback.
The art is in the doing.
Tomorrow, we’re excited to welcome a new group of writers into our Sydney Live-in-Studio Unlocking Creativity Course, with final places still available.
Winter is upon us and we know it gets cold and dark very early, but our Studio in Bronte is cosy and warm with real coffee, herbal teas and Tim Tams if you are brave enough to fight the elements.
If you’re looking for a clear, practical process to help you build confidence in your writing from the comfort of your home, our next Unlocking Creativity Online Course begins on the 18th of June. Book in as early as you can to secure your spot!
There’s no better time to take the leap and see where your writing can take you.
It may be the start of a new career, like that of Emma Lord, an alumna and former Writers’ Studio tutor, whose debut novel, Anomaly, published by Affirm Press, has won another major award.
This time, she has won the prestigious 2025 Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature award as part of the NSW Literary Awards. Congratulations Emma!
Read more about Emma and Anomaly below in Success Stories.
You can also read about Jelena Curic, whose debut novel, Sing to Me, will be published in September. Congratulations Jelena!
PITCHING DAY: Getting Your Story Out into the World
At the Writers’ Studio, we encourage all our writers to enjoy the creative journey and trust the process, whether you’re just starting out or deep into your novel or script.
But for most writers, the dream doesn’t stop at finishing a manuscript. The ultimate goal is to see your story out in the world, in readers’ hands, making an impact.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that registrations are now open for our second Pitching Your Novel Day Workshop, happening on Saturday the 21st of June. The workshop will feature two of Australia’s most respected literary agents: Lou Johnson and Jeanne Ryckmans, co-founders of Key People Literary Management.
The Pitching Your Novel Day will be a hybrid workshop offering both a tailored experience Live at our studio in Bronte, Sydney as well as Online via Zoom so you can attend from the comfort of your home.
With over 20 years of experience each in the publishing industry, Lou and Jeanne bring deep insight into what makes a story marketable, appealing, and compelling to readers and publishers alike.
What to Expect
This one-day live workshop is designed to help you:
- Understand what agents and publishers are looking for
- Learn how to craft and refine a pitch that does justice to your story
- Practice pitching one-on-one to either Lou or Jeanne and receive personalised feedback
- Gain clarity on your novel’s market positioning and audience appeal
Once your manuscript is complete and as strong as you can make it, you’ll have the opportunity to submit your novel to either Lou or Jeanne for consideration for representation using the submission guidelines provided in the course materials of the workshop.
Here’s what Lou had to say after our first Pitching Day:
“We were very impressed with the calibre of novels presented. Everyone had a strong sense of the story they wanted to tell and what made it compelling for readers. It was a pleasure to provide insight and guidance on creating effective pitches to give writers the best chance of finding a home for their work.”
Who Is It For?
This workshop is for Writers’ Studio course participants who have:
- Completed at least two of our Novel & Script courses
- Or are currently doing the Second Draft Course or beyond
Whether you’re nearing the finish line or still revising, this is a rare opportunity to learn how to take your project to the next level and give yourself the best chance of getting published.
The Pitching Your Novel Day Workshop is available Live-in-Studio or Online via Zoom, so you can join us from anywhere.
⇒ Click the links to find out more and secure your spot. Places are limited!
Intensive 6-Week Short Story Course
The 6-Week Short Story Character Development Course will keep your writing process alive and inspired as you learn some key story dynamics that will help you develop your characters, writing and storytelling skills.
It also gives writers considering the 10-Month Novel & Script First Draft Course an excellent opportunity to explore ideas before embarking on the longer journey of writing your novel or screenplay.
This comprehensive short story course starts on the 18th of June, designed for writers who have completed Unlocking Creativity and are looking to continue their writing journey. Book in as early as you can to secure your spot!
Success Stories
Sing To Me by Jelena Curic
Congratulations to Jelena Curic, an alumna of the Writers’ Studio, whose debut novel, Sing to Me has been acquired by Westwords Books and will be coming out in September!
Sing to Me tells the story of Pero, a Croatian immigrant, father, husband, musician, and philanderer who drinks too much and gambles the family’s income. When Yugoslavia’s President Tito dies and his mother’s health fails, Pero feels he must return “home”.
Traversing villages and cities hushed by the communist regime, revisiting the majestic waterfalls of Plitvice Jezera and the snow-covered peaks of the Velebit Mountains, Pero is compelled to face a past that he has tried to forget.
In Jelena’s words, “I was a writer with an idea, but I needed guidance. I found guidance by doing the Writers’ Studio’s First Draft Course. With the support of Jess, my mentor, I was able to accomplish a first draft that has now led to my debut novel being released in September through Westwords Books. Thank you to the Writer’s Studio you for providing exactly what I needed.”
Stay tuned for when it releases!
Anomaly by Emma Lord
Congratulations again to Emma Lord, an alumna and former Writers’ Studio tutor, whose debut novel, Anomaly, published by Affirm Press, has won another major award!
Not only has she won the 2025 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Writing for Young Adults, she has now won the prestigious 2025 Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature award worth $30,000 as part of the NSW Literary Awards.
In Emma’s words, “I had only the earliest inklings of Anomaly in my head when I began the First Draft Course at the Writers’ Studio. That course – and the subsequent Second and Third Draft courses – provided the framework I needed to explore the possibilities of my story without binding commitment to what I put on the page. In short – I was empowered to make a very big, very necessary mess!
“Each draft – and the encouraging feedback I received along the way – helped me refine my story possibilities, until the novel took on thematic layers and momentum. For me, the structure provided was the key to creative freedom and productivity. My time with Roland, Kathleen, and the wonderful tutors at the Writers’ Studio was an essential part of making Anomaly a reality – and now I’m implementing everything I learned for book two.”
Click here to buy Anomaly
Share the Good News!
If you have completed courses with the Writers’ Studio and 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!
Half Truth
Thanks to Penguin Random House, we have 2 copies of Writers’ Studio alumna, Nadia Mahjouri’s debut release, Half Truth, to give away!
A daughter searches for her father; a mother for her son.
Khadija, an elderly Moroccan woman is packing up her home, remembering her missing son. In Tasmania, Zahra is struggling with new motherhood, and travels to Morocco to search for her absent father. In Marrakech these women’s stories collide in a moving drama charting motherhood and loss, identity and belonging.
For your chance to win a copy of Nadia’s novel, email with your name, address, the book title and your mobile number to: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au
Recipes for Love and Murder: Series 2
Thanks to Acorn TV, we have 2 DVDs to give away to comedy, mystery series, Recipes for Love and Murder: Series 2.
Tannie Maria sees food as “medicine for the body and heart”. She envies romance as much as she enjoys cooking and eating. But it’s death that shakes up Tannie Maria’s life, when one of the correspondents to her column is brutally murdered.
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.
“I came to the course to learn how to structure a novel. But on completion of the course itself, it’s now apparent that I’ve learned so much more. I’ve learnt how to live a novel. To live with a story inside my head all day, every day. I’m now at the start of the next stage of this magical journey. I will finish it. Get published or die trying.” Sye, First Draft Live
“Recently, I completed the Unlocking Creativity Course and magic happened. I have started to write again, and the stories are continually whirling around in my head. I heartily recommend this course offered by The Writers Studio. In my case, I feel that it has delivered what it promised; my creativity feels unlocked.” Tracy, Unlocking Creativity Online
“It’s very addictive – that sense of moving and creating and recreating and discovering. It’s refreshing and profound at once. I never could have got this far. I’m right brained: I’m at A and I need to be at Z – I haven’t always got time to do the gluing bits between the walls. This has helped me go from ABC to XYZ a step at a time and it’s been a fabulous learning curve for me and quite amazing using my left brain for a change.” Elizabeth, Second Draft Online
“I’ve met a lovely community of people – all curious, courageous and supportive. I’ve discovered I do have ideas and I actually feel like I can write!” Mayeta, Unlocking Creativity Online
“Third Draft has improved my work technically to a high standard. The framework has given me the confidence and the tools to edit my work and give feedback in a very specific, well-articulated way. These tools have also released me from the perfectionist ‘Bad Fairy’ and allowed the good ‘Create Fairy’ space to play in the sandpit and have fun. I have learnt clarity over creativity which means what’s in my head lands on the page more often than not. I can’t imagine how anyone could write a novel without meaningful interactions with tutors and the intelligent readers that I had in my group. We have grown together, and I can’t wait to see their final manuscripts.” Chris, Third Draft Live
“The beautiful rush of writing is so intoxicating I wonder why I resisted so long. It turns out the course guidelines and prompts helped me find ways to connect and make more available the wonderful natural artistic process. Thank you so much to the Writers’ Studio family.” Gyan, Character Development
