Welcome to our October Newsletter.
We hope you are enjoying the burst of spring sunshine after all the rain we’ve had.
A quick reminder: our 2025 Short Story Competition is still open, but not for long. Entries close on 31 October 2025, so if you’ve been polishing a piece from one of our Short Story Courses or working on something on your own, now is the time to share it. You’ll find all the details below.
To those of you who have just started writing with us in Unlocking Creativity Online, welcome. We hope you’re already feeling the spark that comes from making writing and creativity a part of your life.
And those who started writing the first draft of their novels and screenplays with us last week, you will be going on a profound creative journey and we look forward to seeing your stories develop and unfold in the coming months.
Why Not Knowing is Part of the Creative Process
At the Writers’ Studio, we often say that writing is not about coming up with the perfect idea. It’s about committing to the process and discovering your story along the way.
Comedy legend John Cleese puts it like this: “Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating.”
Cleese argues that creativity is not an inborn gift, but a mindset. It’s a willingness to slow down, stay open to uncertainty, and resist the urge to grab the first easy solution. This is true whether you’re writing a comedy sketch, a novel, or a screenplay.
“The most creative people are prepared to tolerate the discomfort of indecision for much longer in order to come up with something really original.”
That discomfort, of not knowing where a story is going, of doubting your characters, of hitting dead ends, is not a sign that you’re failing. It’s a sign you’re doing the work.
Writing is a process of discovery.
One of the biggest blocks for writers is the belief that a story should arrive fully formed. That you need to have the perfect idea, plot, or character before you start. But at the Writers’ Studio, we teach that writing is a four-part process: planning, writing, rewriting, and editing.
Each stage offers a chance to discover something deeper. When you commit to that process and allow your creative instincts room to breathe, surprising things happen. The characters start to speak. The structure sharpens. Themes emerge. And the story you thought you were telling transforms into something more powerful.
Lean into the problem.
Cleese says the secret to his success was being willing to sit with the problem longer than others. This mirrors what Pixar’s Ed Catmull says about storytelling:
“All writers, no matter how talented, get lost. The key is to keep going—reworking, revising, iterating until the story takes shape.”
Creativity isn’t a talent. It’s a way of operating.
The Writers’ Studio Short Story Competition 2025
A reminder that our annual Short Story Competition is open for submissions!
The Writers’ Studio Short Story Competition is open to anyone aged 18 and over. Writers can write to any theme.
DEADLINE: 5pm AEST, Friday, 31 October 2025
First Prize $1000 | Second Prize: $400 | Third Prize: $200
The Top 3 Winning Entries will be published on The Writers’ Studio website.
Intensive 6-Week Short Story Course
The 6-Week Short Story Genre Course will keep your writing process alive and inspired as you learn some key story dynamics within the framework of four key genres. By learning the basics of the various genres you can add drama, depth and resonance to your characters and stories.
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 29th of October, designed for writers who have completed Unlocking Creativity and are looking to continue their writing journey. Enrol 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 published by Westwords Books and is out now!
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.”
Click here to buy Sing to Me
Shadows Beneath the Surface by Jack Dempsey
Congratulations to Jack Dempsey, an alumnus of the Writers’ Studio, whose thriller novel, Shadows Beneath the Surface, is out now!
What would you do if pressing a button meant people died?
Frank Bargen thought he was just following orders—until one explosion destroys everything. Now the coverup spreads, colleagues watch, family suspects, and guilt eats him alive. Secrets won’t stay buried.
Trust twists into a weapon. A chilling psychological thriller where conscience shatters—and no one walks away clean.
In Jack’s words, “My time at the Writers Studio was invaluable. I loved the sense of camaraderie there, which made the writing journey feel supported and inspiring. Under the guidance of outstanding instructors — especially Kelly Rigby — I gained fresh insight into plot structure and discovered new depth in my storytelling. Perhaps the most profound impact was the permission I felt to continue pursuing my writing. That encouragement ultimately led me to complete and publish my book, Shadows Beneath the Surface — an achievement I will always be grateful for. The Writers Studio truly changed my life as a writer.”
Click here to buy Shadows Beneath the Surface
Cockatoo Cove by Maya Linnell
Congratulations to Maya Linnell, an alumna of the Writers’ Studio, whose latest novel, Cockatoo Cove has been published by Allen & Unwin and is out now!
Maggie West has worked tirelessly to prove herself, establishing a successful cattle stud whilst juggling family pressures. Scottish winemaker Fergus Abernathy is thriving on the Limestone Coast, though he longs for his family back in Scotland to join him.
Misunderstandings and long-held secrets test Maggie and Fergus as a vital community fundraiser hangs in the balance. Set against stunning wine country and rugged coastlines, Cockatoo Cove celebrates resilience, love, and life on the land.
In Maya’s words, “I always knew I wanted to write a book, but the idea of a framework made me more confident to start the journey. My tutors were my cheerleaders throughout the process. The course gave me a great insight into the classic novel structure, with great hints, tools and suggestions along the way, and the all-important accountability.”
Click here to buy Cockatoo Cove
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 love 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.”
Giveaways!
The Peak
Thanks to HarperCollins, we have 3 copies of Writers’ Studio alumnus, Sam Guthrie’s debut novel, The Peak, to give away!
The Peak is a nail-biting and unputdownable read, a powerfully taut, gripping and fast-moving international thriller that weaves a story of friendship, love and betrayal together with the ruthless geopolitics of China’s rise, set in the last 24 hours of the world as we know it.
For your chance to win a copy of Sam’s novel, email with your name, address, the book title and your mobile number to: rsvp@writerstudio.com.au
Dark Winds: Season 3
Thanks to AMC, we have 5 DVDs to give away to mystery-filled crime drama series Dark Winds: Season 3.
Set in 1971 on a remote outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Dark Winds follows Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and his new Deputy Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) of the Tribal Police as they are besieged by a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other and their own personal demons on the path to salvation.
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 would never have been able to make this novel what it is without guidance on the structural elements, prompts and encouragement to dig deep and plough on. I especially love the focus on bringing out values and themes that matter and can move the reader on a deep level. I will never forget the immense satisfaction of finishing that last scene of my first draft – it was like floating on air.” Natalie, First Draft Course
“It’s been a wild ride on the genre train as I have gone into each different one doubting and second guessing myself. But with each experience and other’s feedback I have learnt more and more and each new story seems to fill its self out. The feedback has been so valuable.” Alex, Short Story – Genre
“This course has been nothing short of life changing – the core teaching seems to be how best to get out of one’s way! It’s taught me so much; the discipline of writing each day, the act of writing for its own pleasure, not for a reward. It’s drawn back the curtain so to speak on the mechanisms of storytelling a bit like the great reveal in the Wizard of Oz. It’s liberating, turns out creativity can be learned, and this is where it happens. Do it!” Thomas, Unlocking Creativity Live
“I’m amazed how much I have learnt and how well the other course writers have come on. It is so well structured and paced that it has taken a bunch of nervous, novice writers through the various steps to provide some fascinating scenes and sketches. I have been totally absorbed in the whole process and now intend to go on with this, It has been excellent. I can really recommend it.” Bill, Unlocking Creativity Online
“Second Draft was spectacular and I loved it. Hard as it was, it really tightened up my story and gave me the big picture view which then became my story bible. And Emily’s energy kept us all going especially during the hard parts. She was truly amazing.” Jasmina, Second Draft Course
“It’s true what they say, the work we produce at the end of Third Draft Part One is so much better than the work we created at the start. I can see it in my groups work and in my own. It makes me excited to see what else I might be able to produce, intrigued by where my writing might go, how much better and more effective it might be.” Chelsea, Third Draft Course
