We chatted to experienced editor and publisher Linda Funnell, ahead of her course Online Feedback: Manuscript Development, about what she looks for in a great manuscript, what makes a good relationship between a writer and their editor, and what she’s reading at the moment.

We asked author Ryan O’Neill to recommend a couple of his favourite short stories, ahead of his course Online Feedback: Short Stories, and he responded with some crackers. All stories are available to read online, so you can see what the fuss is about.

We chatted to songwriter, poet and novelist Pip Smith, ahead of her course Online: Poetry, about what helps her get ideas onto the page, where to find your writing community and how poetry can wake language like nothing else.

We spoke to best-selling author Patti Miller, ahead of her online course, Writing Memoir – Advanced, about what attracts her to the genre, the pitfalls that can trap memoir writers, and her favourite pieces of writing.

We chatted to Benjamin Law, ahead of his course Online: Writing Narrative Journalism, about putting yourself in the story and journalists he loves to read.

We chatted to award-winning author Marianne Delacourt, ahead of her course Online: Crime Writing starting on Monday 22 June, about writing across different genres, her writing process and what she loves in a good crime novel.

We chatted to book publisher, editor and consultant Joel Naoum, ahead of his course Online: Self Publish Your Book,  starting 7 September, on what inspired his career in books, myths about self-publishing and what he’s reading at the moment.

We chatted to children’s book author and industry expert Mark Macleod on learning from your contemporaries, embracing failures and being a team player when it comes to creating a picture book, ahead of his course Online Feedback: Children’s Books, starting Monday 27 April.