Q: Why do the online courses have a specific start date?
A: The one-week and six-week online courses run in real time and are tutor-led courses. The lessons open on specific days, and you will respond to questions, discuss with your peers and post assignment responses during the scheduled time of the course. The tutor will guide discussions, respond to queries and give feedback on some writing submissions. 

Q: When are the lessons posted?
Each course delivers a number of set lessons which open on specific days. In a one-week course, there are 4-5 lessons, that open on specific mornings throughout the course. For six-week courses, a lesson will open every Monday morning. 

Q: Are there any live meetings or specific times I need to be available?
No. As the course content becomes available, you complete it in your own time. All lessons will stay open and available to engage with during the entire course schedule. Assignments will have due dates, but otherwise the material is yours to work through at your own pace. When the course finishes you will receive an archive of all the lessons, discussions, submissions and feedback.

Q: How much time will the coursework take?
A: For one-week courses, please expect to spend a minimum of six hours on the course throughout the week. We recommend logging in each day, however you don’t need to log in at a specific time. For six-week courses, we suggest spending three to four hours per week on the course. Please note that the amount of time needed to read, respond to discussions, write, revise and critique will vary from person to person.  

Q: If I workshop a draft in this course, am I able to submit it to publishers, journals or magazines for possible publication? 
A: Yes! One of the realities of being an engaged writer is sharing your work with other writers, receiving feedback and reworking through multiple drafts. We hope you’ll go on to have the writing you’ve workshopped in our online courses published – and we’d love to hear about it when you do!

Q: Is there a minimum age to enrol?
A: Yes. Unless otherwise specified, the minimum age for enrolment in our in-person and online courses is 18.

Q: Who can enrol? 
A: Anyone, anywhere who is writing in English. Please note, submission deadlines for online courses are based on the time zone for Sydney NSW (either AEST or AEDT, depending on the time of year).

Q: Does this course accept unlimited enrolments, or is there a maximum?
A: As this is an interactive course, there are limited places. Book early to avoid missing out.

Q: What level of computer skills do I need for this course? 
A: You’ll need basic confidence using computer software. If you can log in and navigate a website like Facebook, and you know how to copy and paste text, you should be able to use our online classroom.

If you’re unsure if you have the right level of computer skills for this course, you can contact us to chat with our professional development officer about your capabilities. You also might like to watch this video which will familiarise you with Wet Ink.

Q: What website does this course use?
A: Our online courses take place on Wet Ink, a website designed specifically for writers. Wet Ink allows you to post our writing, give and receive feedback, and discuss with your classmates, all on elegant and simple webpages. Watch the video below to familiarise yourself with Wet Ink.

Q: What are the community guidelines for participants?
A: Writing NSW is committed to fostering an inclusive and safe environment across its courses and other programs for writers. As a participant, you are expected to contribute to this by respecting the diverse backgrounds and experiences of other members of our community, (including race, gender, class, sexuality, faith, ability, etc.). When sharing work or making comments in forums, you should be careful to avoid anything that might have a harmful impact on your fellow participants. Writing NSW reserves the right to remove any submissions or comments that do not adhere to these guidelines. You can contact us if you are concerned about any situation that may have arisen.

Q: Should I be concerned about plagiarism?
A: Plagiarism is actually rare in the industry, and we’ve never had a complaint about it related to any of our classes. In fact, workshopping a draft in an online class is a good way to protect your ideas: it means you’ve got a whole group of people, including the tutor, who witnessed you post that work first.

Q: Can I use my smartphone or tablet for this course? 
A: Technically yes, but for the best experience we recommend you complete it on a laptop or desktop computer.

Q: Does this course require any social media accounts? 
A: No, this course is a self-contained online classroom.

Q: I’m enrolled in an online course. How do I find the website?
A: A week before course starts, our professional development officer will send you an email with a link to set up your profile in Wet Ink. Once you have created a profile, you can access the course. Throughout the course, you can log in at wet.ink/writingnsw

Q: After I enrol, when can I access the course?
A: Our courses are tutor-led and take place on a set schedule. For our instructional courses, you’ll receive an invitation to join the course a week before the start date.

Q: What happens at the end of the course?
A: At the end of the course, you will receive an email with a link that allows you to download an archive of all the course material, including lessons and your writing and feedback.

Q: Is it possible to form an online writers’ group with fellow writers after the course ends?
A: Absolutely. Several of our courses have led to informal online writers’ groups that generally involve peers exchanging drafts for feedback on a schedule that suits them. Writing NSW is also planning to provide more formal online writing group options in the near future.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Your enrolment is non-refundable. If you need to withdraw from a course, you must inform Writing NSW at least 14 days prior to course commencement to receive a full credit. Withdrawals made seven to thirteen days prior to course commencement will be eligible for a 50% credit. Any withdrawals made after this point will not be eligible for credit.