Q: Why do the online courses have a specific start date?
A: The eight-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: What happens during the weekly Zoom sessions?
A: Participants can ask the tutor questions during the weekly Zoom sessions, which take place on Wednesday evenings 6:30-7.30pm AET. See the dates of your Zoom sessions on the course page.
Q: What does the online course content cover?
A: Each Monday during the course (excluding break weeks), a new lesson will be posted online. Participants will have the week to work through the content and post responses to exercises designed to put the theory you’re learning into practice. Participants will engage in giving and receiving peer feedback on writing exercises and receive some limited tutor feedback.
Q: What website do the online courses use?
A: Our online courses take place on Wet Ink, a website designed specifically for writers. Wet Ink allows you to post your 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: 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: One-week before the course starts, our professional development officer will send you an email with a link to set up your profile in Wet Ink. The content will then become available on the Monday that the course starts. Throughout the course, you can log in at wet.ink/writingnsw
Q: How much time will the coursework take?
A: Please expect to spend a minimum of 4 hours per week on the course (including the Zoom session), noting that the amount of time needed to read, respond to discussions, write, revise and critique will vary from person to person. You will also be working on your novel throughout the weeks, so will need to factor that time into the course.
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 happens at the end of the course?
A: At the end of the course, you will receive an HTML and PDF package that includes all the course material, including lessons and your writing and feedback.
Q: Are course dates, times and tutors subject to change?
A: Advertised dates and times of courses may change or be cancelled without warning. If this is the case, all reasonable attempts will be made to contact you via email and telephone. However, confirmation of starting time remains the responsibility of the student. Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances, we may have to replace a tutor with another experienced presenter. If this is the case, attendees will be notified in advance.
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: Is it possible to form a writers’ group with fellow writers after the course ends?
A: Absolutely, several of our courses have led to groups of participants forming their own writers’ groups, many of which still meet regularly. You can find out more on our website.
Q: What is the maximum number of participants in a course?
A: In general, we have a maximum of twenty people in this course.
Q: Can I enrol with only partial payment?
A: All participants must book and pay the course fee in advance to secure their place in the course. Anyone who has not enrolled and made payment prior to the course commencement date will not be permitted to attend.
Q: If I workshop a draft in this course, am I able to submit it to publishers?
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! If your manuscript is published after taking this course, please contact us to let us know.
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: 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.
Community Guidelines
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. Please contact us if you are concerned about any situation that may have arisen.
If you’re not sure if our online courses are right for you, please email our professional development officer to discuss your concerns via our online contact form.