Learn Online and On-Demand
Writing NSW continues to expand our range of online learning options, including our on-demand courses — learning you can do at any time and at your own pace, at an affordable price. With on-demand courses, you can learn from anywhere (with reliable internet access), and work at your own pace and to your own schedule. If you’re a Writing NSW member, contact us to receive a discount code.
Novel Writing Fundamentals with Emily Maguire
Always wanted to write a novel? This practical, easy-to-follow course offers everything you need to get started. In this self-paced, on-demand course, you’ll find a range of tools and techniques that we all have available to us as writers, with discussion about when and how to use them. Understanding how various tools and techniques can be applied will help you to make the right choices as you move forward with your novel.
In this three-hour course from award-winning novelist Emily Maguire, you will:
- Develop an understanding of how to craft a simple plot outline
- Learn and practise the basics of character, setting and point of view
- Complete a variety of writing exercises to build your novel-writing skills.
This course is designed for aspiring and emerging writers of novels who are looking for an encouraging and practical guide to the fundamentals of writing a novel.
This on-demand course is available at any time, whenever you’re ready. Enrol now >>
Level: Aspiring
Full Price: $79 / Member Price: $59 — Contact Writing NSW for your discount code. Not a member? Join here.
This short, on-demand course is a fantastic introduction to Emily Maguire’s annual ‘Year of the Novel’ course at Writing NSW, which regularly sells out. If you’re interested to find out more about future iterations of Year of the Novel, join the waitlist here.
About the tutor:
Emily Maguire is the author of six novels and three non-fiction books, and an experienced teacher and mentor to young and emerging writers. Her novels have been translated into 12 languages and her articles, essays and reviews have been published widely. She is a 2010 and 2013 Sydney Morning Herald Young Novelist of the Year and was the 2018/2019 Writer-in-Residence at the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney. Her latest book is the novel Love Objects. Find her website at emilymaguire.com.au.
Editing and Submitting Your Picture Books with Aleesah Darlison
- Complete guided exercises to take your picture book story to the next level — submission standard!
- Discover the best ways to test your work and how to format your manuscript to a professional standard
- Learn how to find and approach suitable Australian publishers for your work
This on-demand course is available at any time, whenever you’re ready. Enrol now >>
About the tutor:
Aleesah Darlison writes picture books, chapter books, novels and series for children. Her story themes include courage, understanding, self-belief, friendship and environmental issues. She has won several awards for her writing and has had numerous short stories, articles and book reviews published across various mediums.
How to Write Sex Scenes with Krissy Kneen
- face any fears you might have about writing sex scenes, erotica or literotica
- unpack the language of sex through close readings and exercises
- develop a writing practice through a series of generative exercises
This course is designed for all types of writers, both fiction and non-fiction. Through a series of lessons, examples and practical exercises, you’ll gain new insights into writing sex scenes.
This on-demand course is available at any time, whenever you’re ready. Enrol now >>
Level: Aspiring/Emerging/Developing
Full price: $79 / Member price: $59 — Contact Writing NSW for your discount code. Not a member? Join here.
About the tutor:
Krissy Kneen is the author of the bestselling memoir Affection, the novels Steeplechase, Triptych, The Adventures of Holly White and the Incredible Sex Machine, the Thomas-Shapcott-Award-winning poetry collection Eating My Grandmother, and An Uncertain Grace, which was shortlisted for the Stella Prize, the Norma K Hemming Award and the Aurealis awards.
Getting Started with Short Stories with Ryan O’Neill
Writing short fiction is a great way to develop your creative writing skills. As well as being an art form in its own right, short fiction can be a laboratory for you to try out new and strange ideas; it can be a training ground in which you can build up your writing muscles before attempting a longer form such as a novel; and it can be a playground, in which you can have lots of fun.
- learn the most important elements that make up a short story: setting, characterisation, point of view and plot
- find reading recommendations and writing advice, including how to spark story ideas
- complete a variety of writing exercises to build your short fiction skills
This on-demand course is available at any time, whenever you’re ready. Enrol now >>
Level: Aspiring/Emerging
Full price: $79 / Member price: $59 — Contact Writing NSW for your discount code. Not a member? Join here.
About the tutor:
Ryan O’Neill is the author of two short story collections. His latest, Their Brilliant Careers, won the 2017 Prime Minister’s Literary Award, and was shortlisted for the 2017 Miles Franklin Award.
Developing Your Voice in Fiction and Non-Fiction with Lee Kofman
Above all, it’s a writer’s voice that makes a literary work truly gripping. Learn from Lee Kofman, author of three fiction books and two memoirs, and editor of two anthologies of personal essays. In this three-hour course, you will:
- unpack macro and micro aspects of voice in writing
- develop the sound and flow of your own unique voice
- learn strategies to continue to hone your voice.
This workshop is designed for both fiction and creative non-fiction writers, to help you to develop your voice and/or sustain it through a series of theoretical and practical suggestions, writing examples and exercises.
This on-demand course is available at any time, whenever you’re ready. Enrol now >>
Level: Aspiring/Emerging/Developing
Full price: $79 / Member price: $59 — Contact Writing NSW for your discount code. Not a member? Join here.
About the tutor:
Dr Lee Kofman is an Israeli-Australian author of three fiction books and two memoirs: Imperfect, which was shortlisted for the Nib Literary Award 2019, and The Dangerous Bride. She is also co-editor of Rebellious Daughters and editor of Split, both anthologies of personal essays by prominent Australian authors. Split was longlisted for a 2020 ABIA Award.
Writing and Editing Digital Texts with Pamela Hewitt
Today, writers need to understand the digital world and decide how they want to participate in it. You don’t need to be a techie to publish and publicise your text on a variety of digital platforms. Learn from accredited editor Pamela Hewitt, who has worked in editing and publishing for over 25 years.
Working through the practical, hands-on exercises in this course, you will:
- understand current digital technology
- learn strategies for presenting your blog or podcast or story on a range of screens
- explore the digital possibilities for texts you’ve already written, in any subject area and genre
- gain insights into the pros and cons of self-publishing
This on-demand course is available at any time, whenever you’re ready. Enrol now >>
Level: All levels
Full Price: $149 / Member Price: $109 — Contact Writing NSW for your discount code. Not a member? Join here.
About the tutor:
Pamela Hewitt is an accredited editor and qualified teacher, who has worked in editing and publishing for over 25 years. After an in-house career in educational and academic editing, she established a freelance editorial practice focusing on memoir, fiction and creative non-fiction.
Revising Your Short Stories with Roanna Gonsalves
Enhance your understanding of the short story form and refine your craft in order to create engaging and delightful short stories. In this self-paced, on-demand course, you’ll develop specific skills and insights into short story writing, including how to understand the shape of stories, and how to use language more creatively. As you progress through the course, you’ll undertake a series of exercises to refine an early draft of a short story. Be prepared to ‘kill your darlings’ and to do lots of writing.
In this three-hour course from award-winning short story author Roanna Gonsalves, you will:
- Learn how to think about the shape of short stories
- Develop your ability to use fresh language and avoid clichés
- Complete a variety of exercises to refine an early draft of a short story
This course is appropriate for writers who have completed at least one short story draft, and who want to sharpen their creative writing skills through revision and redrafting.
This on-demand course is available at any time, whenever you’re ready. Enrol now >>
Level: All levels
Full Price: $79 / Member Price: $59 — Contact Writing NSW for your discount code. Not a member? Join here.
About the tutor:
Roanna Gonsalves is the author of The Permanent Resident and creator of the ABC radio series On the tip of a billion tongues. She holds a PhD and teaches creative writing in communities and schools across Australia and the US.
Getting Started with Picture Books with Aleesah Darlison
If you’re interested in writing picture books for the first time, or if you’ve started a few drafts and are looking for some inspiration and guidance, this course is for you!
Through advice and exercises, Aleesah Darlison will explain the picture book genre for you and demystify the process of beginning to write these joyous yet challenging stories. This self-paced course will provide an initial overview of the genre and assist you in getting your ideas down on paper and moving forward with those stories to mould them into shape.
This on-demand course is available at any time, whenever you’re ready. Enrol now >>
Level: Aspiring
Full Price: $79 / Member Price: $59 — Contact Writing NSW for your discount code. Not a member? Join here.
About the tutor:
Aleesah Darlison writes picture books, chapter books, novels and series for children. Her story themes include courage, understanding, self-belief, friendship and environmental issues. She has won several awards for her writing and has had numerous short stories, articles and book reviews published across various mediums.
More from Writing NSW
Check out our full range of in-person writing courses in Sydney, our online writing courses and our feedback programs to see how we can help you on your writing journey. Find out about our grants and prizes, as well as writing groups across NSW, and sign up to our weekly newsletter for writing events, opportunities and giveaways.