(Be sure to bookmark this list as it will be updated as new events are announced.)

Derwent Valley Writers' Festival, TAS
27–29 May 2022
The inaugural Derwent Valley Writers’ Festival is a celebration of all things story, held in the beautiful Derwent Valley just half an hour north of Hobart. They invite story-lovers of all ages and abilities to gather in the historic setting of the Barracks Art Gallery for a weekend of local literary fun.

BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, Online
5x Thursdays 6-7pm: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 June 2022
The BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival is an annual event that explores what crime can tell us about human beings today and in the past. Speakers include writers, reporters and film-makers, and professionals from the justice system such as detectives, judges and psychologists.

South Coast Writers Festival, Wollongong NSW
3–5 June 2022
Readings, conversations, panels, and book launches in venues across Wollongong Town Hall, Library, and Art Gallery. Discover new Australian writing by talented authors in our region and beyond including Jane Caro, Dinuka McKenzie, Scott Ludlam and many more.

Words on the Waves Writers Festival, Umina NSW
3–6 June 2022
The inaugural Words on the Waves Writers Festival will be held on the scenic Central Coast, NSW with storytelling and energising conversations, book
signings with your favourite authors, workshops, a kids’ program and more.

Henry Lawson Festival, Grenfell NSW
9–13 June 2022
Grenfell hosts the annual Henry Lawson Festival on the June long weekend. The festival promotes and recognises aspiring Australians in their artistic endeavours. Entries are received nationally for verse, short story, painting and photography, and performers travel vast distances to participate in the festival year after year.

Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival, Bellingen NSW
10–12 June 2022
With a focus on contemporary Australian writers, this festival will be presenting an exciting line-up of literary talent, workshops, readings, and displays over the June long weekend in this picturesque NSW river town.

Greek-Australian Writers’ Festival, Little Bay NSW
12 June 2022
The 40th Greek Festival of Sydney is devoting a day to presentations of recently-published books in English by Greek-Australian writers. Although very different in style and content, all the books are united by common themes of migration, displacement and identity.

Emerging Writers Festival, Melbourne VIC
15–25 June 2022
This is one of Australia’s most established and well-respected literary festivals – existing to develop, nurture and promote Australia’s new writing talent, creating platforms for connecting writing communities and their audiences.

NT Writers Festival, Darwin NT
23–26 June 2022
Held annually, this festival’s location alternates between Darwin and Alice Springs – this year it’s in Garrmalang Darwin – taking place across four days at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in The Gardens and emphasising Australia’s cultural and linguistic diversity through unique immersive experiences.

Kids and YA Festival, Lilyfield NSW
25 June 2022
Now in its eleventh year, the 2022 Kids & YA Festival will be bigger and brighter than ever before. This year’s festival will examine emerging trends, engage with celebrated authors, and offer informative and inspiring sessions on writing for children and young adults.

Storytellers Festival, Fremantle WA
26 June 2022
Taking place at the newly built Fremantle Library, this year the festival features a stellar artist lineup including the Noongar singing group Madjitil Moorna, plus award-winning YA and children’s authors Writers of all stages and ages will also get the chance to pitch their own story ideas to a panel of writers and Fremantle Press editors!

CYA Conference 2022, Online
Every weekend in July 2022
From children’s board books to fiction novels for adults, CYA provides professional development sessions for new and established writers and illustrators. The 2022 conference runs online every weekend in July with workshops, full-day masterclasses, editor bootcamps and assessments sessions conducted by published writers and industry professionals.

Whitsunday Voices Youth Lit Festival, Mackay QLD
13–15 July 2022
The Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival provides a unique opportunity for students and educators in and around Mackay, to meet and learn from some of Australia’s most acclaimed children and young adult authors, presenters and performers.

Mildura Writers Festival, VIC
14-17 July 2022
Held in July, the Mildura Writers Festival presents four days of words, food and wine with Australian and international writers. Throughout the weekend invited guests and audience members intermingle freely sharing an experience that provides thoughtful and challenging ideas about writing and literature in general.

Burdekin Readers' and Writers' Festival, Ayr QLD
22–24 July 2022
The focus of the “Ignite Your Mind” Burdekin Readers’ and Writers’ Festival has always been to bring together Australia’s best authors so residents and visitors can enjoy an intimate weekend of words, while also enjoying the delights of this beautiful region.

Canberra Writers Festival, ACT
10–14 August 2022
After two years of pandemic mayhem, a broad range and popular line-up of authors whose work and words will engage, inform, challenge, and inspire. Across more than 60 live events, the festival will once again offer a diverse and dynamic range of international, national, and local literary talent.

Cairns Tropical Writers Festival, QLD
12–14 August 2022
This biennial event brings together a regional community of writers and readers with Australian and internationally revered authors and celebrities, who inspire us and feed our literary minds. For national and international visitors, it is a cultural experience that allows them to touch the inspirational heart of the region in an environment of immense natural beauty.

Romance Writers of Australia Conference 2022, WA
12–14 August 2022
Since 1992 Romance Writers of Australia Inc has held an exciting National Conference in August, bringing together more than 350 aspiring, emerging and established authors for professional workshops, networking, fellowship, and continuing education, to say nothing of dress-up parties and events! This year’s event is in Fremantle, WA.

Sydney Jewish Writers Festival, Bondi NSW
20 August – 14 September 2022
The Sydney Jewish Writers Festival is an annual event showcasing a diverse range of contemporary Jewish stories, authors, and themes from around the world. The festival is well-attended each year especially by literature lovers, as well as individuals who are interested to hear from some of the world’s most renowned authors.

Byron Writers Festival, Byron Bay NSW
26–28 August 2022
This year at a new site in the picturesque North Byron Parklands, you can expect to hear from your favourite authors, discover new talented writers and listen to conversations with some of our greatest thinkers on the topics that matter now.

Melbourne Writers Festival, VIC
2–11 September 2022
With a vision of being Australia’s boldest literary festival, Melbourne Writers Festival brings writers and readers together to be inspired, challenged and thrilled by an intelligent, rousing and diverse program of books and ideas.

Writers Unleashed (The Sutherland Shire Writers' Festival), NSW
3 September 2022
Writers Unleashed (The Sutherland Shire Writers' Festival) is back in 2022 with an exciting line-up of author talks, workshops and presentations – stay tuned for more information about this local festival with a big heart!

Dubbo Writers' Festival, Online
9-11 September
An opportunity for Outback Writers’ Centre members to have their work commented on by industry professionals. If you have a polished first chapter of your unpublished novel or memoir, imagine it being read aloud to a panel of three publishers. How long will it survive before all three panelists say STOP? Will your whole chapter be read without interruption?

Scribblers Festival, WA
13–18 September 2022
The Scribblers Festival is held annually to inspire children about the importance of books and creativity for understanding and communicating with the world around them. Bringing together a cast of authors, illustrators and other creative minds to tell their tales and reveal what goes into making them.

Write Around the Murray Festival, Albury NSW
14–18 September 2022WAM is a five day festival of reading, writing and storytelling held in the vibrant regional city of Albury on the Murray River. It attracts world-class authors and presents eclectic and high-calibre events, spirited conversation and community celebration.

Northern Beaches Readers Festival, NSW
23–25 September 2022
Already with more than 30 authors lined up, this event is focused on connecting readers with popular authors. The festival will feature some of Australia’s leading authors in panel discussions, intimate ‘in conversation’ events and much more!

The York Festival, WA
24 September – 9 October 2022
The York Festival Writers Program is part of the larger festival held during wildflower season in the iconic town of York, in the Avon Valley, Western Australia. This year’s events are still being finalised – bookmark the site to stay updated!

Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival
29 September – 2 October 2022
The City of Greater Geraldton regional library is excited to host the Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival to the seaside city of Geraldton. Event details will be announced on their site soon!

High Country Writers Festival, Glen Innes NSW
8–9 October 2022
The High Country Writers Festival is an independent annual celebration of books and writing, held at ‘The Makers Shed’ on iconic Waterloo Station, it’s a true taste of rural Australia that promises you’ll come away invigorated!

Berry Writers Festival, NSW
21–23 October 2022
Three days of inspiration in the beautiful ‘town of trees’. Panels and conversations with well known, local and emerging authors. Author signings, workshops and social events. More than two dozen authors already confirmed – including A.L. Tait!

Blue Mountains Writers Festival, Katoomba NSW
21–23 October 2022
Book lovers, writers and thinkers will come together for live events and panel talks, digital livestreams, literary dinners, childrens’ events, and online and in-person workshops. Expect food for the mind, heart and soul with over multiple stimulating and exciting events.

Book Links StoryArts, Brisbane
22-23 October 2022
This two day conference for writers, illustrators, teachers and librarians promotes excellence in children’s literature. The festival aims to offer workshops and master classes, and the opportunity to obtain feedback on pitches, manuscripts and portfolios. There will be key panel sessions with editors, agents, authors and illustrators and focused sessions with book creators.

Headland Writers Festival, Tathra NSW
28–30 October 2022
Headland Writers Festival is a new literature event for the Far South Coast featuring conversations with authors, industry forums, workshops, performances, live music and more. Be sure to save the dates!

Mountain Writers Festival, Macedon VIC
5–6 November 2022
Place. Story. Nature. Unique in Australia, Mountain's environmental focus is not just a theme, but the festival’s entire purpose now and into the future. The two-day festival will include author panels and in-conversation events showcasing novels with regional settings, environmental science writing, Indigenous storytelling, nature writing, and cli-fi.

Do YOU know of an event that belongs on this 2022 list? Get in touch with us and let us know!

If your mum loves to write or dreams of being a writer, think beyond the flowers/slippers combo and offer her a gift that tells her that you love her and understand she has goals beyond her love and care for you. Imagine.

So here’s our round-up of the perfect gifts for the mum who loves to write.

Time
We asked a group of mums who love to write what their number one gift for Mother’s Day would be and we got one answer: Time.

Time to think. Time to write. Time to create.

So, while it may seem like an anathema to the spirit of togetherness that Mother’s Day espouses, it may be that the best gift you can offer your writing mum is some time away.

Book her into a hotel room (ensuring a steady supply of coffee and snacks nearby). Or look for a writer’s retreat in the country where she’ll have acres of space, peace and quiet.

One mum I know was given a balcony cabin for one on a weekend cruise and swears it was the only reason she finally finished her novel.

Whichever you choose, pack her off with her laptop or notebook and lots of love.

If you really don’t want to send her away, why not sign her up for our Make Time To Write course, which will show her how to prioritise writing in everyday life. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

A writing craft book
Never mind if your mum has a shelf full of books about writing – writers love to learn the secrets of success from other writers. You can never have too many. And if you choose a new release you can be pretty sure she won’t already have it.

Brilliant new writing books by Australian authors include:

The Writer Laid Bare by Lee Kofman
Part memoir, part craft book, Kofman deep dives into some of the most difficult-to-pin-down aspects of a writer’s life – unearthing your true voice, bringing searing honesty to the page, stilling your mind enough to find space for creativity.

The Novel Project: A step-by-step guide to your novel, memoir or biography by Graeme Simsion
An accessible overview of the process of writing a book, from preparation through to working with an editor.

Look – it’s your book! Write, publish and promote your non-fiction book: a self-publishing guide for Australian writers by Anna Featherstone
Covers everything from how to work out what you’re going to write to researching, editing, formatting, publishing and promoting your book.

So You Want To Be A Writer (How to get started while you still have a day job) by Valerie Khoo and Allison Tait
Perfect if she’s just starting out and needs a guide to being a writer, this one is full of practical tips and advice with a hefty dose of inspiration. If your mum loves the podcast, she’ll love the book.

What to do when you don’t have a book coming out (& even more sage advice) by Angela Slatter
Award-winning author and AWC presenter Angela Slatter presents a bite-sized collection of essays about developing a sustainable writing career.

Tools of the trade
Just as a writer can never have enough craft books, neither can she have enough notebooks.

Our very own, the multi-talented founder of the Australian Writers' Centre Valerie Khoo, has created a beautiful range of creative journals, full of inspiring writing quotes. Find out more.

Write The World Notebooks are cute, lightweight and 100 per cent of the price of each notebook ($10) goes to effective charities. More details here.

BookGeek is the home of literary-inspired gifts in Australia and carries a brilliant range of notebooks. Our favourites include the Jane Austen, Ada Lovelace, Mary Shelley Handwriting Notebook Set (gorgeous pastel covers featuring the authors’ handwriting, as drawn from the manuscript collections at the Bodleian Library) and the Laptop Library Notepad, reproduced from a cover of The New Yorker magazine.

Or, if you’re looking for a new version of an old-fashioned notebook, why not buy her a licence for Scrivener, the software designed specifically for writers. Details here. If your mum is new to Scrivener, you can couple this gift with our 2 Hours to Scrivener Power course.

A writing course
From Reinvent Yourself, our motivational guide to helping Mum conquer self doubt and become a writer, through Creative Writing Stage 1.

The Australian Writers’ Centre has a course for writers at all stages. Have a look through our courses here, or contact us to have a chat about which course might be best for your mum.

Alternately, give her a gift voucher (valid for three years!) and the luxury of choosing for herself!

Inspiration
One piece of advice you’ll hear over and over from Valerie Khoo is the importance of the Creative Date to inspire writers.

What’s a Creative Date? It’s taking yourself to a gallery, to the theatre, to an exhibition, to a poetry reading, to a book launch or a writing festival or even to a movie or a concert.

Wherever you go, the key is to take in the ideas of others and to view how different creative people see the world. Sometimes it changes the way that you see the world, too.

So buy your mum a ticket to inspiration (or two, if you want to go along). Some ideas for right now or in the near future:
• Sydney Writers’ Festival
• Who are you: Australian Portraiture, at the National Gallery of Victoria
• 9 to 5 The Musical, at Queensland Performing Arts Centre
• Alice (In Wonderland), West Australian Ballet
• Flickerfest (touring to Adelaide, Brisbane, Parramatta and Newcastle in May)
• King Stingray, Garrmalang Festival Launch and Welcome to Country, Darwin Entertainment Centre
• Dark Mofo, Hobart

Or search for events near you!

Do all of these suggestions sound like perfect gifts for your writing mum? So you can't decide? Then it's best to go with an Australian Writers' Centre gift voucher – you can't go wrong. 

Author bio

Allison Tait is the author of three epic middle-grade adventure series for kids: The Mapmaker Chronicles, The Ateban Cipher and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries. A presenter at AWC and former co-host of the So You Want To Be A Writer podcast, Al reads a lot, writes a lot, and blogs at allisontait.com. She will be bookmarking this post for her two sons.

The Stella Count is the leading statistical analysis of gender bias in the field of book reviewing in Australia. The Count surveys 12 Australian publications – including national, metropolitan, and regional newspapers, journals and magazines – collecting and interpreting data on the gender of authors and reviewers, length of review, and genre of books reviewed.

The data is analysed by researchers from Monash University and The Australian National University (ANU).

The 2019 and 2020 Stella Counts – delayed by the impacts of COVID and released today – are Stella’s eighth and ninth consecutive quantitative studies conducted, and demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to evidence-based research in driving gender equality and cultural change in Australian literature.

For the first time in Stella Count history – and possibly in Australian reviewing history – the 2019 and 2020 Counts see the representation of women authors in Australian book reviews reach, and exceed, parity with their male counterparts.

The 2019 Count showed 53% of books reviewed in Australian publications were by women, with this trend increasing to 55% in 2020. In both the 2019 and 2020 Stella Counts, nine out of 12 publications surveyed reviewed more books by women than by men.

A comparison to the U.S and U.K. – in which the 2019 VIDA Count revealed that only two out of 15 publications included reviewed more women authors than male authors – indicates that Australia may now have one of the most gender equitable book reviewing landscapes in the world.

Principal researcher, Dr Melinda Harvey (Monash University) says of the findings:
“For the first time in the history of the Stella Count, the 2019 and 2020 data tells us that more books by women authors than by men authors are being reviewed in Australia’s book pages. This is a milestone to be celebrated because equal access to book reviews will make a genuine difference to the lives and reputations of Australian women authors.”

Stella’s Executive Director, Jaclyn Booton, says of the findings:
“In 2022 Stella celebrates its tenth anniversary. As we reflect on our impact to date, results like the Stella Count show that sustained, targeted accountability measures do work in driving systemic change. We are thrilled to be presenting these findings and look forward to a brighter, more equitable future for Australian women and non-binary writers.”

On the work still to be done in the Australian reviewing sector, principal researcher Dr Julieanne Lamond (ANU) says:
“Gender bias is insidious: peel back the layers and you find it is still in residence elsewhere. Our data shows that books authored by men remain more likely to receive the sustained attention of long book reviews than books authored by women, and that men reviewers are more likely to write them. This means that men continue to dominate the most prestigious review space in this country.”

In 2019 and 2020, non-binary authors were also counted in the data for the first time, bringing the Count into line with the Stella Prize which has expanded its eligibility guidelines to include non-binary authors. Using self-identification as a guide, books by non-binary authors accounted for <1% of the total number of reviews published.

On the inclusion of non-binary authors in the Count, Dr Harvey says:
“Attempting to count non-binary authors is an important step towards recognising the gender diversity that actually exists in the Australian literary field.”

With research delayed by COVID-19, the 2019/2020 Stella Count also inadvertently tells an interesting story about the impacts of the pandemic on book reviewing in Australia – with the 2020 Count showing the total number of books reviewed across Australian publications dropped by 15%.

Now in its tenth year, Stella is a leading voice for gender equality and cultural change in Australian literature. Its flagship program is the annual Stella Prize – a major literary award which celebrates outstanding books by Australian women and non-binary writers.

The 2022 Stella Prize longlist was announced live at The Wheeler Centre on Monday 28 February. The shortlist will be announced on Thursday 31 March 2022, and the winner on Thursday 28 April 2022.

Key 2019/2020 Stella Count Statistics:

• Women authors now receive equal attention in Australian book reviews for the first time in the Stella Count’s history.
• 9 out of 12 of the publications we survey continue to review the same number, or more, of women authors as men authors.
• Large reviews continue to be a domain that women authors and reviewers struggle to access equally.
• ‘Gender siloing’ continues to be a feature of the Australian book reviewing landscape – i.e. men tend to review men and women tend to review women.
• Women authors feature strongly in reviews of fiction and children’s and YA literature, but are making inroads when it comes to the reviewing of nonfiction books.
• Non-binary authors and reviews are becoming more visible in our counting.

The publications reviewed in the 2019/2020 Stella Count include:

• The Advertiser
• The Australian (Weekend Review)
• Australian Book Review
• Australian Financial Review – Magazine
• Books+Publishing
• Courier-Mail
• The Mercury
• The Monthly
• The Saturday Age/SMH
• The Saturday Paper
• Sydney Review of Books
• The West Australian

View the full 2019/2020 Stella Count report via Stella’s website: stella.org.au

Perhaps you’ve just been through a big life change? A new career, the end of a relationship, a move to a different city?

Everyone goes through stages of life where you become a bit unsure about who you are or what you should be doing. You feel like you want to be a different version of you. You feel like it’s time to reinvent yourself.

What does it mean to reinvent yourself?
Deciding to reinvent yourself can be as drastic as quitting your job and moving to India. Or it could be something as simple as getting a new hairstyle. What matters is that you actively do things that help you change your mindset, boost your energy, and kickstart your creativity.

Often, changing small things can lead to great changes. Pushing yourself or seeing yourself in a different light can shake up your routine enough to bring about the big changes you actually need. 

Whether it’s the beginning of the year, the middle of your life, or the end of a career, here are 22 ways that you can reinvent yourself. 

This is a long list, so grab a cuppa, a notebook and pen, and make some notes as you go. Which of these is achievable for you in the next few months? Which ones appeal? Which ones sound awful? Which are impossible? And are they really awful and impossible? Or are you just not really ready yet?

Here goes!

Get more sleep
Chances are you’re just like millions of other people who aren’t getting enough sleep. The obvious answer is – sleep more! Seriously, the science is in, and it shows unequivocally that the benefits of sleep are huge, for your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. 

It’s easy to be addicted to the productivity whirlwind – how can you get stuff done if you’re sleeping!? But imagine waking each morning feeling refreshed, with enough energy to last you all day. Prioritising your Zzzs can do big things for your creative mind. Those extra few hours in bed will mean you can face each day with vigour and clarity.

Change your diet
No, don’t go on a diet. Nothing good ever came out of going on a diet. But change it up a little. Each week, try something new. A new ingredient, a new dish, a new cafe, a new recipe, a new appliance.

Think of it this way. What’s your favourite food? Imagine if you’d never tried it that first time. You’d have gone your whole life without knowing that it was your favourite. Just think what other delectable dishes are out there just waiting for you to adore them.

Take up a sport
Now before you get all huffy and say, “excuse me, I don’t do sports, never enjoyed ‘em, never will” – we get it! It’s true that a lot of us writerly types don’t love sport. Which is exactly why you should try one now. It could be YouTube yoga in the comfort of your own home, darts at the local pub, a 0 to 5k program, or a mixed netball team. Moving your body has health benefits, obviously, but it also clears your mind, boosts your energy, and is an opportunity to meet up with other people. Even solo pursuits like pilates and running can see you joining an online community, which is a great way to expand your networks.

Take up a new hobby
If you can’t stretch to a sport, at the very least take up a new hobby. Again, this is about taking a deliberate step to do something new to change your mindset, so your hobby should reflect that. When we think of hobbies, we usually think of art and crafty things like knitting, quilting, pottery or painting. But your new hobby could also be watching nature documentaries. You can join a French film club or a bird-watching group. Get involved with your local Landcare and help clean up the green spaces in your area. Signing up to a course within our AWC writing community is a fantastic way to surround yourself with others who have similar creative interests to your own.

Anything that is new or different to your usual routine will help your brain to form new connections – oh, and you'll be strengthening connections in your life, too.

Learn a new language
Speaking of that French film club, why not finally learn a new language? So many people talk about how they'd love to learn Italian or whatever, but they're rubbish at languages. It's true that some people can pick up a language faster than others. But all it really takes is time and regular commitment. Listen to podcasts, do flashcards, watch YouTubes, take online courses – just 15 minutes each day and you can be conversational in a few months. And once you learn one language, learning others becomes even easier.

Do something that scares you
Part of what keeps us in our rut is that we become afraid to take risks. Once you have kids, or a mortgage, or any sort of serious commitments, it's natural to want to maintain the status quo. You have worked too hard and sacrificed too much to put your life and family in jeopardy.

Sometimes that natural reticence can spiral out of control to the point where you do nothing new. You don't take any risks, don't go on any adventures, and stay safe in your own little bubble. If that sounds like you, take a few tentative steps outside of your bubble. What you're really afraid of is failure. It's time to banish your demons.

Talk to a stranger. Eat the toast you dropped on the floor. Call your mother. Go rock climbing. Clear out that drawer. Have a political discussion with that uncle. Sing karaoke. Commit to writing a novel. If any of those things made your heart palpitate, put it on your list! Being a little bit afraid is good for you.

Learn a new instrument
Like learning a language, taking up music is both personal and social. You practise by yourself, getting better and better each day, feeling real achievement as the disparate parts come together. And then, when you're ready, you can play for your family, or learn your partner's favourite song, or even join a band. Even if you think you have no musical skill whatsoever, you can definitely learn a few chords and even a whole tune. As long as you commit to a small amount of time each day.

Slow down
One major way that we wind up feeling stuck or lost is that we're so busy rushing from one appointment to the next disaster that we simply don't have the time to spend a few minutes in our own heads. Seriously, when was the last time you just chilled by yourself? No kids, no books, no traffic, no Netflix, just you and your breath and your thoughts?

Stop looking at the time; enjoy your conversation with your friends. Abandon your pedestrian rage; does it really matter if you get to the supermarket one minute earlier or later? Forget about productivity; focus on the project you're working on and give it your patient attention. Your body, mind, relationships, and work will all benefit from it.

Make a vision board
So far these have all been small everyday things that you can do to start your reinvention process. But if you have a clear goal that you're working towards, you need to visualise it. 

A vision board is like those collages we used to make in primary school using cut-outs from magazines. You collect pictures and quotes of things that represent the goals you want to achieve and who you want to be. For example, if you want to be a writer, your vision board could have a picture of an author you admire, a writing cabin, the word ‘freedom', an expensive pen. Anything so that each day when you look at your board, you're reminded of what's ahead of you if you keep working at it.

Start journalling
A bit like a vision board, journalling is a way to hone your thoughts and focus on what's important to you. It can take different forms. Some people swear by morning pages, where you write three pages of freeform writing every morning. If that's too intense for you, try writing a page during your lunch break, or write yourself an email on your phone when you have five minutes. It's a time to check in with yourself, reflect on your day, and think about the future.

Do a course
If you've decided to take up a language or musical instrument, get yourself off to a good start by enrolling in a formal course. Committing to a structured program is a promise to yourself that you and your journey are worth it.

Committing to a course can be life-changing. If you want to explore your creative side, obviously we think you should take a writing course with the Australian Writers' Centre. We have more than 60 courses covering every type of writing, from Creative Writing Stage 1 and  Writing Picture Books, Romance Writing and Real Estate Copywriting to Write Your Novel and Travel Writing.

We even have a course called Reinvent Yourself specifically for people just like you. If you’ve been curious about writing or wondering whether it even IS possible to transition into a writing career, consider this your must-have guide. 

Find a mentor or life coach
If you have a very clearly defined goal about how you want to change your life – for example, you want to run your own digital content business – then a mentor is a brilliant asset. A mentor is someone that you can bounce ideas off, who will help you clarify your visions, steer you in the right direction, introduce you to useful people, and stop you from running down dead ends.

If you're less clear about what exactly you want for your future, take a look at talking to a life coach. A good life coach is someone who has the training and experience to listen to your desires and fears and help you create a vision for yourself.

Find your tribe
You already have a group of friends, as well as family, work colleagues, drinking buddies, and various other acquaintances. But have you found your tribe?

The word ‘tribe' has risen in popularity in recent years. It basically means a group of people outside your usual circle who share the same vision, values or skills as you do. If you meet two people at a writing conference and you all immediately click – that's your tribe. If you feed off the feedback provided by others in a writing workshopping group – that's your tribe. If you're at a Christmas party and you wind up talking for two hours with someone about your favourite band – that's your tribe.

Finding your tribe can help you escape your rut because it allows you to explore a part of you that your friends and family don't usually get to see. If you're embarrassed about your love of early 80s synth-pop, you might keep it hidden from your friends. Or you might find it hard to talk about your historical romance with your very practical partner. Find your tribe and shine a light on the corners of your life that rarely get a chance to come out.

Get a makeover
For men and women and everyone in between, changing your outward appearance can have a profound effect on your internal psyche. A dramatic new hairstyle, throwing out all your old t-shirts, finally admitting that you hate high heels, simplifying your wardrobe to only wearing black, growing a beard, new jewellery, new colour palette, whatever. These seemingly insignificant things can boost your confidence and leave you feeling like a whole other person. Whether you splash out on a professional makeover, or do it yourself, a new look can mean a new you. 

Choose your adverb
A fun thing to do each year is to choose your adverb. So remember, adverbs are the ones that end in -ly and they modify a verb. Dangerously, heroically, quickly, slowly, joyfully are all adverbs. You can choose your adverb at the start of the year, on your birthday, or just some arbitrary date. You then make it your year of living <insert your adverb here>. For example, you could decide that this is your year of living generously, or kindly, or truthfully, or graciously. Or even your year of living wickedly, if that's your thing.

Make a pivot
Making a pivot is one of those phrases that comes from the start-up world. It means to fundamentally shift the focus of your business. Or in the case of a personal pivot, it means to drastically change the way you approach your life. You don't need to change your core beliefs or values – you just find new ways of carrying them out. 

Think about your current goals and how you try to achieve them. Now adjust your approach by 180 degrees. That's a pivot.

Finish what you start
Make a promise to yourself that you will finish your projects. Whether you're writing a memoir or renovating your kitchen, finishing your task is so important. You will never feel like you're living your best life if you have 15 abandoned projects.

In fact, don't start anything new until you finish two things. You will be amazed at what you can achieve when you properly commit to reaching your goals.

What would Oprah do?
Channel someone you admire for a day – what would they do? It can be anyone – a musician, entrepreneur, author, even a cartoon character. When you write out your to-do list or need to make a decision, pause for a moment and ask yourself – What would Elon Musk do? Or what would Dr Who do? Try a different person every day and see “who” you enjoy the most.

Immerse yourself in a new world
Choose a topic that interest you and really immerse yourself in it. Listen to podcasts, read books, go to meet-ups, join online groups, and learn the pants off of it. Basically, make it your new obsession. Become annoying about it. Okay, but not too annoying.

And then when you're ready to learn something new, throw yourself headlong into the next topic.

Change a habit
It's true that we're all creatures of habit – and many of these serve us well. But if you're feeling like your life could do with a jolt of energy, simply switching up a habit with something new can do wonders. Instead of chilling out with Netflix at 7pm every night, why not pull out a blank notebook and sketch instead? Do you follow the same route on your morning walk? You could add some new streets to your journey – or completely change suburbs.

Whether you switch up your routine by starting your morning with a swim, or ending it with a good book instead of social media scrolling – the effects can still be felt by the smallest of changes. And it will instantly feel refreshing. Pick your new habit and add a dollop of delight to your day.

Be kind every day
Make it your mission to say something nice or do one act of kindness every day. This goes beyond just thanking your barista (which is, of course, a polite thing to do). Compliment a colleague, stand up for someone on the train, write a thank you note, write a nice review for a local business, call an old friend just for a chat. Each day, find a reason to make somebody else smile.

Go somewhere you've never been
Going to new places opens your mind to new possibilities. You could book a tour to Cuba for something wildly different. Or you could even visit the next suburb over and walk around the park. Look at a map and start listing all the places near you that you've never been to. Make it your mission to cross places off your list. There's a whole world out there, and it starts on your doorstep.

Your exciting life awaits – take the first step towards it TODAY.

We know for a fact that our community has read a lot of books this past year. Fiction and non-fiction books by Australian and international authors that provided often much-needed worlds for us to escape into for hours (or days!) at a time. 

So, we decided to use the power of our community of book lovers to create the ultimate holiday reading recommendation list! Here’s how it will work:

• Let us know which book made your favourites list by using the form below.
• Enter your name and the book title/author/genre. The book doesn’t have to have come out in 2021 – just one that you read and enjoyed this year.
• Write a short 25-words-or-fewer “review” of why you loved it.
• Submit it and we’ll share a (curated) list before Christmas!

Sound like fun? If you have more than one book that you enjoyed, feel free to enter them separately (but no more than three per person please!). Remember, it could be anything from non-fiction to children’s books, the choice is yours. Don’t forget to tell us why you loved it!

TELL US YOUR BEST READS of 2021 by using the form below. Submissions close midday, Friday 17 December 2021 (Sydney/Melbourne time).

Entries have now closed. Thanks for sharing. We look forward to sharing the list with you!

We have more than 60 courses to choose from – so you know that they’ll be able to find the perfect course. Whether they want to write a sizzling romance, a gorgeous picture book, or just kickstart their creative writing, we have a course for every type of writer.

And, once you purchase a voucher, it will be delivered straight to your inbox, ready for you to give to your loved one.

Here’s a taster of some of our most popular courses that your lucky gift recipient will be able to explore…

Creative Writing Stage 1

If you want to reignite the creative flames, there’s no better place to start than with Creative Writing Stage 1. It’s perfect for beginner writers or people who have put their creative desire aside for far too long.

Recent graduate Andrew M. loved the opportunity to reconnect with his writing after a 40-year hiatus. “The course has helped rekindle my interest in writing, and desire to write. I will continue courses to further my writing and hopefully develop some craft,” he told us.

In Creative Writing Stage 1, you’ll indulge your creativity and learn the key skills needed to write engaging stories. It’s the perfect balance of practice and passion. As well as enjoying access to industry experts, you’ll also receive valuable feedback on your writing. It’s the best way to unlock your storytelling potential.

“I was given a gift voucher for the Australian Writers' Centre and I saw this course and thought it was perfect for the beginner that I am,” says another graduate Kimberley R. “I love reading and want to start writing but I just didn't know where to start. I loved this course; [my tutor] was amazing. Her feedback was perfect. She was professional, kind and honest. I valued her feedback very much.”

Writing Picture Books

Do you know someone who has always dreamed of writing their own picture book? Help to make that dream a reality with our popular course, Writing Picture Books. It’s ideal for mums and dads, aunts and uncles, grandparents, best friends or anyone else with a passion to tell stories that kids adore.

Time and again, graduates say that our Writing Picture Books is THE place to get started in picture book publishing. The course covers everything you need to know about the picture book industry, creating characters and how to use language and rhythm. And as a special bonus, students get regular feedback from industry professionals.

It’s also a great course for people who don’t necessarily want to get published.

“This course was part of my new ‘self care' routine, honouring and nurturing my creativity,” says recent graduate Lori S. “Give yourself the gift of creative time. It's more important now than ever!”

Creative Writing Quest for Kids

Did you know that we also offer courses for kids? Young writers can go on a writing adventure along with bestselling author A. L. Tait (author of the Ateban Cipher series and the Mapmaker Chronicles) in our unique Creative Writing Quest for Kids – especially designed for children aged 9-14. 

Your keen young writer will learn how to find story ideas, create characters, worlds and plots, and uncover the essential ingredients of fiction. And after completing the modules, they can submit a polished story of up to 800 words and get feedback from a bestselling author.

“It inspires kids to write in a relaxed and supportive environment, outside the school world,” says Susannah H., whose daughter completed the course. “She then had the satisfaction of completing her story and receiving Allison’s personal feedback, which was detailed, constructive and encouraging. I thoroughly recommend this course.”

Romance Writing

Our Romance Writing course is sure to get hearts racing this Christmas. It’s an immersive and practical experience, offering students an in-depth dive into the whirlwind world of romantic fiction. 

“This course took my understanding of romance writing to a whole new level. What I enjoyed most was how vast the romance genre is! You can explore until your creative heart's content,” says Rae-Anne W., who jumped right into the course the moment it was released.

Developed by award-winning author Pamela Freeman, students will learn how to write a romance novel that readers love, develop their ideas in ways that suit the romance market, and avoid common romance-writing pitfalls.

It really is the gift of love.

Creative Non-fiction

We all know that truth can be stranger than fiction. So if you know someone who has a fascinating story to tell – whether it’s about their own life, their family, or something they know back-to-front, then Creative Non-fiction is the course for them.

Creative non-fiction is the art of telling true stories using narrative techniques and creative flair. Across 13 comprehensive modules, writers will learn what sets a creative narrative apart from a history textbook. 

“At the forefront of my mind as I write is making the story come to life by adding detail, and interesting word choices and finding my voice in the process,” says graduate Rachel B. “I want to be intentional about creating characters who are real and relatable and a setting that is palpable to the reader. This course gives you the tools you need to turn a good ‘true' story into something truly great.”

Delight the writer you love this season with and AWC gift voucher and the gentle nudge to pursue their passion. It could be life-changing!

(Be sure to bookmark this list as it will be updated as new events are announced.)

Castlemaine Dialogues
24-28 March 2021
Part of the biennial Castlemaine State Festival in regional Victoria, this five day festival of ideas and literature includes presentations, panels, debates and discussions celebrating the notion of ‘community’. All events held at Castlemaine Botanic Gardens. 

Melbourne Art Book Fair
26-28 March 2021
Held since 2015, this event brings together publishers, artists and designers to showcase some of the world’s best art and design publications. It includes events across Melbourne and (for the first time this year) regional Victoria. Venues include the National Victoria Gallery, bookstores, art spaces and even rooftops.

Words at Wagstaffe
27 March 2021
A one-day literary event at Wagstaffe Hall, in support of the upcoming Words on the Waves Writers Festival being held in June on the Central Coast.

Swancon, Perth, WA
24 – 26 April 2021
One especially for speculative fiction, Swancon is an annual convention celebrating sci-fi and fantasy. It’s not just literature, with events covering books, TV and pop-culture. It is the longest continuously running science fiction convention in Australia and even features Quidditch! 

Sydney Writers’ Festival
26 April – 2 May 2021
Returning to Carriageworks, this year’s theme is “Within Reach” and focuses on the strength and depth of Australian literature. Includes a diverse schedule of educational programs, workshops, interactive sessions and entertainment for all participants.

Scribblers Festival
3-9 May 2021
The Scribblers Festival is held annually to inspire children about the importance of books and creativity for understanding and communicating with the world around them. Bringing together a cast of authors, illustrators and other creative minds to tell their tales and reveal what goes into making them. 

STREWTH Bendigo Writers Festival
6-9 May 2021
From a conversation about secrecy to a discussion about tyrants, from soul searching to truth seeking, from filling in the gaps to opening up vistas, Bendigo Writers Festival 2021 is a shout-out to the best words for the very best thoughts. Festival events will be live and online this year – you can attend from the comfort of your home.

Brisbane Writers Festival, Qld
7-9 May 2021
Brisbane Writers Festival is back in 2021 for its 59th year, as it turns the page on a new chapter for the Festival. Events will be held at the State Library of Queensland, with an incredible program of writers, thinkers, dreamers, and artists.

Kyogle Writers Festival
14-16 May 2021
Bringing the best of contemporary Australian writing to Kyogle, NSW, through an exploration of the different meanings of ‘country’ in the area. The festival runs for three days and is packed full of ideas, writing and art.

Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival
14-16 May 2021
A storytelling spectacular held in the heart of WA’s Margaret River wine region. The festival includes author talks, interviews, Q&A sessions, panel discussions, book signings and entertainment for the whole family.

Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival, SA
14-16 May 2021
Held since 1991, the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival celebrates Penola’s rich literary history, artists, live music, performing arts, film, kids activities and Coonawarra’s fine food and wine. 

Capricorn Coast Writers Festival
11-13 June 2021
This biennial event is taking place in Yeppoon, Queensland – “where curiosity meets inspiration” – with some of the most experienced and exciting voices in Australian literature via workshops and conversations with national authors and publishers.

Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival
11-14 June 2021
With a focus on contemporary Australian writers, this festival will be presenting an exciting line-up of literary talent, workshops, readings, and displays over the June long weekend in this picturesque NSW river town.

Words on the Waves Writers Festival
12-13 June 2021
The inaugural Words on the Waves Writers Festival will be held on the scenic Central Coast, NSW with storytelling and energising conversations, book signings with your favourite authors, workshops, a kids’ program and more.

Outback Writers Festival
22-24 June 2021
Taking place in Winton, Queensland. If you enjoy writing, reading, meeting authors, learning how to write or just enjoy outback books in general, this annual festival is for you. Meet locals and visitors alike and attend book launches.

Emerging Writers Festival
16-26 June 2021
This is one of Australia’s most established and well-respected literary festivals – existing to develop, nurture and promote Australia’s new writing talent, creating platforms for connecting writing communities and their audiences.

Rockingham Writers Convention, WA
12 July 2021
Rockingham Writers Centre has announced that registrations for the Rockingham Writers Convention 2021 are now open. The program includes workshops, opportunities to pitch to publishers, and have a critique from editors and agents. And one of AWC’s lovely presenters, Annabel Smith, will be there!

Kiama Readers Festival
23-25 July 2021
A weekend celebration of writing and reading by the sea in picturesque Kiama NSW. Featuring author talks and workshops.

Corrugated Lines: A Festival of Words, WA
30 July – 1 August 2021
Held in Broome, WA, Corrugated Lines: A Festival of Words celebrates the town and the wider region’s wealth of talent in storytelling. It is an inspirational event for both local lovers of words and visitors to the town who enjoy Kimberley stories and sharing tales of their own. 

Byron Writers Festival
6-8 August 2021
The annual Byron Writers Festival is Australia’s largest and leading regional celebration of storytelling, literature and ideas. With more than 150 sessions during Festival Week and an audience of approximately 12,000 people in the stunning surrounds of Byron Bay.

Cairns Tropical Writers Festival
13-15 August 2021
In its tenth year, the biennial Cairns Tropical Writers Festival is on this August. The Festival brings together the regional community of writers and readers with Australian and internationally revered authors and celebrities, inspiring the community with their love of writing through workshops, masterclasses, seminars and so much more.

Canberra Writers Festival, ACT
18-22 August 2021
The Canberra Writers Festival is a five day celebration of literature and ideas, bringing together readers, writers and thinkers. There are author talks, panel discussions, family activities and a number of free events at locations like the National Library, ANU, and the National Museum.

Writers Unleashed (The Sutherland Shire Writers' Festival), NSW
21 August 2021
Writers Unleashed (The Sutherland Shire Writers' Festival) is back in 2021 with an exciting line-up of your favourite authors and presenters. Featuring: Candice Fox, Allison Tait, Patti Miller, Sue Whiting, Sandie Docker, Pamela Cook and more! With author talks, workshops and presentations across three rooms, Manuscript Consultations with publishers and catering included for the whole day, it's a local Festival with a big heart!

NT Writers Festival
26-29 August 2021
Held annually, this festival’s location alternates between Darwin and Alice Springs – this year it’s in Alice – taking place across four days at the Olive Park Botanic Garden and emphasising Australia’s cultural and linguistic diversity through unique immersive experiences. 

Melbourne Writers Festival, Vic
3-12 September 2021
With events over ten days across the city’s literary precinct. There’s always an incredible line-up of speakers, performances, workshops and talks. Keep an eye out for major announcements regarding authors and events.

BAD Sydney Crime Writers’ Festival, Online
10-12 September 2021
An annual event at the State Library of NSW, BAD explores what crime can tell us about humanity, both contemporary and historical. The speakers include crime fiction writers, journalists and film-makers, and professionals from the justice system such as detectives, judges and psychologists.

Greek-Australian Writers’ Festival, NSW
25 September 2021
The 39th Greek Festival of Sydney is devoting a day to presentations of recently-published books in English by Greek-Australian writers. Although very different in style and content, all the books are united by common themes of migration, displacement and identity.

The York Festival, WA
2 October 2021
The York Festival Writers Program is a day-long event consisting of multiple panel sessions and Q&As with local West Australian authors held in the iconic town of York, Western Australia. There are over 20 events in the program on Saturday 2 October starting with a breakfast with The West Australian Travel Editor and renowned author Stephen Scourfield.

Once Upon a Festival, SA
28-29 October 2021
Held at the Immanuel Campus in the Novar Gardens Adelaide, this school-based Literary Festival kicks off in October. There will be many fun and inspiring events including authors and illustrators talks and workshops for attending students.

The Words on the Waves Writers’ Festival is a brand new writers’ festival taking place over the June long weekend (12-13 June 2021) in Umina Beach.

According to the website: “Words on the Waves Writers Festival on the June Long Weekend will see a diverse range of writers come together to celebrate writing, literature, and Australia’s cultural and environmental future. With two days of storytelling, author talks and panels, the festival’s aim is to connect with each other, with inspiration, with environment and with country.”

Why is the Central Coast the optimal place for such a festival?

According to the website: “With a council population much larger than Byron Shire, but with a similarly spectacular landscape, the region is calling out for a writers’ festival. The festival venue is a stone’s throw from the beach, with a panoramic coastal view. As the first writers’ festival of its scale and calibre to take place in the Central Coast, but also within easy distance to Sydney and Newcastle, it aims to become an annual institution for both community members and visitors from across NSW and Australia.”

There is also a schools program on June 11 to tie in with the festival. According to the website: “In partnership with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the program’s theme is ‘Youth as Warriors of Change’. Speakers include Ursula Dubosarsky (Children’s Laureate 2020-2021), Dub Leffler, Susanne Gervay, Yvette Poshoglian, Kirli Saunders, Oliver Phommavanh, Deb Abela and more. It promises to be an educational and culturally enriching experience for the participating schools.”

Festival dates
Words on the Waves Writers Festival Launch Event
When: Saturday, March 27, 2021

Words on the Waves Writers Festival Schools Program
When: Friday, June 11

Words on the Waves Writers Festival
When: Saturday, June 12 to Sunday, June 13, 2021

If you want to find out more and sign up for updates, head over to the festival website.

The Indie Book Awards have been supporting and championing the best Australian writing since 2008. This year, the awards are divided into fiction, non-fiction, debut fiction, illustrated non-fiction, children's, and young adult books. 

As well as winners in each category, one book will be chosen as the Overall Indie ‘Book of the Year’ for 2021. The judging panel is made up of independent booksellers – who are all obviously avid readers and keen supporters of Australian authors.

One of the shortlistees is Amelia Mellor for her children's book The Grandest Bookshop in the World, published by Affirm Press. 

“I'm thrilled to be selected as a finalist for the Indie Book Awards!” Amelia says. “How glorious it is that even after a hundred and fifty years, indie books, publishers and booksellers are still thriving in Australia. Thank you, indie booksellers, for championing The Grandest Bookshop in the World and keeping the spirit of Cole's Book Arcade alive!”

You can listen to the first chapter of The Grandest Bookshop in the World on our Story Sessions podcast.

We congratulate all the incredible authors who have made the shortlist. The winners will be announced on 22 March 2021. Good luck!

The complete shortlist:

FICTION

All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton (HarperCollins Australia)
The Living Sea of Waking Dreams by Richard Flanagan (Knopf Australia)
Mammoth by Chris Flynn (University of Queensland Press)
Honeybee by Craig Silvey (Allen & Unwin)

NON-FICTION

Phosphorescence by Julia Baird (Fourth Estate Australia)
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku (Macmillan Australia)
People of the River by Grace Karskens (Allen & Unwin)
Truganini by Cassandra Pybus (Allen & Unwin)

DEBUT FICTION

The Bluffs by Kyle Perry (Michael Joseph Australia)
Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson (Hachette Australia)
A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu (Allen & Unwin)
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (Affirm Press)

ILLUSTRATED NON-FICTION

Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong by Samantha Bloom, Cameron Bloom & Bradley Trevor Greive (ABC Books, HarperCollins Australia)
Plantopedia by Lauren Camilleri & Sophia Kaplan (Smith Street Books)
Beatrix Bakes by Natalie Paull (Hardie Grant Books)
In Praise of Veg by Alice Zaslavsky (Murdoch Books)

CHILDREN’S

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals by Sami Bayly (Lothian Children's Books)
Sing Me The Summer by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Alison Lester (Affirm Press)
The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor (Affirm Press)
Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (Lothian Children's Books)

YOUNG ADULT

Future Girl by Asphyxia (Allen & Unwin Children's)
Catch Me If I Fall by Barry Jonsberg (Allen & Unwin Children's)
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix (Allen & Unwin Children's)
This One is Ours by Kate O'Donnell (University of Queensland Press)

BUT it also means you can set a shiny new set of goals for your creative writing. We're all about goals at the Australian Writers' Centre. Setting small goals is like laying out a series of stepping stones towards achieving your dreams. If you've been staring at a blank page wondering just what goals you should set for this year, we've got you covered.

Enter a short story competition

If you're a champion procrastinator, then one of your goals absolutely should be to enter a short story competition. 

There are three reasons entering a short story competition is a brilliant idea:

• There's a deadline
• There are guidelines
• There's a prize.

There's nothing like a deadline to motivate you to finish that story you've been working on for months. Commit to the deadline and finish and submit your story no matter what. 

It also helps that short story competitions have guidelines. Instead of wondering how long your story should be, you simply follow the rules. You have to keep it within the word limit. If you have a 2500 word story and need to whittle it down to 2000 words, that's relatively straightforward and you may find you have a tighter better story at the end of it. It's a bit harder with a 5000 word story – but again, you may find the exercise benefits your story! It will certainly test your creative brain and push you to kill your darlings.

And of course, there's the potential for fame, glory and cash. Making a longlist, shortlist, or even winning a prize is an exceptional feeling. 

If this sounds like a goal for you, check out the short story opportunities we have on our blog, our Short Story Essentials course to supercharge your skills – and OF COURSE, make sure you sign up for our own monthly short story competition, the famous Furious Fiction. It's completely free to enter and you can win $500!

Set a word count goal

Setting a word count goal is super simple and wonderfully achievable. It's a flexible goal that you can adjust so that it works for you. Make it realistic, but also push yourself. 

There are different types of word count goals. You could set an intention to write every day, or hit a certain number of words each week. Set your goal and stick to it. Some examples of word count goals are:

• Write 10,000 words of my novel in January.
• Write 100 words a day in February.
• Write 2000 words a week.

Each of these goals is time limited. That makes it easy to see if you achieved your goal or not. Weekly or monthly goals are often better than a daily goal because it's very easy to miss a day – and then you feel like you've failed completely.

Always keep in mind – you're not aiming for perfection. If you miss a day, or you're short a few hundred words in a week, that's okay. You're still doing it! A goal is something to aim for. You may not always hit your target, but if you genuinely try, then you will still make progress.

Finish your current project

Do you have a writing project that you're currently working on – or rather, that you're not working on? Finish it.

Yep, this one right here. You know the one. Not the next shiny new one that you're dying to start. No, this one here. This one that you're procrastinating not working on by reading this list.

The number one thing you need to do to advance your writing is to actually finish something. You can write 200 amazing beginnings, but if you never write an ending, you'll never know how. You can't edit an unfinished manuscript, you can't workshop an unfinished story, you can't submit a novel that you didn't finish. 

So whatever it is that you are halfway through, or three quarters of the way through, or seven eighths of the way through – get to 100%. It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be done. And then you can move on to the next stage. Until you complete that first step of actually finishing it, it will always be weighing you down.

Read books about writing

This is a very achievable goal you can set yourself which is also enjoyable. Read some books about writing!

Not sure where to start? Check out our post of books on writing recommended by successful writers. A clear favourite is Stephen King's On Writing, which is available from most libraries or your local bookstore. It's a no nonsense book which is part memoir, part writing guide. Stephen follows the ‘get your bum in the chair and start writing' school of thought, which is what we wholeheartedly believe at the AWC too.

Another excellent writing book, if we do say so ourselves, is our So You Want to be a Writer book. Hosts of the So you want to be a writer podcast, Valerie Khoo and Allison Tait, have brought together tips from top writers and authors and interwoven them with their own experience in a book that's bursting with inspiration and practical advice.

Set yourself a goal to read three books about writing – and then don't forget to put the advice into practice!

Make a recurring date with your writing

Something we hear a lot from people is that they want to write but can't find the time. The fact is that if you really want to write, you'll make the time. It will mean giving up a favourite TV show or cutting back on your crochet. Maybe you'll need to make one night a week a takeaway dinner instead of cooking. All you need is a dedicated bit of time that you set aside for your writing.

A good goal to set is to create a recurring date in your calendar for your writing. Treat it like any other appointment; turn up early and prepared. And if you need to push it back or move it to another day, email yourself explaining why. “Sorry, Writing, do you mind if we push today's appointment back by 15 minutes? I need to pick up the girls from soccer.” If you treat your writing time with respect, just as you would any other important meeting, you'll be more likely to stick to it.

Writing superstar Allison Tait wrote her first middle grade novel while working as a freelance writer and raising a family, as well as doing ten thousand other things like publishing regularly on her blog, building her social platform, running an online book club, and more. If you really truly believe that you don't have time to write, then you need some pointers from Allison. Her Make Time to Write course will have you eating your words – and writing many more – in no time.

Here's to a successful and positive 2021!