Are you either a beginner writer, or a writer with some experience looking for writing classes in Sydney, Australia?
Below we’ve featured 15 top writing courses in Sydney.
Hopefully, one of these will help you to learn the art of writing, or take your skills to the next level.
1. Creative Writing Course with The University of Sydney
Founded in 1886, the University of Sydney has a rich history and prides itself on their ability to cultivate and expand the minds of its students. They offer a wide range of creative writing courses through their Centre for Continuing Education, led by Mark Tredinnick, an award-winning poet and educator. This course will help its students with writing aspects like voice, place evocation, characterization, structure, sentence-craft, and editing.
The next creative writing course session will take place between May 7th, 2019 to June 11th, 2019 between 6:30PM to 8:30PM. The course consists of six sessions, for a total of 12 hours. The enrollment fee is $408 (AUD). Be sure to enroll as soon as possible! For more information, you can call (02) 8627-6700.
2. Second Draft – Novel & Script with The Writers’ Studio
The Writers’ Studio, located on the corner of Leichhardt St. and Lugar Brae Ave in downtown Sydney, was founded with the express goal of helping aspiring writers develop their skills and mold their writing careers. They offer a wide range of creative writing classes, including Second Draft – Novel & Script at their Bronte Studio. This 10-month course is set to take place in February 2020, and enrollment costs $2895 (AUD).
It is designed to help you take your story concept and structure your writing time and techniques to put your imagination onto the page. If you’re interested, be sure to enroll early before space runs out. For more information, you can contact the team at The Writers’ Studio through their website’s online contact form or call +61 (02) 9386-4994.
3. Novel Writing Course with Sydney Community College
Sydney Community College is currently offering a creative writing course, with specific focus on novel writing. Consisting of 6 sessions, with a total of 18 course hours, this class will teach you all the proper techniques needed to get started and complete your very own novel. Led by Shannon Curtis, an award-winning author of contemporary romance, suspense, thrillers, and paranormal fiction, this class will go over things like character development, structure, plot, scene creation, tension, pacing, point of view, dialogue, settings, revisions and editing, as well as synopses writing, and submission and publishing preparation.
Classes will take place between April 29th, 2019 to June 3rd, 2019 between 6:00PM to 9:00PM at both of Sydney Community College’s campuses. The enrollment fee is $329 (AUD). Space is limited, so be sure to register as soon as possible. For more information, you can contact Sydney Community College via email or call (02) 8752-7555.
4. Fantasy, Science Fiction and More with the Australian Writers’ Centre
The Australian Writers’ Centre is currently offering Fantasy, Science Fiction and More, a creative writing class led by Pamela Freeman. Pamela is an award-winning author of more than 30 books, including “The Desert Nurse” and “A Letter from Italy.” This class is designed to teach you about believable world creation, structuring plots across multiple books, how to make things like magic and technology realistic, provide writing feedback, and much more.
The course will take place over two days, between June 15th, 2019 to June 16th, 2019 between 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Course enrollment costs $450 (AUD). It’s imperative that you sign up as soon as possible, as class size is limited. The class will take place at 55 Lavender Street, Milsons Point, NSW 2061. If you have any questions, or would simply like more information, you can contact the team at AWC via email or call (02) 9929-0088.
5. Creative Writing Program with UNSW Sydney School of the Arts & Media
The School of the Arts & Media, a division of UNSW Sydney, offers a creative writing course that has a supportive and creative staff comprising of award-winning writers and poets. Some of their most recent program graduates have gone on to produce novels like “Dark Fires Shall Burn” by Anna Westbrook, Commonwealth Book Prize short-list “The Vanishing Act” by Mette Jakobsen, and “The Permanent Resident” by Roanna Gonsalves. Through this program, students will develop and practice the craft of writing through participation in group workshops. If you are interested in enrolling, you can request more information here. Standard entry requirements apply.
6. Creative Writing Course (Beginners) with The University of Newcastle Australia
The University of Newcastle Australia offers a creative writing course designed for beginners, either on-location in Sydney or online. The class will explore your strengths and weakness as writers, discuss prose types, fiction genres, understanding imagery and it’s use, character development, setting creation, action, plot, and overall story structure. Led by Ann Brewer, the dean of University of New Castle, this class is perfect for those just starting out on their writing journeys.
This class consists of 5 sessions, with a total of 10 work hours. The next class will take place between May 1st, 2019 to May 29th, 2019 between 5:30PM to 7:30PM at the Sydney Campus, located on 55 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. The cost for the class is $298 (AUD). There are still places available, but you should register quickly before it’s completely booked up. If you have any questions, you can call (02) 8262-6400.
7. Master of Arts in Literature and Creative Writing with Western Sydney University
Do you love to write? Do you also wish to pursue a degree in creative writing? Western Sydney University currently offers a Masters of Arts program in Literature and Creative Writing. You have the option of enrolling as a full-time or part-time student. Full-time students will take approximately 1.5 years to complete the program, starting in March 2019. Part-time students will take approximately 3 years to complete the program, starting in July 2019. This class is designed to explore all facets of the literary world, as well as provide ample opportunity to flex and develop your own creative writing skills and appreciation of literature. Enrollment costs $22,360 (AUD), and all classes take place on campus. If you’re interested in pursuing an MA in Literature and Creative Writing, you can apply today, or request more information.
8. Creative Writing Course: Masterclass with The University of Sydney
If you’re looking for an intensive writing course, consider checking out Creative Writing Course: Masterclass, offered through the University of Sydney. Led by Mark Tredinnick, this class jumps right into the nitty gritty about the creative writing world. It’s designed to go over completed works of literary art, the sophisticated understanding of syntax, rhythm, metaphor and prosody, how to meet the demands of your preferred genre market, how to create poetry and prose suitable for publication, and how to create consistent writing habits.
The next class will take place between July 1st, 2019 to July 5th, 2019 between 9:00AM to 1:00PM. The enrollment cost is $490 (AUD). Class demand is expected to be high, so be sure to register quickly before space runs out!
9. Write Your Novel: 6-Month Program with Australian Writers’ Centre
Are you an aspiring novelist? Considering checking out the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Write Your Novel: 6-Month Program based out of Sydney. Throughout this class, you will be assisted and guided to complete the first draft of your novel, will be able to target structural flaws with plot and dialogue, workshop your manuscript until publication ready, and review the steps you’ll need to take to get your work published. You’ll be amongst a group of supportive and equally creative peers who will help you develop your skills as a writer.
Led by Pamela Freeman, this intensive class will start on July 25th, 2019 between 6:30PM to 8:30PM. It costs $415 (AUD) per month to participate. There is still plenty of time to enroll, but you should definitely apply early to secure your spot.
10. The Poetry Workshop with The University of Sydney
If you’re a talented poet looking to expand on your skills, consider checking out The Poetry Workshop that’s offered by the University of Sydney. This course is designed to help you discover writing poetry in new ways, teach you tricks and devices to pull together your language, study poetic forms, speech music, rhythm, and rhyme, point of view, and more. This 1 session, 8-hour class will take place on July 9th, 2019 between 9:00AM to 5:00PM and costs $280 (AUD). This small class will provide expert training, student materials, and a statement of completion. If you have any questions, be sure to call (02) 8627-6700.
11. Unlocking Creativity with The Writers’ Studio
Sometimes you need a little extra push and encouragement to get your story onto a page. The Writers’ Studio offers a class called Unlocking Creativity, which is designed to help you articulate your imagination on paper. This four-week course goes over the creative process, and is ideal for novel and script writers. Their May 2nd class is already booked up, but they are offering another course June 6th, 2019. Classes take place on Thursday nights between 6:30PM to 9:30PM at the Bronte Studio in Sydney. Enrollment costs $465 for early birds, and $495 after April 26th, 2019. All the more reason to sign up sooner rather than later! Should you have any questions, you can contact the team at the Writers’ Studio through their website’s online contact form.
12. Creative Writing – Memoir & Life Writing Course with Sydney Community College
Sydney Community College is currently offering Creative Writing – Memoir & Life Writing Course. This is perfect for aspiring memoirists, or those simply interested in expanding their writing genre experiences. Led by Venessa Downs, an educator who’s earned an MA in Creative Writing and a BA in Creative Arts, this course will teach you how to recount life events, use sources and memory, write with your distinct narrative voice, how to create detail, drama, and realistic dialogue, as well workshopping opportunities to prepare you for publication.
The class will take place between May 14th, 2019 to June 18th, 2019 between the hours of 6:00PM to 8:00PM at 2 Sydney City Campus. This class consists of 6 sessions, with a total of 12 hours of instruction time. The enrollment fee is $349 (AUD). There are still plenty of places available, but you should register soon to reserve your spot.
13. Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing with Macquarie University
If you’re interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing, Macquarie University has a fantastic program!. It’s a full-time 3-year course, with optional part-time schedule options. For domestic students, the course is estimated to cost $10,958 annually. This program is designed to help you develop your portfolio and assist you in publishing your final works. Many of the program’s alumni have gone on to earn Masters and PhD degrees, as well as go on to become published authors and script writers.
The next session is scheduled to take place July 29th, 2019. You’re strongly encouraged to review the program’s entry requirements before applying to make sure that you qualify. If you have general inquiries, or would like more information, you can contact the team at Macquarie University via email or call +61 (02) 2850-6767.
14. Crime and Thriller Writing with the Australian Writers’ Centre
If you have a passion for the crime and thriller genre, this course is definitely a great one to consider. Offered through the Australian Writers’ Centre and led by L.A. Larkin, an acclaimed thriller author, this 2-day course will help you write gripping page-turners, discuss the different types of crime and thriller fiction, how to manage characters, pace, suspense, and climax, as well as discuss possible publication options.
This class will take place May 18th, 2019 to May 19th, 2019 between 10:00AM to 4:00PM at their Sydney-based campus, and costs $450 (AUD) to enroll. You can view a full course outline here.
15. Master of Arts in Creative Writing with the University of Technology Sydney
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), offers a Masters of Arts in Creative Writing degree. For full-time students, the course should take roughly 1.5 years to complete. You also have the option of taking the program part-time. Based out of Ultimo, Sydney, this class will help you develop both your theoretical and practical writing skills. Before you apply, you’re strongly encouraged to review UTS’ entry requirements. You should also have the required levels of English proficiency to be accepted. For more information concerning enrollment dates or application deadlines, you can contact the admissions office via email or call +61 (02) 9514-2000.
Are there any other writing courses in Sydney that should be on this list? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.