Writing Tips and Expert Advice
Writing Course
Success Stories

How Lifelong Learning Made Megan Frith an Award-Winning Storyteller
To be a writer is to be a lifelong learner. This mindset defines the creative trajectory of Megan Frith, a versatile storyteller who has continually

From Debut to Bestseller: How One of Our Students Became New Zealand’s Most Wanted … Author
We are so proud of one of our own graduates, Gareth Ward, who studied on the Write a Novel Course under the guidance of tutor

How One Graduate Built a Career in Two Genres
Ian Middleton’s writing career began, fittingly, outdoors. After completing the Magazine Journalism Course at NZ Writers’ College with distinction, Ian turned his passion for mountain

Fault Lines to Storylines: A Seismologist’s Journey to Her Debut Novel
Tatiana Goded has a PhD in Seismology, three NZ Writers’ College courses under her belt, and a freshly published debut novel. A Trip Towards the

From the Staffroom to the Page
How a Retired Teacher from Nelson Found Her Voice in Magazine Journalism After twenty-eight years teaching English in Nelson classrooms, Janet Hart thought she knew what a writing life looked like. It looked like marking school essays. But everything changed over a September breakfast, when a piece she read in

Numbers to Narrative: How a Writing Course Launched an Award-Winning Career
Can a creative writing course transform an aspiring writer into an award-winning novelist? The extraordinary path of New Zealand author Suzanne Main proves that it absolutely can. Before capturing the hearts of young readers nationwide, Suzanne spent her days working as an accountant. However, a deep-seated desire to create led

Journalism Course Graduate Jo Wills Q & A
Jo Wills completed the Writing Articles for Websites and Blogs Course, as well as the Basics of Creative Writing and Advanced Creative Writing Courses at NZ Writers College. While she has been published several times online, she recently had a print piece published in AA Directions. Tell us a bit

Writing Course Graduate Juliet Slattery Q & A
Juliet Slattery is currently writing grants and short stories, and editing a novel manuscript, while staying on a small island off the coast of Australia. Juliet completed the 5-Month Short Story Challenge at the Writers College last year, and had a short story published in Capital Magazine. Tell us a

Writing Course Graduate Sarah Kelleher Q & A
Sarah Kelleher completed the Freelance Journalism Course and the Write a Novel Course at NZ Writers’ College. Her first novel is currently sitting on a publisher’s desk. Sarah tells us about her experience on her writing courses, and her progress as a writer. Photo credit: Richard Doran Tell us a

Claudia Rose: Graduate Journalism Student Q&A
Claudia Rose completed the Writing Articles for Websites and Blogs Course at NZ Writers College. She had an article published in Pet Life Magazine, and is the founder of the Facebook Page Pawsitive Tales. Tell us a bit about yourself. What made you sign up for a writing course? I’m

An Interview with Author Madeleine Redding
Madeleine Redding completed two writing courses at New Zealand Writers College. Her memoir Hold My Hand, Rosie. Don’t Let Go, co-written with her daughter, is about to launch in Auckland this March. Madeleine shares her writing and publishing process with us. Can you tell us what motivated you to write
Popular Stories

From the Staffroom to the Page
How a Retired Teacher from Nelson Found Her Voice in Magazine Journalism After twenty-eight years teaching English in Nelson classrooms, Janet Hart thought she knew what a writing life looked like. It looked like marking school essays. But everything changed over a September breakfast, when a piece she read in

The Life-Altering Magic of Completing a Writing Course
The benefits of doing a writing course extend far beyond technical skills and moral support. When we started our little writing school twenty years ago, we figured we’d mostly be teaching people where the commas go, how not to panic at a blank page, and how to keep slogging through a manuscript even when they […]

How Do You Get Your Web Content to Show Up in AI Searches?
Over 70% of searches are now AI-driven. Adapting your content strategy is becoming increasingly important for staying visible and relevant. Not long ago, every digital

Business Emails: How to Communicate Effectively
The average worker receives over 100 work emails per day and spends multiple hours reading and responding. Finding ways to communicate effectively through business email

5 Powerful SEO Writing Tips
By Veselina Yaneva The following five powerful writing tips will help you to optimize your online articles for search engines. Writing for the web requires the consideration of two audiences – human readers and search engines. These two audiences are interrelated: to make your content visible and accessible to the former, you need to ‘impress’ […]

How to Find Work as a Freelance Writer in New Zealand
By Melissa Gilbert Understanding the playing field is essential in order to secure work as a freelance writer. Researching the various routes a freelance writer can take to earn a living is like going down a rabbit hole. It starts with Google and ends with payment for a completed job – but what about the […]

How One Graduate Built a Career in Two Genres
Ian Middleton’s writing career began, fittingly, outdoors. After completing the Magazine Journalism Course at NZ Writers’ College with distinction, Ian turned his passion for mountain

An Interview with Helen Brain, Award-Winning Author
Helen Brain is the award-winning author of over 60 books for children, an adult memoir and many short stories. She has tutored the hugely popular
Write Articles for Digital and Print

The Self-Doubt of an Accidental Freelance Journalist
By PAUL HARRIS No, I did not crash my bike into a newsstand, although my journey was somewhat accidental. I went in search of professional

Travel Writing: 5 Travel Writers Who Show It’s Never Too Late to Start
It’s never too late to start a career in travel writing. Here, Chris Shorrock focuses on five travel writers who show that with hard work

A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming a Writer – Part Two
Earning an income from freelance writing can be daunting. In part two of her series, KATE TAYLOR breaks the process into easy-to-follow steps. Writing is

5 Reasons Why Writers Should Use Visual Journalism
BY JANE GARDINER The world is changing, and digital media continues to adapt. Rather than despair, writers should see visual journalism as an opportunity for

How to Find Work as a Freelance Writer in New Zealand
By Melissa Gilbert Understanding the playing field is essential in order to secure work as a freelance writer. Researching the various routes a freelance writer can take to earn a living is like going down a rabbit hole. It starts with Google and ends with payment for a completed job – but what about the […]

Writers Evolve! How to Make AI Work for Us
The recent rise of AI has been seen by writers as anything from troubling to an extinction-level event. But so were the tools that came

Mastering ChatGPT: Prompt-Writing Tips for Journalists
Rather than being afraid of ChatGPT and other AI, savvy journalists are taking advantage. The revolutionary AI chatbot can produce the broad strokes of an

The Modern Writer’s Toolkit: 6 Essential Tools to Supercharge Your Writing
Focusing on writing can feel impossible in today’s world full of deadlines and distractions. EMMA CLARKE shares six free digital tools to help freelance writers

A Copywriting Deep Dive: The Role of Words in Modern Marketing
Many brands and marketers know what they want to say. Few know how to say it. That’s where copywriters come in. BY AMY TJASINK ‘Just

Destigmatising AI: Why ChatGPT Isn’t Here to Replace You
For eight years, Amanda Penton of QuickFuse Studios has handled marketing for prominent clients such as Only Organic, Takapoto Estate, Morris & James Pottery, and

Q & A With Travel Writer and Award-Winning Author: Joe Bennett
An ex-pat Brit who travelled to NZ 35 years ago and settled in Lyttelton, Joe Bennett is an award-winning travel author, writer, and columnist. His work has been described by fellow travel author Bill Bryson as ‘brilliant’ and ‘deadly accurate

6 Essential Skills for Journalism
Considering being a journalist? Here are six essential skills any journalist needs. The digital landscape of media may have shifted the skillset for journalism, but
Tips for Breaking into a Career in Writing In NZ
Writing Careers: Types of Writing Jobs that Can Earn You Money
How to Find Work as a Freelance Journalist in New Zealand
How Raising Money For Charity Can Raise Your Writing Game
How much money can you make as a writer in New Zealand?
From Blogs to Branding: Exploring the Vast Job Market for Content Writers
Discovering the Joy of Writing: The Benefits of Taking a Writing Course
Explore the World
and Write

Talking Travel Writing With Award-Winning Journalist Ewan Mcdonald
Travel writer Mark Mitchell interviews leading New Zealand journalist Ewan McDonald, exploring his travel writing inspiration, highlights and writing tips and advice. Ewan McDonald had a great gig at the Waikato Times in Hamilton. He was a sub-editor, writing headlines

Travel Writing: 5 Travel Writers Who Show It’s Never Too Late to Start
It’s never too late to start a career in travel writing. Here, Chris Shorrock focuses on five travel writers who show that with hard work

Why Do a Travel Writing Course?
When every man and his dog thinks he’s a great travel writer, WENDY MONTROSE explains why she did a course before embarking on the road to travel journalism. ‘I’m doing a travel writing course,’ I told my daughter. With retirement

Q & A With Travel Writer and Award-Winning Author: Joe Bennett
An ex-pat Brit who travelled to NZ 35 years ago and settled in Lyttelton, Joe Bennett is an award-winning travel author, writer, and columnist. His work has been described by fellow travel author Bill Bryson as ‘brilliant’ and ‘deadly accurate
Watch a Q & A with Award-winning Tutors at Our College
Our team of Writers College writers/tutors answer your questions about the creative writing industry – and about getting published!


































