Stories from our community Archives - Professional Writing Academy

Join us at our first-ever online writing festival

This year is a special one for us at the Professional Writing Academy, it’s our 10-year anniversary and we’re celebrating it a little differently…

Disability representation in the publishing industry

Course alumna Penny Batchelor, author of My Perfect Sister and Her New Best Friend, explores disability representation and action in the publishing industry today.

How do you write a funny book?

Faye Brann explains how to write a funny book

Comedy Women in Print winner Faye Brann explains how her experiences in improv comedy gave her the confidence to pen her first novel.

Michael Lynes on independently publishing his debut novel

Michael Lynes shares his experiences of publishing his first novel Blood Libel and learning how to promote himself online and find his readership.

Getting published during a pandemic.

Penny Batchelor on getting a book published during a pandemic

From Zoom book launches to online lit festivals – alumna Penny Batchelor tells us about her debut novel My Perfect Sister and her journey to publication in 2020.

The story of Professional Writing Academy

Our founding directors Christina Bunce and Susannah Marriott explain how they started the Professional Writing Academy.

On overcoming imposter syndrome.

Overcoming imposter syndrome to become a bestselling author

Author AJ Campbell reveals how an online writing community gave her the confidence to write debut novel Leave Well Alone, which became an Amazon bestseller in 2020.

Author Deborah Masson explains when to submit to agents

Author and Faber Academy alumna Deborah Masson explores when to submit to agents, dealing with feedback on your work and whether to plan your novel.

Becoming a Mslexia competition runner-up

How a weekend course set me up for a Mslexia competition

Short Story in a Weekend alumna and Mslexia Short Story Competition runner-up Kristen Loesch discusses how taking the course opened her eyes to the power of short fiction.

Joanna Cannon – from online writing course to publishing deal

Author of The Problem with Goats and Sheep and Faber Academy alumna Joanna Cannon explores how an online course set her up for getting published.

Hold Your Tongue author Deborah Masson

Deborah Masson: from Faber Academy to securing a book deal

Faber Academy alumnus and author of Hold Your Tongue Deborah Masson shares her journey from taking our Writing a Novel course to getting published.

Awais Khan discusses creating opportunities for writers in Pakistan

Author and The Writing Institute founder Awais Khan talks with our Faber Academy alumni about how he is providing an outlet for writers in Pakistan.