Getting Published with Hannah Kent and Rebecca Starford

Everything you need to know about getting your creative writing published

Completing a first draft is only the beginning of a journey to publication. What follows is the crucial - and often difficult - process of redrafting your manuscript. And then where do you send your work and to whom? For debut authors, the publishing industry can seem impenetrable.

This workshop is designed to open doors and shine lights on everything you need to know about preparing your work for possible publication, along with the crucial process of getting it into the hands of publishers and agents.

You'll learn:
  • Efficient creative techniques to redraft your work-in-progress and make it shine
  • About the many pathways to publication
  • All the dos and don'ts
  • Where and how to submit your work when it's ready
  • How to write pitches, cover letters and the perfect synopsis

This is a workshop of intensive writing, reflection and industry-insider information, led by two experienced writers and publishers.

The course is designed to take you 4-5 hours in total, and can be completed in short stages at your convenience. Scroll down to see the full course curriculum and a list of frequently asked questions.

"The insights shared by industry insiders - both the teachers and other contributors - were helpful, reassuring and, at times, sobering. The inner workings of the industry were clearly outlined, as were the expectations of publishers. The exercises were thoughtful, particularly when paired with the samples and advice from the teachers."


KYD Members receive a 10% discount on this course and all other KYD online courses throughout the year. Become a member here, or contact [email protected] for more information.

Want to buy a course for a friend? Purchase a gift voucher here.


Your Instructor


Hannah Kent & Rebecca Starford
Hannah Kent & Rebecca Starford

Hannah Kent is the co-founder and publishing director of Kill Your Darlings. Her debut novel, Burial Rites (2013), has been translated into thirty languages and was shortlisted for the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction, the Stella Prize, the Guardian First Book Award, and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. It won the ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year and the Indie Awards Debut Fiction Book of the Year, amongst others. Hannah’s second novel, The Good People (2016) was shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, the Queensland Literary Awards and the Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction. It is being adapted for film by Aquarius Productions.

Rebecca Starford is the co-founder and publishing director of Kill Your Darlings. Her debut memoir, Bad Behaviour (Allen & Unwin), was published in 2015 and is currently in development with Matchbox Pictures. Her novel The Imitator was published in 2021. Rebecca is a former editor at Text Publishing, and has worked for Affirm Press and Australian Book Review. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian, Age, and Weekend Australian. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland.


Course Curriculum


  First Section
Available in days
days after you enrol
  You've Finished Your Draft, Now What?
Available in days
days after you enrol
  Techniques For Effective Rewriting And Redrafting
Available in days
days after you enrol

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish. We encourage you to approach this material not just as lessons to be finished once and for all, but also as a collection of resources to which you can return time and again.
How long do I have access to the course?
Forever! After enrolling, you have unlimited lifetime access to this course - across any and all devices you own.
Does the teacher provide feedback?
No. If you are interested in receiving feedback on your project, we encourage you to check out KYD's Manuscript Assessment Service: https://killyourdarlings.com.au/shop/manuscript-assessments/
How do I access my course?
All our online workshops are hosted at workshops.killyourdarlings.com.au, via the Teachable platform. You can access your workshop by logging in at that link, or by following the link in your welcome email when you enrol. Please note that as the Teachable platform is a separate website to KYD you will need to create a new account, and will not be able to use your KYD login details.
I'm a KYD member. How do I receive my 10% discount?
Click on 'Enrol in course for $169'. Enter the coupon code that was emailed to you when you became a KYD member at checkout, underneath the tutor's photo.
What if I have another question?
You can email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help!

Get started now!