Valerie KhooValerie Khoo is founder and CEO of the Australian Writers' Centre (AWC), the country's leading centre for writing courses. The centre has evolved into a hot-house for talented writers, who are regularly selected by major publishers for book deals. Sh's a mentor to freelance writers through the AWC's innovative masterclass program designed to nurture freelance writers to build a lucrative and rewarding career. Valerie is also a keynote speaker and author of 'Power Stories: The 8 Stories You MUST Tell to Build an Epic Business'. She regularly presents workshops for corporate and consumer groups on communication and creativity. Valerie has spent 20-plus years in the world of writing and publishing, including 13 years writing for the 'Sydney Morning Herald' and a range of glossy magazines. She has previously worked as a public relations consultant and began her early career as an accountant at PwC and lecturer at the University of Sydney. She now combines her love for writing with her creative pursuits as a visual artist. Valerie is also curator of the Sydney Lunar Festival, the City of Sydney's arts and culture festival, which attracts more than 1.4 million people. Both Allison and Valerie are co-hosts of the top-rating podcast 'So You Want To Be A Writer'. Read More Read Less