Hachette Australia Manuscript Development Program for
Fiction and Non-Fiction Writers delivered by Queensland Writers Centre
Application Guidelines
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Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) and Hachette Australia are proud to announce their 9 national program
for fiction and non-fiction writers in 2016.
WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?
Up to 10 emerging fiction and non-fiction writers will work with staff from Hachette Australia to develop highquality manuscripts.
The program will run for four days in Brisbane, Queensland. Participants will each have an individual
consultation with staff from Hachette Australia to receive feedback on their manuscript. During the four days,
participants will also meet other publishing industry professionals such as literary agents, booksellers and
established authors, and work on their manuscripts. The program will run 4 – 7 November 2016.
Hachette Australia does not guarantee publication of manuscripts selected for the program but reserves the
first right to publish the selected manuscripts. Please read the full terms and conditions in the Application
Form.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
 This program has been created for emerging Australian authors of commercial adult fiction and nonfiction only.

Manuscripts submitted by applicants for the program must be their own original work and should be
strong commercial fiction, including but not limited to contemporary women’s fiction and crime, or
commercial narrative non-fiction, including but not limited to memoir, biography, travel narratives and
general history. The emphasis of this program is on finding and developing commercial manuscripts
capable of having broad appeal.

Young adult manuscripts – including YA fiction and YA non-fiction – are not eligible. Speculative
fiction, science fiction, fantasy and other subgenres are not eligible.

Poetry, plays, short stories, works intended for the academic or educational market, self-help,
business, and cookery manuscripts are not eligible.

Manuscripts for adult fiction and non-fiction must be between 55,000 and 110,000 words in length.

The program will be open to emerging writers who, for the purpose of this program, are defined as
writers who are unpublished or with no more than one commercially published work.

A writer who has had one work published already and has contractually agreed to give the option on
their next work to their incumbent publisher is not eligible.

Entry to the program will be open to applicants Australia-wide who are Australian citizens or permanent
resident in Australia, and who currently reside in Australia.

Applicants must be aged 18 years or older.

A minimum of 3 places will be reserved for Queensland-based writers. For the purpose of this program, a
Queensland-based writer is a writer currently residing in Queensland.

Hachette Australia reserves the right to ask applicants to submit full works prior to announcing the
shortlist. In this case, applicants must submit a full-length draft of their manuscript within 72 hour of being
notified. This does not guarantee entry into the program.

Successful applicants must be available to attend at least the publisher-consultation portion of the retreat
in Brisbane (5-6 November).
This program is a partnership initiative of Queensland Writers Centre and Hachette Australia.
ENTRY AND ASSESSMENT PROCESS
 Applicants must submit one printed copy of the first 50 pages of their manuscript plus one copy of a one
page synopsis.

Manuscripts must be formatted as per industry standard – please see the QWC resource sheet on
Formatting Your Manuscript

Synopses should be single-spaced. Please see QWC Resource Sheet on Writing a Synopsis for hints
and tips

Applications must be accompanied by a completed application form and $50 administration fee. The fee
contributes toward administration expenses of Queensland Writers Centre in administering this program.

Applicants may enter more than one manuscript; however, each submission must be accompanied by its
own application form and administration fee.

All submissions will be assessed by staff from Hachette Australia, who will make the final decision on the
shortlist of successful applicants.

The successful applicants must submit a full-length draft of their manuscripts within 72 hours of being
accepted to the program. Staff from Hachette Australia will read the full manuscript prior to the retreat.

There will be no individual feedback for unsuccessful applicants.
FEES AND CHARGES
The application fee is $50 (inc. GST). This program has been partially subsidised, however, participants
selected for the program will be required to contribute towards some of their meals during the program.
Participants will need to arrange and pay for their own travel to and from Brisbane. There are no other
charges for this program.
KEY DEADLINES 2016
Application Deadline:
5:00pm Monday 16 May
Short list notified:
No later than Friday 2 September
MS Development Retreat: Friday 4 – Monday 7 November 2016
**Applications must be delivered by the deadline. Electronic submissions will not be considered.**
HOW TO APPLY
Complete the Application Form and send with one printed copy of your manuscript and synopsis to:
QWC/Hachette Australia MS Development Program
c/o Queensland Writers Centre
PO Box 3488
South Brisbane Qld 4101
Manuscripts must be presented according to standard manuscript format e.g. printed in 12 point Times New
Roman font, double spaced, 3cm margins, page numbered, printed on one side. Do not staple or bind
applications (bulldog clips are preferred). Applicants should ensure their name appears on the application
form only. Please do not include your name or identifying details on any portion of the manuscript or
synopsis.
Application materials will not be returned. Send copies only (i.e. not your original manuscript). Application
materials will be disposed of securely once the selection process has been completed. Information provided
on the application form will be recorded and kept by QWC for 9 months.
QUESTIONS?
Download the Frequently Asked Questions on QWC’s website and if you have further queries you can
contact QWC for information at:
Phone: 07 3842 9922
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.qwc.asn.au
This program is a partnership initiative of Queensland Writers Centre and Hachette Australia.