Have you got a half-finished manuscript tucked away in a drawer? Or perhaps you've written the next paramormal romance set to rival Laurell K. Hamilton? Well finish them and dust them off, because there is an amazing opportunity coming your way!
Now that Orbit, one of the leading publishers of SF, has set up camp in Australia we are looking for talented writers of speculative fiction. To unearth these unknowns Orbit, in conjunction with the Queensland Writers' Centre, is announcing an exciting new manuscript development program. Ten people from around Australia will be given the opportunity to take part in a 5 day writers' retreat with industry professionals - so click on the attachment to read the application details, and then get writing!
Orbit/Queensland Writers Centre
for Speculative Fiction Authors
Hachette Livre Australia and Queensland Writers Centre are proud to announce an exciting new national program for speculative fiction novelists.
Who will benefit?
This program has been created for emerging Australian authors of science fiction or fantasy novels who are either unpublished or have no more than one significant work commercially published.
What is the program?
Up to 10 emerging writers of science fiction or fantasy novels will work with Bernadette Foley, publisher of Hachette Livre Australias Orbit imprint, and senior editor Deonie Fiford, to develop high-quality fiction manuscripts.
The program will run for five days. In that time, participants will consult with Bernadette Foley and Deonie Fiford, hear about the publishing industry from professionals such as literary agents, booksellers and established authors, and work on their manuscripts. The program will run at a retreat location in southeast Queensland in May 2008.
Participants will need to arrange for their own travel to and from the retreat and pay $250 towards food and board.
Selection Process
Applicants must send the first 50 pages of their manuscript, plus a one page synopsis. Submissions must be in the speculative fiction genre (science fiction and fantasy) and must be the applicants own original work.
Each application will be considered by a panel of experienced readers from within the publishing industry who will recommend a shortlist. From the shortlist, 10 manuscripts will be selected in consultation with the Orbit publisher and editor. Applicants must be ready to send their full completed manuscripts upon selection for the program.
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