Submission Requirements

Writers do not need to have a full manuscript at the time of submission, though they must have made substantial progress on a manuscript, which they intend to complete. Applicants must not previously have had a full-length work of fiction or non-fiction professionally published. 

Submissions must be either a work of fiction (including short story collections) or narrative non-fiction for adult, kids (middle grade) or young adults. Note that poetry, plays, picture books and practical non-fiction are ineligible.

Please submit an extract from the work you would like to be mentored for. The extract must be a minimum of 8,000 words up to a maximum of 10,000 words.

Please also attach a statement of no more than two A4 pages including:          

• an outline of how you think the mentorship would benefit you and your work (maximum one paragraph).
• a description of your efforts to be a writer, including any writing courses you have participated in, any prizes you have won and any work you have had published (maximum one paragraph).
• a brief description of the project you are working on, telling us what stage you are at with it, including a chapter breakdown.
• your name (or other identifying information) must not appear on either the extract of your work or your accompanying statements.

Terms & Conditions

•  The submission requirements form part of the Terms & Conditions.
• You must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. A letter of confirmation may be requested.
• You must be 18 years of age or over and an Australian resident.
• You must not have had a full-length work of fiction or narrative non-fiction professionally published or accepted for publication.
• If you have had a script, play, picture book, collection of poetry or short stories published you are eligible to apply.
• To be eligible for the mentorship, the work submitted for the mentorship cannot have been previously published in print or digital formats or be currently submitted for publication.
• If, after submission, your work is the winner of any other prize, or is accepted for publication, or self-published, you must notify Writing NSW in writing immediately, and your work may be deemed ineligible for the program and withdrawn from the judging process.
• Submissions cannot be for work that is currently being developed for a university or other qualification.
• Submitted material must be your own original work and must not have been produced using AI.
• Submitted work must be in English, although it may include passages in Language.
• The mentor will be appointed by Writing NSW in consultation with the successful applicant.
• The scheduling and logistics of the mentorship will be negotiated with the successful applicant and the chosen mentor according to their needs and availability.
• It is a condition of entry that Text Publishing has the right to consider any submitted manuscript for publication under terms to be negotiated with the writer, until the winner has been announced.
• Text Publishing does not guarantee publication of the successful applicant’s manuscript.
• After the conclusion of the mentorship, the successful applicant will submit the full manuscript to Text Publishing. Text Publishing will read the manuscript and provide feedback and suggestions for manuscript development. The successful applicant may then revise the manuscript and resubmit to Text Publishing for consideration for publication. The successful applicant must notify Text Publishing in writing if they choose not to resubmit the manuscript after receiving the editorial feedback.
• The selected applicant grants Text Publishing the exclusive first option to consider the work for publication. You will not submit the manuscript to any other publisher for the duration of the mentorship or consideration period. If Text Publishing makes an offer, you agree to negotiate in good faith on reasonable commercial terms to determine if a mutually beneficial publishing agreement can be reached. 
• The consideration period consists of 12 weeks from the date that the successful applicant either resubmits their manuscript after receiving editorial feedback from Text Publishing or notifies Text Publishing in writing that they do not plan to do so. If Text Publishing does not make an offer within this period, the exclusive option is waived.
• Applicants retain the copyright to their submissions, but Writing NSW reserves the right to use successful applicants’ submitted work for promotional purposes.
• Manuscripts must be submitted as PDFs, set up as an A4 double-spaced document in 12 point Roman font with 3 cm margins and page numbers and the title on each page. Hardcopies / direct electronic submissions will not be accepted, nor will hand delivered submissions. Please use the online form provided.
• The successful applicant and shortlisted writers will be notified directly, and their names will be posted on the Writing NSW and Text Publishing websites.
• The decision of the judges is final. The judges will not enter into any correspondence and no individual feedback will be provided to entrants.
• Applicants for the Boundless Mentorship opt into the marketing database of Writing NSW and Text Publishing and agree to receive marketing information. Applicants’ contact information will not be passed on to any other party or used for any other purpose. Applicants may opt out of these marketing databases at any time.
• The successful applicant agrees to assist Writing NSW and Text Publishing in promoting the mentorship program.
• Employees and Board Members of Writing NSW and Text Publishing are not eligible to apply.
• By submitting your entry you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

Applications to the 2025 Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship are now open. Click here to submit your application. Applications will  close Monday 25 November 2024.

The Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship is presented by Writing NSW and Text Publishing with support from the First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN).