These manuscript assessments are closed for bookings. Sign up for our waitlist here to find out when they’re running again. In the meantime, check out our list of current courses or sign up for our Newsbite weekly newsletter for updates.

Do you need expert insight to help your picture book or early reader manuscript reach its full potential?

What should I expect?

In a 30-minute session, our industry expert will work with you to help your manuscript reach its full potential.  Feedback may include discussions on voice, plot, characterisation, language, readability and/or writing techniques.

You will receive a brief written summary of the assessor’s key feedback points; however, you will not receive edits on your manuscript submission. This one-on-one meeting is a chance to discuss issues and potential solutions, and to ask questions. Please note, if you have illustrations, they may be brought on the day. The assessment focus is your text, though the assessor can discuss visual elements and integration of illustration and text, time permitting.

All of our assessments are carried out via Zoom or a phone call.

Is my manuscript eligible?

These assessments are for picture books or chapter books for readers up to eight years old (under 20,000 words). If you are writing a manuscript for junior fiction/middle grade readers (approximately ages 8 to 12) or young adults, please see our young adult assessments.

Next dates:

• Thursday 10 April, 2025 with Josie Montano (via Zoom/phone) – CLOSED FOR BOOKINGS
• If this date doesn’t work for you, join the waitlist for future Children’s Book Manuscript Assessments.

How to Book

Available session times throughout the day:

• 10:00AM-10.30AM
• 11:00AM-11:30AM
• 12:30PM-1:00PM
• 1:30PM-2.00PM
• 2:30PM-3:00PM

Please select one of the sessions from the ‘book now’ menu and complete the transaction. Please then email us at workshops@writingnsw.org.au with your time preference and we will secure your time slot.

Submission requirements

You will need to provide the following at least 10 days before your assessment:

• Picture book or chapter book text, up to 1000 words*

*Please note that if your manuscript excerpt exceeds the word limit, it will be truncated at 1000 words before being forwarded to the assessor. Please respect the time the assessor is dedicating to reading your work by sticking to the industry standard formatting and word limit. Thank you.

Submitting your work

Once you have made your appointment, you will need to your submission at least 10 days before your assessment as one document in MS Word format. Your document must be formatted to industry standards, as follows:

• Line spacing: 1.5 or double
• Font: Times New Roman
• Size: 12 pt
• Margins: minimum 3 cm all round (Word default margins are fine)
• Text should be range left (which means the right edge is ‘ragged’), not justified
• Page numbers: consecutive from beginning to end

You can submit your document via our submission form.

Please note, if your materials are not submitted at least 10 days before your assessment, we cannot guarantee your assessor will have time to review them before your appointment.

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Cancellation Policy

Your enrolment is non-refundable. If you should wish to withdraw from a manuscript assessment, you must inform Writing NSW at least fourteen days in advance of the assessment to receive a full credit. Withdrawals up to seven days prior to the assessment will be eligible for a 50% credit. Withdrawals in the week prior to the assessment are ineligible for credit.

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