Non-Fiction Assessments
Renée Otmar
Do you have a non-fiction manuscript that could be ready for publishing? Do you want advice on how to improve your manuscript and its publishing potential? Our experienced assessor offers feedback on non-fiction works-in-progress, including memoir, biography, travel, true crime, parenting, cookbooks, self help, gardening and more.
What should I expect?
Our non-fiction assessor will consider your manuscript’s structure, content and style to assess its potential for publication. Feedback may include structural assessment, analysis of voice, and/or legal issues to be aware of, such as defamation and copyright.
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.
Our assessments may be carried out in-person, or via Zoom or a phone call.
Please note: There is a limit of one booking per person.
Is my manuscript eligible?
All non-fiction is eligible. If you’re writing narrative non-fiction and would like a stronger focus on story structure, character or dialogue, please see our narrative non-fiction assessments.
Next dates
Thursday 20 March, 2025 – Renée Otmar – Via Zoom/Phone
If this date doesn’t work for you, Join the waitlist for future Non-Fiction Manuscript Assessments
Submission requirements
You will need to provide the following at least 10 days before your assessment:
- the first 4000 words of your manuscript*
- a one-page synopsis, up to 300 words (need help with your synopsis? Please see our guide to writing a synopsis)
- a brief writing CV, no more than one page
*Please note that if your manuscript excerpt exceeds the word limit, it will be truncated at 4000 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 submit your materials 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)
- Paragraphing: indent all paragraphs except the first paragraph of a new chapter or section. Only put spaces between paragraphs where you wish to indicate a section break.
- 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.
Please note: There is a limit of one booking per person.
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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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