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This writing course, Pathways to Publishing: Perfect Your Submission with Ashley Kalagian Blunt, takes place at Writing NSW in Sydney.

You’ve put your heart and soul into crafting your manuscript. But how do you ensure it will stand out from the thousands of others vying to get onto bookshop shelves and into readers’ hands?

This one-day workshop with bestselling author Ashley Kalagian Blunt will give you the inside knowledge and tools you need to grab the attention of your desired agent or publisher.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Through discussion, analysis of examples and guided exercises, you will learn to craft an elevator pitch, write a convincing query letter, and craft a professional synopsis. You’ll also learn to speak about your manuscript with clarity and confidence.

Learn from Ashley’s extensive experience in publishing, after first working with a local publisher, then with a national publisher, before moving into multiple territories and languages via an agent. Drawing on these varied experiences, Ashley will walk you through the process of preparing to submit your manuscript.

Please note that a finished manuscript is not necessary to participate. In fact, taking this workshop will help those in the midst of writing to make informed artistic decisions about their current project. It will also help those who do have a finished draft to revise their manuscript in preparation for publication.

Expected learning outcomes

In this workshop, participants will:

1. Gain an understanding of the process for submitting to agents and publishers, including insider tips
2. Compose an elevator pitch for their manuscript
3. Understand the components of a persuasive query letter
4. Learn how to craft a professional synopsis
5. Gain confidence in their manuscript’s potential.

This workshop takes place at Writing NSW in Sydney.

Participant requirements

Please bring pen and paper, or a fully charged device. Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

If you have questions about this course, please contact us.

More from Writing NSW

Check out our full range of in-person writing courses in Sydney, our online writing courses and our feedback programs to see how we can help you on your writing journey. Find out about our grants and prizes, as well as writing groups across NSW, and sign up to our weekly newsletter for writing events, opportunities and giveaways.