Event:

Open House with Pantera Press

Friday 20 March 2020, 9:30am-3:30pm

This opportunity is open to Writing NSW members only. Not a member? Join here>>

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. You can join our waitlist and we will contact you if any spots become available. Please let us know in the extra notes section what genre your manuscript is.

Price: $45, exclusively open to Writing NSW members
Phone bookings open Monday 3 February 2020, 9am. 


How does a publishing house work? Ever wondered how a publisher decides whether or not to commission a work? Interested in getting feedback on your submission so you have a better chance of getting published?

On Friday 20 March 2020 Pantera Press, a boutique Australian publishing house with a focus on finding and developing the next generation of talented Australian storytellers, will be in residence at Writing NSW.

Meet the team from Pantera Press as they take you through the steps to publishing a book: from the submissions process through to editing, marketing, digital and publicity. The morning will comprise a series of panels with the Pantera Press directors, editorial team, marketing and comms staff, as well as genre-specific breakout groups.

In the afternoon there will be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a member of the editorial team to gain invaluable feedback on your submission.

Submissions will be read by Pantera Press prior to the day. Each one-on-one 10-minute meeting will offer constructive feedback on your submission, including advice on refining your draft, genre categorisation, appropriate length, etc.

You can submit the first 6,500 words of a manuscript in the following genres:

Adult Fiction (all types)
Non-fiction
Young Adult
Illustrated Non-fiction for younger readers*
Gift books

When you book in, please be ready to tell us what genre your manuscript is written in, as this will determine which editor we place you with.

Pantera Press is currently accepting commercial and literary fiction, non-fiction, adult fiction (all types), young adult fiction, and illustrated non-fiction for younger readers.

Pantera Press is not accepting picture books, all other children’s manuscripts, cookbooks, self-help books, health and well-being books, travel books, poetry, scripts, short stories, compilations, novellas.

*Please see an example of an Illustrated Non-Fiction book for younger readers that Pantera has published here. This genre fits with Pantera’s mission of sparking conversation and change. Please only submit text, unless you are an author-illustrator, in which case you can submit your illustrations as well as text.


Got questions?

If you have any questions about the event, please read our FAQ>>


Participant requirements and how to submit

You must have a completed manuscript to enrol.

Once enrolled, you will need to submit in one document:

  • the first 20 pages of your manuscript, maximum 6500 words
  • a one-page synopsis of your work, up to 300 words (need help with your synopsis? Please see our guide to writing a synopsis)
  • a short note about yourself as a writer including why you love to write (maximum 150 words)

Your submission must be received by Tuesday 18 February 2020, 5pm.
Please go here to submit your document>>

Your file must follow these formatting guidelines:

  • Please provide the document in Microsoft Word format, saved in your name (i.e. Jane Doe.doc)
  • Line spacing: 1.5–2
  • 12 pt Times New Roman font
  • Margins: minimum 3 cm all round (Word default margins are fine)
  • Page numbers: consecutive from beginning to end
  • 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.
  • Left aligned (this means the text on the right edge of the page is ragged)

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.

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