Event: Open House
Open House with HarperCollins 2025
WHEN? Friday 9 May 2025, 9:30am-3.30pm
WHERE? Writing NSW, Callan Park, Lilyfield, Sydney.
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?
On Friday 9 May 2025, HarperCollins will be in residence at Writing NSW.
Meet the team from HarperCollins as they take you through how a book gets published from the submissions process through to acquisition, editorial, and contracts. In the afternoon there will be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a publisher to get feedback on your submission.
Submissions will be read by publishers at HarperCollins prior to the event. In one-on-one 10-minute meetings you will receive feedback on your submission, which may include advice on refining your submission, whether it is in the correct genre, appropriate length, etc.
What genres will be considered?
Literary and commercial fiction, narrative and commercial non-fiction, fantasy, romance, crime and thrillers, historical fiction, speculative fiction, memoir and biography.
What genres will NOT be considered?
Children’s and young adult fiction, plays/scripts, poetry or titles with a predominantly educational or academic readership.
How do I enrol?
- You must be a member of Writing NSW.
- You must have a completed manuscript.
- You must be previously unpublished/with no publishing contract.
- You must NOT have attended the Open House 2024 event.
- You must confirm you will available between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm on Friday 9 May 2025 as places are not transferable.
1. Registrations to submit an expression of interest form open on Monday, 31 March, via a link in our Newsbite E-Newsletter ONLY. Make sure you’re subscribed!
2. You will need to submit your name, contact details and the genre of your manuscript. Enrolments will close when we have filled all places. This event books out quickly!
3. If we are able to offer you a place, we will email you with payment details. You will need to pay within 48 hours to secure your place. If you do not pay the invoice within 48 hours, your place will be offered to another writer. Please note: we do not provide credit/refunds for this event.
Please note: Submitting an expression of interest form does not guarantee you a place. We will confirm the outcome of your submission within 48 hours.
Schedule
*Timings and content to be confirmed.
9.00 – Doors open
9.30 – Panel Discussion: So, you’ve written a book! What happens next?
A session on how to pull together your manuscript, pitch, synopsis and bio for submission to publishers or agents. Discussion will also include what publishers are looking for, how the acquisition process works, and how publishing decisions are made.
10.00 Panel discussion: The Editorial Process
What to expect from the various stages of the editorial process.
10.30 Short break
10.40 Panel discussion: Marketing and Publicity
Discussions will include what a book campaign looks like, showing examples from recent campaigns, as well as how an author can help build the buzz about their book.
11.05 Panel discussion: Market Trends
What trends are really hot right now? What should an aspiring writer be aware of? What’s selling, what’s not? Should a writer respond to trends or stay focused? All the useful information you need on what’s happening with the market right now.
11.35 General Q & A
12.05 Lunch
12.40 One-on-one publisher sessions commence
3.30 One-on-one publisher sessions conclude
Got questions?
If you have any questions about the event or the submission requirements, please read our FAQ>>
