MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATIONS
As part of the Writers Unleashed Festival, we offer manuscript assessments with Australia’s foremost publishers to help writers fulfill their publishing goals.
In our last festival, writers were able to book sessions with their choice of editors from Penguin Random House, Walker Books Australia, and Larrikin House.
How does the manuscript consultation work?
A manuscript consultation is a 15-minute meeting with an editor from a leading Australian publishing house. They will examine a sample of your work, then discuss it with you at an allotted time.
What do I need to do?
Step 1: Choose your editor – scroll down to read their bios and take note of their area of interest to ensure your writing fits their requirements.
Step 2: Purchase your consultation ticket - go to tickets.
Step 3: We will send you an email to request a sample of your work (see submission guidelines below).
Step 4: On the day of the Festival, meet with your editor at your allotted time - Good luck!
check out OUR 2026 EDITORS
Shane Oosthuizen, Penguin Random House
(Commercial Fiction)
Shane is a South African-Australian editor with a lifelong love for fantasy novels of all kinds. She is currently a senior editor at Penguin Random House, where she has worked for six years on fiction and non-fiction titles on their adult publishing list.
Bonita Mersiades, Fair Play Publishing
(Non Fiction/Biography)
Bonita is a writer, author, and publisher at Fair Play Publishing, founder and curator. of the Manly Writers’ Festival and Football and chair of cancer charity, NBCCC.org.au. She is recognised internationally as a ‘FIFA whistleblower’ for her work on uncovering corruption and governance issues within world football administration. She has also been team manager of the Socceroos. Bonita was a senior executive with the federal government in health, education and budgetary policy. As a Ministerial advisor, she was responsible for Australia’s first National HIV/AIDS Strategy and represented Australia at the World Health Organisation and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forums.
Mary Verney, Penguin Random House
(Kid Lit/YA)
Mary Verney is a Senior Editor at Penguin Random House Australia. She works on a range of books for children including illustrated fiction, middle grade and YA, including standalone titles and series. Authors she’s recently worked with include Stuart Wilson, Li Chen, Margot McGovern and Amy Doak. Her favourite books from childhood (this week) are The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr and Hating Alison Ashley by Robin Klein.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
When you purchase your ticket, we will contact you to request a sample of work as follows:
Writing for Children or Young Adults:
2 picture book texts
PLUS a short bio about yourself
OR
The first three chapters of junior fiction novel (middle grade/primary) or first two chapters of YA novel
PLUS a two-to-three-line elevator pitch
PLUS a synopsis (no more than 400 words)
PLUS a short bio about yourself
Writing for adults:
The first chapter of your manuscript
PLUS a two-to-three-line elevator pitch
PLUS a synopsis (no more than 400 words)
PLUS a short bio about yourself
Submission Format:
Only one manuscript may be submitted per consultation (with the exception of picture books).
All submission requirements (chapters, bio and synopsis) are to be combined into a single file.
Your submission should be: double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt and left-aligned with numbered pages.
Your name and the editor with whom you have booked your consultation to be included in the header of the document.
Submissions are to be saved as either .doc or .pdf files only with your name as the title (e.g. JaneDoe.doc or JohnDoe.pdf).
FAQS
Why book a manuscript consultation?
You only get one shot to submit your manuscript to a publisher, and if they choose not to accept it, chances are you will receive a standard form letter in reply. This is an opportunity to test the waters before you submit. You can find out if your manuscript is ready for publication, and also receive valuable feedback about why an editor may accept or reject your work. If your manuscript is good enough, you may even receive that golden ticket - an invitation to submit.
Can manuscript consultations help you get published?
Definitely! If you follow the editor's advice. Every bit of knowledge helps you become a stronger writer who is more aware of the publishing industry and better equipped to chase your publishing goals. And, if you bring the right manuscript to the right editor at the right time you could earn a publishing contract.
What should I do before the meeting?
Prepare your pitch. This is your chance to really sell your book to the editor. The more you know about where your manuscript fits into the industry, the better. Make sure you cover these things:
Approx word count
Genre
Audience
What published book is your manuscript similar to, and what new concept will set it apart?
Is there a gap in the market?
What else do I need to know?
Listen! Advice from an editor is invaluable. After all, they make the decisions on what gets published. Don't be afraid to take notes.
Having someone critique your work can be difficult. Don't waste time arguing. If you disagree, just make a note and move on. Sometimes what seems perfectly clear to you may not translate to your reader. Once you digest the feedback, you may find their advice does have merit.
Be confident and let your personality shine through. Enjoy yourself and don't worry too much!
A manuscript consultation can be a great stepping stone towards publication. Even if it doesn't result in a contract this time, at least you're one step closer to your goal.
Zero tolerance of abuse
In purchasing a manuscript consultation ticket, ticketholders agree to interact with editors in good faith and in a respectful manner. Abusive or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated. An editor has the right to terminate a manuscript consultation at any time, in the event of abusive or threatening behaviour, and the ticketholder is not entitled to a refund.
Need help?
Send us an email at writersunleashedfestival@gmail.com