What to submit

Applicants should submit:

• For novels, novellas, and other full-length books – the first three chapters (or approx. 10,000 words, up to a max. 15,000 words) of a completed manuscript

• For plays, graphic novels, children’s books, short stories and other short-format writing – the complete manuscript

alongside a 400-word synopsis and other information as requested in the Application Form.

Unpublished manuscripts should be presented according to standard formatting:

• 12pt Times New Roman font

• Double line spacing

• 1” (2.54cm) or 3cm margins on an A4 page

• Page numbered

• Manuscript title at top of first page, bolded and centred.

Submissions accepted in unrestricted Word (.docx) or PDF format. Please do not include the author’s name or identifying details on any portion of the manuscript.

Published manuscripts and works contracted for publication are accepted in publishers’ formatting/typesetting if available, otherwise as per the above standard formatting.

Screenplays, feature/short film/television scripts, and other forms of screenwriting are not eligible to apply. Writers looking to develop and/or pitch film scripts may consider instead QWC’s Scriptable program for emerging screenwriters, accepting film scripts of all formats.

Application criteria

Applications are accepted via the online Application Form. By making an application, applicants acknowledge to have read and understood these Guidelines.

Adaptable seeks material for film or television adaptation. The competition accepts submissions of published and/or publication-ready unpublished manuscripts with potential for screen adaptation.

Applicants should submit their own original work.

Applications may be made by agents, publishers or other authors’ representatives on behalf of and with the express written consent of the writer.

Manuscripts may be of any genre or style, except for self-help, business and cookery manuscripts, or works designed for the education, training, advertising or tourism sectors.

Applicants should be Australian or New Zealand citizens or reside in Australia or New Zealand.

Applicants under 18 years are eligible but should contact QWC prior to applying, and will need permission from a guardian.

Multiple applications are permitted.

Applicants who have applied for previous years’ programs are eligible to re-apply.

• Previously-shortlisted applicants are eligible to re-apply but not with a previously-shortlisted manuscript.

• Applicants may be asked to provide a short statement regarding changes made (if any) since the previous application.

Where there is Indigenous content or participation in the work, writers should comply with Screen Australia’s First Nations Australian Content or Participation guidelines and Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property.

Applications should be compliant with Screen Queensland’s Terms of Trade.

Applicants should not be employed by a government screen agency, or broadcaster. Applicants should not be involved with any projects in default with Screen Queensland, or seek retrospective funding.

Applicants acknowledge that no agreements have been entered into relating to the funding of the work, or any project based on the work, on interest in the work including any copyright interest, for screen rights or adaptation purposes.

Manuscripts should not be part of a current program of study or coursework. (Work completed as part of a prior program of study or coursework is eligible.)

Key dates

Applications open: Nov 2025 – Jan 2026 (9 weeks; note QWC Christmas closure)
Longlist announced: March 2026
Shortlist announced: April 2026
Feedback Sessions: March – April 2026
Program dates – Market Day: May 2026

Successful applicants will be publicly announced on QWC’s website and Pen & Pixel email newsletter. Applicants will be personally notified of the outcome of their application prior to public announcements.

Fees & charges

Standard application fees:

• Member application fee ($55)

• Non-member (standard) application fee ($65)

(GST inclusive.)

Discounted application fees are available to current members of state writers’ centres in the National Writers’ Centre Network, including QWC. Applicants may be asked to verify membership of another Centre.

Participants, including the shortlist, are required to arrange and pay for all other expenses throughout the program (including travel and accommodation to attend the Market Day), if applicable, except as expressly identified by QWC in written agreements.

Application fees with add-ons:

• Application fee + One Year Membership ($124)

• Application fee + Feedback Session ($109)

• Application fee + One Year Membership + Feedback Session ($173)

Applicants can take out a discounted One Year Membership ($69, valued at $89) with QWC. If already a member, the current membership period will be extended by one year.

During the application period, applicants with an unpublished manuscript can take advantage of a half-price Feedback Session ($49, valued at $99).

Refunds are not available for ineligible applications and/or applications withdrawn following the application period.

Process

QWC staff and trained readers will assess all submissions.

QWC will select up to 40 applicants, at its discretion, for the program longlist.

• Applicants will be asked to submit full works (within 72 hours of notification) for proof of completion. This does not guarantee selection for the program longlist or shortlist. The full manuscript may not be read or assessed in its entirety by QWC’s reading team.

QWC will then select up to 25 applicants, at its discretion, for the program shortlist, to attend matched pitch sessions with producers and screen industry professionals at a Market Day event.

Correspondence with QWC may include remote and in-person communication depending on availability. Attending the Market Day in-person is required for shortlisted applicants. Other elements of the program will be made available in an online format.

One-on-one Feedback Sessions (up to 30 minutes, held online) with QWC staff are available as a paid add-on, for applicants with an unpublished manuscript to receive deidentified reader feedback and discuss next steps.  

Additional terms

QWC does not guarantee the future production or publication of manuscripts submitted to or developed during the program.

Final numbers selected for the longlist and shortlist are at QWC’s discretion, and may depend on the quality and number of applications received.

• Up to 10 places on the shortlist may be reserved for Queensland-based writers (currently residing in Queensland). Up to 7 places in the shortlist may be reserved for unpublished works, to encourage and hold space for emerging writers.

All feedback given, including in Feedback Sessions, is constructive and the opinion of the reader/s.

QWC does not take a percentage of any future royalties, option or sale of submitted work, and all rights and intellectual property remain with the author, regardless of their final placement in the program.

By making an application – and/or accepting a position on the longlist or shortlist – applicants acknowledge their responsibility for all travel/accommodation expenses required to attend and participate in Market Day (see Fees & charges), if selected.

While QWC will take all reasonable steps to secure an interview/s for shortlisted applicants, entry into the program shortlist may not guarantee an interview.

QWC reserves no rights over manuscripts submitted to or developed during the program. Unless selected for the program shortlist, QWC allows writers to submit their manuscript to producers, competitions, courses, or publishers prior to, during or following their participation in the program.

• The full screen rights of works selected for the shortlist will be exclusively embargoed (successful applicants cannot continue to separately enter this work into competitions, promote, pitch or sell the screen rights of the work) until 3 months after the pitch meeting/s.

If work selected for the shortlist is optioned and/or produced, the writer will be required to acknowledge the assistance provided by QWC and the program in published/produced outcomes and/or associated promotional materials according to QWC directions.

Application materials (manuscripts and creative IP) will be stored securely and disposed of per standard QWC protocols. QWC will record and keep other information, including contact details, provided on the application form as necessary.

Successful applicants are encouraged to promote and support the program and QWC, and may be asked to provide a testimonial for the program. Credit publicly offered towards QWC should comply with directions given by QWC, approved graphics used, and notification given.

Whilst ultimately at the applicant’s discretion, if successful in future due to exposure or experience gained from the program, appropriate credit and acknowledgement of QWC’s role is expected.

QWC may offer unsuccessful applicants the opportunity to participate in a tailored program at a cost additional to the initial application fee.