Applicants should submit:

• A writer profile/bio up to 300 words (Part A),

• A synopsis/project overview up to 400 words (Part B), and

• A writing sample (Part C) – the first five pages from the proposed project (approx. 1,500-2,500 words, industry formatted – see below)*

alongside other information as requested in the Application Form.

*Writing sample will be read if the application progresses to the second round of assessment. (See Process.)

Writing samples should be presented per standard formatting:

• 12pt Times New Roman or Arial font

• Double line spacing

• 1” or 3cm margins on an A4 page

• Page numbered

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

Submissions accepted in PDF format. Please do not include identifying details (e.g. author’s name) on any portion of the manuscript as far as is practicable to do so. (QWC recognises in the case of family history and memoir that removing all identifying details may not be possible or practicable in all cases.)

A full-length or completed manuscript draft is not required to apply but QWC suggests having a substantial sample of writing drafted in order to make the most of this program.

Application criteria

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

Applicants should submit their own original work.

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

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.

Applicants may be previously unpublished or published writers.

Multiple applications are permitted.

Applicants who have applied for previous years’ programs (and/or other …able programs) are eligible to re-apply.

• Previously-shortlisted applicants will be 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 are required to comply with Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property (ICIP).

Key dates

Applications open: Monday 16 February – Tuesday 7 April 2026 (7 weeks)
Shortlist announced (mentorships commence): June 2026
Development workshop (all applicants): June 2026
Feedback Sessions commence: June 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.

Fees & charges

• Member application fee ($55)

  Discounted application fees available to current members of state writers’ centres in the National Writers’ Centre Network, including QWC.

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

Applications with add-ons:

• Application fee + One Year Membership ($124)

  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.)

• Application fee + Feedback Session ($135)

  During the application period, applicants can take advantage of a discounted Feedback Session ($75, valued at $150+). After applications close, Feedback Sessions may be made available to book separately at full price for a limited time through QWC’s Writer’s Consults program.

• Application fee + One Year Membership + Feedback Session ($199)

(Prices are GST inclusive.)

Participants are required to arrange and pay for any other expenses arising throughout the program if applicable, except as expressly identified by QWC in written agreements.

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

Process

QWC staff and trained readers will assess all submissions, conducting two rounds of assessment, based on industry standard processes for the consideration of non-fiction pitches:

1. Applications will be assessed based on the merits of the submitted writer profile/bio and project synopsis/overview (parts A and B), against criteria including originality/point-of-difference, feasibility, market audience and potential for development.

2. Selected applications from the prior round will be read and assessed based on the merits of the submitted 5-page writing sample (part C) against standard criteria.

Applications where the writer has opted for a Feedback Session are read by multiple trained readers and/or QWC staff to collate feedback on a separately submitted excerpt up to 50 pages; electing to receive feedback on the submission does not affect any aspect of the above assessment process. Feedback is provided verbally in a Feedback Session and written feedback can’t be provided.

QWC will select up to five writers (the shortlist) from the second round of assessment, at its discretion, to receive mentorship with a matched writer, editor or industry professional.

• Applicants may be asked to submit a working draft excerpt or writing material up to 50 pages in length (within 72 hours of notification) to confirm the suitability of the application and project for the program. This does not guarantee selection for the shortlist. The full manuscript may not be read or assessed in its entirety by QWC’s reading team.

• Once matched with a mentor, the format of the meetings and usage of the mentorship time will be agreed upon by the writer and mentor. QWC will continue to monitor progress.

  • Given the potentially sensitive, personal and/or traumatic nature of the material entered into the program, specialist mentors with experience and/or qualifications in memoir, mental health and/or trauma writing will be among those matched with shortlisted writers.

  • Every effort is made to ensure an appropriate and mutually beneficial match between shortlisted writers and mentors. However, QWC acknowledges creative relationships are subjective and may not always be found to be suitable for both mentor and writer; in these circumstances QWC will negotiate for the best possible mutual outcome but is unable to guarantee the provision of mentorship hours or further administration, additional to what is ordinarily provided to participants as part of the Program.

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

Correspondence with QWC may be a mixture of remote and in-person communication depending on availability; all required elements of the Program will be made available in an online format.

QWC is committed to providing a relevant development workshop, delivered by an industry professional, to Program applicants, regardless of application outcome.

Additional terms

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

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

• Up to 2 places on the shortlist may be reserved for Queensland-based writers (currently residing in Queensland). Up to 2 places in the shortlist may be reserved for emerging (defined as those with no more than one full-length published work or equivalent publication history) and unpublished writers.

QWC reserves no rights over manuscripts submitted to or developed during the program. Unless selected for the program shortlist, Writers may submit their manuscript to publishers, agents, competitions and opportunities prior to, during or following their participation in the program.

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.

Whilst ultimately at the applicant’s discretion, if work selected for the shortlist and/or developed during the program is published and/or contracted by a publisher or agent due to exposure or experience gained from the program, the applicant is asked to acknowledge the assistance provided by QWC and the program in published/produced outcomes and/or associated promotional materials (i.e. press releases), with notification given and considering direction/consultation provided by QWC.

Application materials (manuscript excerpts and other creative IP) will be stored securely and disposed of per standard QWC protocols. QWC may 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. 

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