Writing competitions and development programs
Adaptable
Annual program. 2024/25 applications open now: 18 November 2024 – 21 January 2025.
Since 2018, Queensland Writers Centre’s Adaptable: Turning the Page to Screen has been forging creative connections between the literary and screen communities. The Program seeks material for film or television adaptation, and accepts submissions of manuscripts of any genre, fiction or non-fiction, published and unpublished.
Successful applicants to the Program are given the opportunity to pitch works with potential for screen adaptation to producers, showrunners, screenwriters and industry professionals.
View the program guidelines and application form.
Program Stages
All applicants
All applicants receive:
a relevant complimentary development workshop (valued at $70+), to be delivered online
opportunity to book Feedback Session (paid add-on) to receive reader feedback and advice
Longlist – up to 40 writers selected
Longlisted writers receive:
One Year Membership with Queensland Writers Centre
Selected synopses provided to screen industry partners for consideration
Shortlist – up to 25 writers selected
Shortlisted writers receive:
Professional pitch practice with QWC staff
Opportunity to pitch work to screenwriters, producers and industry professionals at a Market Day event
Adaptable is supported by:
Publishable
Annual program. 2024 applications (now closed): Monday 11 March – Tuesday 14 May 2024
Publishable 2024 is Queensland Writers Centre's 15th annual national manuscript development program for emerging writers.
The program gives up to 25 successful applicants with completed manuscripts the chance to take part in a tailored manuscript development program, designed to strengthen, refine and polish their completed manuscript. Writers can expect to work with professional writers, the Queensland Writers Centre team, and industry experts, applying that knowledge to their own manuscripts to take them closer to publication.
Up to 10 shortlisted writers will receive a 5-hour mentorship with an industry professional. On completion of the mentorship phase, shortlisted writers will also be given the opportunity to attend pitch interviews with specially matched agents and publishers. Opportunities for feedback and development are available for all applicants, including a complimentary workshop tailored to the year’s cohort of applications – all helping you progress your manuscript closer to publication.
View the application guidelines and the application form (currently closed).
Program stages
All applicants
All applicants receive:
a complimentary development workshop (valued at $70), to be delivered online
opportunity to book Feedback Session (paid add-on) to receive feedback and advice
Longlist – up to 25 writers selected
Longlisted writers enter a personalised manuscript development program including:
consultation on manuscript development with Queensland Writers Centre staff
craft and industry workshop/s and/or seminar/s with writing professionals
Shortlist – up to 10 writers selected
Shortlisted writers receive:
5-hrs mentorship with a writing industry professional, including reading and meetings
opportunity to pitch to a matched agent or publisher
One Year Membership with Queensland Writers Centre
Printable
Annual program. 2024 bookings (now closed): Monday 16 September – Tuesday 30 October 2024.
Queensland Writers Centre’s Printable program returns, with a sharp focus on getting you and your author brand ready for the literary marketplace.
Whether you’re looking to give an upcoming publication a boost, build a community of readers and writers around your work, or ensure your author brand appeals to prospective publishers – this program will help you nail down the fundamentals of marketing yourself.
All you need to apply is a Statement of Intent – what you want to learn and intend to accomplish during and following Printable – plus a short writing sample from your work-in-progress. Program places are limited.
Program Outline
Pre-workshop Consult –
Early November 2024
Sit down one-on-one for 30 minutes with a member of the QWC team – we'll learn about you and your project, and introduce you to building your brand (held via Zoom).
Program day (Sat 23 Nov) –
Saturday 23 November 2024
A practical, hands-on course with industry experts and staff, where you'll learn about finding your audience and begin laying the foundations for your author brand, including social media strategy, graphics, marketing tips and more.
Workshops:
Your Online Presence + Other DIY Stories with Kathy George
Nobody warns you when you become a writer it’s the start of a whole other sideline. You need a website, and an online presence; potential readers, fans, followers and likes — and you need to convey the impression you’ve been doing this for years.
How do you develop appropriate content to post online, find out what your followers want — and do all this whilst not only continuing to write, but remaining calm and kind?
Write More Brand More with C T Mitchell
In today's digital era, authors can’t rely on the old approaches to being discovered. You need a clear, definitive and active brand to get the attention of readers and publishers.
This workshop will help make you a successful writer, attract more opportunities and boost your income off the back of your personal brand.
Optional add-on –
In-person on Program day
Get a professional author headshot taken on the program day, and stand out from the crowd.
Stageable
Annual program. Inaugural 2024 applications (now closed): Monday 1 July – Wednesday 14 August 2024
Stageable is Queensland Writers Centre’s newest addition to our suite of …able programs, focussing on the development of emerging playwrights and theatre writing. Open nationally, the Program accepts submissions of all forms of unpublished and unproduced plays and writing intended for the stage.
Categories
Open Category – all emerging writers (writers without professional theatre production history)
Youth Category – writers aged 16-25
Successful (shortlisted) applicants to the program will receive consultation with Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) staff and 5 hours of one-on-one mentorship with a matched industry professional, with the aim of sparking ongoing creative and professional connections.
Make a scene! View the program guidelines and application form.
Program stages
All applicants receive:
complimentary development workshop (valued at $70), to be delivered online
opportunity to book Feedback Session (paid add-on) to receive reader feedback and advice
Shortlisted writers receive:
5-hrs mentorship with a matched theatre industry professional, including reading, feedback and one-on-one meetings
consultation on script and career development with QWC staff
industry networking opportunity, TBD during the Program
One Year Membership with Queensland Writers Centre
Scriptable
Annual program. 2024 applications (now closed): Monday 1 July – Wednesday 14 August
Queensland Writers Centre’s annual national Scriptable program is an opportunity for young and emerging screenwriters to develop their scripts and careers.
Applications of unproduced scripts are accepted across a broad range of genres and formats, including feature screenplays, television and web series, short films and short film collections.
Categories
Open Category – all emerging (unproduced) writers
Youth Category – writers aged 16-25
Successful (shortlisted) applicants to the program will receive consultation with Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) staff and 5 hours of one-on-one mentorship with a matched industry professional, with the aim of sparking ongoing creative and professional connections for writers in the local screen industry.
View the program guidelines and submissions form.
Program stages
All applicants receive:
a complimentary development workshop (valued at $70), to be delivered online
opportunity to book Feedback Session (paid add-on) to receive reader feedback and advice
Shortlisted writers receive:
5-hrs mentorship with a matched screen industry professional, including reading, feedback and one-on-one meetings
consultation on script and career development with Queensland Writers Centre staff
industry networking opportunity, TBD during the Program
One Year Membership with Queensland Writers Centre