The The NSW Writers' Centre

Young Adult Manuscript Assessments

Are you writing a book for young people? Not sure if your manuscript is all that it can be? In a one-hour session one of our industry experts will work with you to help your manuscript reach its full potential.

How is YA defined?

Young adult literature is fluid in that it reflects the cultural and societal changes of young adults today, who are in a state of constant change morphing from childhood to adulthood. The genre can be any age from 12 to 25 (see how many 25 year-olds are still living at home) and is a literature that welcomes artistic innovation, experimentation and risk taking.

We will also accept chapter books for children aged 9 – 13 and ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 words.

Next Dates

• Saturday 22 June – Leonie Tyle

Booking In

The cost of a one-hour assessment is $150 for members and $190 for non-members. Please call the Centre on (02) 9555 9757 to book an appointment.

Once you have made your appointment, you will need to provide the following materials at least ten days before your assessment:

• a one-page synopsis
• the first 15 pages of your manuscript
• a brief writing CV

Submitted manuscripts must be typed in 1.5 or double spacing. You can email your materials to the Centre or mail them to the following address:

NSW Writers’ Centre
PO Box 1056
Rozelle NSW 2039

Can’t get to the Centre?

Having a face-to-face manuscript assessment at the NSW Writers’ Centre without leaving your home is impossible, right? Not anymore, if you’re a regional member.

The NSW Writers’ Centre is now offering Skype manuscript assessment appointments for regional members only. What is Skype? Skype is a free computer program that allows voice and video calls via the internet. Calling from one computer to another is completely free, which means that you can see and speak to our manuscript assessor in Sydney as though they were in your home, without any additional cost.

You must use the Skype-friendly appointment (12.15pm) we’ve set aside in our regular manuscript assessment sessions and you must be a regional member.

About the Assessors

Leonie Tyle has been associated with children’s books for over 25 years as a librarian, reviewer, speaker and publisher. For thirteen years she was Children’s & Young Adult Publisher responsible for UQP’s children’s and young adults list publishing approximately sixteen books a year from picture books to young adult fiction and nonfiction. She set up Woolshed Press an imprint of Random House in 2008. Leonie has worked with many of Australia’s finest authors and illustrators including Catherine Bateson, Steven Herrick, James Moloney, Brian Caswell, James Roy, Anthony Eaton, and Bill Condon. She is currently working freelance.