QWC/Orbit Manuscript Development Program on Bribie Island

I have just returned from the Manuscript Development Program run by Queensland Writer's Centre in association with Orbit publishers.

Admission to the program was by selection.  Submission of the first 50 pages of manuscript and then, having survived that round, the rest of the manuscript was required.

It was a fantastic week of information and personal meetings with Bernadette Foley (Publisher of Orbit) and Deonie Fiford (Senior Editor of Orbit).
Author Marianne de Pierres was on hand to help get us over plot hurdles, issues about point of view and character development.  Ron Serdiuk gave advice on sales and marketing, providing an entertaining insight into the bookseller's view point.

I would strongly recommend writing wa members interested in sci fi/fantasy enter this competition when it is held next year.  It is an incredibly valuable week and helps develop writing skills in a way that can only be achieved with concentrated effort and good advice from people in the business.

Thanks for publishing this competition on your website.  It proved to be a great opportunity and a fabulous experience.

Regards
Sue Cullen.