Judges have finalised the difficult task of identifying the Short-Listed entrants in the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize 2020.
Long-Listed writers are excitedly waiting to hear if their manuscript has made the second cut.
Competition is fierce due to the nature of the prize on offer. For this, the competition’s inaugural launch, the overall winner receives a $4,500 self-publishing package which includes structural assessment, line edit, page-setting, cover design, book production, digital distribution, assistance with book launch and development of a Marketing Strategy.
While many writers will have missed out on a placing, judges encourage all entrants to keep writing and working on their manuscripts.
‘We received many innovative story ideas and examples of excellent writing and the judging team want to encourage all entrants to continue honing their skills,’ Carolyn Martinez, Director of Hawkeye Publishing said.
‘The fact that 13 people made the Long-List is testament that they have the ability and story-line to continue pursuing their manuscript. A Long-List credit is a significant achievement indicating a publishable story,’ she said.
Congratulations to these exceptional writers who’ve made the competition’s Short-List as producing the best four manuscripts:
- Camille Booker for Coffee & Peaches
- Nicole Kelly for Lament
- Khaiah Thomson for Welcome to Blackwood
- Robyn Neilson for Discovery Bay Women.
The overall winner will be announced in March.
‘The Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript competition is an annual event, so if you missed out on a place this year, we encourage you to submit again next year,’ Ms Martinez said.
‘Our aim at Hawkeye Publishing is to nurture and encourage new, emerging and existing writers, which is why we choose to provide free, constructive feedback to the remaining Long-Listed place-getters, something most competitions do not offer.
‘By supporting writers, we hope to create a strong writing community and help keep literature a strong and vibrant industry, at home and abroad,’ said Ms Martinez.
For those interested in next year’s Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize please visit the Hawkeye Books website here.
The full Long-List is available here.
Authors seeking a reputable, independent publisher can view Hawkeye Publishing’s submission guidelines here.
Hawkeye Publishing is also home to the Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition. The theme for 2020 is ‘if only’, with entries closing 1 August 2020.
