You’ve put your heart and soul into crafting your manuscript. But how do you ensure it will stand out from the thousands of others vying to get onto bookshop shelves and into readers’ hands? This half-day workshop will give you the inside knowledge and tools you need to grab the attention of your desired agent or publisher.

Learn from bestselling author Ashley Kalagian Blunt, whose books came out first with a local publisher, then with a national publisher, and then in multiple territories and languages via an agent. Drawing on her varied experiences, Ashley will walk you through the process of preparing to submit your manuscript. Through discussion, analysis of examples and guided exercises, you will learn to craft an elevator pitch, write a convincing query letter, and craft a professional synopsis. You’ll also learn to speak about your manuscript with clarity and confidence.

Please note: a finished manuscript is not necessary to participate. In fact, taking this workshop will help those in the midst of writing to make informed artistic decisions about their current project. It will also help those who do have a finished draft to revise their manuscript in preparation for publication.

CATERED LUNCH INCLUDED.

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Ashley Kalagian Blunt is the number one bestselling author of Dark Mode, a psychological thriller published in multiple territories and languages, and shortlisted for the 2024 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year, the Ned Kelly Awards for Best Crime Fiction, and the Danger Award for Debut Fiction. Her earlier books are How to Be Australian, a memoir, and My Name Is Revenge, collected fiction and essays. She co-hosts James and Ashley Stay at Home, a podcast about creativity, writing and health. Her next thriller, Cold Truth, will be released in early 2025.

Pathways to Publishing with Ashley Kalagian Blunt

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