Don't throw away your shot — get your work and your pitch submission-ready.

You're ready to take the step from secretly scribbling to the strange world of submissions. But before you do, you need to give yourself the best possible chance to get – and keep – a publisher's attention. In this two-day bootcamp, we will focus on two crucial elements: your work and your submission package. Day one, we'll deep dive into revisions, rewriting, and self-editing so you can polish your work to a brilliant shine. Day two, we'll tackle the submission package, and address the opportunities available for you to pitch your work. You'll come out of this weekend with the skills and confidence to take your work to the world.

Learning outcomes

As part of this Bootcamp, you will:

Identify key narrative building blocks and their roles in a manuscript.
Approach a manuscript with an editorial eye.
Build an elevator, in-person, and written pitch.
Write a submission letter and a synopsis.
Identify appropriate organisations for submission.

Course dates

10:30am - 4:30pm, Saturday 13 September 2025
10:30am - 4:30pm, Sunday 14 September 2025

Format

This is an intensive two-day course with a focus on editing and publishing industry; it will be held in-person at Queensland Writers Centre. Please note that this course is most suitable for emerging writers who have finished a manuscript and intend to have it traditionally published.

Flexible payment plans are available for this course. Please contact Queensland Writers Centre at admin@qldwriters.org.au or call (07) 3842 9922.

About Kate

Dr Kate Cuthbert is the Publishing Director at Books+Publishing, Australia’s news and information website for the book sector. Previously, she held senior roles at Pantera Press, Writers Victoria and launched the Escape Publishing brand at Harlequin Australia. A genre fiction advocate and enthusiast, she completed a PhD proposing research methodologies for the examination of book covers and book titles. She is also a co-host on the popular podcast What Would Danbury Do?.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info