THE HARPER COLLINS VARUNA AWARDS FOR MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT 2008
The HarperCollins Varuna Awards for Manuscript
Development has been a most successful and productive program since 2000.
In this program, we are looking for exciting new voices in fiction and
narrative non-fiction.
The program provides five new or emerging writers each year with the
experience of working closely with a senior in-house editor from HarperCollins
Publishers on the development of a manuscript.
Writers and editors usually get to work together only after a book has been
accepted for publication, and usually there’s a time pressure – publication
date has been set, so there’s no time to think of possible new directions,
subtle extensions of character or idea!
The HarperCollins Varuna Awards for Manuscript Development is all about
finding the essential kernel of a manuscript and allowing it time to grow and
flower. It’s about enabling possibilities – for both writer and editor– rather
than about rushing product into print. A delightful aspect of the program is
that this is done residentially, in an environment famously supportive of the
writing process.
Each editor selects a manuscript from a shortlist of 20 provided by the Varuna
Selection Panel. This is a very special aspect of the program – that editors
select the manuscript they are most interested in working with.
The manuscripts are selected with a view to publication, but there is no
guarantee of publication by HarperCollins. Writer and editor will work
together to bring the manuscript to its best possible expression, and this
process is intensely valuable in itself – for both writer and editor.
Many publications have resulted from the program since 2000. One of the
writers from that year, Ian Townsend, was selected on the basis of a thriller
he was writing. At a certain point, he realised that this book was a practice
book, and that he was ready for the real thing. With the support of his
editor, he worked on a new idea that became the novel Affection.
Affection was longlisted for the 2007 Dublin IMPAC literary award, and
shortlisted for the 2006 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book, the
Foundation of Australian Literary Studies’ Colin Roderick Award for the best
Australian book of 2005, and the 2005 Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction in the
Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. His new novel, The Devil’s Eye,
has just been published by HarperCollins Publishers.
Recent HarperCollins Varuna Awards publications include Pip Newling’s memoir
Knockabout Girl, Mark O’Flynn’s novel Grass Dogs, and Kim
Huynh’s memoir Where the Sea Takes Us. Coming in 2009 are Katherine
Johnson’s brilliant sea-chase novel Pescador’s Wake and Siew Siang
Tay’s sensitive and subtle exploration of the world of a mail-order bride,
Handpicked.
The HarperCollins Editorial Workshop takes place at Varuna over ten days.
Editors work with the writers at the beginning and end of the workshop, and
writers have the opportunity to set their manuscript firmly on existing
footings or to sail bravely in a new direction during the middle days. Editors
will spend time with the redeveloped manuscripts usually about six months
after the workshop. HarperCollins reserves first rights to publish the project
but will release the writer from any further obligation to HarperCollins if
the redeveloped manuscript is considered unsuitable for the HarperCollins
list.
Applicants to the HarperCollins Varuna Awards for
Manuscript Development have the following opportunities:
• 5 residential spaces in the HarperCollins Residential Editorial Workshop
• a one-on-one feedback phone consultation of 20 minutes with a member of the Varuna Awards
Selection Committee (cost is $55)
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Projects are selected with a view to publication.
Applicants should be either new (no
significant commercial publication record) or emerging (no more than one
significant commercial publication) writers.
CLOSING
DATE
The closing date to apply for the HarperCollins Varuna Awards for Manuscript Development
(for program to be held in 2009) is 31 October 2008.
IS THERE ANY COST?
There is an application fee of $55.
If you are selected for the HarperCollins Varuna Awards Editorial Workshop you
must pay a further $275. Travel expenses are the responsibility of each
writer.
If you choose to have a Phone Consultation the cost is $55.
HOW MANY PLACES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE HARPERCOLLINS VARUNA AWARDS?
Five writers will be accepted for the 2009 HarperCollins
Varuna Awards for Manuscript Development.
WHO CAN HAVE A PHONE CONSULTATION?
As in past years, applicants will have the opportunity to choose to have a
brief one-on-one feedback session by phone (limited to 20 minutes). There will
be up to 100 places - details and a booking form will be available on the News
& Diary section of the website from 28 November. This will be available to
all applicants, including those longlisted in Stage One of the selection
process.
WHEN WILL THE HARPERCOLLINS VARUNA AWARDS EDITORIAL WORKSHOP TAKE PLACE?
The HarperCollins Editorial Workshop will take place around April /May 2009.
SELECTION PROCESS
Each application will be considered by a highly experienced selection panel. Selection takes place in three stages.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Applications will be accepted from 1 October and must be postmarked no later
than 31 October, 2008. A completed Application Form and Application Fee of $55
must accompany the application.
Writers are asked to submit 9000-14000 words from their current project plus a
brief description of themselves as writers.
Before applying for the HarperCollins Varuna Awards for Manuscript Development you must read and understand the application guidelines and application checklist, and complete the application form.
VARUNA FEES & APPLICATION GUIDELINES for the
HARPERCOLLINS VARUNA AWARDS FOR MANUSCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Please note: The Pathways to Publication component of previous years'
HarperCollins Varuna Awards for Manuscript Development has been revised and
is currently being developed into a more extensive Pathways to Publication
program which stands alone. Information on the exciting opportunities of
this program will be posted on the website later in 2008 and will be
available in 2009.
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