What’s On

Do you have a finished manuscript that you want professional feedback on? Are you not sure if your manuscript has commercial potential, or what more needs to be done before you submit to agents or publisher? Are you looking for professional editorial advice on how to improve your writing? Are you wondering if you should pitch to USA or UK agents, or look within Australia? This is a rare opportunity for a dual face-to-face consultation with two industry professionals –  literary agent Alex Adsett and editor Shel Sweeney.  Together, Shel can provide editorial advice on your manuscript, and Alex can provide publishing strategies and market insights.

Only one assessment per author. Assessment will include the first 30 pages of your manuscript or up to 3 picture books, one page synopsis, one page cover letter including author bio (Note: cover letter is not to Alex and Shel, but to your eventual publisher or agent). Pages are to be submitted electronically at least 10 days in advance in a single word document, Times font 12, double spaced.  Please include a sentence describing the kind of feedback you would like to receive.
Please email the pages to [email protected]

For the avoidance of doubt, this is a 20 minute manuscript consultation, and is not a submission for agency representation. As an agent, Alex is seeking works of full length fiction or narrative non-fiction for adults, young adults and children, with a focus on crime, romance and science fiction fantasy. The agency does not represent memoir, spiritual/new age, poetry, plays or short stories.

Alex Adsett is a literary agent and publishing consultant offering commercial contract advice to authors and publishers.  She has more than twenty years’ experience working in the publishing and bookselling industry and has managed Alex Adsett Publishing Services since 2008. As a consultant, Alex helps authors and publishers negotiate publishing contracts in line with industry standards.  As a literary agent, she is focused on finding exceptional manuscripts for adults, young adults and children, including romance, commercial, science fiction, fantasy, crime, mystery, picture books and narrative non-fiction. Alex represents a select stable of authors including Jodi McAlister, Marlee Jane Ward, Sasha Wasley, and Catherine Pelosi. She is often to be found on twitter at @alexadsett or via her website www.alexadsett.com.au.

Shel Sweeney is a freelance editor and writer with almost fifteen years publishing industry experience. She has worked in trade, educational and academic book publishing with Penguin Books, McGraw-Hill Book Company and Heinemann. Shel has been a freelance editor and writer for the past five years, working with writers, publishers and businesses from around the world as well as presenting a variety of writing and editing workshops. Shel has a Master of Arts in Professional Writing and Literature.

Details
When:       Saturday 22 February,  sessions running between 10.30am – 4pm
Where:     Byron Writers Festival (NEW) Office, 2/58 Centennial Cct, Byron Bay Arts and Industry Estate
Tickets:     $135  / $120 Members or students