Do you have a completed draft of your manuscript that’s ready to take to the next level?
Poetry, fiction, short fiction, non-fiction…
Apply now for the NZSA Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa CompleteMS Manuscript Assessment Programme.
The NZSA CompleteMS assessment programme is open for applications until 28 May 2026.
CompleteMS is for writers who have completed a manuscript through a number of drafts and now require the objective view of an experienced assessor to provide a constructive critique.
The thirteen successful applications will receive essential critical written feedback (followed by a Q+A session) from an NZSA Assessor on an advanced work, moving it closer to publication.
To apply for this professional development opportunity you need to be a current member of The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc. Membership of NZSA is $150 per annum, with a reduced rate for students – more about membership here.
The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa seeks to reflect and expand the depth and breadth of Aotearoa New Zealand writing and welcomes applications from diverse writers working across a range of genres and writing disciplines. We tag three places on the programme each year for diverse writers.
Further information and application forms
Some comments on the assessment experience:
From writer’s who have received assessments through CompleteMS:
- ‘The comments were insightful, applicable, and specific. I feel as though I left this assessment with concrete next steps not only for my manuscript but also for my ongoing practice.’
- ‘The Q&A session was really useful as I was able to brainstorm plot tweaks and improvements on the spot and get instant feedback about whether I was on the right track now. ‘
From our NZSA Assessors:
- Award-winning author and assessor Rosetta Allan says: ‘I believe this programme is of real value to writers. It provides not only professional feedback but also a sense of being taken seriously at a critical stage in their development. The combination of written assessment and Q&A dialogue offers both direction and encouragement, helping writers see their work through an industry lens while still supporting their creative ownership. For many, it may be the first time their manuscript is engaged with at this depth, which can be transformative.’
- CompleteMS programme assessor, author, editor and creative writing lecturer Siobhan Harvey says: This is an absolutely indispensable service offered by the NZSA to a key author market.
The CompleteMS Programme is made possible thanks to support from Creative New Zealand.
