The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc), Hachette Australia and Hachette New Zealand are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 NZSA / Hachette Mentor Program.

Congratulations to Isabelle McNeur and Elizabeth Allan who have been chosen to work on a new draft of their manuscripts under Hachette Australia’s guidance, receiving constructive critique of their manuscript from an Hachette editor. The resulting manuscripts may be considered by Hachette for publication within 6 months of the writers delivering their new drafts.

Isabelle McNeur of Aro Valley in Wellington, studies at Victoria University, where she has completed several IIML courses. In 2015 she won the Margaret Mahy Award for Best Folio at the Hagley Writers’ Institute, and in 2017 she won the Prize for Original Composition at IIML. Her writing has been published in journals such as Starling and Aoterotica. Isabelle is excited to learn all she can from this opportunity.

Elizabeth Allan of Grey Lynn, Auckland has written six novels since the age of 17 and recently completed a master’s in creative writing at AUT. Her latest work, Greyscale, sees a gifted pathologist struggling to contain the damage wrought by an agricultural corporation in New Zealand in 2036.

Five writers were shortlisted for the Hachette Mentor Program, with manuscripts by writers Julia Wall, Linda Collins-McLeod and Dawn Pickens also being shortlisted. These three talented writers have been offered the opportunity to have their full manuscripts read by Hachette Australia.

Publisher Sophie Hamley of Hachette Australia received 84 submissions and commented: ‘There were twice as many entries as usual this year, but that seemed to make it ten times as hard to choose between many entries of a very high standard. Yet again, the quality of work submitted has been incredibly impressive.’

This program is proudly presented by Hachette Australia and Hachette New Zealand in partnership with The New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc.)