StartWrite Writing Sample and Synopsis Assessment Programme

The NZSA StartWrite service offers writers a great opportunity to develop style and direction for a project in the early stages of development. Writers can send in a writing sample of up to 6,000 words (for poetry up to 20 pages), a one page synopsis, and up to three questions.

StartWrite submissions are appraised by experienced authors and assessors who feedback to the writer in a report which offers suggestions for improvement and advice on the next step, encouraging innovation and exploration of ideas and techniques. 

This is a fast and efficient way to get on track with your work – be it poetry, an early draft of an MS, short stories etc. 

Guidelines to Writing a Synopsis

Subsidised assessments are still available for 2024 

  • Each year NZSA has 25 Subsidised StartWrite Assessments
  • Available to NZSA members only
  • One StartWrite assessment per member per year
  • The fee for a subsidised assessment is $60

UNSUBSIDISED STARTWRITE ASSESSMENTS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE, WITH A SPECIAL MEMBERS-ONLY PRICE.

  • open to all genres and all writers (you do not have to be an NZSA member to access this)
  • NZSA members standard StartWrite assessment fee is $210 
  • Non-members standard StartWrite assessment fee is $260 

For more information on getting a StartWrite Assessment: office@nzauthors.org.nz

Applications to the NZSA StartWrite Programme need to be filled out via our online form. 

THIS PROGRAMME IS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO SUPPORT FROM CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND