Thirteen writers with manuscripts ranging through Fantasy, Pasifika futurism, Indie Rock fiction, Young Adult, Biography, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Literary Vignettes, Creative Non-Fiction, and Dramatisation of a Verse Biography have all been chosen to take part in this year’s programme. Each writer will receive a detailed assessment of their manuscript from one of New Zealand’s leading writers and approved assessors, followed by a Q+A session where they receive follow up support.

Our congratulations to the NZSA CompleteMS 2020 recipients: Geoff Allen, Gina Cole, Jo Danilo, Frank Eggleton, Tracie Lark, Barbara MacKinnon, Simone McKegg, Anne Moir, Samantha Montgomerie, Sarah Taggart, Angela Trolove, Angela Walker, and Karen Zelas.

Pictures and profiles of CompleteMS recipients of 2020

These writers have crafted compelling manuscripts. They come from across Aotearoa New Zealand, crafting their writing from Kerikeri in the Far North, through Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Oamaru and Dunedin.

Lee Murray, convener of the selection panel along with writers Vanda Symon and James George, commented: “What an incredible collection of manuscripts. I’m overwhelmed by the number and variety of the projects submitted, and especially the quality of the work being created by New Zealand writers. It was a pleasure to read these projects, although I’ll admit that choosing the winners was tough, so I’m especially grateful to Vanda Symon and James George for their insights. Congratulations to those authors whose projects were selected. And for those who weren’t, please keep at it, because every one of these projects has merit and deserves a place on our book shelves.”

Many past recipients have produced final manuscripts that have achieved publication and acclaim.

CompleteMS Manuscript Assessments are offered by by NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (Pen NZ) every year with the intent of fostering and developing emerging talent with the support of established practitioners. The NZSA has run highly successful manuscript assessment and mentoring programmes for writers since 1999 that are supported by funding from Creative New Zealand.