The Fictional Manuscript Developers meet 4th Saturday of every month from March to November 10 -12 noon.

Please note: Some months have 5 Saturdays. Check your calendar against the dates below.

Convenors: Jon Catling and Ivy Bazley

Level: Suitable for Intermediate writers - Specifically writers with a complete draft and the commitment to develop it into a manuscript.

Entry Qualifications:

• Emerging Writers. Using the definition from Writers Victoria ^, or have participated in an Emerging Writers Development Program.

• You must have a completed draft. It could be the first or the tenth, but it should not be the zero draft (Telling yourself the story).

• Every month you must have the time to read two submissions (up to 4000 words) and write critical reviews for both each month.

• To protect yourself and the other writers you will complete a Code of Conduct.

• You need access to online resources such as email or Internet services.

 Group Overview: For those developing a novel or novella and would like to take the opportunity to gain a reader/writer's feedback. This group provides encouragement and support to help you progress your work. 

This is pure craftwork. Each month, the group will advance through your draft, looking at and responding to all the elements we are taught that make up the story. Dialogue, creating narrative tension, characters, plot, continuity, synopsis writing, world building, beginnings and endings. The aim is to provide a reflection that allows you to prepare your manuscript for submission.

First Session: Saturday, 23 March 2024. In this initial session, we will look at methods, choose teams, review the code of conduct, discuss the critiquing method and decide what level of analysis you are looking for.

And finally, Ivy will introduce us to the Art of Receiving Criticism.

Guide to word count

Novels: 80,000 –120,000 words

Novellas: up to 40,000 words

Weekly format for the month:

1st Sat. You: Submit the next chapter or 4000 words from your manuscript to your team.

Team: Read and review (2 weeks).

3rd Sat.            Team: Submit an analysis and critique. 

You: Read comments. 

4th Sat: Team Session.    

Team: Meet at PCWC to review the work.

You: Discuss and clarify the comments. 

Venue: Edith Cowan House, Building 20, ECU Joondalup Campus, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup.

Parking: Free on weekends. You can park in any bay on weekends. Carparks 14 (enter from Lakeside Drive) & 8 are closest to the house. Click here for a directional map.

Cost: $5.00. Members. $10. Non-members, includes light refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits).

Sessions for 2024:

Saturday March 23

Saturday April 27

Saturday May 25

Saturday June 22

Saturday July 27

Saturday August 24 - Please note that the convenor is unable to make this week’s meet. The group will meet again next month. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Saturday September 28

Saturday October 26

Saturday November 23

Health/Covid-19: Please do not attend the group if you are unwell, have tested positive to Covid-19, are awaiting a test result, or are still recovering from infection. Thank you.