Your assessment and report

Assessments provide a rigorous and helpful critical reading of your work to aid further detailed self-editing. The assessment results in a comprehensive report.

Each assessment looks at the technical and artistic merits and possible shortcomings of your manuscript and its potential relevance in the publishing market.

Where a manuscript is considered exceptional by the assessor and director, you will also receive a separate review. However, Driftwood recommends that writers focus on using their report to produce the best possible manuscript.

Driftwood’s reports are not designed to promote your work or to be submitted to a publisher or agent. In the first instance, the report is intended to provide advice on fulfilling your own intentions in the work.

Driftwood does not act as a literary agent.

Your report will address both craftsmanship and artistry, ranging from grammar and presentation to the effect and integrity of the whole.

The report will be direct in criticism and praise, and your assessor will give reasons for his or her judgments.

The assessor does not usually mark the manuscript but some assessments involve a first chapter edit if this is an area of concern. Your report will cover related editing issues specific to your manuscript.

Fostering development of emerging writers

Driftwood Manuscripts aims to improve the standard of work submitted to publishers and agents.

Understanding the publishing industry as well as the market and context of your work is very important. We will also provide resources and advice to help you seek publication with a manuscript that has reached its full potential.

How to submit your manuscript

You should present your manuscript consistent with publishing industry standards:

• Printed on one side of the page.
• 12-point font (eg Times New Roman), double line-spaced.
• A key word from the title in the top right corner with the page number.
• Unbound, secured with elastic bands and bubble wrap.
• Sent securely using robust packaging (Express Post satchels are recommended).

Your title page should include:

• The name of the work.
• Your contact details (which we will remove when sending to the assessor) formatted in the same font and size as the manuscript.

Please complete the attached application form and include it with payment and a printed copy of your manuscript. We charge a $40 printing fee for emailed manuscripts.

The information you provide is essential to make a fair assessment of your work, so please complete it with care.

Please make sure that you retain a copy of your manuscript.

Assessment takes four to six weeks unless otherwise arranged.