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Guidelines for New Writers

Longacre Press is an independently owned New Zealand book publishing company. We publish young adult fiction, junior fiction and a wide range of New Zealand non-fiction. We do not publish poetry, plays, children's picture books, nor adult fiction.

When submitting a manuscript to Longacre Press, please send a synopsis of your manuscript, two to three sample chapters and a covering letter outlining your writing background. For non-fiction titles, please also include who your intended readership is and list any competing books on the same subject. We prefer hard-copy typeset on A4 paper, double-spaced and a stamped, self-addressed envelope enclosed.

Mail to:

Longacre Press
PO Box 5340
Dunedin
New Zealand

Each year we receive hundreds of requests from writers asking for advice. Please note that we do not offer critiques and we rarely comment on work which we do not intend publishing. There are professionals who supply this service and you will need to seek them independently. (Please see below.) We appreciate this may be disappointing to you but we hope the following information may be useful and help you decide what to do next.

• The booklet Writing and Illustrating for Children is available from Children's and Young Adult Services, Canterbury Public Library, P.O. Box 1466, Christchurch. Cost $5 plus 50 cents post and packing. It provides useful information for new writers, including publisher addresses, contacts, and submission guidelines.
• Another booklet The Book Publishers and Distributors of Aotearoa New Zealand Directory is available from BPANZ, PO Box 36 477, Northcote, Auckland 1309. Cost $10 including postage. As well as contact addresses it indicates the type of work each publishing house concentrates on. This booklet is also available from the BPANZ website: www.bpanz.org.nz
• Professional assessments are available from a number of private individuals and firms, some of whom also offer agency services or self-publishing. Contact your library, or the local branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors (PEN NZ Inc) for a list.
• Consider joining the local branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors (Pen NZ Inc); consider joining a creative writing group.
• Browse writers' websites, e.g.: www.nzwriters.co.nz or www.bookcouncil.org.nz