African Writers Trust Manuscript Assessment Programme: 2022
We are pleased to announce the call for submissions for the fourth edition of the Manuscript Assessment Programme (MAP). The programme offers quality assessment of book manuscripts by highly experienced editors and readers. The goal of MAP is to enable writers produce quality manuscripts of high publishable standards.
An online writing workshop, headlined by Nigerian-German writer, Olumide Popoola, will be an additional feature of MAP.
Writers who submit their manuscripts for assessment will have an opportunity to interact with the assessors and discuss questions on publishing, dealing with editorial feedback, and elements of the writing craft.
The programme is open to African writers living on the continent and in the diaspora.
The assessors will be:
- Indra Wussow
- Mildred K. Barya
- Emma Shercliff
- Jessica A. Kaahwa
- Christoper Conte
- Carol Beyanga
- Madhu Krishnan
- Goretti Kyomuhendo
- Lynn Taylor
They will provide a report of 2,000 words on key areas, such as plot, structure, character development, and dialogue, as well as on the quality of the writing. They will also make suggestions for the future development of the manuscript.
The programme will be held online over three days:
Day 1 (13th September): Craft Elements: plot, structure, character development, and dialogue.
Day 2 (14th September): Revision: How to deal with editorial feedback.
Day 3 (15th September): Understanding the Publishing Process: How to get published and tips on getting a literary agent.
You do not have to have completed your manuscript to apply and they accept applications in a range of genres across fiction and non-fiction. This opportunity is open to writers around the world.
Criteria for writers:
- All manuscripts must be written in English.
- Manuscript genres will include: Novel, short story, poetry, plays, creative non-fiction and memoir/autobiography/biography/Essay.
The application deadline is 5:00pm BST on Monday 31 July 2022.
For full details, please refer here.
Enquiries about applications should be directed to the African Writers Trust. Please always refer to their website for complete details and information.
Please note, this programme is run by the African Writers Trust, not the Commonwealth Foundation.
