The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc announce the writers who will receive manuscript guidance through this year’s CompleteMS programme.
Powerful manuscripts crafted by these accomplished writers, have been chosen to be part of this year’s programme. Writers spend months polishing their stories for entry into this competitive and successful programme (open to NZSA members).
The thirteen successful writers receive a detailed assessment of their manuscript from one of Aotearoa / New Zealand’s leading writers and approved assessors, followed by a Q+A session with follow-up support.
Our congratulations to the NZSA CompleteMS 2025 recipients: Anna Zam (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Annabel Wilson (Swannanoa), Lisa Slavich (Whangārei), Barbara Scrivens (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Tōrea Scott-Fyfe (Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington), Sarah Pratt (Ōtautahi Christchurch), Gráinne Patterson (Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt), Bede Ngaruko (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Shelly McNee (Hokitika), Kaye McLaren (Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington), Jacqui Gregory (Turangi), Denise Harrison Flett (Quebec, Canada), and Virginia Green(Whakatū Nelson).
Always fiercely contested, this year’s CompleteMS programme received a record number of applications with 98 advanced and completed manuscripts submitted for the programme.
The highly skilled judging panel of convenor Harriet Allan (independent editor and ex-senior Penguin Random House editor), Lee Murray (multi award-winning speculative fiction writer and poet) and Melinda Szymanik(multi award-winning writer of picture books, short stories and novels for children and young adults) had a complex judging task to complete and commented: ‘The huge number of applications was daunting, the selection challenging but cheering, for so many people are keen to hone their manuscripts and develop their skills.
And so many of the manuscripts showed such promise that there was a lot of jostling for the thirteen places available.
The judging panel would have loved to have had the capacity to award more assessments. Those who missed out should feel confident that their works are still close to completion, as the quality of manuscripts submitted was high.’ – Harriet Allan.
NZSA would also like to congratulate shortlisted writers: Penelope Scott, Keryn Powell, Nikki Crutchley, Janine Williams and Carolyn Cossey.
Many past recipients have produced final manuscripts that have achieved publication and acclaim.
CompleteMS Manuscript Assessments are offered by The NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (Pen NZ) Inc 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 and our programmes are supported by funding from Creative New Zealand.
The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc is the principal organisation representing writers in Aotearoa.
Founded in 1934, it advocates for the right to fair reward and creative rights, administers prizes and awards, works closely with the literary sector, and runs professional development programmes for writers.
