Course Overview

The Manuscript Development Program is a year-long program of feedback, advice, discipline and inspiration. It is taught by me - nike bourke - and is based on my experiences as a writer, as a passionate reader and lover of writing, and a teacher and supervisor of creative writing in a range of settings over more than ten years. It brings together the best and most useful elements of university coursework, supervision and mentorship, creative writing research, independent study, and peer-based learning.

The program is made up of several elements:

1. Every month for 12 months you will be given individually-tailored reading and writing assignments to complete. At the end of each month you will prepare a monthly package to submit, on which you will receive detailed feedback, including guidance and instruction for the next month's work.
2. Each month you will submit sections from your creative work to your peers, who will read your work and provide feedback to you by email. You will also provide feedback on their work: finetuning your editorial skills and techniques.
3. Every month a 'lesson' will be posted on the MDP space - this will generally include a discussion paper, links to related materials, opportunities for realtime (chat) and asynchronous (forum-style) discussion of the ideas in the lesson.
   
4. Throughout the year, you will be able to meet up with the other MDP group members for intensive writing days and discussions (these take place in Brisbane, at the State Library), and/or for private phone or online discussions of your work with your mentor.
   
5. (OPTIONAL) During the year, you will have the opportunity to participate in an intensive week-long retreat. The daily workshops during the retreat will be an opportunity to take time out from your otherwise busy life to focus on your writing, and gain the kind of feedback and support from both myself and the rest of the group that can only arise from spending a year writing, thinking, reading and talking together. Sharing the life of the mind and the imagination.

The program costs $6000.00 for a full year. Fees can be paid in quarterly instalments. The per person costs of the intensive retreat will depend on the number of writers who opt to attend.

Applications for the 2011 program will be accepted until November 30. Your application should include:

• A sample of your writing (up to 5,000 words);
• An outline of your proposed novel/book;
• A critical analysis/review of a piece of writing (up to 1000 words); and
• A statement outlining what you hope to achieve from undertaking the program.

What we really want to see in your application is evidence of the quality of your writing, your commitment to your writing, and a sense of how open you are to the possibility of improving your writing through the intense cycle of feedback and discussion that forms the spine of the program.

Applications can be posted to:

If you would like to speak to nike about the program, please email: nike@olvarwood.com.au

• For more information, visit the MDP Page at Olvar Wood.

• Teacher: Nike Bourke
• Teacher: Inga Simpson