After much deliberation, many sleepless nights, hours of reading and re-reading, and long meetings with lively debate, we have come up with our short list of possible winners. As we are all aware, there are many reasons why manuscripts don’t make the final cut. The other entries all had their merits, but we felt those below had the most potential.
In a blog author interview, Jill Smith asked me the following question:
Last year you were appointed Managing Editor of Morris Publishing Australia. Has this position given you more insight into other writers and the whole publishing process?
My first reaction to that question was “God yes!” I now understand the frustration of a publisher’s editor. There are countless stories submitted that have great merit but some need a bit of work to get them to publishing standard. As a publisher, you have to choose the ones that are closest to ready as possible. Of course, you also have to look at commercial appeal – but that is a subjective thing and, right or wrong, you can only rely on your own judgment and that of your chosen readers. Go to the Morris Publishing Australia website to see the list.
http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/news-update-blog.html
On Writing 
Mar 01, 2012 @ 03:23:38
Elaine and all at Morris Publishing, just wanted to say how thrilled I was to learn that my ms has been shortlised in your first ever publishing comp. Thank you so very much. I am absolutely thrilled…..and it’s not even over yet.
To all the other incredibly worthy (and I am humbled and grateful to be amongst those names you have listed) I wish you all the very best of luck. If nothing else this has been a most wonderful learning experience and introduction to your publishing enterprise. Cheers Dimity 🙂
Mar 01, 2012 @ 03:45:43
It is a lovely story Dimity. I will be in touch in the next few days.
Regards
Elaine
Mar 05, 2012 @ 11:08:59
Hi Elaine,
Wow, thanks Elaine for having Vashla’s World on your short list, the next step will be hard for you with several authors I know in the running you will have your work cut out. I can honestly say that my entry could have been tweaked more, only I was called away in a family emergency that I didn’t get it down pat as much as I would have liked.
Thanks again. Jill
Mar 05, 2012 @ 23:33:06
Hi Jill
Can you please send me the full manuscript as soon as possible. Your first three chapters have received good comments and the judges now want to read the whole story. Good luck.
Regards
Elaine
Mar 06, 2012 @ 13:06:20
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for that, I’ll get to work on it.
Kind regards
Jill