Manuscript Development Masterclass with Jane Messer

Expert feedback is a crucial step in the development of any book, but it can be hard to find. Designed for writers with a manuscript substantially underway, or with a draft completed, this 5-month masterclass with Jane Messer provides a unique opportunity to receive in-depth feedback on your manuscript and the guidance and support to take it to the next level. 

Dates: 6:30-8:30pm (AEST), 18 June – 29 October 2026
Delivery: Online
Fees: $3250 or $3150 for Varuna Alumni
Applications close: 5pm (AEST), Thursday 9 April 2026
Places: 8 participants will be selected (small group)

Expert feedback is a crucial step in the development of any book, but it can be hard to find. This supportive, constructive masterclass is designed for writers with a narrative fiction or creative nonfiction manuscript substantially underway, or a draft completed. It provides a unique opportunity to receive feedback from Dr Jane Messer, an experienced mentor, writer and teacher, on 20,000 words of your manuscript with written report and a one-on-one meeting, in addition to course content, and feedback from fellow participants.

Following the initial individual feedback from Jane Messer each participant will then develop their submission during the program. You will workshop your revised, and further developed, 20,000 word submission with the other writers, receiving feedback from them and Jane Messer.  

Through the 4 weekly and then 8 fortnightly workshops, the masterclass will be energising and keep you focused and stimulated to write. You’ll be regularly ‘reporting’ in on your progress and along the way there’ll be much spontaneous discussion of everyone’s work in progress.

To help writers focus their feedback and to develop technique and craft skills, the workshops will engage with specific techniques and elements of craft, which the class will focus on in relation to the work being workshopped. All and any aspects of the manuscript will be discussed, but one narrative technique will be given particular focus.

This is a small and supportive program for 8 participants over 5 months. Each writer will have a 45-minute one-on-one feedback session with Jane in May or June, prior to the classes commencing.

All participants are required to carefully read and respond with written and verbal feedback to other writers in the group, follow the workshop feedback guidelines and to be on time with their feedback responses. In addition to the Zoom classes we recommend committing at least one day per fortnight to the program. Of this, half a day would be reading and preparing feedback, and at least half a day to work on your own writing.