New Work By Talented Writers Win NZSA Manuscript AssessmentsPowerful 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). Photo/SuppliedOur congratulations to the NZSA CompleteMS 2026 recipients (left to right, top row first): Richard Jokob-Hoff (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Lesley Shepherd (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Lisa Slavich (Whangarei), Athena Knight (Raukawa Ashhurst), Jane Simpson (Ōtautahi Christchurch), Alwyn Dale (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Amelia Reynolds (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Erica Stretton (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Laura Hardcastle (Porirua), Marlon Moala-Knox (Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington), Penelope Scott (Mt Maunganui), Olivia Bing (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), and Peter Aylward (Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt). It was brilliant to see such a range of genres – horror fiction, commercial fiction, historical fiction, scifi and crime thrillers. 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.