The festival’s mission is to connect aspiring writers with industry professionals to inspire AND motivate the creative community.

At Currumbin Crime Writers Festival, we believe great stories deserve to be discovered — and emerging writers deserve the tools, support, and publishing-world insight to make that happen.

Aside from the festival, we are thrilled to offer tailored writing services throughout the year to help you progress with your manuscript. Whether you’re refining a project or need guidance on querying literary agents, we can help.

Not sure which service you need? Get in touch with us via email - currumbincrimefest@gmail.com.

Our services

  • MANUSCRIPT ASSESSMENT

    Objective, expert feedback to help your story shine.

    You’ve done the hard part — you’ve written the manuscript, but you might still be wondering: Is my story really working? Is it strong enough for publication? Where do I go next?

    That’s where a manuscript assessment can make all the difference. We will match your work with an experienced literary assessor who understands your genre, creative goals and how the industry works too. Whether you’re looking for an overall big-picture review or want targeted feedback on things like pacing, dramatic tension, or character arcs — we can help.

    You’ll receive a structural edit and a detailed assessment report, helping you transform your manuscript, as well as the opportunity for a brief 1:1 follow-up chat to clarify notes and discuss next steps.

    Word Count Pricing:

    Up to 10,000 words $550

    Up to 25,000 words $850

    Up to 50,000 words $1150

    Up to 80,000 words $1650

    Contact us for a quote for over 100,000 words

    Got questions or want to chat about whether a manuscript assessment is right for you? Reach out — we’re here to help.

  • BETA READER

    Get honest, constructive feedback before you hit send.

    Not ready for a full manuscript assessment? Our Beta Reader service offers a professional early read of your full draft without the deep structural analysis of a professional edit. Perfect for writers who want thoughtful, reader-level feedback to help you see if your manuscript is landing the way you think it is.

    For $350, you’ll receive a close read of your manuscript (up to 100,000 words) with a written report addressing 10 key storytelling questions (including pacing, character development, clarity, suspense, and reader engagement).

    Perfect for:

    • Writers preparing to submit to agents, editors, or manuscript prizes

    • Emerging or self-publishing writers polishing a second or third draft

    • Anyone too close to their own story to see the structural flaws (hint: that’s everyone)

    • Writers who want feedback from someone impartial—not your mum, your best friend, or your sister

    This is the clear-eyed, genre-savvy reader you need—someone who understands crime fiction and isn’t afraid to tell you what’s working and what needs refining.

  • EDITING - LINE, COPY & PROOFREADING

    Let’s polish your words and get your project submission-ready.

    Whether you’ve just typed “The End” on your very first project or you’ve been published before, every manuscript benefits from a professional second set of eyes.

    Our editing service is here to help you refine your work and make sure it’s clear, consistent, and ready for wherever you want it to go, whether that’s a publisher or agent’s desk, a competition entry, or your own self-publishing journey.

    We offer:

    Line editing (sentence structure, flow, clarity)

    Copyediting (grammar, punctuation, consistency)

    Proofreading (final polish before publication)

    Professional formatting

    Editing rates vary depending on your word count, the level of edit needed, and the time required, so reach out and we’ll tailor a quote just for you.

    Let us help you make your work shine.

  • AGENT & PUBLISHER QUERY PACKAGE

    Pitch with confidence. Submit like a pro.

    Are you ready to query a literary agent or submit to a publisher? We know it can feel intimidating — the one-page letter, the dreaded synopsis, the endless agent lists. That’s why we’ve created our Agent & Publisher Query Package: a tailored service designed to take the stress out of submissions.

    Whether you’re querying for the first time or polishing a pitch after a few rejections, we’re here to guide you through the process with clarity, strategy, and support.

    What’s Included:

    Query Letter Support - We’ll help you write or refine your agent query so it’s professional, personalised, and makes a strong first impression.

    Synopsis Feedback - You’ll get expert feedback on your synopsis, helping you trim the fluff, sharpen the stakes, and summarise your story without losing its voice.

    Agent/Publisher Research Tips & Guidance - We’ll help you understand how to build a smart, targeted submission list, including where to look for agents or publishers, what to consider, and how to spot a good match for your manuscript and career goals.

    For $495, you’ll receive a reviewed and edited query letter draft, a line-edited synopsis (up to 2 pages), personalised advice on agent or publisher research and a 1:1 follow-up to answer questions or make final tweaks.

    You’ve written the book. Now let us help you pitch it with confidence.

  • AUTHOR WEBSITE DESIGN

    Beautiful, professional websites built by a writer, for writers.

    Whether you’re gearing up to launch your debut novel or just tired of sending people to a half-finished Linktree, we know how important it is for authors to have a professional online presence. Your website is often your first impression - you need to make it a good one!

    But we also know most writers aren’t web developers. That’s why we’ve partnered with a trusted web designer who gets writers — someone who understands what readers, agents, and event organisers are looking for when they land on your site.

    Whether you need a simple one-page website or a full author hub, we’ll help you with someone who can bring it to life.

    Website Pricing:

    One-Page Sites (clean, clear, and beautiful. Perfect for debuts or writers who just need the essentials) $850

    Multi-Page Sites (ideal for authors with backlists, blogs, or event calendars) $1950

    Let us help you build a beautiful platform with a designer who speaks your language the literary kind.