Roderick Varuna fellowship for regional and remote writers

Nine fellowships are available, with three in-person residency fellowships and six virtual fellowships, to writers living in regional and remote parts of Australia. Participants will be selected from across Australia, with at least one fellowship place to be reserved for a First Nations writer, and at least two fellowships to be reserved for writers from regional Queensland.

This is the only national literary program in Australia specifically for regional and remote writers.

This program is presented in partnership with the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (RCALC). Newly established in 2024 thanks to a generous bequest from the late Colin and Margaret Roderick, the Centre aims to foster the reading and writing of Australian literature in all its forms, and to encourage the study of Australian literature and literary cultures.

In-person residency fellowships will include:

• A two-week residency at Varuna, with full board and accommodation including a prepared evening meal
• Uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, and the companionship of your fellow writers.
• Reimbursement of all travel expenses from anywhere in Australia, including airfares and transfers.
• $600 towards other expenses. Each writer will be able to use this expenses budget to fit their individual needs.

The virtual residency program will include:

• Two one-hour online sessions (one-on-one) with a Varuna writing consultant.

• Two online Q&A sessions with published writers experienced in their craft.
• Daily facilitated professional networking opportunities throughout the week, including the opportunity to share work, talk about process, and receive feedback.

Virtual residency participants need to allow at least two hours at specific times every day for programmed sessions, with the expectation that participants will spend at least three hours dedicated writing time each day.

Applicants will be asked to specify their preference between an in-person and virtual residency. All applicants shortlisted for an in-person residency who are unsuccessful will be offered a virtual residency as a second option.

Applications are now closed