Varuna the National Writers’ House invites writers from across Australia to apply for a Varuna Residential Fellowship.
A Varuna Residential Fellowship offers writers working across a wide range of literary forms and genres the gift of uninterrupted time to develop a new work in an inspiring environment and a collegial atmosphere.
Varuna Residential Fellowships offer two to three weeks of full board and accommodation at Varuna including a prepared evening meal, uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, the companionship of your fellow writers and a one-hour Varuna Conversation with a Varuna consultant.
Varuna encourages writers from diverse backgrounds and at all stages of their career development to apply. Varuna will award 24 fellowships in 2019 with residencies of two or three weeks available to be taken between January and the end of May 2020.
In no particular order, the things I most love: The respect for quiet and solitary work. Being fed beautiful food. Perusing the book shelves. The beautiful, inspiring and replenishing gardens and surrounds. The fire! The daily routine which requires writers to come together in the evenings. The house and its history.
– Kate Mildenhall, 2017, author of Skylarking
Varuna provides such a carefully considered and perfectly realised environment for writing that it is virtually impossible not to be productive here.
– Emily Bitto, 2017, winner of the Stella Prize 2015
The consultation with Carol was great. She really listened to what I was trying to do, and her help and guidance put me in the right direction to make my work as good as possible.
– Anna Snoekstra, 2017, author of Only Daughter and Little secrets
Varuna is a mecca for writers. Many authors seek to prioritise their writing; Varuna gave me permission to do just that in a tranquil, inspirational site where many a notable novel, poem or short story has first found its feet.
– Laurie Steed, 2012, author, editor and reviewer
Applications close 30 July 2019. For full information about the Fellowships, please visit the Varuna website.