Online Courses
Looking for some Varuna magic from the comfort of home? You’ve come to the right place! Varuna offers a range of online courses throughout the year designed to support writers to develop their craft, finish their project, and build writerly connections across Australia and New Zealand.
Unlike many other writing courses, Varuna runs an Expression of Interest application process so that each of our online courses is carefully curated. We aim to create connections between writers as well as with our expert facilitators. We know better than anyone how important it is that writers be surrounded by other writers who will support and extend them.
Finish Your Novel with Conor Kostick
For over 20 years, Conor Kostick has been teaching his popular 10-week Finish Your Novel course at the Irish Writers Centre and Varuna are delighted to offer it in Australia and New Zealand for the first time.
Applications close 23 May
2024 First Nations Writing Masterclass with Ellen van Neerven
This small online masterclass for First Nations writers of all genres uses reading as a tool to sharpen artistic vision and ambition.
Applications close 11 July
International Lamplight (Online) Residency - Ireland
An international online residency with writers from Ireland and Australia, held in collaboration with the Irish Writers Centre.
Applications close 13 May
International Lamplight (Online) Residency - Shanghai
An international online residency held in collaboration with the Institute for Australian and Chinese Arts and Culture (IAC) and the Shanghai Writers Association.
Expressions of Interest close 7 June 2024
Self-Paced Courses
We want to support you to prioritise your writing. We have created this range of online writing courses with our Alumni to give you the flexibility to find the time to write, at your own pace and in at a time that suits you, to develop your skills with the guidance of fellow writers.
Crafting Point of View with Jane Messer now available
From poem to manuscript: spark your poetry practice in this extended program with Felicity Plunkett
This online masterclass is designed to expand and nurture your practice as a poet. We’ll create an encouraging and inspiring community, and support the creation and development of work, from single poems to sequences, and explore how to build a collection.
Applications have closed for this program
Kickstart your Writing Project with Ashley Hay
This four-week intensive masterclass for writers at all stages of their careers offers the opportunity to get started on a new writing project or breathe life into a project you have abandoned or are struggling with.
Applications have closed for this program
Structure, Plot and Pacing with Roanna Gonsalves
This 10-week online workshop series with Roanna Gonsalves is a craft-based masterclass focused on beginnings and endings, points of view, characterisation, language and the handling of time.
Applications have closed for this program.
Finish your memoir in 2024: An extended program with Kris Kneen
Make 2024 your year. In this nine-month online workshop series Kris Kneen will lead a small group of writers to work together with the aim of each writer finishing a draft of their memoir.
Applications have closed for this program.