Varuna, The National Writers' House.

Three writers sitting around a table with books and coffee mugs, engaged in conversation in the Varuna library with a large bookshelf filled with books behind them.

A group of fifteen writers and staff members at Varuna posing outdoors on a sunny day, standing and sitting at a lookout in the Blue Mountains.

Varuna empowers the literary imagination at every stage of a writer’s career

Originally the home of writers Eleanor Dark and Dr Eric Dark, the house and gardens of Varuna were gifted to the Australian public to be used as a retreat for writers. Each year, over 200 writers participate in residencies and professional development programs at Varuna, and many hundreds more readers and writers participate in workshops and events.

Residencies and Fellowships

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Varuna Australia-Korea Literary Exchange

Applications open 10 November 2026

An inaugural exchange in 2027 between Varuna and Arts Council Korea (ARKO) in the Republic of Korea to provide opportunities and connections for authors of both countries, which includes a 4-week residency at Seoul Art Space Yeonhui for an Australian writer.

Shanghai Western Sydney Writing Exchange

Applications open 10 November 2026

A prestigious two-month international residency in Shanghai, China that will run from September to October 2027. Alumni from Western Sydney University and Alumni from Varuna, the National Writers’ House, are invited to apply in 2026 for the 2027 program.

Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship

Applications open 10 November 2026

The Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship encourages excellence in non-fiction writing and supports writers developing an original work drawn from the broad fields of the humanities and social sciences. Three writers will be selected for a three-week residency, 27 Sept - 18 Oct 2027.

Varuna Residential Fellowships

Applications open 2 March 2027

Varuna’s most prestigious award, running since 1991. Up to 50 fellowships will be awarded to emerging and established writers across Australia, offering between two and three weeks in residence, with mentorship.

Varuna Trans and Gender Diverse Fellowship

Applications open 2 February 2027

Emerging Trans and Gender Diverse writers are invited to apply for a week-long residency at Varuna, 2 - 9 August 2027, benefiting from one-on-one mentorship and and group reading sessions, supported by community.

Writing NSW Fellowship

Applications open 2 February 2027

Writing NSW awards a single one-week Varuna residency to members of Writing NSW for manuscripts, plays or poem collections ready for the next stage of development.

The Writer's Space Fellowships for Writers with Disability

Applications now closed.

Eight two-week residential fellowships will be offered to writers with disability and/or who are D/deaf.

First Peoples India-Australia Exchange

Applications now closed

First Nations writers are invited to apply for the opportunity to connect with Adivasi writers from India, first in residence at Varuna, then at a four-week residency at Sangam House in Bangalore.

Irish Lamplight Online Fellowship

Applications now closed

Held in collaboration with the Irish Writers Centre, this online fellowship connects writers from Ireland and Australia, with mentorship, networking and peer feedback, plus Q&As.

Writers SA Fellowships

Applications now closed
Two-week fellowships, including writing consultation, are open to Writers SA members who are emerging writers living in South Australia.

Pitch Me! Agent and Publisher Introduction Program

Applications now closed

Open only to writers from Varuna’s recent Fellowship and Masterclass programs, the intention of Pitch Me! is to create opportunities for writers who are seeking a publishing contract or agency agreement.

Copyright Agency First Nations Fellowships

Applications now closed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers are invited to apply for a week-long writers residency at Varuna in 2026, connecting with other First Nations writers, and benefiting from mentorship, and the sharing of skills and knowledge.

Queensland Writers Centre Fellowships

Applications are now closed

The Queensland Writers Centre offers two Varuna fellowships, both of which include a two-week residency at Varuna, travel subsidy and manuscript consultation, and are open to members of the Queensland Writers Centre.

Varuna Climate Fellowship

Applications now closed

Writers focused on climate change and the environment are invited to apply for a week-long residency, with the opportunity to network and connect with others working across literature, academia, journalism, grassroots organising and activism.

Affirm Press Fellowship

Applications now closed

The Affirm Press Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for writers to develop new work through a Varuna residency and editorial feedback.

WestWords Varuna Emerging Writers Residency

Applications now closed

The WestWords Varuna Fellowship offers four emerging writers from diverse backgrounds from Western Sydney the opportunity of a week-long residency, supported throughout the week by mentors.

Whitlam Essay Residency

Applications closed

Six fellowships are available for two-week-long residencies at the Whitlam Prime Ministerial home, at 32 Albert Street Cabramatta, with a focus on essay writing. Applicants can be Western Sydney University students, staff or alumni, and/or Varuna alumni.

Cove Park International Fellowship

Applications now closed

Varuna alumni are eligible to apply for a four-week residency at Cove Park, Scotland, with the opportunity to present at Wigtown Book Festival.

Varuna International Exchange New Zealand

Applications now closed

Varuna is delighted to offer this three-week international exchange to Varuna alumni, held in collaboration with the Michael King Writers Centre and WORD Christchurch in New Zealand.

The Next Chapter Residencies

Applications now closed

Residencies are awarded to recipients of The Wheeler Centre’s Next Chapter program, where four outstanding writers are provided with a year’s mentorship and $15,000 to develop their work.

Roderick Centre Online Fellowship for Regional and Remote Writers

Applications now closed for 2026

This program is presented in partnership with the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (RCALC) and is open to emerging or established writers, living in regional and remote parts of Australia.

Arts NT Residential Fellowships

Applications now closed

This program is presented in partnership with the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships. Submissions are welcomed from eligible NT-based writers.

The Eleanor Dark Fellowship for Fiction

Applications now closed

Established in memory of Blue Mountains writer Eleanor Dark, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded to a fiction application of outstanding quality, as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships.

The Eric Dark Fellowship for Non-fiction

Applications now closed

Established in memory of Blue Mountains writer and social activist Eric Dark, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded for a non-fiction application of outstanding quality in social, historical or political writing.

The Mick Dark Fellowship for Environmental Writing

Applications now closed

Established in memory of Mick Dark, who bequeathed Varuna House to the writers of Australia, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded to outstanding Environmental Writing.

The Jill Dark Fellowship

Applications now closed

As part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships, a two-week fellowship with travel costs covered and a $600 stipend is awarded to a writer of outstanding talent who is experiencing financial hardship. This Fellowship is made possible in 2025 by a member of our alumni association.

The Varuna First Nations Fellowship

Applications now closed

This three-week fellowship will be awarded to a First Nations writer who applies for a Varuna Residential Fellowship and whose work is of outstanding quality.

Ultimo Press Varuna Residential Fellowships

Applications now closed

The Ultimo Varuna Residential Fellowships are offered to two unpublished writers of a Literary Fiction manuscript, as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships.

Roderick Centre Residential Fellowship for Regional and Remote Writers

Applications now closed

This program is presented in partnership with the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (RCALC) and is part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships. Open to emerging or established writers, living in regional and remote parts of Australia.

The Blignault Family Poetry Fellowship

Applications now closed

This three-week fellowship will be awarded for a Varuna Residential Fellowships poetry application of outstanding quality.

Courses at Varuna

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Making Poems with Felicity Plunkett

14 November 2026

Join this in-person weekend workshop with award-winning poet Felicity Plunkett. Learn new techniques, hone your craft, and find a community of fellow poets ready to read, write and develop poetry together.

Poetic Potentialities at Superposition Festival

28 November 2026

Experiment with form and process in poetic workshops with three of the most exciting poets in the country, Jazz Money, Luke Patterson and Anne-Marie Te Whiu. Sign up for one workshop, or more, then join us for readings and reflections at the end of the day.

Weaving Poetic Diamonds with Anne-Marie Te Whiu

28 November 2026

Join Australian-Māori (Te Rarawa) poet, weaver, editor, producer and educator Anne-Marie Te Whiu in a workshop of exchange and ideas. Discover what happens when we let go of creative silos and let one art form spark another.

Poetic Cartography with Jazz Money

28 November 2026

Join Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money to explore how poetry can reveal the world around us in exciting and surprising ways. A workshop for anyone seeking to write with more attention, more intention, and more connection.

Our Commonwealth (Wink, Wink) with Luke Patterson

28 November 2026

Join Luke Patterson in this workshop that raids the living archive of stories, rituals, songs, sayings and everyday objects, asking what becomes possible when words are treated less as property than as part of a commonwealth.

Memoir Writing with Benjamin Law

30 November 2026

A five-day intensive workshop with Benjamin Law for writers who are ready to share their life story, outside of friends and family.

Nature Writing with Sophie Cunningham

10 October 2026

Join non-fiction writer, novelist and creative writing teacher Sophie Cunningham to explore what it means to write about nature, and how to do it well.

Objects, Artefacts and Talismans with Eleanor Limprecht

30 October 2026

In this full-day workshop, explore how objects, artefacts and talismans reveal character, using examples from fiction and non-fiction. Experienced teacher Eleanor Limprecht guides writing exercises and offers opportunities to share work in a supportive environment.

Strengthen Your Narrative Drive with Ashley Kalagian Blunt

31 October 2026

Learn practical tools and techniques to craft gripping scenes and a compelling story arc with bestselling author Ashley Kalagian Blunt. Whether fiction or memoir, discover how to grab readers from page one and finish with clear strategies for revising your manuscript into something irresistible.

Character Arcs with Anthony Mullins

1 November 2026

Whether you're a novelist, memoirist, playwright or screenwriter, finding your character's unique arc is vital to understanding your story's heart. Join BAFTA-award-winning writer Anthony Mullins for a full-day workshop on crafting an authentic arc for your story.

Masterclass Equity Scholarships

Applications open early 2027

Varuna’s Masterclass Equity Scholarships are for writers for whom the cost of a course or masterclass would be prohibitive. 10 participants will be selected for this scholarship.

Finish Your Memoir with Kris Kneen

Applications open Dec 2026

Commit to your writing and make 2027 the year you finish your memoir. In this in-depth online masterclass, award-winning author Kris Kneen will lead a small group of writers over 9-months, with structured exercises, readings and feedback designed to help you finish a draft of your memoir.

From Poem to Manuscript with Felicity Plunkett

Applications open in early 2027

Expand and nurture your practice as a poet in this 4-month program. We’ll create an encouraging and inspiring community, and support the development of original work, from single poems to sequences, and explore how to build a collection for publication.

Kickstart Your Writing Project with Ashley Hay

Applications open early 2027

This six-session intensive masterclass offers the opportunity to get started on a new writing project or breathe life into a project you have abandoned or are struggling with.

Mastering Structure with Anthony Mullins

Applications open early 2027

Designed for writers of all levels, genres and narrative art forms, this 16-session masterclass with BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and author Anthony Mullins will show you how to craft an authentic and powerful narrative structure.

Manuscript Development Masterclass with Jane Messer

Applications open early 2027

A deep-dive writer development program designed for writers with a manuscript substantially underway, or with a draft completed, this 5-month masterclass provides a unique opportunity to receive feedback on your manuscript and the guidance and support to take it to the next level.

Recent News

News

9 November 2026

2027 Varuna Sweatshop Residency

9 November 2026

We’re pleased to announce the six recipients of the 2026 Varuna Sweatshop Residency.

9 November 2026

2027 Writer’s Space Residential Fellowship Recipients

9 November 2026

We’re thrilled to announce the six recipients for the 2026 Writer’s Space Fellowship for writers with disability. We received an incredible 100 applications for this program and our assessors commented on what a pleasure it was to read everyone’s work.

9 November 2026

20 October 2026

Announcing the 2026 Writing NSW Fellowship Recipient

20 October 2026

Varuna and Writing NSW are pleased to announce that the winner of the 2026 Varuna Fellowship is Miranda Michalowski for her work, Bad Art.

20 October 2026

1 October 2026

Work with us and shape Varuna’s next chapter

1 October 2026

Varuna the National Writers’ House is now hiring a new Executive Director to commence in 2027; this is a rare opportunity to lead one of Australia's most respected literary institutions at a pivotal moment of growth, succession and strategic opportunity.

1 October 2026

16 September 2026

Varuna receives Western Sydney Strategic Partnerships funding

16 September 2026

We were thrilled earlier in the year to be among the recipients of the latest round of Western Sydney Strategic Partnerships funding, enabling Varuna Reading Room programming, and new partnerships with Sydney Review of Books, Bankstown Poetry Slam, Sweatshop Literacy Movement and Sydney Writers’ Festival.

16 September 2026

5 August 2026

2026 Affirm Press Fellowship Recipients

5 August 2026

The recipients of the 2026 Affirm Press Fellowship have been announced.

5 August 2026

16 July 2026

The Varuna Reading Room opening soon!

16 July 2026

Varuna launches public programming with the opening of the Varuna Reading Room.

16 July 2026

6 July 2026

Holly Ringland launches new book in Varuna’s Reading Room

6 July 2026

Best-selling author Holly Ringland launches her new book The World Beneath Her Feet at Varuna, the National Writers’ House.

6 July 2026

2 July 2026

2027 Varuna Residential Fellowships Announced

2 July 2026

We are delighted to announce the 50 writers who have been awarded a Varuna Residential Fellowship for 2027, having received an unprecedented 812 submissions this year.

2 July 2026