The Writer's Space Fellowships 2024
The Varuna the National Writers’ House with the writer’s space logo
In 2024, Varuna will offer 12 fellowships to NSW-based writers with disability or who are D/deaf. Selected recipients can nominate their preference for a one-week in-person residency fellowship or a four-week online fellowship and, where possible, this request will be accommodated.
Participants from both programs will be eligible to become a Varuna alumni with the option of applying for alumni residencies after undertaking the fellowship.
Please note that this program is available to writers in New South Wales only.
This program is generously supported by the Create NSW Project Funding and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.
RESIDENCY FELLOWSHIPS
Residency fellowships included:
A one-week residency at Varuna including all evening meals.
Reimbursement of travel expenses between Varuna and your home.
Uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, and the companionship of your fellow writers.
Two one-hour sessions (one-on-one) with Varuna writing consultant Dr Carol Major or Mary Ann Butler.
A small group online Q&A session with a publisher.
A small group online Q&A session with an established writer.
Access to a Varuna ‘on-demand course’ to go deeper with your writing process.
ONLINE FELLOWSHIPS
The online fellowships will run over a period of four weeks, during which time participants are encouraged to work at their own pace.
Online residencies will include:
Facilitated professional networking opportunities, including the opportunity to share work, talk about process, and receive feedback from your peers.
Two one-hour online sessions (one-on-one) with Varuna writing consultant Dr Carol Major or Mary Ann Butler.
A small group online Q&A session with a publisher.
A small group online Q&A session with an established writer.
Access to an online platform for sharing work.
Access to a Varuna ‘on-demand course’ to go deeper with your writing process.
Online residency participants need to allow at least one or two hours a week at specific times for programmed sessions, with the expectation that participants will also allow between four and twelve hours per week for dedicated writing time during the four-week residency.
KEY DATES
Applications are closed for 2024
Dates of residency fellowship: 18 - 25 November 2024
Dates of online fellowship: 18 November - 15 December 2024
WHAT YOU NEED TO SEND US
You will need to send us between 4,000 and 10,000 words from the beginning of your manuscript. For poetry, you will need to send us a selection of 10 poems.
Read submission guidelines for details on preferred format.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for emerging or established writers who are developing new work. This could include literary fiction, genre fiction, narrative non-fiction, illustration and graphic novels, young adult fiction, junior fiction, poetry, or writing for screen, theatre or radio.
Assessors will be looking at the artistic merit of the work sample that you submit, your commitment to the writing craft, and how this Fellowship will benefit your professional development.
Assessors of the program will be writers with disability.
FEES
Application fees are used to pay professional assessors to read your work.
Application fees are $45 per application, unless you are a financially current alumni member using your annual fee waiver.
If you have a Healthcare card, the application fee is $30.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to receive an application fee exemption, there are funds via the Varuna Equity fund available. Please select ‘I am applying for the Varuna Equity Fund’ on your application form and include 1-2 sentences about your circumstances for our records.
There are no program costs for participation in The Writer's Space.
SUPPORT FROM ACCESSIBLE ARTS
Accessible Arts is the peak arts and disability organisation in New South Wales. They have provided advice and support to Varuna in delivering this program.
QUESTIONS?
You will find answers to some common questions in our FAQ. We also have information about accessibility here.
If you have any other questions, or you wish to discuss your application with our staff feel free to get in touch by email maeve@varuna.com.au or by phone 02 4782 5674.
Please let us know if you would like to receive any information in an alternative format.
