FOR WRITERS
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.
Varuna also offers a range of prestigious programs and fellowships designed to support writers across different genres and at all stages of their writing careers. Fellowships are all competitively awarded and include between one and four weeks’ residency at Varuna, in the Blue Mountains, as well as mentorship and other benefits.
Affirm Press Fellowship
Applications close 10 October 2024.
The Affirm Press Mentorship Award provides a unique opportunity for writers to develop new work through a Varuna residency and editorial feedback.
Write the Perfect Crime with Jack Heath
Applications close 15 August
Dive deep into the world of thrillers and crime fiction with Jack Heath in this 6-week online program.
The Art of Dialogue with Mary Anne Butler
Applications close 6 August
This 8-week online program drills down deeply into how to craft dialogue on the page, ensuring that each of your character’s voices is unique, shaping their distinct speech patterns, and working on questions about who speaks, and when.
Varuna Residential Fellowships
Applications now closed
Varuna’s most prestigious award, running since 1991. Awards up to 30 fellowships to emerging and established writers across Australia, including several flagship three-week fellowships.
Writers SA Fellowships
Applications have now closed.
A one-week residency, including travel subsidy and manuscript consultation, is open to Writers SA members who are emerging writers and poets who live in South Australia.