The Next Chapter Residencies

Applications: ClosedProgram: Residencies
Written By Maeve Marsden

These 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. This program aims to elevate the Australian stories that aren’t being published and to nurture a new generation of writers, from all sorts of backgrounds.

As partners in The Next Chapter program, Varuna offers the four writers a week-long residency, along with a year’s membership of the Varuna Alumni network. 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are via The Wheeler Centre’s Next Chapter program, which is focused on the stories that aren’t being told, the voices that aren’t being heard, and the ideas that need patience, care and work to introduce to the world.

UPCOMING FELLOWSHIPS, COURSES AND EVENTS

For Writers
Red Room Poetry Fellowship 2025
Red Room Poetry Fellowship 2025

Applications close Tuesday 4 February 2025

In partnership with Red Room Poetry, this fellowship for six poets includes a residency at Varuna, one-on-one mentorship, and a poetic commission as part of the national Poetry Month in August 2025.

2025 Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival
2025 Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival

Save the Date

The Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival returns 31 October - 2 November 2025.

Finish Your Memoir in 2025: An extended program with Kris Kneen
Finish Your Memoir in 2025: An extended program with Kris Kneen

Applications close 28 January

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. Commit to your memoir and make 2025 your year to get it done!

First Peoples India-Australia Exchange
First Peoples India-Australia Exchange

Applications close 12 December 2024

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.

Self-Paced Online Courses
Self-Paced Online Courses

Do you sometimes struggle to prioritise your writing practice? Perhaps you’ve hit a block and you’re unsure how to progress your work with the tools you have, or maybe you’d simply like to learn some new techniques to take your writing to the next level.

Maeve Marsden
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