The Next Chapter Residencies

Applications: ClosedProgram: Residencies
Written By Maeve Marsden

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. 

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.

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
Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship
Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship

Applications close 3 March 2025

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, 29 Sept - 20 Oct 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 2025.

Commit to your writing and make 2025 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. 

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.

From Poem to Manuscript: an extended program with Felicity Plunkett
From Poem to Manuscript: an extended program with Felicity Plunkett

Applications close 11 February 2025

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.

Crafting Point of View: On-Demand Masterclass
Crafting Point of View: On-Demand Masterclass

Self-paced online course

Bring the Varuna magic to you with this nine-part online, self-paced course on point of view with Jane Messer. Explore this important element of writing craft, analysing sample readings from well-known authors and being prompted with a series of exercises.

Writing for Wellbeing: On-Demand Masterclass
Writing for Wellbeing: On-Demand Masterclass

Online self-paced course

Bring the Varuna magic to you with this eight-part online, self-paced course on writing for wellbeing. This revitalising program enables you to explore writing as a practice for your own wellbeing, including techniques for getting started (or re-started!).

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

Save the Date

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

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

Applications are 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.

Maeve Marsden
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