For Writers
Varuna offer writers time and space to write in the ‘big yellow house’ in the Blue Mountains, with six writers-in-residence staying each week, benefiting from one-on-one mentorship, and the support of their peers. Writers can apply to stay at Varuna via one of our residency programs.
We also offer an extensive program of online masterclasses and intensives, designed to support writers to develop their craft, finish their project, and build connections. Unlike many other writing courses, Varuna masterclasses are by application, so that each of our online course groups is carefully curated with our expert facilitators.
Finally, we offer in-person workshops in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, throughout the year as well as during the Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival.
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
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
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
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
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.