VARUNA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

To access the Varuna Alumni website, click here and enter the user name and password.
To join, or for more information, read on.

WHAT IS THE VARUNA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION?

Varuna Alumni is the special community of writers who have been selected to work at Varuna on fellowships or writing programs at any stage since 1990.

Writing is a pursuit that cries out for community. Many writers who have worked at Varuna have told us the sense of community they gain here continues to fuel their feeling for writing often for years after their stay with us.

The Varuna Alumni Association builds that loose affiliation of friendships and professional associations among writers into a professional structure.

You are eligible to become a member of the Varuna Alumni if you have at any time:

• Been selected for a Varuna Fellowship (Flagship, Retreat, Playworks, CAL).
• Been selected for a HarperCollins Varuna Awards for Manuscript Development editorial workshop.
• Been selected for a Pathways to Publication Masterclass (formerly Varuna Awards Residential Masterclass).
• Been selected for the Macquarie Group Foundation LongLines program (Masterclass, Residency, Indigenous Writers, Non-Residential Mentorship, Community Residency, Young & Emerging Program).
• Undertaken a Varuna Professional Development Residency (formerly Creative Director’s Masterclass).
• Participated as a mentor.
• Made a significant contribution to or had significant involvement with Varuna, as determined by the Board.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VARUNA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP?

• Connection to a community of fellow writers through the members-only Varuna Alumni website, updated every month.
• The chance to win one of two Varuna international writing residencies per year.
• Advance notice of paying residency vacancies, and an Alumni discount for paying residencies, to almost half the normal weekly rate (from $790 to $475).
• Opportunities for paid consultancy work on Varuna's extensive writing programs, such as LongLines and LitLink.
• Professional development opportunities (unpaid or offering in-kind payment), including involvement on selection panels for Varuna's creative programs and liaising between State and Territory writers' centres and Varuna.
• Alumni e-newsletter (monthly).
• Exemption from application fees when applying for Varuna programs - including Fellowships, HarperCollins Varuna Awards, LongLines and LitLink.
• A chance to contribute, through membership fees, to the upkeep of the Varuna house and programs for the benefit of Australian writers.

WHAT IS THE COST OF VARUNA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP?

The Varuna Alumni Association membership fee is $110 per year including GST, renewable each June 30th or December 31st.

HOW CAN I JOIN?

Please contact Madeleine Dignam at Varuna, (02) 4782 5674 or by email at madeleine@varuna.com.au for membership inquiries, to join Varuna Alumni Association and receive your Varuna Alumni website password.

VARUNA ALUMNI WEBSITE

The Varuna Alumni Website has been put together by writers for writers. We have left issues such as publishing and industry to others (such as the Australian Society of Authors), and rather focus on the writer's craft and the writing life.

The site is designed to be a positive, funny, inspiring place for Alumni to turn when you need a literary pick-me-up. It's a place to find support and offer it to others who share the Varuna community spirit.

The site includes profiles of Varuna Alumni, current news and events, information on Alumni book releases and members in the spotlight – in the media, at events and prizes, etc.

The site also includes links to reviews, short stories and columns by Alumni, as well as a writers' toolbox of resources, grants & prizes to apply for; online interviews with world-class writers and lots of other great resources.

Alumni members receive a monthly email alerting you to new stuff on the site, and Alumni are encouraged to submit ideas and content.

Alumni members can access the Alumni Community Website here. The Alumni website will open in a new browser window, and you can then enter your password for access.

ALUMNI INTERNATIONAL WRITING RESIDENCIES

We are able to offer two international writing residencies per year to Alumni members. As selection is by lottery, all members have an equal chance of winning an international exchange, of two to four weeks at a recognised cultural institution.

Airfares will be paid from alumni fees. The airfare will be based on economy flights at low season rates up to $2500. Accommodation will be provided by the host organisation.

Those awarded international exchanges will not be eligible to re-enter the lottery for the next three rounds. Expatriate Alumni members are eligible for the exchange fellowship to be taken at Varuna.

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