Varuna - The Writers' House
Writing Retreats
VARUNA FELLOWSHIPS FOR WRITING
RETREATS
Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats offer a writer a residency with
independent writing time, accommodation and full board at Varuna, The
Writers' House in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia.
Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats are offered in fiction,
non-fiction, poetry, genre writing, writing and/or illustrating children's
books, dramatic/screen writing, translation, essays or short fiction.
Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats are purely residential and do not
provide for mentorship, editing assistance, classes, or formal discussions
of the work with other writers. Fellows are expected to work independently
once in residence.
In 2008 Varuna will award up to sixteen Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats
of three weeks each and up to four Flagship
Fellowships of four weeks each.
Of the sixteen Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats, three are
designated as Australian Poetry Centre Fellowships.
VARUNA FLAGSHIP FELLOWSHIPS
FOR WRITING RETREATS
Varuna awards four Flagship Fellowships for Writing Retreats for Varuna
Fellowship applications of outstanding quality. Writers cannot apply
specifically for the Flagship Fellowships; rather, they are offered to
individuals whose applications are deemed outstanding. The successful
Flagship Fellowship applicants will each be offered a four-week writing
residency at Varuna. The Flagship Fellowships are:
Eleanor Dark Writing Fellowship - Fiction
Established in memory of Eleanor Dark, this Flagship Fellowship will be
awarded to a fiction application of outstanding quality.
Eric Dark Writing Fellowship - Non-fiction
Established in memory of Eric Dark, this Flagship Fellowship will be
awarded for a non-fiction application of outstanding quality in social,
historical or political writing.
Mick Dark Writing Fellowship - Environmental Writing
Established to acknowledge the contribution by Mick Dark to the
establishment of Varuna, this Flagship Fellowship will be awarded for an
environmental writing application of outstanding quality in any genre or
discipline.
Dorothy Hewett Writing Fellowship - Poetry
Established in memory of Blue Mountains resident and poet, Dorothy Hewett,
this Flagship Fellowship will be awarded for a poetry application of
outstanding quality. This writing residency includes editorial
consultation, which is provided by the generous support of the Australian
Poetry Centre.
WHAT WRITERS SAY
By remaining so deeply inside the story - by living in it - without
distractions, unexpected things happen to my writing during fellowship
stays. Problems get solved, key scenes pop out - last time the end of my
novel arrived of its own accord - all because the brain is left alone to
do its quiet work of connecting images and ideas. All because there is
nothing else to be at Varuna but a writer.
- Vicki Hastrich,
author of The Great Arch (Eleanor Dark Flagship Fellowship, 2005)
Sitting at your desk at Varuna, gazing on to the garden, if you listen
very carefully through the silence - that quietness that has lured you
there to write without distraction - there is music. It’s played at
computer keyboards by an ensemble of strangers, soon to be friends, alone
together under one roof, united in a common pursuit to make words dance.
- Mark Wakely, author of Sweet Sorrow: A Beginner's Guide to Death
(CAL Fellowship, 2006)
My work space was embraced by tree branches, touched with dappled sunlight
and filled with the drawings and ideas that just streamed out of my
imagination. I have never known such an inspiring place. You don't realise
the value of completely uninterrupted work until you are there. Days pass
and you structure hours as you need to. Time to walk, time to think, time
for things to properly develop, and everyone coming together over
wonderful evening meals to talk and laugh. I slept well and woke each
morning with birds singing and thoughts itching to get onto paper.
- Elise Hurst, illustrator (Retreat Fellowship, 2007)
Applicants for the Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats must have confidence in the direction of their project and be able to work independently. When considering whether to apply, you should also consider your logistical ability to take up the residency. Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats are taken in a single 3-week block and cannot be taken as single weeks except under exceptional circumstances, and by agreement with Varuna. Varuna Fellowships are available to Australian citizens or permanent residents 18 years and over.
For more information click here.
CLOSING DATE
The closing date for 2008 applications for Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats is 30 June 2008. We will not accept applications for Varuna Fellowships before June 1.
IS THERE ANY COST?
There is an application fee of $55 for Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats. If your application is successful, you must pay a further Varuna Fellowship Contribution of $100 per week of residence (up to $300).
HOW MANY VARUNA FELLOWSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE?
In 2008 Varuna will award up to 20 Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats.
WHEN CAN RETREAT FELLOWSHIPS BE TAKEN?
Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats are taken between 1 October 2008 and 30 June 2009. Successful applicants are required to contact Varuna to nominate their preferred dates. Click here for more information.
SELECTION PROCESS
Selections for the Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats are made by a committee of three - the Creative Director plus two members of the Varuna Alumni Association. Successful applicants will be announced on the NEWS AND DIARY page of the website on FRIDAY 1 AUGUST, 2008. Click here for more information.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Before applying for a Varuna Fellowship for Writing Retreat you should have read and understood:
- The Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats program information (this section)
- The Varuna Fees & Application Guidelines for Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats
- before completing the Application Form for Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats (link from Varuna Fees & Application Guidelines section)
Click
HERE for Varuna
Fees and Application Guidelines for Varuna Fellowships for Writing
Retreats.
CONTACTING THE WRITERS' HOUSE
- 141 Cascade St, Katoomba, NSW 2780, Australia
- Telephone: (02) 4782 5674 - International callers: +61 2 47 82 5674
- Fax: (02) 4782 6220 - International faxes: +61 2 47 82 6220 Email: varuna@varuna.com.au - click here to email Varuna
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Site most recently updated 20 April, 2008.
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