Masterclasses and Courses
Varuna’s curated program of small-group courses are designed to support writers to develop their craft, finish their project, and build connections with other writers. As Australia’s National Writers’ House, we know how important it is that writers be surrounded by others who will support and extend them. For this reason, these writing courses are by application and limited to just eight participants.
Our expert facilitators are working writers who offer thoughtfully designed professional development programs for other committed writers at all stages of their careers. Varuna’s masterclasses are here to help you finish your memoir, write your novel, develop your poetry, explore approaches to fiction and non-fiction writing, or get all-important feedback on your manuscript. If you are looking for a creative writing workshop series to support and transform your writing, what better place to do that than Australia’s National Writers’ House.
VARUNA’S MASTERCLASS EQUITY SCHOLARSHIPS
Varuna’s Masterclass Equity Scholarships are for writers for whom the cost of a course or masterclass would be prohibitive. This may include those who are unemployed or under-employed, such as casual, part-time or low-income work, or those who are on the Disability Support Pension, Aged Pension, or have a Healthcare card. If you do not meet these specific circumstances but would not be able to afford one of our programs for another reason, you may also apply. Find more information about the eligibility and application process here.
Applications close: 5pm (AEDT) Tuesday 10 February 2026.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 28 JANUARY
ONLINE
Finish Your Memoir in 2026:
an extended program with Kris Kneen
9 MONTH COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
Are you ready to accept the challenge and prioritise your own work for a change? Or are you a writer with experience in another form who is looking to tell their own story? Commit to your memoir and make 2026 your year to get it done.
DATES: MAR - DEC 2026
#MEMOIR
KRIS KNEEN
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 28 JANUARY
ONLINE
Kickstart Your Writing Project
with Ashley Hay
6 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
This six-session intensive course is for writers at all career stages. Delivered by one of our most experienced facilitators across two months, this masterclass will help you get started on a new writing project or breathe life into a project you have abandoned or are struggling with.
DATES: FEB - APR 2026
#ALL GENRES
ASHEY HAY
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 19 FEBRUARY
ONLINE
From Poem to Manuscript
with Felicity Plunkett
16 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
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.
DATES: MAR - JUL 2026
#POETRY
FELICITY PLUNKETT
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 10 MARCH
ONLINE
Mastering Structure through
Character Arcs
16 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
Designed for writers of all levels, genres and narrative art forms, BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and author, Anthony Mullins, will show you how to craft an authentic and powerful narrative structure using the most important part of your story - its characters.
DATES: APR - JUL 2026
#STRUCTURE
ANTHONY MULLINS
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 9 APRIL
ONLINE
Manuscript Development Masterclass with Jane Messer
5 MONTH COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
Expert feedback is a crucial step in the development of any book, but it can be hard to find. Designed for writers with a manuscript substantially underway, or with a draft completed, this 5 month masterclass with Jane Messer provides a unique opportunity to receive in-depth feedback on your manuscript and the guidance and support to take it to the next level.
DATES: JUN - OCT 2026
#MANUSCRIPT
JANE MESSER
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 14 APRIL
ONLINE
Crafting Knockout Scenes
with Brooke Robinson
8 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
Scenes are the building blocks of fiction writing: plays, screenplays, novels, short stories, and even works of creative non-fiction, are the sum of these small units of drama, the way individual links come together to form a necklace. A 90,000 word novel doesn’t need to be daunting, because if you can write a strong scene, then you can write absolutely anything.
DATES: MAY - JUL 2026
#SCENES
BROOKE ROBINSON
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 7 MAY
ONLINE
Write Your Novel
with Sofie Laguna
10 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
Work alongside Miles Franklin award winning novelist Sofie Laguna to breathe life into your novel, taking it out of the ‘too hard basket’ and shaping it into the story it deserves to be. This Varuna course will take you through all the elements of novel writing, as well as providing an opportunity to receive feedback from your peers.
DATES: JUN - AUG 2026
#NOVEL
SOFIE LAGUNA
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 13 MAY
ONLINE
The Art of Dialogue
with Mary Anne Butler
8 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
Multi award-winning playwright Mary Anne Butler is known for her sharp writing, resonating characters and powerful, honest dialogue. The Art of Dialogue drills down into how to craft dialogue on the page, ensuring that each of your character’s voices is unique.
DATES: JUN - AUG 2026
#DIALOGUE
MARY ANNE BUTLER
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 25 JUNE
ONLINE
Writing with Heart and Humour
with Rick Morton
8 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
This eight-session masterclass for writers in any genre will develop your skills in positioning yourself as an observer, and bringing nuance and humour to the story you would most like to tell.
DATES: AUG - SEP 2026
#HUMOUR
RICK MORTON
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 13 JULY
ONLINE
Kickstart Your Writing Project
with Ashley Hay
6 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
This six-session intensive course is for writers at all career stages. Delivered by one of our most experienced facilitators across two months, this masterclass will help you get started on a new writing project or breathe life into a project you have abandoned or are struggling with.
DATES: AUG - OCT 2026
#ALL GENRES
ASHEY HAY
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 15 JULY
ONLINE
Weaving Memoir with Kris Kneen: Writing and Structuring Personal Stories
10 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
Are you ready to accept the challenge and prioritise your own work for a change? Or are you a writer with experience in another form who is looking to tell their own story? Commit to your memoir and make 2026 your year to get it done.
DATES: AUG - OCT 2026
#MEMOIR
KRIS KNEEN
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 11 AUGUST
ONLINE
The Power of a Good Outline
with Anthony Mullins
6 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
This workshop series with BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and author will introduce you to the power of story outlines, be it for planning, problem solving, analysis or pitching. Whether you're writing a novel, a screenplay, or a play, an outline can give you the ability to see the big picture and remember why you wanted to write this story in the first place.
DATES: SEP - OCT 2026
#STRUCTURE
ANTHONY MULLINS
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 26 AUGUST
ONLINE
Recharge Your Poetry Practice
with Felicity Plunkett
5 WEEK COURSE
MAX CLASS SIZE: 8
Recharge your poetry practice! In this five-week masterclass you’ll have the opportunity to read a lot, write a lot, receive written and verbal feedback, explore a trove of original prompts and diverse forms, explore and enhance aspects of your creative practice and have a one-to-one consultation about your work.
DATES: OCT 2026
#POETRY
FELICITY PLUNKETT