In-Person Events and Workshops
After more than three decades nurturing Australia’s literary culture as a writers residency, Varuna is launching an exciting new public program in the Varuna Reading Room, our stunning new workshop and event space.
Meet your favourite author at an intimate book launch, or discover your next favourite author sharing works-in-progress at our literary salons; hone your craft in writing workshops with the best facilitators in the country, and sign up for in-depth weekend and week-long programs to dig more deeply into your manuscript.
Varuna Community Open Day
Join us to celebrate the opening of a stunning new workshop and event space at Varuna, the National Writers' House.
MEET THE WRITERS: Queerstories at Varuna
Join six emerging trans and gender diverse authors as they share glimpses into their creative practice, and snippets of works-in-progress at Varuna.
WORKSHOP: Read, Reflect, Rewrite with Roanna Gonsalves
Join award-winning author Dr Roanna Gonsalves for a 6-week writing workshop where you'll be guided to give and receive feedback to strengthen your writing. Open to writers at all stages.
WORKSHOP: Scene by Scene with Vivian Pham
Break your story into the moments that matter. Join Scene by Scene, a half-day writing workshop focused on crafting powerful, purposeful scenes. Open to writers at all stages.
Red Room Poetry Fellows Showcase
A presentation of poetry in the heart of the Blue Mountains, featuring readings by 2026 Red Room Fellows Dakota Feirer, Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello, Kerry Greer, Rob Waters, Misbah Wolf, and Sela Ahosivi-Atiola, alongside a musical set by a local musician. Hosted by Red Room Poetry’s David Stavanger.
WORKSHOP: Find Your Story, Find Your Voice with Emily Maguire
A full-day, hands-on workshop with Emily Maguire on coming up with ideas, getting words on the page fast and (re)discovering your writing voice. Open to writers at all stages.
BOOK LAUNCH: Holly Ringland – The World Beneath Her Feet (In conversation with Michaela Kalowski)
Join best-selling author of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Holly Ringland at Varuna to launch The World Beneath Her Feet, her most personal novel yet.
WORKSHOP: Perfect Your Pitch with Cassie Gilmartin
Master the art of the book pitch with author, editor and publisher Cassie Gilmartin in this half-day workshop - what to include, who to pitch to, and when to send it.
WORKSHOP: Dialogue and Subtext with George Kemp
Master dialogue and subtext in this full-day fiction workshop with novelist and playwright George Kemp, exploring what characters say versus what they mean. Open to writers at all stages.
Coming Soon
Memoir Writing with Benjamin Law
Harnessing Your Intuition for the Writing Process with Tara Rae Moss
Making Poems with Felicity Plunkett
Later in the year, Varuna will offer workshops with celebrated writers Sophie Cunningham, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Jazz Money and Luke Patterson.
Sign up to our enews for announcements.