Scribe Varuna Fellowship 2024


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Held in partnership with Scribe Publications, the Scribe Varuna Fellowship is an intensive publishing mentorship that provides a unique opportunity for up to four writers developing exceptional new work. In 2024, the program looked for non-fiction submissions.

Scribe chooses each of the manuscripts based on its potential to become publishable work. It is important for applicants to note that this program does not come with a guarantee of publication.

Scribe Publisher, Marika Webb-Pullman, comments, “We're on the lookout for powerful storytelling on nonfiction subjects that hold interest for broad audiences. We'll welcome memoir and biography, history, politics, science writing, and more, as long as the project fits our mandate of publishing 'books that matter': serious nonfiction that contributes to and advances national or international conversations. ”

The residency includes manuscript feedback and online meetings with Scribe editorial staff, independent writing time in your own private writing studio, accommodation and meals.

After the residency Scribe will keep in touch, offering further feedback as you develop your manuscript to a completed or reworked draft.

Key dates

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED.

Closing date: 26 February 2024

Dates of residency: Monday 5 August to Monday 12 August 2024

What you need to send us

You will need to send us between 7,000 and 10,000 words from the beginning of your manuscript, along with a synopsis of the entire work.

What is Scribe looking for?

In 2024, the Scribe program focused on non-fiction submissions.

Fees

There is a fee of $70 per application, unless you are a financially current alumni member using your annual fee waiver. Application fees are used to pay professional assessors to read your work. If you have a Healthcare card, the application fee is $37.50. Please email us if you are facing financial hardship and require full application subsidy.

If you are successful, you will be asked to make a contribution of $385 towards your residency and you will need to meet your own travel expenses to and from Varuna. If you have a Healthcare card, you may apply to the Varuna Travel Assistance Fund for a subsidy of up to $300.

The fine print

Wei Clerkin