For Writers
Varuna offer writers time and space to write in the ‘big yellow house’ in the Blue Mountains, with six writers-in-residence staying each week, benefiting from one-on-one mentorship, and the support of their peers. Writers can apply to stay at Varuna via one of our residency programs.
We also offer an extensive program of online masterclasses and intensives, designed to support writers to develop their craft, finish their project, and build connections. Unlike many other writing courses, Varuna masterclasses are by application, so that each of our online course groups is carefully curated with our expert facilitators.
Finally, we offer in-person workshops in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, throughout the year as well as during the Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival.
The Writer's Space Fellowships for Writers with Disability
Applications are now closed
Six two-week residential fellowships will be offered to writers with disability and/or who are D/deaf.
Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship
Applications open 28 October 2025
The Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship encourages excellence in non-fiction writing and supports writers developing an original work drawn from the broad fields of the humanities and social sciences. Three writers will be selected for a three-week residency, 28 Sept - 19 Oct 2026.
2025 Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival
Tickets on sale now
The Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival returns 31 October - 2 November 2025.
Crafting Point of View: On-Demand Masterclass
Self-paced online course
Bring the Varuna magic to you with this nine-part online, self-paced course on point of view with Jane Messer. Explore this important element of writing craft, analysing sample readings from well-known authors and being prompted with a series of exercises.
Writing for Wellbeing: On-Demand Masterclass
Self-paced online course
Bring the Varuna magic to you with this eight-part online, self-paced course on writing for wellbeing. This revitalising program enables you to explore writing as a practice for your own wellbeing, including techniques for getting started (or re-started!).
The Henry Handel Richardson Fellowship for Short Story Writing
Applications open March 2026
Offered in partnership with the Henry Handel Richardson Society, this short story writing fellowship promotes the life and legacy of Henry Handel Richardson, and is offered to an outstanding short story submission as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships.
Varuna Residential Fellowships
Applications open March 2026
Varuna’s most prestigious award, running since 1991. Up to 38 fellowships will be awarded to emerging and established writers across Australia, offering between two and four weeks in residence, with mentorship.
The Eleanor Dark Fellowship for Fiction
Applications open March 2026
Established in memory of Blue Mountains writer Eleanor Dark, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded to a fiction application of outstanding quality.
The Eric Dark Fellowship for Non-fiction
Applications open March 2026
Established in memory of Blue Mountains writer and social activist Eric Dark, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded for a non-fiction application of outstanding quality in social, historical or political writing.
The Mick Dark Fellowship for Environmental Writing
Applications open March 2026
Established in memory of Mick Dark, who bequeathed Varuna House to the writers of Australia, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded to outstanding Environmental Writing.
The Jill Dark Fellowship
Applications open March 2026
As part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships, a two-week fellowship with travel costs covered and a $600 stipend is awarded to a writer of outstanding talent who is experiencing financial hardship. This Fellowship is made possible in 2025 by a member of our alumni association.
The Varuna First Nations Fellowship
Applications open March 2026
This three-week fellowship will be awarded to a First Nations writer who applies for a Varuna Residential Fellowship and whose work is of outstanding quality.
Roderick Centre Residential Fellowship for Regional and Remote Writers
Applications open March 2026
This program is presented in partnership with the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (RCALC) and is part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships. Open to emerging or established writers, living in regional and remote parts of Australia.
The Varuna Poetry Fellowship
Applications open March 2026
This three-week fellowship will be awarded for a Varuna Residential Fellowships poetry application of outstanding quality.
Ray Koppe ASA Young Writers Fellowship
Applications open March 2026
Offered in partnership with the Australian Society of Authors, and generously supported by the Ray Koppe bequest, this is one of the Varuna flagship fellowships and is offered to a writer under the age of 35 who is as yet unpublished.
The Fowler Trust Fellowships for Fiction
Applications open March 2026
Generously supported by the Fowler Trust, this program supports four two-week fellowships for fiction writers, including women’s fiction, crime, fantasy, historical fiction, speculative fiction and YA.
The Jerra Studio Fellowship for Writers with Disability
Applications open March 2026
This two-week fellowship will be awarded for a Varuna Residential Fellowships application of outstanding quality, by a writer with disability.
The Carer’s Fellowship
Applications open March 2026
Each year, a two-week fellowship is awarded to a writer who is a parent or carer who faces barriers to finding time and space to write due to caring responsibilities. This Fellowship is generously supported by Sophie Torney, a member of our alumni association.
The Blue Mountains Fellowship
Applications open March 2026
This two-week fellowship will be awarded to a writer who is currently living in the Blue Mountains LGA. This fellowship is generously supported by David Hammon, who was previously chair of Varuna’s Board.
The Writer's Space Online Fellowship for Writers with Disability
Applications now closed
Six online fellowships will be offered to writers with disability and/or who are D/deaf, providing mentorship, professional development, and the opportunity for peer feedback.