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.
Varuna Residential Fellowships
Applications close 15 May 2026
Varuna’s most prestigious award, running since 1991. Up to 47 fellowships will be awarded to emerging and established writers across Australia, offering between two and three weeks in residence, with mentorship.
Writers SA Fellowships
Applications close 12 April 2026
Two-week fellowships, including writing consultation, are open to Writers SA members who are emerging writers living in South Australia.
Varuna International Exchange New Zealand
Applications close 27 April 2026
Varuna is delighted to offer this three-week international exchange to Varuna alumni, held in collaboration with the Michael King Writers Centre and WORD Christchurch in New Zealand.
Irish Lamplight Online Fellowship
Applications close 30 April 2026
Held in collaboration with the Irish Writers Centre, this online fellowship connects writers from Ireland and Australia, with mentorship, networking and peer feedback, plus Q&As.
The Writer’s Space Writing Group - St Marys
Registrations open
The Writer’s Space Writing Group is returning to St Marys Library in 2026 with a free, six-week program open to writers with disability. Writers at all levels of experience and working in any genre are welcome. Spaces limited to 12.
The Writer’s Space Writing Group - Springwood
Registration now open
The Writer’s Space Writing Group will be hosted at Springwood Library in 2026 with a free, six-week program open to writers with disability. Writers at all levels of experience and working in any genre are welcome. Spaces limited to 12.
The Writer’s Space Writing Group - Lithgow
Registrations now open
The Writer’s Space Writing Group is being held in Lithgow Library for the first time in 2026, offering a free, six-week writing program to writers with disability. Writers at all levels of experience and working in any genre are welcome. Spaces limited to 12.
The Henry Handel Richardson Fellowship for Short Story Writing
Applications close 15 May 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.
The Eleanor Dark Fellowship for Fiction
Applications close 15 May 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, as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships.
The Eric Dark Fellowship for Non-fiction
Applications close 15 May 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 close 15 May 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 close 15 May 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 close 15 May 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 close 15 May 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 Blignault Family Poetry Fellowship
Applications close 15 May 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 close 15 May 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 close 15 May 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 close 15 May 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 close 15 May 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, as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships program. This Fellowship is generously supported by Sophie Torney, a member of our alumni association.
The Belinda Medlyn Climate Fellowship
Applications close 15 May 2026
As part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships, a two-week fellowship is awarded to a writer of an exceptional work of fiction or non-fiction on projects related to climate change and the environment. This Fellowship is made possible in 2026 by Belinda Medlyn.