The Henry Handel Richardson Fellowship for Short Story Writing
Offered in partnership with the Henry Handel Richardson Society, this fully-funded two-week fellowship promotes the life and legacy of Henry Handel Richardson and encourages excellence in Australian short story writing.
Applications open: 17 March 2026
Applications close: midnight AEST 15 May 2026
Residency Dates: Between September 2026 - September 2027, arranged directly with Varuna based on availability
Places: One writer is selected as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships program.
Who should apply: Any writer who submits a short story application for the Varuna Residential Fellowship is eligible.
FAQ: Please read the FAQ before you apply.
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
The Henry Handel Richardson Fellowship for Short Story Writing is part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships.
This fellowship is offered every second year to an outstanding short story submission and will be open in 2026.
The recipient receives:
A two-week residency at Varuna, with full board and accommodation including a prepared evening meal, uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, and the companionship of your fellow writers.
A one-hour consultation with a Varuna mentor, Carol Major, Mary Anne Butler or Tegan Bennett-Daylight.
A travel subsidy of $350 for writers living more than 400 km away from Varuna.
For more information about staying at Varuna, visit our Residencies page.
TESTIMONIALS
“I loved the gift of quiet, uninterrupted time to write. And I also loved the gift of being amongst other writers of varying experience. They gave me so much to think about, and also much encouragement.”
ABOUT HENRY HANDEL RICHARDSON
Henry Handel Richardson is the pseudonym of the celebrated Australian-born writer, Ethel Florence Lindesay Richardson (1870-1946). Her early novels, Maurice Guest (1908) and The Getting of Wisdom (1910) were acclaimed by prominent writers and critics in England, America and Europe, and in Australia in the mid-1920s when Nettie Palmer began to champion her works. In 2008, the Henry Handel Richardson Society of Australia (HHRSA) was formed to provide ongoing promotion, enjoyment and engagement with her works and life.
HOW TO APPLY
The Henry Handel Richardson Fellowship is awarded to a short story writer who applies for a Varuna Residential Fellowship. There is no separate application process.
Please refer to Varuna’s general submission guidelines for any questions on formatting your work.
UPCOMING COURSES, FELLOWSHIPS AND EVENTS
