The Next Chapter Residencies

Applications: ClosedProgram: Residencies
Written By Maeve Marsden

As partners in The Next Chapter program, Varuna offers the four writers a week-long residency, along with a year’s membership of the Varuna Alumni network. 

These residencies are awarded to recipients of The Wheeler Centre’s Next Chapter program, where four outstanding writers are provided with a year’s mentorship and $15,000 to develop their work.

This program aims to elevate the Australian stories that aren’t being published and to nurture a new generation of writers, from all sorts of backgrounds.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are via The Wheeler Centre’s Next Chapter program, which is focused on the stories that aren’t being told, the voices that aren’t being heard, and the ideas that need patience, care and work to introduce to the world.

UPCOMING FELLOWSHIPS, COURSES AND EVENTS

For Writers
Finish Your Novel with Conor Kostick
Finish Your Novel with Conor Kostick

Applications close 14 May

For over 20 years, Conor Kostick has been teaching his popular 10-week Finish Your Novel course at the Irish Writers Centre and Varuna are delighted to offer it in Australia and New Zealand.

Varuna Residential Fellowships
Varuna Residential Fellowships

Applications close 6 May

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
The Eleanor Dark Fellowship for Fiction

Applications close 6 May

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
The Eric Dark Fellowship for Non-fiction

Applications close 6 May

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
The Mick Dark Fellowship for Environmental Writing

Applications close 6 May

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
The Jill Dark Fellowship

Applications close 6 May

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
The Varuna First Nations Fellowship

Applications close 6 May

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
Roderick Centre Residential Fellowship for Regional and Remote Writers

Applications close 6 May

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.

Maeve Marsden
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