Varuna, The National Writers' House seen from above

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.

Jaala Hallett 14/9/25 Jaala Hallett 14/9/25

Red Room Poetry Fellowship 2026

Applications close 3 Feb

In partnership with Red Room Poetry, this fellowship for six poets includes a residency at Varuna, one-on-one mentorship, and a poetic commission as part of the national Poetry Month in August 2026.

Maeve Marsden 8/9/25 Maeve Marsden 8/9/25

Varuna Trans and Gender Diverse Fellowship

Applications open 3 February

Emerging Trans and Gender Diverse writers are invited to apply for a week-long residency at Varuna, 3 - 10 August 2026, benefiting from one-on-one mentorship and and group reading sessions, supported by community.

Amy Sambrooke 8/9/25 Amy Sambrooke 8/9/25

Kickstart Your Writing Project with Ashley Hay

Applications close 28 Jan 2026

This six-session intensive masterclass offers the opportunity to get started on a new writing project or breathe life into a project you have abandoned or are struggling with.

Wei Clerkin 7/9/25 Wei Clerkin 7/9/25

The Writer's Space Online Fellowship for Writers with Disability

Applications close 10 February

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.

Amy Sambrooke 7/9/25 Amy Sambrooke 7/9/25

From Poem to Manuscript with Felicity Plunkett

Applications close 19 Feb 2026

Expand and nurture your practice as a poet in this 4-month program. We’ll create an encouraging and inspiring community, and support the development of original work, from single poems to sequences, and explore how to build a collection for publication.

Amy Sambrooke 7/9/25 Amy Sambrooke 7/9/25

Mastering Structure through Character Arcs

Applications close 10 March 2026

Designed for writers of all levels, genres and narrative art forms, this 16-session masterclass with BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and author Anthony Mullins will show you how to craft an authentic and powerful narrative structure.

Amy Sambrooke 7/9/25 Amy Sambrooke 7/9/25

Manuscript Development Masterclass with Jane Messer

Applications close 9 April 2026

A deep-dive writer development program designed for writers with a manuscript substantially underway, or with a draft completed, this 5-month masterclass provides a unique opportunity to receive feedback on your manuscript and the guidance and support to take it to the next level.

Amy Sambrooke 7/9/25 Amy Sambrooke 7/9/25

Crafting Knockout Scenes

Applications close 14 April 2026

Scenes are the building blocks of novels, plays, screenplays, short stories, and even works of creative non-fiction. This 8-week program with Brooke Robinson will sharpen your writing to create truly powerful scenes.

Amy Sambrooke 5/9/25 Amy Sambrooke 5/9/25

Writing with Heart and Humour with Rick Morton

Applications close 25 June 2026

This eight-session masterclass for writers in any genre will develop your skills in positioning yourself as an observer, and bringing nuance and humour to the story you would most like to tell.

Amy Sambrooke 4/9/25 Amy Sambrooke 4/9/25

The Power of a Good Outline with Anthony Mullins

Applications close 11 August 2026

This 6-week course with Anthony Mullins will introduce you to the power of story outlines, be it for planning, problem solving, analysis or pitching. Whether you're writing a novel, a screenplay, or a play, an outline can give you the ability to see the big picture and remember why you wanted to write this story in the first place.

Amy Sambrooke 4/9/25 Amy Sambrooke 4/9/25

Recharge Your Poetry Practice with Felicity Plunkett

Applications close 26 August 2026

In this five-week masterclass you’ll have the opportunity to read a lot, write a lot, receive written and verbal feedback, explore a trove of original prompts and diverse forms, explore and enhance aspects of your creative practice and have a one-to-one consultation about your work.

Amy Sambrooke 19/1/25 Amy Sambrooke 19/1/25

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.

Amy Sambrooke 18/1/25 Amy Sambrooke 18/1/25

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!).

Chris Cannell 17/12/24 Chris Cannell 17/12/24

2025 Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival

Thank you all for coming to the 2025 Festival, and trusting in us for another year. 'Twas a weekend of laughter, curiosity, big ideas and challenging conversations. The Blue Mountains Writers Festival returns Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2026.