Ultimo Varuna Residential Fellowship
Two unpublished writers with a completed contemporary literary fiction manuscript will receive a two-week fellowship in 2027, as well as two editorial meetings with Ultimo Press.
Applications open: 17 March 2026
Applications close: midnight AEST 15 May 2026
Residency dates: Between July 2026 - September 2027, arranged directly with Varuna based on availability
Places: Two writers will be selected
Who should apply: Unpublished writers with a complete draft (40,000 – 70,000 words) of a Literary Fiction manuscript with a contemporary setting
FAQs: Please read the FAQs before you apply.
ABOUT THIS FELLOWSHIP
The Ultimo Varuna Residential Fellowship will be awarded to two unpublished writers with a complete draft (40,000 – 70,000 words) of a Literary Fiction manuscript. This fellowship is made possible by support from Ultimo Press and is designed to foster opportunities for unpublished authors.
This fellowship is for contemporary literary fiction, and does not cover non-fiction, memoir, poetry, children's books and YA, genre fiction (crime, fantasy, science fiction, romance, spec fic) or historical fiction.
The recipients will each receive:
A two-week residential fellowship at Varuna, with uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio. All food is provided, with an evening meal prepared by our cook, Dionne, to be enjoyed with the companionship of your fellow writers.
A one-hour consultation with a Varuna mentor, Carol Major, Mary Anne Butler or Tegan Bennett-Daylight
Two editorial meetings with Ultimo Publishing Director Robert Watkins, or another appropriate member of the Ultimo team
If you accept this fellowship, Ultimo Press will have first right of refusal on your manuscript when the first draft after the fellowship is completed. Ultimo Press will have 90 days to make an offer to publish the work after submission to their editors, and the work may not be submitted to any other publishers during this period.
For more information about staying at Varuna, visit our Residencies page.
HOW TO APPLY
The Ultimo Varuna Residential Fellowships are awarded to two unpublished writers of a Literary Fiction manuscript who apply for a Varuna Residential Fellowship. There is no separate application process.
For the purposes of this fellowship, ‘unpublished authors’ are those who have not published a book-length work with a publisher, and do not have a publishing contract for their work-in-progress. Applicants who have self-published, or who have had short works published in anthologies, journals and collections are eligible to apply.
Please refer to Varuna’s general submission guidelines for any questions on formatting your work.
ABOUT ULTIMO PRESS
Ultimo Press is an independent publisher established in 2020 as part of Hardie Grant Publishing.
Distinctive and discerning, Ultimo Press values quality above all else, and aspire to be known for creativity and commitment to their authors. They focus on general and literary fiction (especially the sweet spot in between), and non-fiction that inspires and ignites.
Ultimo Press prides themselves on being serious, but also vibrant and compelling. Distinctive and a little bit different, their aim is to disrupt and have fun. Named for the Sydney suburb that houses Hardie Grant’s Sydney office, Ultimo references the publisher’s home – an historic and colourful part of Sydney. The Italian translates roughly to ‘the latest’, upholding the ambition to provide a platform for the latest trends and newest voices.
UPCOMING FELLOWSHIPS, COURSES AND EVENTS
