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 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
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
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
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 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
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.
The Varuna Poetry Fellowship
Applications close 6 May
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 6 May 2025
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 6 May
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 6 May
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 6 May
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. This Fellowship is generously supported by Sophie Torney, a member of our alumni association.
The Blue Mountains Fellowship
Applications close 6 May
This two-week fellowship will be awarded to a writer who is currently living in the Blue Mountains LGA. This fellowship is generously supported by David Hammon, who was previously chair of Varuna’s Board.
WestWords Varuna Emerging Writers Residency
Applications open 2 May 2025
The WestWords Varuna Fellowship offers four emerging writers from diverse backgrounds from Western Sydney the opportunity of a week-long residency, supported throughout the week by mentors.
2025 Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival
Save the Date
The Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival returns 31 October - 2 November 2025.
Copyright Agency First Nations Fellowships
Applications are now closed
First Nations writers are invited to apply for one of twelve week-long fellowships at Varuna in 2025, sharing the residency with other First Nations writers, and benefiting from one-on-one mentorship and the sharing of skills and knowledge.
Roderick Centre Online Fellowship for Regional and Remote Writers
Applications now closed
This program is presented in partnership with the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (RCALC) and is open to emerging or established writers, living in regional and remote parts of Australia.
Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship
Applications now closed
The Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship encourages excellence in non-fiction writing and supports writers developing an original work drawn from the broad fields of the humanities and social sciences. Three writers will be selected for a three-week residency, 29 Sept - 20 Oct 2025.
Arts NT Online Fellowships
Applications are now closed
This program is presented in partnership with the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT. Submissions are welcomed from eligible NT-based writers.
Arts NT Residential Fellowships
Applications are now closed
This program is presented in partnership with the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT. Submissions are welcomed from eligible NT-based writers.
Shanghai Western Sydney Writing Exchange
Applications are now closed
A prestigious two-month international residency in Shanghai, China that will run from September to October 2025. Alumni from Western Sydney University and Alumni from Varuna, the National Writers’ House, are invited to apply in 2025 for the 2027 program.