Time and space for writers to write.

APPLICATION FORM (OPENING SOON)

Queensland Writers Centre Varuna Fellowships

Applications open annually. 2025 applications (opening soon): Monday 10 February – Tuesday 4 March 2025.

Each year, Queensland Writers Centre offers the following residential Fellowships in partnership with Varuna, The National Writers’ House:

• The Queensland Writers Centre Established Writers Fellowship is open to established writers with at least one publication.

• The Queensland Writers Centre Underrepresented Writers Fellowship is open to established or emerging writers from underrepresented groups (self-identified).

Each Fellowship includes a two-week residency at Varuna (Katoomba, NSW), with full board and accommodation including a prepared evening meal, uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, a one-hour mentoring session with a writing consultant, and the companionship of your fellow writers. Recipients also receive support for reasonable travel costs.

Applications are free and open exclusively to current financial members of Queensland Writers Centre.

For more information or assistance with your application, contact us at admin@qldwriters.org.au or call the Centre on (07) 3842 9922.

View the application form (opening soon).

Recipients

Application Guidelines

• Applications open to Australian citizens and/or permanent residents.

• Applications open exclusively to current financial members of QWC. Fellowship recipients' memberships should be maintained up to and including their residency period.

• Applicants to the Established Writers Fellowship should have at least one full-length publication (i.e. novel) or equivalent publication history (i.e. significant record of publications in journals and/or collections).

• Applicants to the Underrepresented Writers Fellowship may be either unpublished or published writers.

• This is a competitive program, with applications assessed by QWC staff and an independent panel of industry professionals. All applicants will be personally notified of the outcome of their application prior to public announcements. No further correspondence will be entered into regarding unsuccessful applications.

  • Unsuccessful applicants may be alternatively offered a place in QWC’s Fishbowl Residency program.

• Successful applicants will be notified in June/July 2025.

• Successful applicants should be able to commence residency within 12 months of successful application, with residency dates determined in negotiation between QWC, Varuna and the resident.

• Successful applicants will be required to sign a Residency Agreement, which outlines the deliverables required by the author, including:

  • detailed availability for completion of the residency

  • short bio

  • short article about the residency experience

  • professional headshot

  • acknowledgement of the support of QWC in published materials.

• QWC does not hold rights to the work of Fellowship recipients.

APPLICATIONS FORM (NOW CLOSED)

The Flinthart Residency

Opens annually. 2024 applications open (now closed): 10 June – 9 July 2024.

The Flinthart residency program was established in 2020 thanks to the generosity of the late Aiki Flinthart, a passionate Queensland Writers Centre member and successful independent author.

Awarded annually and exclusively offered to members, this residency opportunity gives the successful applicant the chance to spend 10 weeks working full-time on their next project, from a dedicated space in Queensland Writers Centre’s offices at State Library of Queensland. The residency also includes a $1,000 stipend, and mentorship with a matched industry professional, to support development of the work.

Applicants are required to submit a writing sample of approximately 3,000-6,000 words from their work-in-progress, synopsis, and a project plan.

In the spirit of Aiki’s wishes, greatest consideration for this program is given to applications from writers working or hoping to work in the space of self-publishing and indie publishing. Members may also consider making an application to Queensland Writers Centre's Fishbowl Residency, which is open for submissions year round.

Donations allow us to continue Aiki’s legacy of uplifting and supporting emerging writers through this Residency. Any amount is warmly welcomed – call the Centre on (07) 3842 9922 or donate online.

APPLICATIONS FORM

Fishbowl Residency

Applications open: year-round (approx. 6 weeks turnaround)

Looking for a place to work and write? Queensland Writers Centre’s Fishbowl Residency program provides valuable support and a dedicated place for writers to develop works-in-progress. 

During a full-time, 10-week residency working from our vibrant offices in State Library of Queensland, successful applicants to this residency program receive 5 hours of mentorship with a professional writer, and write amongst fellow residents and the QWC team. Applications are accepted year-round from QWC members.

Read about the experiences of past Fishbowl residents Lara Cain Gray and Katherine Wasiel in articles from WQ magazine.

Apply now.

Application Guidelines

• Applications open to Australian citizens and/or permanent residents. (Please note QWC does not make travel or accommodation provisions available for this residency program.)

• Applications open to current financial members of QWC. Successful applicants' memberships should be maintained during their residency. Applicants may take advantage of a discounted membership in their application.

• The Fishbowl Residency is a competitive program, with applicants assessed by QWC staff and committee members. Applications may be judged by an external panel. No further correspondence may be entered into regarding the outcome of applications.

• Multiple applications in one submission period are allowed, but are limited to one writing project per application. Applications will not be carried forward to future rounds, but applicants may re-apply in the future with the same project.

• QWC does not own the work of successful applicants, nor does it hold the rights to produce the work.

• Residency dates are negotiated between QWC and the recipient. Successful applicants should be able to commence residency within 3 months of notification of successful application, and complete the full 10-week residency under agreed conditions.

• Provision of mentorship allocation is dependent upon residency completion.

  • All other program expenses are the responsibility of the resident.

• Successful applicants for the Fishbowl Residency will be asked to sign a Fishbowl Residency Agreement with Queensland Writers Centre. The Agreement outlines the deliverables required by the author, including detailed availability for completion of the residency, plus a short bio, short article and professional headshot for promotional reasons.