Time and space for writers to write.
Queensland Writers Centre Varuna Fellowships
Closed now
Annual opportunity. 2026 applications (now closed): Monday 16 February – Tuesday 24 March 2026.
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.
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2025
Madeleine Dale (Established Writers Fellowship)
Edmario Lesi (Underrepresented Writers Fellowship)
2024
Laura Jean McKay (Established Writers Fellowship)
Sharlene Allsopp (Underrepresented Writers Fellowship)
2023
Kristina Olsson (Established Writers Fellowship)
Nadia Mahjouri (Underrepresented Writers Fellowship)
Nadia Johansen (Underrepresented Writers Fellowship)
2022
Richard Yaxley (Established Writers Fellowship)
Balli Jaswal (Underrepresented Writers Fellowship)
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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Applicants to the Underrepresented Writers Fellowship may be either unpublished or published writers.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 2026.
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 from 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.
Fishbowl Residency
Open now
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 at State Library of Queensland, successful applicants receive a working space and support to write amongst fellow residents and the QWC team. Applications are accepted year-round from QWC members.
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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 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, full-time (min. 3 days per week), in-person at QWC, under agreed conditions.
If mentorship is offered, 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 from the author, including detailed availability for completion of the residency, plus a short bio, short article and professional headshot for promotion.
Write Space
Bookings open: daily, Mon-Thurs
Separate your writing process from day-to-day interruptions – work and write from a vibrant co-working space at Queensland Writers Centre. Exclusively offered to members, WriteSpace desks are available from 10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday – Thursday. Facilities available include:
Personal desk in QWC’s open-plan co-working space
Access to Wi-Fi and high-speed ethernet (wired) connections
Access to shared kitchenette, with fridge, microwave, tea and coffee etc
Print and photocopy at a rate of $2.00/100pages
Close access to State Library collections and resources.
Book a one-week (Mon–Thurs) pass or make a daily booking.
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WriteSpace is an open-plan, shared zone for writing situated in Queensland Writers Centre's event space, adjacent to its offices, inside State Library of Queensland.
WriteSpace is available from 10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday – Thursday, during the Centre’s opening hours.
Check-in daily at QWC’s Front Desk.
All writers undergo Health & Safety training and induction (<10 minutes) before commencing a WriteSpace session for the first time, and annually.
Writers must wear an assigned Write Space lanyard at all times.
This is a working office environment and writers can expect a usual level of office noise, movements through the space and business interaction.
QWC recommends using noise-canceling headphones.
Participants are expected to keep private and confidential any business information that may be heard in the space.
Conversations and phone calls are to be held outside.
WriteSpace is exclusively available to Queensland Writers Centre members. Please ensure your booking name and email matches your current membership.
Bookings accepted up to 12hrs prior to session start times.
Cancellations require 24hrs notice to receive a refund.
Costs
30 / day (10:00am–4:00pm)
100 / week (Mon-Thurs)
The Flinthart Residency
2026 applications: Monday 22 June – Tuesday 14 July 2026
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.
This residency opportunity gives a successful applicant the chance to spend 10 weeks working full-time on their next project from QWC’s offices at State Library of Queensland. Included is a $1,000 stipend and five hours of mentorship with a matched industry professional to support development of the work.
Applicants are required to submit a writing sample from their work-in-progress, synopsis, and a project plan. A $40 application reading and processing fee applies. 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.
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.
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2025: Caroline Austin
2024: Sally Wilde
2023: Sophia Davidson Gluyas
2022: Claire Alcock
2021: Pamela Jeffs
2020 (inaugural): Jake Corvus
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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.
The Flinthart Residency is a competitive program, with applicants assessed by QWC staff and committee members. Applications may be judged by an external panel.
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 rights to produce the work.
Successful applicants will be notified in August. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.
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, full-time (min. 3 days per week), under agreed conditions.
Stipend payment and provision of mentorship allocation is dependent upon residency completion.
All other program expenses are the responsibility of the resident.
Successful applicants for the Residency will be asked to sign a Residency Agreement with Queensland Writers Centre. The Agreement outlines the deliverables required from the author, including detailed availability for completion of the residency, plus a short bio, short article and professional headshot for promotional reasons.
Unsuccessful applicants may be offered a place in QWC’s Fishbowl residency program.