Six fellowships will be awarded to trans and gender diverse writers from anywhere in Australia. This fellowship program is open to any writer who identifies as trans and/or gender diverse, in that their assigned sex at birth does not match their gender identity.
We welcome all trans and gender diverse writers of all genres including fiction, narrative non-fiction, poetry, children’s books, graphic novels, play/screen writing, writing for radio, young adult, essays or short fiction.
The fellowship includes:
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A one-week residency at Varuna, the National Writers’ House, located in Katoomba, Blue Mountains. The residency includes all food and a prepared evening meal, with uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, and the companionship of your fellow writers from 4 – 11 August 2025
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Travel costs reimbursed between your home and Katoomba
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A one-on-one conversation with a Varuna mentor
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A half-day workshop – the focus and presenter will be confirmed when the applicants are selected, to meet the needs and skills of the group
The fellowship week will also include an event for the local LGBTQI+ community.
KEY DATES
Residency dates: 4 – 11 August 2025
Applications open: 7 January 2025
Applications close: 5pm AEST 17 February 2025
Places: Six writers will be selected
Who should apply: Trans and gender diverse writers working in any genre, at any career stage; we welcome all writers whose assigned sex at birth does not match their gender identity, be they transgender, transsexual, non-binary, agender, gender fluid, sistergirl, brotherboy, two spirit, or other identifications under this umbrella
Fees: There is an application fee of $30 for this program. Those experiencing financial hardship can have their fees waived via the Varuna Equity Fund.
This fee helps to cover the administrative costs of this program and pays our assessors for their time reading your work.
FAQ: Please read the FAQ before you apply.
For more information and to apply, please visit:
https://www.varuna.com.au/for-writers/trans-and-gender-diverse
For more information click here
