To support writers to develop new work in response to the drought and bushfire crisis, Katoomba's Varuna has announced six new fellowships for NSW writers.
"We have been directly experiencing the impact of fires for months here ... and have watched on in horror at the fires causing heartbreaking destruction across many parts of Australia," said Varuna's creative director, Amy Sambrooke.
"In response to this, and to the unprecedented conditions that have seen rivers run dry and towns run out of water, we are launching a new fellowship to support writers to make sense of this situation, and to contribute to urgent conversations about climate change."
Each Writing Fire, Writing Drought fellowship includes a one-week residential fellowship at Varuna, uninterrupted time in a private studio, meals, the companionship of fellow writers and a one-hour writing consultation. Recipients also receive a half-day professional development workshop.
"We are interested in writers' response to changes occurring in the world around us. Your writing might reflect climate, cultural, environmental, historical, political or social issues, and need not focus only on fire and drought," said executive director, Veechi Stuart. "We welcome new work in all genres, including children's books, essays, fiction, narrative non-fiction, poetry, scripts, screenplays and young adult fiction."
Applications close March 27, and the residency runs from July 27 to August 3.
