Varuna the National Writers’ House and Scribe Publications from Melbourne are thrilled to announce a new partnership that will offer three writers the opportunity to develop their work. Combining a Varuna residency with an intensive mentorship with Scribe editors, the inaugural 2019 program will focus on nonfiction, specifically popular science, micro-history, and history from the perspective of diverse voices.
‘We are so excited to be working with Scribe Publications’ said Veechi Stuart, Executive Director of Varuna. ‘We greatly value the contribution that independent publishers such as Scribe make to our Australian literary landscape, and Scribe’s focus on publish books that matter is a perfect fit for Varuna.’
Scribe’s senior editor, David Golding, who will run the 2019 prize, says, ‘The opportunity to work in a residency setting, far from the madding crowd, with writers on developing manuscripts is both rare and exciting. Science, history, and great writing are all passions of mine, as is encouraging and promoting those authors and subjects with less opportunity to be heard. We are delighted to be partnering with Varuna, and I look forward to meeting the selected fellows and their manuscripts, and to hearing the future voices of Australian nonfiction.’
Scribe will choose each of the manuscripts because they believe it has the potential to become a publishable work of literary value. The residency includes manuscript feedback and meetings with Scribe editorial staff, independent writing time in a private writing studio, accommodation, and meals. The editors will live with the selected writers at Varuna, and meet with each of them at the beginning and end of the week to discuss their projects. Evenings offer the opportunity to meet with the editors, and with other writers, over dinner.
Applications open Monday 1 July 2019 and close 11 August 2019. For more information, please visit www.varuna.com.au/fellowships/scribe.