Virtual Writer in Residence
From poets to playwrights: get to know Melbourne’s vibrant and varied literary community
To all writers from our sister UNESCO Cities of Literature – we are inviting you to put yourself forward to be one of our virtual writers in residence in November this year.
From poets to playwrights, this is an opportunity to get to know Melbourne’s vibrant and varied literary community up close by spending November working with one of the many organisations that make us a City of Literature:
Below is the list of hosts that we have and the simple point of inspiration they are looking for!
- Blak & Bright seeks a First Nations writer to connect our stories and lands with theirs
Website: https://www.blakandbright.com.au/ - Geelong Regional Libraries is looking for an emerging writer to help us diversify our offering to our community through a range of opportunities for collaboration, connection and engagement.
Website: grlc.vic.gov.au - Going Down Swinging is looking for a writer of experimental, hybrid or emerging forms of storytelling who can share their creative process with its community and inspire them to find joy in their own creative risks and experiments.
Website:https://goingdownswinging.org.au/ - Melbourne Writers' Theatre is looking for an experienced playwright to share their knowledge and their culture with our community of enthusiastic playwrights.
Website: https://melbournewriterstheatre.org.au/ - Myli-My Community Library is looking for an engaging, passionate writer who is highly enthusiastic about working across a variety of age groups and genres to inspire and support creativity through writing.
Website: https://www.myli.org.au/ - Signal is looking for a writer connected to young people aged 14 to 25 years keen to inspire the next generation.
Website: https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/signal - Society of Women Writers Victoria is looking for a woman writer to encourage our members in writing short form genres to tell women's stories, historical or contemporary.
Website: https://www.swwvic.org.au/ - Sticky Institute is looking for a writer interested in working with our local zine community to transform their ideas into a narrative zine.
Website: https://stickyinstitute.com/ - Story Studios Australia is looking for a writer who is generous in outlining their process, community-minded, and excited by the possibilities of online connection.
Website: https://storystudiosaustralia.com.au - Writers Victoria is seeking a writer keen to engage with our diverse community of writers and help them share their stories with the broader public.
Website: https://writersvictoria.org.au/
This content can be any three of the following (or three of just one of the following)
- a workshop
- a written piece
- an appearance/ panel
- a social media takeover
The residency will also include opportunities for meetings with all the writers in residence and facilitated further connections with Melbourne as a City of Literature
As one of our virtual writers in residence you will be paid $1500(AUD) and you will retain all copyright for your work.
To be eligible you need to be a writer and resident presently in one of the UNESCO Cities of Literature
Applications
Follow this link https://cityofliterature.wufoo.com/forms/z11hmfrq1qdgzvc/ express your interest in being a virtual writer in residence.
You will be asked to nominate your choice of organisation and what you would love to do for and with them! You will also have the opportunity to propose a second organization.
They are looking to be excited and inspired by your thoughts and the possibility of connecting with you!
We invite you to explore all of our hosts online but if you have any specific questions to ask the Melbourne City of Literature Office; please do not hesitate: cityofliterature@wheelercentre.com
DEADLINE is Monday 25th of August 2025, 9a.m. (AEST)
ALL INFO on this website, too: https://cityofliterature.com.au/virtual-writers-in-residence-2025/
Infosheet can be downloaded here (74 KB).
