Scribe Varuna Residency 2020
Varuna the National Writers’ House and Scribe Publications are delighted to announce the call out for our 2020 program, which is focused on identifying exciting new narrative nonfiction on climate change, nature, and the environment in the anthropocene.
‘In a time when these topics are often at the forefront of our minds, it is still uncommon to find writing that can draw them out in such a way as to make them become alive and urgent, motivating rather than immobilising,’ said Marika Webb-Pullman, Associate Publisher, Scribe Publications.
‘We are looking for projects that demand engagement with the natural world as it is and as it will become (or as it could become), that push the reader to think more deeply, with new knowledge and perspectives, about the current and coming disasters and that, hopefully, sparks a sense of agency in the reader to respond in the real world.’
Up to four writers will be offered the opportunity to develop their work through this program. The residency includes manuscript feedback and meetings with Scribe editorial staff, independent writing time in a private writing studio, accommodation and meals. Scribe editors live with the writers at Varuna, and meet with each writer at the beginning and end of the week to discuss their projects. Evenings offer the opportunity to meet with other writers and the Scribe editors over dinner to chat about publishing and writing.
‘We are so excited to be working with Scribe Publications in this way’ said Amy Sambrooke, Creative Director of Varuna.
‘We greatly value the contribution that independent publishers such as Scribe make to Australia’s literary landscape, and Scribe’s focus on publishing books that matter is a perfect fit for Varuna.’
In this fellowship, Scribe will choose each of the manuscripts because they believe it has the potential to become a publishable work of literary value.
Applications open Monday 11 May 2020 and close 18 June 2020. For more information, please visit https://www.varuna.com.au/fellowships/scribe