Varuna Writing NSW 2020 fellowships announced

The recipients of the annual Varuna Writing NSW fellowships have been announced.

Kylie Boltin was awarded the general fellowship for her novel Snake Bite. Writing NSW said, ‘With striking prose and a voice which will stay with the reader, Kylie explores cultural identity and systemic misogyny.’

The fellowship for a writer under 30 was awarded to Eleanor Kirk for her ‘sparkling young adult contemporary novel, People Watcher, which cleverly explores growing up and getting a little lost on the way. Fifteen-year-old Emma is determined to fix her parents’ marriage, and is convinced that temporarily splitting them up is the way to do it.’

The runners-up were Rebecca Chaney, for her middle-grade work ‘Stu’s Sketchy Time Stops’, and D M Cameron, for her eco-thriller ‘Until the Sky Turns Purple’. James McKenzie Watson was highly commended in the writer under 30 category for ‘Denizen’, ‘an engaging psychological exploration of the impact of severe mental illness and childhood trauma’.

This year the fellowships were judged by author Jarrah Dundler, Writing NSW senior program officer Ashley Kalagian Blunt and representatives from Text Publishing.

Boltin and Kirk receive a week-long residency at Varuna, the National Writers’ House, and a manuscript assessment from Text Publishing.

For more information see the Writing NSW website.

Category: Local news