Varuna launches pilot Western Sydney writers fellowship

Varuna, the National Writers’ House has launched a new fellowship focussing on stories and writers from Western Sydney.

Western Sydney Lamplight is a fortnight-long intensive pilot program for 12 writers from Western Sydney, commencing 18 October. The program offers recipients support, reading sessions and feedback from authors, including mentoring sessions with Carol Major, engagement with Carrie Tiffany and Mark Brandi and daily writing sessions with poet Vanessa Kirkpatrick.

‘The enthusiastic response from those who were selected for one of the 12 places has been wonderful,’ Varuna creative director Amy Sambrooke said of the pilot. ‘Many people living in Western Sydney have had a particularly rough time over the past few months of lockdown and we are keen to step in with some extra support to foster the development of these writers and help them reach their potential.

‘We are hopeful that this pilot program will develop into a continuing fellowship for writers in Western Sydney.’

Category: Local news