Virtual Writer-in-Residence (Outward-facing) 2026 Call-out
For five years, we have virtually hosted writers from the Cities of Literature network in Melbourne. In 2026, we are expanding this program to include a virtual residency where organisations in other Cities of Literature host writers from Melbourne City of Literature.
Each writer-in-residence will connect with their selected organisation virtually, and produce three agreed upon interactions as an outcome. These outcomes will take time over the month of April 2026.
This interaction will be any three of the following (writers can do multiple interactions in the same form i.e. two workshops, one written piece):
- a workshop
- a written piece
- an appearance/ panel
- a social media takeover.
The following organisations will host writers from Melbourne:
- Bookbag from Exeter City of Literature needs someone to write inspirational things about stories, bookshops, and reading.
- Cymera Festival from Edinburgh City of Literature is looking for a genre writer who shares our passion for folklore and myths and how they are used to tell contemporary stories.
- Estonian Literary Museum from Tartu City of Literature is looking for a passionate horror writer to share ghost stories and ideas on how to create atmosphere together with our writers and young academics.
- Kozhikode City of Literature seeks a writer to connect our City of Literature with Melbourne City of Literature.
- Krakowskie Biuro Festiwalowe from Krakow City of Literature is looking for a writer to help craft a new narrative for this post-hospital neighborhood, which is being transformed into a cultural district focused on rest and well-being.
- Norfolk Wildlife Trust from Norfolk City of Literature invite a writer to explore belonging – how memory, identity, and imagination can make the natural world feel like home for all.
- Nottingham Women’s Library from Nottingham City of Literature is looking for a woman writer to inspire our community to reflect creatively on the power and purpose of libraries and women’s spaces.
- The Saltire Society from Edinburgh City of Literature is looking for a writer passionate about heritage – in all its complexity and challenge – to explore ways of marking the connections between our stories and land and yours.
Successful applicants will receive a stipend of $1500.
Applications close on Monday 26 January 2025, 11.59pm (AEDT).
Please note that this opportunity is only available to writers who reside in Melbourne City of Literature. To clarify, you are eligible for this program if you are based in Victoria), including regional and rural Victoria.
If you’re interested, please submit an application here.
Testimonials:
- Emerging Writers Festival worked with 2022 resident Georgie Fehringer from Iowa City of Literature to deliver three outcomes: an interview about their practice, a workshop about the poetics of space-making and an experimental essay on craft and writing.
- Melbourne Writers’ Theatre worked with 2022 resident Mykhailo Krupnik from Odessa City of Literature to deliver two workshops. He also delivered an early script reading of his new play ‘Melbourne Cat. Secret Weapon’—a recording is available here.
- Werribee River Association worked with 2022 resident Daisy Henwood from Norwich City of Literature, to deliver a two-part workshop, followed up by a written piece reflecting on the workshop. Daisy recorded poems for the Werribee River Association to use for film vignettes and Norwich’s National Centre for Writing also published Daisy’s written work on their website.
- Merri-bek Libraries worked with 2022 resident Anton Kurnia, from Jakarta City of Literature to deliver a panel about diversity and inclusion with local writers, as well as a short story reading accompanied by a Q&A about his experiences in Java.
- Sticky Institute worked with 2022 resident Bjargey Ólafsdóttir, from Reykjavik City of Literature to create two original zines, and delivered an online workshop where participants created their own zine. This workshop explored creativity, where ideas spring from and the process of play.