Since 2021, Melbourne City of Literature Office has welcomed 45 writers from across the UNESCO City of Literature network to Melbourne. From poets to playwrights, this program introduces Melbourne’s vibrant and varied literary community to writers across the world in this program.

Our residents are hosted by organisations ranging from the largest of our literary institutions to the smallest of our regional writing collectives.

Working with their host organisations, the writers deliver a variety of work ranging from writing commissions to social media takeovers to digital workshops. 

You can find out more about the residents, their hosts and their work below or by searching for the hashtag #ALetterfromaCityofLiterature on our Facebook: 

In 2026, we also introduced the inaugural Virtual Writer in Residence (Outward-facing), where organisations in other Cities of Literature host writers from Melbourne City of Literature. Please see about the residents, their hosts and their work below or by searching for the hashtag #ALetterfromaCityofLiterature on our Facebook: 

If you are an interested writer from one of our sister Cities of Literature, please note that we launch our call-out for applications around mid-year so keep your eyes peeled. 

If you are an organisation and interested in hosting, we launch our call-out for host organisations around July. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries about this opportunity.