Virtual Writers’ Rooms are our innovative online programs that connect writers and literary professionals across Cities of Literature around the world. Breaking down geographical barriers, these digital exchanges create unique spaces where participants can collaborate, share practices, and build meaningful cross-cultural connections.  

Unlike traditional residencies or workshops, Virtual Writers’ Rooms prioritise relationship-building and creative dialogue over tangible outcomes, offering writers the rare opportunity to engage deeply with their international peers in sustained, meaningful ways.  

Each room is carefully designed to foster genuine creative exchange, requiring participants to take a leap of faith into collaborative processes that value the journey as much as the destination. 

Virtual Writers’ Rooms: 

1. Expedition Poetry (2022) – Translation room focused on poetry translation and cross-cultural collaboration. With Heidelberg City of Literature. 

2. The Green House (2023, 2024 & 2026) – Nature writing room where participants present natural wonders from their respective Cities of Literature. With Heidelberg City of Literature, Slemani City of Literature, Nottingham City of Literature, Iowa City of Literature, Quebec City of Literature, Exeter City of Literature, Edinburgh City of Literature, Jakarta City of Literature and Tartu City of Literature. 

The Green House provided me with a unique and rare opportunity to join a global community of writers. Each week, through the sharing of our “natural wonders”, we travelled virtually to different, new lands. While the travel was virtual, the expansion of my creative practice and the international community this residency provided was very real and tangible… The Green House is a gift to Melbourne’s creative community and serves to uphold and build on Melbourne’s global reputation as a leader in literature.

Penelope Bartlau – The Green House 2024 participant

3. Parallel Panels (2025 & 2026) – Graphic novelist writers’ room where participants create interpretations of each other’s work. With Bucheon City of Literature, Iowa City of Literature, Reyjkavik City of Literature, and Nottingham City of Literature.  

“I’m very grateful to have had the chance to take part in the Parallel Panels project. We all had a
lot of fun reinterpreting each other’s boards, and it was fascinating to see the range of
possibilities. During our online meetings, I was able to exchange ideas with artists from different
backgrounds, and it was really enriching to discover everyone’s background, challenges and
practice. It allowed me to envisage new ways of working in comics, as well as forging links with
great people. I now feel part of a great community of cartoonists across borders!”

Geraldine Grotowski – Parallel Panels 2025 participant

4. Penpal Network (2025) – Virtual meeting room where emerging writers from two Cities of Literature learn about each other’s Cities, share their work and workshop their writing together. Presented in partnership with Emerging Writers Festival. With Dublin UNESCO City of Literature.  

The Penpal Network is a really unique opportunity to build community outside of so-called Australia. It introduced me to some brilliant artists, publications, writers and opportunities in Ireland, and built my confidence as an emerging writer.

Grace Hall – Penpal Network 2025 participant

5. The INKubator (2025) – First bilingual room connecting 5 writers from Melbourne and 5 from Slemani, focused on the character creation process. With Slemani City of Literature. 

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone for the wonderful workshop we had together. We
truly enjoyed our time in the meeting room, and it was a fantastic opportunity for us to learn so
many new things during our Zoom chat sessions. The exchange of ideas and creativity was
inspiring, and I look forward to reconnecting with all of you again soon… Until then, letʼs keep the momentum going!

Hewa Ameen – The INKubator 2025 participant

6. Today, Yesterday Tomorrow (2025) – First Nations writers’ room focused on cross-cultural exchange and connection. Presented in partnership with Blak & Bright. With Quebec City of Literature, Seattle City of Literature, Dunedin City of Literature and Taipei.  

7. Flight of the Bar-tailed Godwit (2026) – Poetry writer’s room where participants collectively create a chain poem inspired by the migration of the bar-tailed godwit. With Leeuwarden City of Literature.