Melbourne City of Literature Virtual Writer in Residence
By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature | Posted: Tuesday Jul 21, 2026
Applications close Midnight Monday 17th of August 2026
Writers from other UNESCO Cities of Literature, including Dunedin, are invited to apply to Melbourne City of Literature’s Virtual Writer Residency programme set for November 2026.
From poets to playwrights, this is an opportunity to get to know Melbourne’s vibrant and varied literary community up close by spending November working with one of the many organisations that contribute to its designation as a City of Literature.
Below is a list of participating host organisations, each offering a simple point of inspiration to guide the residency.
100 Story Building are looking for a playful writer who is excited by collaboration and working with young people.
Artisans of Australia is seeking a writer excited to explore new interdisciplinary creative pathways within our artist-run community.
Kickstart Arts is seeking a writer interested in the healing and/or reclamation possibilities of storytelling to share their knowledge and skills with our community.
Melbourne Writers’ Theatre is looking for an experienced playwright to share their knowledge, their culture, and perhaps their latest play or script-in-progress with our community of enthusiastic playwrights.
Moorabool Libraries seek a writer who is passionate about short stories, who can engage, inspire and guide writers of all ages, to foster a vibrant literary community in Moorabool.
Neighbourhood Collective Australia is looking for a writer who is interested in writing about community, place making, stories and belonging.
The Society of Women Writers Victoria is seeking a female writer to explore writing women’s stories in varying short forms.
The Society of Women Writers Victoria is seeking a female writer to encourage our members to explore different short forms of writing.
The Little Bookroom is seeking an author or illustrator to create connections with our readers and inspire them to undertake their own creative projects.
The Victorian Pride Centre is looking for a writer drawn to queer identity, community, and place.
You are invited to suggest three interactions which could be any of the following (or three of just one of the following) or it could be a wild idea of your own design!
a workshop
a written piece
an appearance/ panel
a social media takeover
The residency will also include a regular meeting with all the writers in residence and facilitated further connections with Melbourne as a City of Literature
As a virtual writer in residence you will be paid $1500(AUD) and you will retain all copyright for your work.
To be eligible you need to be a writer and resident presently in one of the UNESCO Cities of Literature
APPLICATIONS
You will be asked to nominate your choice of organisation and what you would love to do for and with them! You will also have the opportunity to propose a second organisation.
They are looking to be excited and inspired by your thoughts and the possibility of connecting with you!
You are invited to explore all of the hosts online but if you have any specific questions to ask the Melbourne City of Literature Office, please do not hesitate cityofliterature@wheelercentre.com.
Follow this link to express your interest in being a virtual writer in residence.