Melbourne have launched the 2^nd year of their virtual writers in residency initiative, to take place this November, and there are 10 residencies available!

They are looking to virtually host writers (who are resident in Manchester or other UNESCO Cities of Literature) in ten different organisations across Melbourne City of Literature. Each organisation is very different and looking for different things be it writing, workshop or another form of connection. The program will provide the selected writers the opportunity to meet the other selected writers, all the organisations involved in the program and connect them properly to Melbourne as a City of Literature.

The writers in residency will be paid $2000 (AUD) for their time and for doing the three things for their host organisation. The selected writers will also retain all copyright for their work.

You can find out more on their webpage here.

The deadline is Sunday 28^th August, 2022.

Here’s what happened last year!

At a glance 

• Blarney Books & Art is working with Polish essayist, literary critic and editor  Maciej Jakubowiak to connect the  rural writing community Port Fairy with Krakow 
• Emerging Writers’ Festival connected with Scottish writer Rebecca Ferrier through a range  of peer-led workshops and feedback sessions ​.
• Warrumbul Contemporary Arts Collective The F Project worked with Nottingham Poet Leanne Moden on arnage of poetry projects
• Melbourne Writers’ Theatre worked with Mancurian playwright Naomi Sumner 
• State Library Victoria  worked with Nottingham poet Sue Dymocke to create content to help the general public to discover curiosities and treasures from the State Collection online. 
• The Little Bookroom had Melbourne writer Mat Larkin in residence to use their store to celebrate children’s literature
• The Prahran Mechanics’ Institute Victorian History Library worked with Melbourne writer Karys McEwen to interpret their library collection.
• Stella welcomed Mancurian poet afshan d’souza-lodhi to help celebrate the inclusion of poetry in the prize.
• Writers Victoria worked with Nottingham writer Jo Weston to engage with their community of writers.