Writers Victoria supports and connects all types of writers at all stages of their writing careers. Find out more about our courses and workshops, mentorships or manuscript assessments, how we can provide inspiration, information or advice, or how to become part of a vibrant literary community as a member of Writers Victoria.
For the first time, Writers Victoria in partnership with Edenhope Artist Residency will be offering two Writers Victoria members a two-week residency in November 2025.
This opportunity is open to Writers Victoria members only. One Residency will be for a First Nations or culturally and linguistically diverse writer.
The goal of this partnership is to provide a positive and productive location for Australian-based writers to create work and build networks. While the writer is in residence there are no creative expectations. After the Residency they are invited to present a talk or workshop either in person or online that is free to the broader Writers Victoria community.
This residency is generously supported by the Grace Marion Wilson Trust.
Applications open: 10 August 2025 at 9am
Applications close: 31 August at 11.59pm
Dates of residency: Two weeks in November 2025
The two successful applicants will receive:
- A stipend of $500 for each applicant
- Free accommodation for the duration of the residency
- 24/7 studio access
- Free access to two Writers Victoria online or in-person workshops
- Marketing that promotes the residency and activities
Residency details
Nestled in the heart of western Victoria, surrounded by native bushland and the tranquil waters of Lake Wallace, this new residency invites Writers Victoria members writing in any genre to spend two weeks immersed in creativity and quiet reflection in the artists house at Edenhope Artist Residency.
The residency includes 24/7 access to the studio building attached and your own private room. Please note that the residence is self-catered (no meals provided).
From Melbourne, you can travel to Edenhope via train and bus. By car it is approximately 5 hours from Melbourne.
About Edenhope Artist Residency
- The house accommodates up to four artists at a time, each in a private room.
- Each bedroom also has a heating/cooling split system that is independently controlled.
- All bedding and towels are provided and each room has a single bed, lockable cabinet, hairdryer, desk, mirror, USB device charger, shelves and clothes storage.
- The rooms are lockable from the inside.
- Located in the centre of town close to shops and the pub.
- Across the road is Lake Wallace, with a 5km walking track around it and barbecue facilities.
See photos and more details on Edenhope Artist Residency’s website here. You can also read the Information Handbook.
While the writer is in residence, there are no creative expectations, but after the residency they are invited to present a seminar or workshop, either in person or online, with Writers Victoria.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
We invite proposals for the Writers Victoria + Edenhope Artist Residency from writers who meet the following criteria:
- Have a current Writers Victoria membership.
- Have a commitment to extending their practice.
- Have a specific project that they are working on.
- Can provide a pitch for this residency. How does this opportunity fit into your career at this stage, and what are your expectations for the experience?
- Have a demonstrated track record in the successful completion of previous projects.
- Be willing to commit to a minimum of one public outcome within the broader Writers Victoria program (workshop or seminar)
- Can commit to attending the two-week, live-in residency
Applicants must submit via Submittable:
- Response to the selection criteria above of no more than 200 words per criterium.
- Up to date CV / biography – including any grants, awards, reviews, etc.
- A writing sample between 2,000 and 2,500 words.
- Name and contact details of a professional referee.
Assessment
Applications will be assessed by Writers Victoria staff, who are published writers and/or experienced arts management professionals. Shortlisted applicants might be required to attend an interview either online or in person. The two successful applicants will be notified in mid-September.
Enquiries to Program Support Officer Tegan Atkins on tegana@writersvictoria.org.au or call +61 3 9094 7842
Conditions of Entry
1. Applications are open 1 July – 30 September 2025.
2. All entrants must be Australian residents as of the closing date.
3. Local entrants must live, work or study in the Shire of Nillumbik.
4. Youth writers must be aged 11–21 years as of the closing date. Youth categories are free to enter.
5. All entries must be the original work of the author and must not have been published or accepted for publication by a publisher, in print or online at the date of announcement of the winners (May 2026).
6. All entries must be written in English in Word or PDF format only.
7. The name of the entrant should appear on the entry form only, NOT on the work.
8. The title of your entry and the word count (short story) or line count (poetry) should appear on the first page (do not include your name anywhere on the submission).
9. Entries must be typed in a plain 11 point font (e.g. Arial, Times New Roman), with one and a half line spacing. All pages must be numbered.
10. Entry submissions must follow the naming format stipulated in the online application form.
11. Entries created using AI applications are not eligible. Minor use of AI for checking grammar and spelling is permitted.
12. Entries must not have been awarded a prize in another competition.
13. Each entry must be accompanied by the listed entry fee. The fee allows up to 2 entries per genre to be submitted.
14. Entries into the Local Categories will automatically be entered into the Open Categories.
15. Entry is free for young people aged 11-21 (Youth category) and for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people across both genres.
16. Up to two pieces of writing can be entered in each genre per writer.
17. All entries must write to the theme of Echoes.
18. Pen names will be accepted and, where provided, will be the name that is used and promoted if the story/poem is shortlisted, or wins an award and is published. The entrant’s legal first and last name must also be provided for administrative purposes.
19. Entries that exceed the word limit; Short Story (2,500 words) or Poetry (up to 60 lines) will be deemed ineligible.
20. This award program will be implemented in line with Nillumbik Shire Council’s Child Safe Policy (Nillumbik Shire Council Child Safe Policy) and all award program employees, contractors and volunteers will be legally obligated to report any disclosures of child abuse or grooming to the relevant authorities.
21. Writers under the age of 18 require parental/guardian consent if they are shortlisted.
22. The Judges reserve the right not to award a prize in a category if they deem no entry is of sufficient merit to warrant the prize. The Judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
23. Copyright of the stories and poems remains the property of the writer.
24. Current employees of Nillumbik Shire Council, Nillumbik Shire Councillors, current employees and Board members of Writers Victoria, and Readers and Judges are not eligible to enter.
25. Entries must be electronically submitted by midnight AEDT on the closing date, 30 September 2025. Please note technical assistance will only be available until 5pm AEDT that day.
26. No late entries will be accepted. It is the writer's responsibility to allow sufficient time to complete the submission process including payment.
27. Minor and/or structural editing may be applied to winning entries included in the anthology.
28. Nillumbik Shire Council reserves the right to retain copies of winning entries and publish them in the Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing Anthology, on Council’s website, eBulletins and in related promotional material.
Excerpts of the winning entries may be published on online platforms for promotional purposes. Copyright remains with the writer.
29. Prizes for the 2026 Award are
· Open Prize Winners (Short Story & Poetry) each $5,000
· Local Prize Winners (Short Story & Poetry) each $2,500
· Youth Prize Winners (Short Story & Poetry) each $1,000
· Mayor’s Award (Local Short Story) $500
Conditions of Entry
1. Applications are open 1 July – 30 September 2025.
2. All entrants must be Australian residents as of the closing date.
3. Local entrants must live, work or study in the Shire of Nillumbik.
4. Youth writers must be aged 11–21 years as of the closing date. Youth categories are free to enter.
5. This award program will be implemented in line with Nillumbik Shire Council’s Child Safe Policy (Nillumbik Shire Council Child Safe Policy) and all award program employees, contractors and volunteers will be legally obligated to report any disclosures of child abuse or grooming to the relevant authorities.
6. Writers under the age of 18 require parental/guardian consent if they are shortlisted.
7. All entries must be written in English and must be the original, previously unpublished work of the entrant. Publication includes paid publication or any type of online publication.
8. Entries created using AI applications are not eligible. Minor use of AI for checking grammar and spelling is permitted.
9. Entries must not have been awarded a prize in another competition.
10. Each entry must be accompanied by the listed entry fee.
11. Entry is free for the Youth Categories.
12. Entry is free for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people across both genres and all categories.
13. Up to two pieces of writing can be entered in each category per writer.
14. All entries must write to the theme of Echoes.
15. Pen names will be accepted and, where provided, will be the name that is used and promoted if the story/poem is shortlisted, or wins an award and is published. The entrant’s legal first and last name must also be provided for administrative purposes.
16. Entries that exceed the word limit; short story (2,500 words) or Poetry (up to 60 lines) will be deemed ineligible.
17. The Judges reserve the right not to award a prize in a category if they deem no entry is of sufficient merit to warrant the prize. The Judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
18. Copyright of the stories and poems remains the property of the writer.
19. Current employees of Nillumbik Shire Council, Nillumbik Shire Councillors, current employees and Board members of Writers Victoria and Readers and Judges are not eligible to enter.
20. Entries must be electronically submitted by midnight AEDT on the closing date, 30 September 2025. Please note technical assistance will only be available until 5pm AEDT that day.
21. No late entries will be accepted. It is the writer's responsibility to allow sufficient time to complete the submission process including payment.
22. Structural editing may be applied to winning entries included in the anthology.
23. Nillumbik Shire Council reserves the right to retain copies of winning entries and publish them in the Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing Anthology, on Council’s website, eBulletins and in related promotional material. Excerpts of the winning entries may be published on online platforms for promotional purposes. Copyright remains with the writer.
24. Prizes for the 2026 Award are
· Open Prize Winners (Short Story & Poetry ) each $5,000
· Local Prize Winners (Short Story & Poetry ) each $2,500
· Youth Prize Winners (Short Story & Poetry ) each $1,000
· Mayor’s Award (Local Short Story) $500