About the program

The Overland Writers’ Residency, supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund, is a new initiative aimed at addressing a lack of opportunities for marginalised writers. In 2016, the Overland Writers’ Residency will focus on providing an opportunity for women writers who are also the sole primary carers of one or more children.

As research by organisations such as VIDA, the Stella Prize, and Women in Literary Arts Australia have shown, women writers often struggle to find the time and space to concentrate on their craft. Women writers who are also juggling sole-parenthood find themselves increasingly isolated and their creative careers marginalised under the pressure of their circumstances.

The 2016 Overland Writers’ Residency aims to address this by offering the successful applicant space, time, creative support and financial assistance to develop her writing career.

The Residency will take place at the Overland office, situated on Victoria University’s bright and diverse Footscray campus. The Resident will have flexible use of a private, accessible, lockable office with a whiteboard, a computer with internet access, and enough space to accommodate small children if necessary. They will also have access to a shared kitchen, library, phone, and printing and scanning facilities.

The Resident will also receive a stipend of $500 per week ($6,000 in total) and a mentorship with local Melbourne writer Alison Croggon. The Resident will have the opportunity to meet with Alison once a fortnight over the three-month period, receiving detailed feedback at the beginning and conclusion of the residency.

The Overland Writers’ Residency program will also take place in 2017 with a focus on Indigenous writers. Details of this Residency will be announced closer to application time.

Who can apply?

Applicants for the 2016 Residency should be women who are the sole primary carers of one or more children (that is, women who would identify as a sole parent, single parent, single mother or similar).

Applicants should be working on a book-length writing project (or equivalent). Early-career applicants are preferred.

If you have any queries about your eligibility, please contact Overland@vu.edu.au.

How to apply

Please read the Entry Conditions (below) to confirm eligibility.

Applications will be accepted through Submittable and should include:

• up to 500 words about how the Residency would help you in your particular circumstances
• a short synopsis of your current project (up to 300 words)
• a chapter (or equivalent extract) from your current work in progress

Applications close 11:59 pm, Sunday 29 May 2016. All applications are confidential.

Overland subscribers should submit through this portal. Non-subscribers should submit through this portal.

Entry conditions

The Residency recipient will be announced by 30 June 2016.

1. The successful applicant will receive a three-month residency at Overland’s offices in Footscray, Melbourne, Victoria; a stipend of $500.00 per week ($6,000.00 in total) and a mentorship with Melbourne writer Alison Croggon.
2. Applicants for this residency should be women who are the sole primary carers of one or more children (that is, women who would identify as a sole parent, single parent, single mother or similar) and working on a book-length writing project (or equivalent).
3. Applicants must be citizens of Australia or New Zealand or have permanent resident status in Australia or New Zealand.
4. Submissions will be processed electronically. Applications should be formatted at 1.5 line spacing and a minimum of 12 point font size.
5. There is no application fee for this Residency.
6. The closing date for applications is 11:59 pm, Sunday 29 May 2016. Late entries will not be accepted.
7. The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

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