The University of Queensland Creative Writing Fellowship

Application Deadline: 30 October 2021. 

This Fellowship is an exceptional opportunity for an emerging Australian author to develop a new work of creative writing. You will draw on the special collections of The University of Queensland’s Fryer Library utilising rich primary sources as inspiration for your novel, play, collection of short stories, book of poems, narrative non-fiction, creative non-fiction, biographical work, novella or associated creative work.

There are many stories waiting to be told within the special collections of The University of Queensland Fryer Library. These stories are inspired by items of beauty, curiosity and cultural significance that connect us to our history and inspire our imagination.

The extensive collections of published and manuscript material in the Fryer Library focus on Australian literature, History, Art and Architecture. We encourage you to visit the Fryer Library and explore the collections before applying.

To access Fryer Library material, book an appointment using our online system. Items in the Fryer Library collection may not be borrowed but are available for use in the FW Robinson Reading Room. Some collections may have to be ordered from off-site locations.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the award:

• submit the application by the due date
• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• you must not have commercially published a full-length, single-authored print publication in any genre
• demonstrate the relevance of your creative writing project to primary source materials held in the Fryer Library.

Benefits

• $25,000 to be awarded to one recipient.
• Feedback and guidance on your project from your chosen mentor, an established Australian writer
• A feedback session with the editorial team of The University of Queensland Press. They will consider the final manuscript for possible publication.
• To be immersed in a higher education setting and receive support from Library staff, the School of Communication and Arts, and University of Queensland Press.

Application Procedure

The University of Queensland Library reserves the right to not award the fellowship if they receive no suitable applications.

As a winner of the fellowship you:

• will be based at the St Lucia campus of The University of Queensland for a negotiated period, with a maximum of twelve months.
• will be available to take up the appointment during the Fellowship year.
• will receive 75% of the funds allocated once the offer of the Fellowship has been accepted in writing. The final 25% will be received once the project has been submitted.
• will produce blog posts to be submitted through the Library blog detailing the project and outcomes. 
• will be asked to deliver a talk for students, staff and researchers on your project as part of the UQ School of Communication and Arts Seminar Series and/or Friends of the Library events program.
• will submit a report (no more than 600 words) outlining the benefits of the Fellowship and providing feedback on the experience to the Fryer Librarian within three months of the completion of your project.
• will provide the Fryer Librarian with a [digital] copy of your completed project within a mutually agreed timeframe following the completion of your visit. This will be stored in the University’s online repository, UQ eSpace (with restricted access subject to publishing). 

Official Website: The University of Queensland Creative Writing Fellowship