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The Residential Mentorship is Byron Writers Festival’s flagship development program for emerging writers. The group mentorship program offers four writers the opportunity to spend five days in a Byron Shire location with one-on-one mentoring with Sarah Armstrong. All accommodation and some meals are provided. It’s an experience that many have described as life-changing, a time to forge lasting friendships and discover what lies at the heart of one’s work.
This opportunity has already proved to be a launch pad for many regional writers. Established in 2001, the roll call of past participants who are now published authors continues to grow every year. Notable alumni include Jesse Blackadder, Jarrah Dundler, Jessie Cole, Russell Eldridge, Mirandi Riwoe and many more.
The Residential Mentorship is generously supported by Create NSW.
This year Byron Writers Festival will be taking simultaneous applications for the Members Mentoring Scholarships program. Mentoring Scholarship recipients will receive a free Firsthand Feedback session with a professional author/mentor. Feedback sessions are 2-hours including the mentor’s reading time, and provide an initial appraisal of one’s work from an industry professional. The session will cover a 5000 word excerpt and synopsis. Applicants will be able to select which opportunity you would like to apply for in the application form.
These sessions are generously supported by Lynda and Christopher Dean.
Applications have now closed and successful recipients will be notified by Wednesday 19 October. For enquiries, please email [email protected]
We encourage writers of all backgrounds to apply, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers.
Eligible writers must:
In a single Word Document or PDF, please collate the following:
Residential Mentorship
Mentoring Scholarships
If applying for both
Before beginning the application form, please have your submission document ready (see submission guidelines above), your current membership number, and your credit card. If you are not yet a member of Byron Writers festival, please click here to become a member.
Read the Terms & Conditions of the program in full here.
Two literary industry professionals will judge the entries. Judges will be asked to select four writers to participate in the Residential Mentorship, and four runners up to receive a Firsthand Feedback session. The recipients will be selected according to:
The judges’ decision is final. Unsuccessful applicants will not be given individual feedback on their submission.
Sarah Armstrong was a journalist at the ABC where she won a Walkley Award. She’s written three novels, including Salt Rain which was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. Big Magic is her first novel for children and its sequel will be out in 2023. She lives in Mullumbimby with her partner, the writer, Alan Close and their young daughter.
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