Varuna, The National Writers' House

Varuna, The National Writers' House Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Varuna, The National Writers' House, Education Website, 141 Cascade Street, Katoomba.

Varuna offers writers residencies and professional development programs year-round, onsite in the Blue Mountains and online, and coordinates the annual Blue Mountains Writers' Festival.

Visitors to the Red Room Poetry Showcase at Varuna last month were lucky enough to see Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello shar...
14/09/2026

Visitors to the Red Room Poetry Showcase at Varuna last month were lucky enough to see Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello share her work. We are excited to announce Jennifer was also the recipient of the Varuna First Nations Fellowship for her poetry collection Graphite Rain, and will be returning to Varuna for a residency next year.

For a full list of the 2027 Varuna Residential Fellowships: https://www.varuna.com.au/news/2027vrf

Event photos Maja Baska Photography

Congratulations to Caitlin Maling on the release of her novel Midwest, out now from Upswell Publishing.Set in Western Au...
12/09/2026

Congratulations to Caitlin Maling on the release of her novel Midwest, out now from Upswell Publishing.

Set in Western Australia’s wheatbelt, Midwest explores the complex relationships between people, place and history in a region shaped by migration, labour and climate catastrophes. Through richly drawn characters and interwoven narratives, the novel examines themes of memory, belonging, environment and resilience, while reflecting on the biosphere that continues to shape the children living within it. Evocative and deeply humane, it offers a nuanced portrait of people connected across stories and landscapes.

Caitlin was awarded a Varuna Residential Fellowship in 2011 and 2016, and was also awarded the Publisher Introduction Fellowship in 2012.

For more info: https://upswellpublishing.com/products/midwest

We are thrilled to announce the 2027 recipient of the newly renamed Varuna Poetry Fellowship - now named the Blignault F...
11/09/2026

We are thrilled to announce the 2027 recipient of the newly renamed Varuna Poetry Fellowship - now named the Blignault Family Fellowship in honour of the Blignault Family, who generously supported the opening of the new Varuna Reading Room. Congratulations to Jane Gibian, who was awarded this prestigious fellowship for her poetry collection Nocturne for Vanishing.

Head to our website to see the full list of 2027 Varuna Residential Fellowships recipients: https://www.varuna.com.au/news/2027vrf

WORKSHOP: CASSIE GILMARTINDo you find pitching to publishers daunting?Let author, editor and publisher Cassie Gilmartin ...
11/09/2026

WORKSHOP: CASSIE GILMARTIN
Do you find pitching to publishers daunting?

Let author, editor and publisher Cassie Gilmartin guide you through perfecting your pitch at a half-day workshop at The Varuna Reading Room.

With over 20 years of industry experience, she’s been a commissioning editor for publishers and commercial brands and ran the award-winning magazine Inside History for nine years.

This half-day session will cover:
• how to identify who to send it to
• when to send it
• explore examples of what works

Saturday 26 September 2026
10:00 am - 1:30 pm
The Varuna Reading Room
141 Cascade Street, Katoomba

Tickets: $67.50/$135

All participants have the option to book a 30-minute Zoom consultation with Cassie following the workshop at an additional cost of $75.
Bookings can be made at the workshop or by contacting Varuna after the event.

Are you ready to take the next step in getting your writing published?
Book your spot: https://www.varuna.com.au/writing-workshops/how-to-pitch-my-book

Local writers can use discount code BLUEMTNS

BOOK LAUNCH - EMILY RODDA'S STAR OF DELTORADon’t miss the chance to hear about Star of Deltora from Emily Rodda herself,...
10/09/2026

BOOK LAUNCH - EMILY RODDA'S STAR OF DELTORA
Don’t miss the chance to hear about Star of Deltora from Emily Rodda herself, as we launch the latest epic fantasy from this legendary author, adored by young and old readers alike.

This intimate event in the Varuna Reading Room is hosted by Jasmin McGaughey – a lifelong Emily Rodda fan who now writes young adult fantasy, too!

Saturday 3 October 2026
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Varuna Reading Room
141 Cascade Street, Katoomba

Book your spot: https://www.varuna.com.au/events/emily-rodda

Congratulations to Amanda Curtin on the release of her novel Six Days, out now from Upswell Publishing.Set in the Latin ...
09/09/2026

Congratulations to Amanda Curtin on the release of her novel Six Days, out now from Upswell Publishing.

Set in the Latin Quarter of Paris during the winter of 2012, Six Days follows an expatriate Australian whose search for redemption is disrupted by the disappearance of a close friend. Expanding across six days and multiple lifetimes, the novel weaves together interconnected stories of loss, grief, family, displacement and resilience. Blending the intimate with the historical and political, it explores questions of morality, compassion and human connection while offering a vivid portrait of a city shaped by memory and change.

Amanda was awarded a Varuna Residential Fellowship in 2022.

Head to the publisher for more info: https://upswellpublishing.com/product/six-days

08/09/2026

Uncover the essence of what characters really mean when they speak to each other, with acclaimed writer for stage, page and screen George Kemp.

This is a full-day workshop for fiction writers to get creative and explore the fascinating world of dialogue.

A light lunch of warming vegetable soup and sourdough bread will be offered to all participants.

Sun 27 September
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Varuna Reading Room
141 Cascade Street Katoomba

Book your spot here: https://www.varuna.com.au/events/george-kemp-workshop

Dialogue can make or break a story - are you ready to learn how to write it well?Uncover the essence of what characters ...
06/09/2026

Dialogue can make or break a story - are you ready to learn how to write it well?

Uncover the essence of what characters really mean when they speak to each other, with acclaimed writer for stage, page and screen George Kemp.

This is a full-day workshop for fiction writers to get creative and explore the fascinating world of dialogue.

A light lunch of warming vegetable soup and sourdough bread will be offered to all participants.

Sun 27 September
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Varuna Reading Room
141 Cascade Street Katoomba

Book your spot here: https://www.varuna.com.au/events/george-kemp-workshop

Do you find pitching to publishers daunting?Let author, editor and publisher Cassie Gilmartin guide you through perfecti...
04/09/2026

Do you find pitching to publishers daunting?

Let author, editor and publisher Cassie Gilmartin guide you through perfecting your book pitch at a half-day workshop at The Varuna Reading Room.

With over 20 years of industry experience, she’s been a commissioning editor for publishers and commercial brands and ran the award-winning magazine Inside History for nine years.

This half-day session will cover helpful tips for pitching like:
• how to identify who to send it to
• when to send it
• explore examples of what works

Saturday 26 September 2026
10:00 am - 1:30 pm
The Varuna Reading Room
141 Cascade Street, Katoomba

All participants have the option to book a 30-minute Zoom consultation with Cassie following the workshop at an additional cost of $75.
Bookings can be made at the workshop or by contacting Varuna after the event.

Are you ready to take the next step in getting your writing published?
Book your spot: https://www.varuna.com.au/events/perfect-your-pitch

Local writers can use discount code BLUEMTNS

LAST PLACES - FIND YOUR STORY, FIND YOUR VOICE WITH EMILY MAGUIREFind inspiration for your writing craft with award-winn...
03/09/2026

LAST PLACES - FIND YOUR STORY, FIND YOUR VOICE WITH EMILY MAGUIRE
Find inspiration for your writing craft with award-winning author of seven novels and three non-fiction books, Emily Maguire. Learn tried-and-true techniques for coming up with ideas, getting words on the page fast, and (re)discovering your writing voice.

A light lunch of warming vegetable soup and sourdough bread will be offered to all participants.

Sat 5 September
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Varuna Reading Room
141 Cascade Street Katoomba

Last tickets selling fast: https://www.varuna.com.au/events/emily-maguire-workshop

Local writers can use discount code BLUEMTNS

Address

141 Cascade Street
Katoomba, NSW
2780

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61247825674

Website

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