Inaugural SA Literary Fellowships open for applications

Writers SA and the State Library of South Australia (SLSA) have announced that applications are open for the inaugural SA Literary Fellowships program for professional writers in South Australia.

The fellowship program—which will include five annual creative writing fellowships—includes a $10,000 dedicated First Nations fellowship, two $10,000 mid-career fellowships, and two $3000 fellowship opportunities for emerging writers.

Writers SA CEO Jessica Alice said: ‘Australian authors earn an average yearly income of only $18,200, and those in South Australia are far from many east coast opportunities. This new initiative represents an ambitious state that is serious about nurturing local authors.’

SLSA director Geoff Strempel said the fellowship program will encourage ‘the original and imaginative use of the library’s diverse collections for new literature’.

Alongside financial support, annual fellows will receive a residency of up to three months at the SLSA, access to collections, a public reading or workshop event, and support from Writers SA to engage with ‘a national network of literary agents, publishers and literary festival directors’. Regional recipients will also receive a stipend to support their travel to Adelaide.

Applications are open until 20 October; more information is available on the Writers SA website.

Pictured (L–R): Writers SA CEO Jessica Alice and SLSA director Geoff Strempel. Photo credit: Sia Duff.

Category: Awards Local news