About the program
Applications are invited for the fifth University of Tasmania Hedberg Writer-in-Residence program, with the residency open to all established writers with professional publication record, in any field or genre, resident in Australia.
The successful writer receives $30,000, which equates to a $20,000 stipend plus self-contained accommodation in the heart of Hobart valued at $10,000. The writer will devote three months to writing in a quiet but stimulating environment, including their own office, in the University of Tasmania's gorgeous Sandy Bay campus. During the residency, as well as working on an original piece, the winner will engage with the University's creative writing students, emerging Tasmanian authors, and the broader Tasmanian creative community through a small number of workshops, masterclasses, and public talks in the north and south of the state.
- Applications are now open and close 5 pm Thursday, 17 April 2025.
- The successful recipient will be announced in mid-May 2025.
- The commencement date for the residency is negotiable. The earliest commencement date is Monday 4 August 2025 and the latest date of completion is Friday 12 December 2025.
The residency is offered by the College of Arts, Law and Education and the School of Humanities at the University of Tasmania. The project is supported by the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund.
Apply for the program below or contact program coordinator Dr Robert Clarke.
Applicants are required to provide:
- A cover letter
- A proposal outlining the project you will work on during the residency, indicating the current stage of development (maximum 1,000 words)
- A statement outlining how you will benefit from the residency (maximum 250 words)
- A short CV (maximum 2 x A4 pages)
- A sample of writing (maximum 3,000 words which can be selected from one or more texts)
- Please email your application as a single-file attachment in .pdf or MSW .docx format to hedbergwir@utas.edu.au. Include the subject line "Expression of Interest for 2025”.
For further information contact Dr Robert Clarke.
Accommodation
Jane Franklin Hall
The University of Tasmania is partnering with Jane Franklin Hall in providing the accommodation for the residency. Jane Franklin Hall is an independent non-denominational residential college located in South Hobart, on one of Hobart’s many hills overlooking the city. Situated almost in the middle between the Sandy Bay and city campus, Jane is a 30-minute walk or short bus ride on the Jane Bus to all university sites in Hobart and the CBD.
The Hedberg writer-in-residence will have a self-contained studio apartment fully equipped for making meals, with a hot plate and convection oven plus all kitchen utensils, crockery and cutlery that might be needed. It will also have a washing machine and provision of bed linen, towels and equipment such as vacuum cleaners, an iron and ironing board and a television with unlimited wifi.
The writer-in-residence can also, at no extra cost, eat any meals in the dining hall, where residents are catered three meals a day throughout the year.
As part of living at Jane Franklin Hall, the writer-in-residence will have full use of all facilities such as the bus, the laundry, the tennis court, common areas and the Senior Common Room.
Frequently asked questions
Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Artistic merit of the applicant's previous work;
- Artistic merit and achievability of the proposed project;
- Likely benefit of the residency for the applicant's professional development; and
- How the applicant and the proposed project will benefit the Tasmanian creative community.
- The successful applicant will be a current resident of Australia. Applications will not be considered from writers not presently residing in Australia.
During their term, the Hedberg Writer-in-Residence will:
- Undertake original work;
- Conduct a weekend workshop for emerging authors;
- Conduct two masterclasses with University English and Writing students (in Hobart and at a northern campus);
- Present a public talk/performance on a topic of their choice; and
- Engage in other activities as negotiated with the Program Coordinator.
The program is open to writers in any field or genre (including fiction or nonfiction prose, poetry, script) with an established publishing profile in Australia (at least one major work published with a commercial publisher).
At the conclusion of their term, the writer-in-residence will submit a report on the experiences and achievements of the residency to inform the program's future development.
The program will provide one twelve-week residency, to be commenced after 4 August 2025 and completed by 12 December 2025.
- Entries will be judged in confidence by the selection committee (see below)
- The selection committee's decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into
- The selection committee may select no applicant at their discretion and readvertise the residency
Will the University help me to find accommodation in Tasmania?
The University will provide accommodation in the Hobart CBD in one of its accommodation facilities.
- A cash stipend of $20,000 will be paid to the successful resident for their participation in the residency, and to cover all of their costs (e.g. travel, travel insurance, etc)
- Accommodation will be provided by the University valued at $10,000
- Additional funds will be made available to facilitate travel around the state for the purpose of workshop in the north of the island
- Office space, a library card, and printing equipment will be made available
- The College of Arts, Law and Education will organise and coordinate all workshops and public events.
The successful applicant will be informed of the decision in mid-May 2025.
Eugen was the Hedberg Writer-in-Residence 2024
Award-winning African Australian speculative fiction author Eugen Bacon used her residency the work on and complete a new novel, Crimson in Quietus (A Sauúti novel), a new kind of mystery where the investigator is not a detective but a sound magic scientist.
Born in Tanzania and based in Melbourne, Eugen is the author of several novels and collections. She’s a British Fantasy Award winner, a Victorian Premier’s Literary Award finalist (for her most recent novel Serengotti), a Foreword Indies Award winner, and twice a World Fantasy Award finalist. Her work has appeared in some of the world’s best fantasy, science fiction and African literary magazines.
Michelle Cahill was the Hedberg Writer-in-Residence 2023
Michelle planned to use the residency to progress work on her novel, the story of an Indian sailor - or ‘lascar’ - who survives the wreck of the Brahmin off the King Island coast in 1854.
Michelle who is based in Sydney and of Indian heritage, has already spent time on King Island as part of her research for the novel. She said the Hedberg residency will allow her further access to important archives and cultural consultation with the local community.
Gail Jones was the Hedberg Writer-in-Residence in 2022
As the recipient, Jones planned to develop a major new work, deliver classes to writing students from the University and conduct a workshop for emerging authors.
Gail said she was delighted to receive the residency and was keen to connect with the writing community in Tasmania.
Robbie Arnott was the Hedberg Writer-in-Residence in 2021
Robbie used the precious residency time to write his third novel, Limberlost, which was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award and won the Age Book of the Year for fiction in 2023.
Based on the life of Arnott’s grandfather, it tells the story of teenager Ned on his family’s Tasmanian orchard during World War II.
Connect
The Hedberg is the latest addition to Hobart's creative precinct which includes the Theatre Royal, Federation Concert Hall, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and the University of Tasmania's Hobart campuses, including the Centre for the Arts on Hunter Street.
Location
University of Tasmania
Hedberg
27 Campbell Street
Hobart TAS 7000
Postal address
School of Humanities
College of Arts, Law and Education
University of Tasmania
Private Bag 41
HOBART TAS 7001