DEEP CREEK RESIDENCY FELLOWSHIP

SUBMISSIONS FOR 2024 CLOSED

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED JUNE 30

Matilda Bookshop, in partnership with Writers SA, and in association with Ultimo Press, offers an annual residency fellowship to a South Australian writer. The fellowship provides support (time, writing space and mentoring) to work on a writing project of literary merit. Applications will be assessed by Writers SA staff, with the shortlist judged by Writers SA and Matilda Bookshop. Ultimo Press will provide consultation and manuscript assessment to the recipient.

RESIDENCY DETAILS

The Residency is for one week (seven nights) and includes the following:

• A travel/living subsidy of $500. 

• One week’s accommodation at Grass Tree Gully in Deep Creek for uninterrupted writing time. Breakfast (vegetarian) will be provided daily, but please note that the food provided is for the resident fellow only. 

• A one-and-a-half-hour mentorship session with South Australian author and experienced mentor, Rachael Mead, a week ahead of the residency or during the residency (either in-person or online), with a follow-up session at either one-month or three-months after the residency, as decided by the writer and the needs of their project. The mentor will have read the submission material, including outline/synopsis, ahead of the first mentoring session. Follow-up mentoring session in 2025 is a creative check-in, and will not involve a full manuscript assessment. 

• An initial one-hour phone consultation with Ultimo Press,  after reading submission material, followed by a full manuscript assessment and further one-hour consultation on delivery of finished work. 

APPLICATION DETAILS

• Applications will open Friday 2 February 2024, and must be submitted via surveymonkey.com/r/deepcreekres2024  by 11:59pm Friday 2 April 2024. 

• The successful recipients will be notified Friday by June 28 2024.

• The week-long residency will take place from Monday 14th - 21st October 2024.

• There is no application fee, and no program fees apply. Regional writers may apply for a higher travel/living subsidy at the time of application and this will depend on the location they are travelling from. 

OUR 2023 WINNER

Alison K Richards

“The Residency provided a magical space in Grass Tree Gully to breathe and write, but more importantly the permission and encouragement to do so.

Novels are not written alone, and I’ll be forever grateful for Pip Williams’ invaluable mentoring, generous early feedback from Robert Watkins at Ultimo, and the support of the Matilda Bookshop champions and Writers SA in delivering this opportunity.” Alison K Richards

OUR 2023 SHORTLIST

Jannali Jones: Harraville

Alison K Richards: Birdcage

Laura Kelly: Too Many Mothers

Sarah Pearce: hymn for the textbodied 

Heather Robinson: Chasing Claire Adams 

Highly Commended:

Mia Formichella: Part of the Game

Many thanks to Pip Williams and Grass Tree Gully for their generosity and support in mentoring and hosting this initiative.

2022 - OUR INAUGURAL YEAR

FROM JUNE 2022…

We are absolutely thrilled to announce CORRIE HOSKING as the winning recipient of our inaugural Deep Creek Residency Fellowship. We couldn't be more excited to have Corrie as the first writer to take up this residency for a South Australian writer in this beautiful bush setting. The judges said ‘We loved reading the clear, compelling, visionary, experimental words of all of the shortlisted authors, but we were particularly riveted by Corrie Hosking's elevated use of language, vivid connections between the natural world and mental health, and stunning sense of (South Australian) place. We can't wait to see where this manuscript goes with the opportunity and guidance this SA residency provides.'

'First and foremost, heartfelt appreciation to Matilda Bookshop, Writers SA, Ultimo Press, Hannah Kent and Grass Tree Gully. The country around Deep Creek features in my writing—what a most perfect environment to nurture this work.' Corrie Hosking

Creating the Deep Creek Residency Fellowship has been one of the most fulfilling bookshop projects we’ve ever undertaken and we’re very proud of our achievement in making it happen. We are thrilled to be able to announce a very worthy recipient for its first reiteration in Corrie Hosking. We also extend our thanks and congratulations to all the shortlisted authors, and to all the writers who took the time to apply for the residency fellowship.

We would not have been able to provide this amazing opportunity without the tireless support of our partners, Writers SA, Ultimo Press, Hannah Kent and Justine at Grass Tree Gully and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

‘We’re so delighted to partner with Matilda Bookshop. This incredible opportunity will nurture new literary talent with the gift of time and space, and our collective support.’ Jessica Alice, Writers SA

'I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to mentor such a formidably gifted writer.' Hannah Kent

'We believe passionately in the importance of Australian storytelling and are excited to support a local author to find their voice and tell their stories.’ James Kellow, Ultimo Press

‘Congratulations to Corrie on winning this residency. We are looking forward to hosting you for a week of writing in the bush.’ Justine McMahon, Grass Tree Gully

The Deep Creek Residency Fellowship for a South Australian writer will be offered annually. We look forward to many years ahead supporting our local literary community.