The Watermark Fellowship has been offered biennially to an emerging writer of nature and place since 2004. Read the reports from past Fellows.
The 2010 Fellowship was awarded to Western Australian writer and adventurer, Robyn Mundy. Read more
Entry Fee
$30 – cheque or money order payable to Watermark Literary Society
Eligibility
- Literary merit will be the over-riding criterion
- Publication of a novel length work of fiction or collection of short fiction, memoir or biography or other work of non-fiction
- Publication of a significant extract of a novel-length work or work-in-progress
- Publication of least 3 short stories in major newspapers or literary journals
- Publication of 3 articles of at least 1000 words, each in major newspapers or literary journals or collections of essays
- Publication of an individual poetry collection or at least 10 poems in major newspapers or literary journals or anthologies
- 2 long pieces (20 minutes) or 4 short pieces (5 minutes) broadcast by a recognised radio station
- A play workshopped or performed by a recognised theatre company
Download an Application Form
Residency and Mentorship
The Fellowship offers 3 weeks residency in the Camden Haven on the mid north coast of NSW with mentorship from renowned poet and publisher Ian Templeman AM FAHA. The Fellow will be one of the writers invited to attend the 2013 Watermark Muster to read from work completed or in progress. Travel and accommodation will be paid.
Applications must be accompanied by an outline of the work to be undertaken (one double spaced A4 page), an excerpt from a published work (not to exceed 1,000 words), a 300 word piece about yourself and where you live.
Closing date 2nd April 2012
The residency is available between June and August 2012. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained.
Entries to:
Elaine van Kempen
Administrator Watermark Fellowship
PO Box 2038, North Haven, NSW 2443
Email elaine@vankempen.id.au Telephone 02 6559 6888
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When I arrived at Camden Haven I was in the preparatory stages of a second novel. After three intense weeks, working with a mentor in inspiring surrounds, I'd gained a clear sense of the novel's form and structure, and my characters were now deeply imagined flesh-and-blood people. I had a swag of episodes written in draft form and felt fully immersed in the journey of my characters. I left Camden Haven optimistic and excited about the next stage of writing.
I very much look forward to returning to participate in the June 2011 Muster. To the Watermark Goddesses, a huge thank you for your generosity in creating this magical opportunity. Bravo for all that you accomplish.
Robyn Mundy, The Camden Haven, August 2010
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The relationship between mentor and writer is key to the success of this program. I was fortunate that Robyn Mundy was a confident and gifted writer. She was serious about her project, open to new ideas, keenly focussed and willing to work and had not begun writing her proposed second novel
We spent the first week getting to know each other. It was in the second week it all started to happen as Robyn met the challenge, trusted me and the process. In turn I was delighted with imaginative quality of some of the writing she produced.
Robyn and I shared the view that mentoring sessions were successful and that the experience for both of us was creative and valuable. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. It was truly a creative and exhilarating experience. Thank goodness it was not a teacher/pupil relationship. It was a partnership of trust as together we began building a piece of art, a story which now Robyn will shape into a novel. I hope it is an intoxicating, fabulous fiction she will find astounding.
Ian Templeman,
CAMDEN HAVEN, NEW SOUTH WALES, 3 August 2010 |
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