Residential Mentorship & Firsthand Feedback Scholarships

About the Residential Mentorship

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The Residential Mentorship is Byron Writers Festival’s flagship development program for emerging writers who are Byron Writers Festival Friends. The group mentorship program offers four writers the opportunity to spend five days in a Byron Shire location, with one-on-one mentoring with Sarah Armstrong, a successful and published author of adult and children’s books. It’s an experience that many have described as life-changing, a time to forge lasting friendships and discover what lies at the heart of one’s work.

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This opportunity has already proved to be a launch pad for many regional writers. Established in 2001, the roll call of past participants who are now published authors continues to grow every year. Notable alumni include Jesse Blackadder, Jarrah Dundler, Jessie Cole, Russell Eldridge, Mirandi Riwoe and many more.

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Key Dates 2025

Applications open 1 September 2025

Applications close 15 September 2025

Successful applicants notified 2 October 2025

Residency dates 27—31 October 2025

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Mentoring Sessions for Two Shortlisted Applicants

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Two shortlisted entrants will receive a free Tier 1 mentoring session with a professional author/mentor.

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Tier 1 – Firsthand Feedback includes:

• The first 20 pages + 300 word synopsis (5000)
• Manuscripts should be double spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font
• Equates to 3 hours work for mentor (2 hours reading / assessment / feedback preparation; 1 hour feedback meeting or written report if preferred by mentee)

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These sessions are generously supported by Lynda and Christopher Dean.

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We encourage writers of all backgrounds to apply, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers.

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Eligibility & Conditions of Entry

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Eligible writers must:

• Be 18 years of age or over.
• Reside in the catchment area (from Tweed Heads to Taree and west to Kyogle).
• Be a current Friend of the Festival member. If you are not yet a member of Byron Writers festival, please click here.
• Manuscripts should be fiction or narrative non-fiction.
• Be available for the entire period of the mentorship and be able to attend as an individual without family or friends and free themselves of all other commitments and obligations, including work.
• Previous recipients are eligible to apply with a different manuscript, excepting those who participated in the program within the last two years.
• Applications must be received by Monday 15 September, 11.59pm.

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Successful recipients will be required to make a contribution of $320, which goes towards the costs of presenting a creative development program of this scale.

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Submission guidelines

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In a single word document, applicants should collate the following:

• A 200-word statement on why they want to be part of the mentorship, outlining how the mentorship will assist them at this stage of the writing process.
• A 250-word synopsis or description of this project and their intentions for the work in progress.
• The first 40 continuous pages of the manuscript (work must be typed, 12 point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced and paginated. The name of the applicant should not appear in the document).
• The application fee is $50. Application fees are used to pay a team of professional assessors to consider all applications. Fee subsidies are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers – contact us for more information.

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Application Process

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Before beginning the application form, please have your submission document ready (see submission guidelines above), your current membership number, and your credit card. If you are not yet a Friend of Byron Writers festival, please click here.

1. Click Apply Now
2. Complete the form
3. Upload your submission
4. Pay the application fee

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Good luck!

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Mentorship selection

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Literary industry professionals will judge the entries. Judges will be asked to select four writers to participate in the Residential Mentorship, and two runners-up to receive a mentoring session. The recipients will be selected according to:

• Suitability of the work for the mentorship scheme
• Potential of the work
• Literary merit
• Originality of the idea

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The judges’ decision is final. Unsuccessful applicants will not be given individual feedback on their submission.

2024 Residential Mentorship & Firsthand Feedback winners

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Congratulations to the recipients of our 2024 Residential Mentorship Program: Emily Harris, Abi Parker, Jen Tomasetti and Kathryn Walker.⁠
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In October, these four writers will come together at a stunning hinterland location to develop and refine their manuscripts under the guidance of local author Sarah Armstrong. ⁠
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Congratulations also to the runners up, Gabrielle Le Brun and Jacqueline Walsh, who will receive a mentoring session with an industry professional, as well as the three highly commended applicants: Maribeth Cole, Kit Tomlinsonand Ilana Kaplin.⁠
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Thanks to all those who submitted. Many of the manuscripts showed tremendous promise, so please, keep writing and honing your work!⁠

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