The Next Chapter program elevates Australian stories that aren't being told and nurtures a new wave of writers to tell them.

Each Next Chapter writer will receive a $15,000 stipend and be paired with a handpicked mentor to work closely with them over a twelve-month period as they progress a major writing project. The program also offers meaningful opportunities for the recipients to connect with peers, agents, publishers and readers.

Participants will also receive the opportunity to attend a residency at Varuna, The National Writers' House, and attend an end-of year publishing intensive at The Wheeler Centre.

The author must:

• Permanently reside in Australia, but does not have to be an Australian citizen. We encourage people who came to Australia as a refugee to apply.
• Be at least 18 years of age; and 
• Not be a current staff or board member of the Wheeler Centre, or an employee of one of its resident organisations. Casual staff and volunteers are welcome to apply.

Eligible works: 

• Must be entirely the author’s original, own work; 
• Must not have had more than 25% of the work previously published through one or multiple outlets, including online, unless previously self-published (ie. published independently at your own expense); 
• Must not be already under contract with a publisher; 
• Must be presented in English (bilingual editions where one of the languages used is English are also eligible); and 
• Must be a work of prose, poetry, fiction or non-fiction or graphic novel aimed at readers aged 13 years and above.
• Applicants may enter only one application per year for consideration.

See detailed eligibility criteria here

• Email: thenextchapter@wheelercentre.com