The successful applicant will be given two weeks accommodation in a self-contained apartment at The Lock-Up, a contemporary inner-city arts space in historic East End, as well as a  $1400 stipend from the Newcastle Writers Festival.

The resident will also have the opportunity to take part in the festival, which last year attracted more than 5500 people to the city.

The residency is supported by The Lock-Up and the University of Newcastle.

It would give an emerging writer the chance to carve out some time to focus on a substantial work-in-progress in any genre.

“We are really excited to be offering this opportunity,” festival director Rosemarie Milsom said.

“Opportunities for regional writers are hard to come by and writing can be an isolating experience. 

“The festival’s aim is to create a sense of community while promoting literature and the exchange of ideas.

“The residency is an extension of this and is open to regional writers Australia-wide.

“Not only does it offer the successful applicant some breathing space to write, it also gives them a great chance to engage with the community at the Newcastle Writers Festival.”

Writers who have not had a book commercially published and who are working towards a full-length work in any genre are invited to apply.

Applications will be assessed by Newcastle Writers Festival director Rosemarie Milsom, Keri Glastonbury from the University of Newcastle and Sam Twyford-Moore, Emerging Writers Festival director.

The residency period is from April 22 until May 4, 2016.

Applicants must live in a regional area. This excludes cities with populations of more than 100,000.

Submissions close on October 1. The successful applicant will be notified by November 30.

Conditions of entry and an application form are available at www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au