Win a Free Writers’ Retreat in Iceland!
We’ve partnered with Iceland Travel to offer one person a free spot at the ICELAND WRITERS RETREAT in April 2016. The winner will receive the full retreat package, including a free hotel stay, tours, most meals, and all workshops for the duration of the event, from 13 to 17 April.*
We know you’re all great writers, so show us what you’ve got. Write a short story, essay or poem, no more than 500 words, on the theme “Iceland — A Land of Storytelling.”
Perhaps you’ll write a piece about an author visiting Iceland for the first time, a poem about a poet from Reykjavik, or prose about Iceland’s spectacular nature. Any and all ideas on this theme are welcome. Fiction, non-fiction and poetry pieces will be considered.
Our judging panel will select one winning entry. Judges will be looking for creativity, originality, and style.
People who have already registered to attend the Iceland Writers Retreat are also welcome to apply. If the winner has already registered, his or her payment will be refunded.
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT) Friday, November 13, 2015
To submit your entry, click here.
Entries will be judged anonymously.
- The author of the winning entry will receive one delegate spot at the Iceland Writers Retreat 2016, including accommodation (if based outside of the Reykjavík Capital Area) and all other items listed on the registration page (www.icelandwritersretreat.com/register)
- *The prize does not include airfare to Iceland, airport transfers, or any expenses not itemized in the delegate description.
- The prize is valid for one participant on a standard single room (if based outside of the Reykjavík Capital Area) basis. If the participant wishes to purchase a room upgrade or attend with an accompanying person, the standard additional fees apply.
- The prize does not include attendance at the Relax & Write extension.
- The entry must be submitted in English and must be your own original work.
- The entry must not have been published elsewhere, either in print or online.
- The winner grants Iceland Travel and Iceland Writers Retreat the right to publish their submission (with credit) in conjunction with the promotion.
- Submissions that do not win will not be published.
- The judging panel is made up of representatives from Iceland Travel and the board of the Reykjavik International Literary Festival.
- The judges’ decision is final. Unfortunately we are unable to provide feedback on submissions.
- Only one entry per person.
- You must be 18 years old or older on the day the retreat begins (April 13, 2016) to enter.
-You may also apply for the Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award if you meet the conditions.
- Contest closes at 23:59 (GMT) on Friday, November 13, 2015. The winner will be announced on December 15, 2015.
- Second or third place entries will be selected in the event that the first place winner cannot attend.
The photos in this piece are provided by Iceland Travel and used with permission.
About the Iceland Writers Retreat
Held for the first time in April 2014, the Iceland Writers Retreat is an event comprised of a series of small-group writing workshops and cultural tours designed to introduce participants to Iceland’s rich literary heritage. Faculty in 2016 include Steven Galloway, Elina Hirvonen, Gerður Kristný, Cheryl Strayed, Vincent Lam, Miriam Toews, and Adelle Waldman. The Iceland Writers Retreat was named one of the world’s best writers’ retreats by the Sydney Morning Herald, and one of the top 10 “Events to travel for in 2014” by Four Seasons Magazine.