Are you interested in winning an all expense paid trip to the Iceland Writers Retreat? I’ve got good news for you. The Iceland Travel will grant one essayist a free spot at the Iceland Writers Retreat. All you have to do is write and submit an essay, story or poem on the theme of ‘Equality’. The retreat is slated to hold from 3 to 7 April, 2019.

If your essay is chosen as the best, you will be awarded the Complete Package. This comprises:
• Free accommodation in a hotel
• Tours,
• Most meals,
• And all workshops for the duration of the event,

Submission Guidelines
• No entry fee is required.
• All entrants must be 18 years and above.
• Entries must be in English and must be the original work of the entrant.
• Pieces that have been previously published online or in print will not be considered.
• Entrants are allowed to publish one piece

How To Apply:
• Write an essay, story or poem that reflects the theme of equality.
• Essays must be 500 words or less. (Make sure your essay doesn’t exceed the 500 word limit).
• Fill the form on the submissions page
• Paste your essay in the box provided in the form.
• The deadline to submit an entry is 23:59 (GMT) Wednesday, December 17, 2018.

Important Tip In The Press Release

Given that our competition is sponsored by Iceland Travel, and the prize is to attend the Iceland Writers Retreat, we also recommend that you mention Iceland somewhere in your entry.
Our judging panel will select one winning entry. Judges will be looking for creativity, originality, and style.
*The prize does NOT include airfare to Iceland, airport transfers, or any expenses not itemized in the delegate description.

If you have already registered to attend the Iceland Writers Retreat, you can apply and increase your chances of getting a refund.

It might interest you to know that all entries will be judged anonymously.

Increase your chances of winning by attending this University of Iowa-organized free online creative writing course. 

You can also attend this personal essay writing class by NY Times Bestselling author, Roxanne Gay.

Read and listen to the essays on out list of story podcasts for creative writers.

Want to ask questions about this award?
Forward all inquiries to [email protected].


A few months ago, we announced the Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni scholarship. This year, the retreat features a promising faculty. The following professional writers will be attending in 2019: Louis de Bernieres, Tessa Hadley, Ivan Coyote, Chigozie Obioma, and Lina Meruane.

Good luck.

Photo by Matteo Paganelli on Unsplash

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