Apply to All-Expenses-Paid Oxbelly Writers Retreat With Chigozie Obioma in Greece

Applications for the 2023 Oxbelly Writers Retreat are now open. The call is open to Greek and International applicants who are emerging writers

All-Expenses-Paid Oxbelly Writers Retreat With Chigozie Obioma in Greece

Applications for the 2023 Oxbelly Writers Retreat are now open. The call is open to Greek and International applicants who are emerging writers of fiction or poetry, including unpublished writers and students, 18 years old and over.

Applications close February 28, 2023. Selected applicants will be informed by email in April 2023.

Location: Costa Navarino, Messinia, Greece

Dates: June 3-11, 2023

Duration: 8 days

The working language is English; thus, a good knowledge of English is essential in order to participate.

About The Oxbelly Writers Retreat 

The Greek nonprofit Oxbelly has announced an inaugural writers retreat led by Nigerian writer and program director Chigozie Obioma in Costa Navarino, Greece from June 3-11, 2023. Writers from around the globe can apply to be a part of this program.

Oxbelly is a Greek non-profit founded by producer and Faliro House founder Christos V. Konstantakopoulos in 2015 as a safe space to build an international community of storytellers through a series of screenings, masterclasses, workshops and seminars.

The Oxbelly Writers Retreat brings together writers from around the world for a week of literary and creative exchange, held at Costa Navarino in historic Messinia, Greece. In its inaugural year, Oxbelly Writers Retreat will support 15 emerging fiction writers and poets committed to elevating their craft, strengthening their literary voice, and contributing to intercultural dialogues around storytelling.

Fellows will engage in workshops and craft sessions led by faculty and guests who are themselves established and acclaimed writers and industry leaders, followed by unstructured time to write in the serene and transformative environment the Messinian scenic landscape offers. The Oxbelly Writers Retreat has no cost to apply and all expenses for fellows are covered.

The Retreat will consist of a series of workshops led by a faculty of acclaimed writers. The second half offers a mini-residence for the fellows to soak in the scenic and peaceful atmosphere of Costa Navarino and produce work unhindered by Retreat obligations, with evening talks, lectures and readings by both the writing mentors, guest writers, and industry guests.

Fellows will also engage in cross programmatic opportunities with the Oxbelly Episodic Program, running concurrently at Costa Navarino, thereby expanding their networks and the cross-pollination between the literary and TV industries.

Eligibility Criteria and Submission Guidelines For Oxbelly Writers Retreat 2023

Greek and International applicants who are emerging writers of fiction or poetry, including unpublished writers and students, 18 years old and over are eligible to apply.

The Writers Retreat aims to support exceptional narratives in all genres by emerging fiction writers and poets from around the world. Our sole criteria is literary quality. To this end, we welcome work that is original in its vision, is written in an engaging voice, uses evocative language, experiments with form, and that is confident in its craft regardless of subject matter. We ask you to submit work that is refined, polished, and that reflects your truest potential as a writer.

• The work that you are submitting with cannot be published before. You yourself may be a published writer
• You are limited to one submission, poetry or fiction. Double submission will result in disqualification.
• What is the visa process for international applicants, if accepted? —Applicants must lead the visa process, although we will prepare the appropriate letter of recommendation.

Submit