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 aims to bring together writers from around the world for a week of literary and creative exchange. In 2023, the 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.”
Speakers include program director Obioma, Rebecca Makkai, Kwame Dames, Scott Cairns, along with special guests who will provide evening talks, lectures, and readings. 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.
Obioma exclaimed that he is excited about the inaugural retreat:
I have always dreamt of a place where writers could gather to feast on words, exchange craft ideas with fellow writers, and have the space to instantly put those ideas and knowledge into their creative work. When I arrived at the Oxbelly space in Messinia Greece last year and spoke with the visionary founder, Christos Konstantakopoulos, I knew this was it. What we are offering is special in that it is all free and therefore without barriers to writers no matter where they are or what their means may be. It is, for me, a major dream come true.
The application is open to Greek and International applicants who are emerging writers of fiction or poetry, including unpublished writers and students, 18 years old and over with a good knowledge of English. The sole criteria is literary quality. Oxbelly is looking for “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.”
There is no application fee and all expenses for chosen fellows are covered.
Deadline: February 28, 2023
Lulama February 14, 2023 15:39
Please send me the application link