Fiction Workshop Instructor Karen E. Bender is the author of three collections: Refund, which was a Finalist for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Frank O'Connor International Story Prize, and Longlisted for the Story Prize; The New Order, which was Longlisted for the Story Prize; and The Words of Dr. L, published in May 2025. Her novels are Like Normal People and A Town of Empty Rooms. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Story, Guernica, and others. It has been reprinted in Best American Short Stories and Best American Mystery Stories and has won three Pushcart prizes. Karen has led our fiction workshops in Hawaii, New Orleans, and Paris. She can't wait to meet and work with you in Iceland!

Nonfiction Workshop Instructor Robert Anthony Siegel is the author of a memoir, Criminals, and two novels, All Will Be Revealed and All the Money in the World. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian Magazine, The Paris Review, The Drift, The Oxford American, and Ploughshares, and has been anthologized in Best American Essays 2023, O. Henry Stories 2014, and Pushcart Prize XXXVI. He has been a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan, a Mombukagakusho Fellow in Japan, a Writing Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, and a Paul Engle Fellow at the Iowa Writers Workshop. He holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Robert has led our nonfiction workshops in Hawaii, New Orleans, and Paris. He can't wait to meet and work with you in Iceland!

The Master Class & Generative Seminar Instructor Ramona Ausubel is the author of three novels, two story collections, and, most recently, Unstuck: 101 Doorways Leading from the Blank Page to the Last Page (Tin House, April 2026), a book of one hundred and one exercises for beginning, continuing, and finishing a piece of writing, named one of LitHub's Most Anticipated Books of 2026. Her novel The Last Animal (Riverhead, 2023) was a national bestseller, and her first, No One is Here Except All of Us, won the PEN Center USA Literary Award for Fiction and the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award. Her story collection A Guide to Being Born was a New York Times Notable Book. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Paris Review Daily, One Story, Tin House, The Oxford American, and Ploughshares. She holds an MFA from the University of California, Irvine, teaches at Colorado State University, and is on faculty at the Bennington Writing Seminars. Ramona has led our generative seminar in Paris and can't wait to bring it to Iceland!

Fiction Workshop with Karen E. Bender

For novelists and story writers at any stage — a draft you've been circling for years, a collection finding its shape, a book you're finally ready to hand to strangers. Karen E. Bender leads a cohort of 10 in our standard retreat workshop format: four mornings around the table, one writer's pages at a time. Karen reads fiction closely and for what it's trying to do rather than what it isn't. Ahead of the trip, you'll submit two manuscripts of up to 5,000 words each. The first is discussed in workshop, with written letters of critique from your cohort and from Karen. The second is reserved for your private conference with her in Iceland — bring the structural problem, the ending that won't land, the question you've been carrying alone.

Nonfiction Workshop with Robert Anthony Siegel

For essayists, memoirists, and writers working in any true form — a collection coming together, a memoir you're deep inside, an essay that keeps refusing to end. Robert Anthony Siegel leads a cohort of 10 in our standard retreat workshop format: four mornings of close, sustained attention, the whole table turned toward one writer's pages at a time. Robert teaches nonfiction as a craft problem rather than a confession — the question is never only what happened, but how it gets built. Ahead of the trip, you'll submit two manuscripts of up to 5,000 words each. The first is discussed in workshop with written letters from your cohort and from Robert. The second belongs to your private conference with him during the week, reserved for the questions that don't fit a group conversation.

The Master Class & Generative Seminar with Ramona Ausubel. Open to all genres.

This class blends craft lecture, generative writing, and fieldwork. Ramona will lead a cohort of 10 through practical craft lectures each morning, then take that cohort out to practice and observe in the field as writers. This approach is the working method behind her 2026 craft book, Unstuck.

This is an especially useful class for writers working on — or wishing to work on — creative projects that require research, as we will be thinking alongside and seeking to broaden what research can mean to a creative writer. Writers in this cohort will leave Iceland with new pages and new methods of practice. This cohort meets in longer sessions than the genre workshops — a continuous morning block each day rather than workshop time split with private conferences. There are no one-on-one meetings in this track. What you get instead is more hours with Ramona.

Immerse yourself in both comfort and inspiration for 6 days and 5 nights at Hotel Kriunes. Overlooking Lake Elliðavatn, this 4-star hotel sits just outside Reykjavík and only fifteen minutes from the city center — one of the best-kept hideaway secrets in the area, where we combine the benefits of city and country. Kayaks are free for guests to use, and in late May you will have the light to do it at nine in the evening.

Private and shared rooms are both available. Private rooms are limited and go first.

Arrival — Sunday, May 23, 2027 

4:00PM: Hotel check-in. If you arrive early, you're welcome to drop bags at reception. 

5:00PM: Meet-and-greet happy hour followed by our first dinner together at the hotel restaurant.

Workshop Days — Monday, May 24 through Thursday, May 27, 2027 

Breakfast service begins at 7:00AM. 

Mornings: Workshops, generative field work, and one-on-one instructor conferences. 

Afternoons: Lunch break and free time, followed by an optional afternoon seminar led by faculty. 

Late afternoons and evenings: Optional group activity and dinner.

Departure — Friday, May 28, 2027 

11:00AM: Final check-out at Hotel Kriunes.

Details subject to change. The final schedule will be sent to accepted writers a few weeks before the trip.

If you can, we encourage you to attend our optional activities and group dinners (activities are included in the workshop cost, but everyone is responsible for their own dinner and drinks). We will meet in the hotel lobby for the start of each activity. Guests and partners attending are welcome at all of these activities.

Sunday: Welcome Happy Hour and First Dinner: We start where we'll spend the week: the hotel, on the edge of Lake Elliðavatn. Come down at five, meet your faculty, and find the other nine writers in your cohort. Dinner follows at the hotel restaurant. Almost everyone will have flown overnight and be running on airplane sleep and adrenaline, which is a surprisingly good condition for meeting people.

Monday: Walking Tour of Reykjavík: Reykjavík is a UNESCO City of Literature. It's a capital of about 140,000 people that supports an outsized number of bookshops, and a national literature that runs unbroken from the sagas to Halldór Laxness's Nobel to whatever came out last month. We'll spend the afternoon walking it: the old harbor, the streets above it, the concert hall on the water, and the church on the hill that took forty-one years to build and is modeled on the basalt columns that form when lava cools slowly. Dinner afterward at Pósthús Food Hall & Bar, where you can order four different dinners and share them, which is what most of our groups end up doing.

Tuesday: Öxarárfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park: Þingvellir is where the Alþingi — one of the oldest parliaments in the world — first met in 930 CE, and it's where Icelanders kept meeting for the next eight centuries. Before any of the law was written down, a man called the lawspeaker stood at the Lögberg, the Law Rock, and recited it aloud from memory: a third of the entire legal code each year, over and over, for three-year terms. The sagas are set here. The country's founding arguments happened here, out loud, in a rift valley, in the wind. Öxarárfoss drops into the Almannagjá gorge at the edge of it, and the whole site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll hike the area, take our time, and eat at Blik Bistro & Grill on the way back.

Wednesday: The Blue Lagoon: The drive out is half the experience: the road runs through a lava field that goes on for miles in every direction. Nothing about it looks like Earth. Then steam starts rising off the rock ahead of you, and you've arrived. The water is milky blue, and the color comes from silica suspended in the water, and the silica is also what you'll be handed in a small bowl to put on your face, which everyone does, and which makes the whole group look ridiculous together within about ten minutes. There's a bar you swim up to. There are quiet corners where the steam closes in, and you can't see anyone at all. Writers tend to talk about this afternoon afterward as the moment the week loosened. You come out of it warm, slightly stunned, and hungry, which is convenient, because we'll stop at Von Mathús on the way back. Bring a bathing suit and low expectations about your hair.

Thursday: One-Page Salon Reading and Happy Hour, and Our Final Dinner. We close the way we always do, with a one-page salon. At four o'clock, everyone who wants to read reads — new pages from Ramona's cohort, a passage that got fixed in workshop, something you didn't plan to read until an hour before. This is a one-page salon, where you choose just one page to read in front of your peers. Happy hour follows, then our last dinner together at the hotel at half past six. It will still be full daylight. In late May, the sun doesn't go down over Reykjavík until nearly midnight, and even then it never gets properly dark, which means the evening you think is ending has several hours left.

Anytime: The Kayaks. Hotel Kriunes keeps kayaks for guests, free to use on Lake Elliðavatn. Several past participants have discovered that going out on the water at nine in the evening, in full light, is among the strangest and best parts of the week. Go at your own risk and your own pace.

Private Room: $3,795 

Shared Room: $2,595 per writer (double occupancy, two twin beds) 

Partner or Guest: $995 (shares your private room, access to optional group activities)

Tuition includes:

-Lodging at Hotel Kriunes for 6 days, 5 nights

-A welcome happy hour and introductory gathering with faculty and staff on arrival day

-Four days of workshop or generative seminar in a small cohort of no more than 10 writers, led by program faculty

-Critical feedback on two writing submissions (fiction and nonfiction cohorts)

-A one-on-one conference with your faculty instructor (fiction and nonfiction cohorts)

-Daily craft-of-writing and business-of-writing seminars, plus a Publishing Roundtable with all three faculty

-Optional afternoon activities including a walking tour of Reykjavík, a visit to Öxarárfoss and Þingvellir National Park, and entrance to the Blue Lagoon

-Daily breakfast at the hotel

-Free use of kayaks at Hotel Kriunes

Breakfast is the only meal included in tuition, for writers and guests alike. We organize a group dinner every evening at the restaurants listed in the schedule, including our first night together at the hotel and our final dinner on Thursday, and each person covers their own meal and drinks. It's the same arrangement we've used on every trip: nobody eats alone unless they want to, and nobody's paying for a meal they didn't order.

Shared Rooms

Shared rooms are double-occupancy with two twin beds, and they're our best value. We match roommates by gender; we'll ask about your rooming preferences in the application.

If you're traveling with another writer you'd like to room with, name them in your application; you'll be roomed together as long as you're both accepted. If you'd like a shared room but don't have a roommate in mind, we'll match you with another participant.

If we can't match you with a roommate, we will let you know.

Bringing a Partner or Guest — $995

You're welcome to bring a partner or guest, with one condition: our private rooms have a single large bed, and your guest shares it with you. We can't accommodate guests in shared rooms, and we can't offer a private room with two beds.

The $995 guest fee covers lodging for 6 days and 5 nights, daily breakfast, and a seat on our optional afternoon activities — the walking tour of Reykjavík, Öxarárfoss and Þingvellir National Park, and the Blue Lagoon.

As with our writers, breakfast is the only meal included. Guests are welcome at every group dinner, including our first night and our last, and cover their own meal and drinks.

Guests do not attend workshops, craft seminars, one-on-one conferences, or the publishing roundtable. Those are for participating writers.

Because guests can only be accommodated in private rooms, and private rooms are limited, we'd encourage you to apply early if you're planning to bring someone.

"This workshop exceed my expectations. I am a former journalist and an academic and it is sometimes hard to get out of my own head. I want to write for a wider public while still showing some of my expertise. I think the times demand it. We must care about the next person. Your workshop gave me some skills that will help me toward that end. I met some incredible writers and Isaac Fitzgerald. What to say? Not only is he an incredible writer, he is an amazing human being. I feel blessed to have met him. He's the world's biggest cheerleader/community builder and knows the craft of writing takes work but is doable." -Sharony G.

"I loved the Iceland workshop! Christine was so amazing and helpful. I loved meeting so many new people and getting a chance to really connect with my writing again. Iceland is incredibly beautiful and the Blue Lagoon was stunning. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience." - S. Bandi

"In 2023, I went to Iceland to work with Writing Workshops — it was there the secret to landing essays and interviews was shared. I swear by Writing Workshops, but as a past participant I am under strict confidentiality to not share what we were taught. One must attend for themselves and learn secret handshakes etc." - Y. Conza

"Coming to Iceland for the Workshop helped me achieve an important breakthrough in a project I've been trying to finish. The beauty of the location, the support of the writing cohort, and the quality of the instruction made all the difference!" -Lori F.

"Writing Workshops Iceland allowed me to reconnect with myself as a writer and to be in community with others who naturally understand my love for my craft. I learned. I had fun. I grew as a writer and a person. It was a perfect experience. I can't wait for the next trip!" -Bowie R.

"If you've ever thought about taking time to focus on your writing and building your writing community, don't hesitate to consider one of these writing workshops. The community we built over the week in Iceland was incredible. I'm calling this a 'trip of a lifetime' because it truly was an unforgettable experience. I will cherish this week for years to come. I cannot wait to participate in another workshop in the future. Thank you to Mike and Blake for creating such a unique and rewarding experience." Christine G.

"Writing Workshops is the perfect balance of inspirational travel and classroom camaraderie—a wonderful option for any writer with a sense of adventure who is looking to explore their work in a group setting." Isaac F.

"The Iceland Workshop was creatively inspiring. It's situated in an incredible location, the writers in attendance were present and came prepared for workshop and the facilitator was generous and accessible." -Meghan F.

"The Iceland Writing Workshop was a wonderful experience. Christine, our instructor, was so nice and gave thoughtful feedback. The cohorts in my group were also so generous and helpful with their critiques. I have so much valuable information with which to improve my manuscript. Our guides, Danielle and Crystal, were amazing and made everything run smoothly. Even better, we got to see some of the sights of Iceland: downtown Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon, and the Oxararfoss Waterfall. It was like a workshop and retreat combined. Would definitely recommend." -Leslie C. 

"The Iceland Writing Workshop is a unique opportunity to hone your craft in the company of other dedicated authors, while immersed in the beauty of this intriguing island." - Jennifer C.

"I gained encouragement, inspiration, and plenty of wonderful memories during my time in Iceland!" Brenna H.

"Do this if you are serious about writing." -Jeannette B.

"I loved thoughtful constructive feedback from the writing cohort. Everyone came prepared. The selected group of writers were diverse enough that they brought a wide range POV but not too wide that our themes felt too foreign." -Mary B.

"Hands down the best workshop feedback I’ve ever received. I felt so lucky to be a part of this workshop and really enjoy the friendships I forged." - Ben H.

"The participants selected were friendly, open and positive. I don't know if there's some secret formula to picking out people who are agreeable, but you all did an excellent job. The rooms were large and comfortable, the restaurant dinners were excellent and there was enough scenery to remind us we were in Iceland. I liked that it was near enough to Reykjavik and the afternoon excursions, and the airport. The combination of the workshops, the hotel, the excursions and restaurants were all very good and seemed to have good value for the what we paid." - Lori G.

"For me, as a yet-unpublished writer, it was a great introduction to the world of workshopping. I felt comfortable sharing my stories with this helpful, diverse and dedicated group. And even though I'm daunted by the amount of work I have ahead of me, I'm inspired to start combining my stories into a memoir--something I hadn't considered before." -Sue P.

"This workshop exceeded my expectations. The classroom critiques and instructor one-on-ones were extremely helpful, the people were wonderful, and the atmosphere was inviting. It was an experience I'm so glad I didn't miss." - Carissa C.

What is the application deadline? 

Applications for Writing Workshops Iceland 2027 are open. Due to volume, early applications are encouraged.

What will my application include?

-A brief bio describing your involvement in the writing and literary community, along with any prior or forthcoming publications (500 words max).

-A purpose statement explaining why you'd like to participate in Writing Workshops Iceland, and which cohort you're applying to. You may also discuss current manuscripts or projects you might choose to workshop (1,000 words max).

-A writing sample in the genre of your chosen cohort. Writers applying to the Master Class & Generative Seminar may submit a sample in any genre. This does not have to be published work, though published work is welcome, and it does not have to be a piece you plan to workshop. Excerpts are acceptable (5,000 words max; poets may submit up to 10 pages).

Which cohort should I apply to? 

We offer three cohorts in Iceland, each capped at 10 writers. The Fiction Workshop with Karen E. Bender and the Nonfiction Workshop with Robert Anthony Siegel follow our standard retreat workshop format: you submit two manuscripts ahead of the trip, one discussed in workshop and one reserved for your private conference. The Master Class & Generative Seminar with Ramona Ausubel is open to writers in every genre, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. It combines craft lectures with generative writing and field work, meets in extended morning sessions, and has nothing due before you arrive. Choose the Master Class if you want to make new work in Iceland. Choose Fiction or Nonfiction if you have pages that need close, sustained attention. Indicate your preferred cohort on your application.

What do I submit before the workshop, and when? 

Fiction and Nonfiction Workshop participants submit two manuscripts of up to 5,000 words each, for a maximum of 10,000 words total. One is discussed in workshop with written letters of critique from your peers and instructor; the other is reserved for your one-on-one conference. Submission deadlines are provided after acceptance, well in advance of the trip. Master Class & Generative Seminar participants have nothing due before arriving.

Do I need to be a published writer to apply? 

No. Our cohorts include writers at many stages, from those working on a first draft to those with books in print. What we look for is seriousness about the work and a project or practice that will benefit from a week of concentrated attention.

When will I know if I've been accepted? 

We cap participation at 10 writers in each cohort. Our goal is an intimate, rigorous workshop environment where participants find meaningful connections and excellent feedback on their work. Due to the volume of applications and competitive acceptance, writers are encouraged to apply early. We employ a reading committee of professional writers and editors, and applicants will be notified on a rolling basis.

How much does the Iceland Workshop cost? 

Tuition is $3,795 for a private room and $2,595 per writer for a shared room. A partner or guest sharing your private room is $995. If your application is accepted, full tuition is due within 14 days. Upon acceptance, you may pay in full or select Affirm at checkout for a payment plan.

What's the difference between a private and a shared room? 

A private room is yours alone and has one large bed. A shared room is double-occupancy with two twin beds, and is our best value at $2,595 per writer. Shared rooms are either female/female or male/male.

Can I request a specific roommate? 

Yes. Name them in your application. Both writers must be accepted to the program to be roomed together. Roommates are otherwise matched by gender, and we'll ask about your rooming preferences in the application. If you'd like a shared room without a specific roommate in mind, we'll match you with another participant; if no match is available, we will let you know.

Can I bring a partner or a guest? 

Yes, for $995. Your guest stays with you in a private room, sharing the room's single large bed — we aren't able to offer a private room with two beds, and guests can't be accommodated in shared rooms. The fee covers lodging, daily breakfast, and a seat on our three optional afternoon activities: the Reykjavík walking tour, Öxarárfoss and Þingvellir National Park, and the Blue Lagoon. Guests do not attend workshops, craft seminars, one-on-one conferences, or the publishing roundtable. As with our writers, breakfast is the only meal included; guests are welcome at every group dinner and cover their own.

Are meals included? 

Breakfast at the hotel is included daily for writers and guests. We organize a group dinner each evening, and everyone covers their own meal and drinks. Lunch is on your own during the midday break.

What is your refund policy? 

Given the intimate nature of our destination workshops and our own non-refundable deposit schedule as organizers, our refund policy is as follows:

90+ days before your trip: tuition minus a $900 deposit is fully refundable

60+ days before your trip: 50% of tuition is refundable

30+ days before your trip: 25% of tuition is refundable

Less than 30 days before your trip: no refunds can be offered

Guest fees are subject to the same refund schedule as tuition. By making your tuition payment in full, you agree to these terms.

Are payment plans available? 

Yes. Accepted writers may pay in full or opt for a payment plan divided into equal monthly payments by selecting Affirm (for U.S. and Canadian residents) at checkout.

Are scholarships available? 

Unfortunately, we aren't able to offer scholarships for this workshop. We do offer payment plans.

Instructor Substitution Policy 

In the event of an instructor's emergency, sickness, or unavailability, Writing Workshops reserves the right to provide a substitute instructor of equivalent caliber. If a substitute is provided, the workshop will proceed as scheduled and standard refund policies apply.

Where is the hotel and workshop venue? 

Hotel Kriunes, overlooking Lake Elliðavatn, just outside Reykjavík and fifteen minutes from the city center.

How do I get to Iceland? 

Nearly all international flights arrive at Keflavík International Airport (KEF), about a 45-minute drive from the Reykjavík area. Shuttle services, taxis, and rental cars are all available at the airport. Travel to and from Iceland, and transfers to and from the hotel, are arranged by each participant and are not included in tuition. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. We'll send arrival guidance to accepted writers well ahead of the trip.

What do I need to enter Iceland? 

U.S. and other visa-exempt travelers currently need only a valid passport for a short stay in Iceland. Two things worth knowing for a 2027 trip. First, Europe's biometric border system (EES) is now fully in place, which means fingerprints and a photo taken at the border on arrival — no advance action required, but allow extra time at passport control. Second, Europe's forthcoming travel authorization (ETIAS) has been delayed and does not yet have a confirmed launch date; it may or may not be in effect by May 2027. If it is, it's a €20 online authorization, not a visa. We'll pass along current guidance as your trip approaches. In the meantime, be aware that any website currently offering to sell you an ETIAS is a scam — the official application portal has not opened. Check the European Union's official ETIAS page for the latest, and make sure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your departure date. Writers traveling on non-U.S. passports should confirm their own entry requirements.

What will you do with my email? 

We respect your privacy. We won't sell or rent your email to other organizations.

I have a question not answered here. 

Please contact us, and we'll reply promptly.

Our May 2027 in-person Writing Workshop in Iceland is dedicated to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants. It is not a place for behavior that is inappropriate, off-topic, disruptive, abusive, or illegal. WritingWorkshops.com defines inappropriate behavior as any conduct that undermines the integrity of the workshop, including written, verbal, or physical abuse or threats, the use of derogatory or discriminatory language, gestures, or actions, any form of harassment, racism, sexism, or any other targeted comments that may violate local, state, federal, or international laws, or cause harm to another participant before, during, or after the workshop. This includes any interactions that occur in person in Iceland, at associated events, during travel and excursions arranged as part of the program, through the WritingWorkshops.com website or social media channels, during any online component of the workshop, or through any other method of communication. WritingWorkshops.com reserves the right, at its discretion, to take appropriate action against any individual or group it believes does not meet the standards set forth in this Code of Conduct, including, without limitation, revoking the violating party's admission without refund. A participant who is removed from the program under this provision remains responsible for their own return travel and any associated costs.

During in-person sessions, WritingWorkshops.com expects all attendees to adhere to public health guidelines relevant to safety, hygiene, and any identified pandemic-level communicable illnesses. This may include social distancing, hand washing, staying home if feeling unwell, and other disease prevention measures.

If you observe or experience a violation of this Code of Conduct, please contact WritingWorkshops.com. We are committed to assessing the situation and responding promptly. Notifying WritingWorkshops.com does not substitute for notifying local law enforcement of suspected violations of the law. All such suspicions should be reported to local authorities. In Iceland, the emergency number is 112. For non-emergencies, local law enforcement contact details will be provided in the workshop materials.

Program Deliverables

Tuition entitles each participant to the program elements enumerated on this page, which include lodging for the dates specified, the scheduled workshop or seminar sessions led by program faculty, a one-on-one conference with your faculty instructor for participants in the Fiction and Nonfiction Workshops, the daily craft and business of writing seminars, the Publishing Roundtable, the included group activities, and daily breakfast at the hotel. Written critical feedback on submitted manuscripts is provided by your faculty instructor.

The Master Class & Generative Seminar meets in extended session and does not include one-on-one conferences. This is a feature of the cohort's design and is described on this page prior to application. Participants in that cohort are not entitled to individual conferences as a program deliverable.

Participants in the Fiction and Nonfiction Workshops are encouraged, but not required, to provide written responses to the work of their fellow participants. Peer feedback is a voluntary contribution made by workshop members to one another and is not a deliverable provided or guaranteed by WritingWorkshops.com. The nature, length, and format of any peer response rests entirely with the individual participant offering it.

Faculty assignments, session times, room assignments, activity schedules, excursion itineraries, and the specific content of seminars are subject to change. WritingWorkshops.com will make reasonable efforts to provide substitutions of comparable quality in the event of faculty illness, travel disruption, weather, natural events, vendor closure, or other circumstances beyond our control. A change in faculty, schedule, activity, or excursion does not constitute a failure to deliver the program and does not entitle a participant to a refund outside the refund policy stated below.

Guests and partners attending under the guest fee are entitled to shared lodging in the participant's room for the dates specified, daily breakfast, and participation in the included group activities. Guests do not participate in workshops, seminars, manuscript review, or one-on-one conferences, and no manuscript feedback or instructional services are provided to guests.

Breakfast is the only meal included in tuition or in the guest fee. Group dinners are organized each evening as a convenience to participants; each person is responsible for their own meals, beverages, and gratuities.

Photo, Video, and Recording Release

By participating in the WritingWorkshops.com May 2027 In-Person Writing Workshop in Iceland, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of materials from the workshop, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by WritingWorkshops.com or the person or entity designated to do so by WritingWorkshops.com. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before participating in the WritingWorkshops.com May 2027 In-Person Writing Workshop in Iceland. By registering for this workshop, you agree to these terms.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF LIABILITY, AND RELEASE — PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

BY PAYING TUITION OR A GUEST FEE TO ATTEND THE MAY 2027 WRITING WORKSHOP IN ICELAND, HOSTED BY WRITINGWORKSHOPS.COM, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE EVENT AND AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING. THE PARTICIPANT WHO REGISTERS A GUEST IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THEIR GUEST HAS READ AND AGREED TO THESE TERMS, INCLUDING THE CODE OF CONDUCT, THE PHOTO AND RECORDING RELEASE, AND THE ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE BELOW.

YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT WRITING WORKSHOPS DALLAS, LLC, DOING BUSINESS AS WRITINGWORKSHOPS.COM, TOGETHER WITH ITS OWNERS, OFFICERS, MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, ORGANIZERS, TRIP LEADERS, PROGRAM STAFF, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, FACULTY AND INSTRUCTORS — INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO KAREN E. BENDER, ROBERT ANTHONY SIEGEL, RAMONA AUSUBEL, VIRGINIA REEVES, AND BOWIE ROWAN — AND ITS AFFILIATES, AGENTS, VENDORS, TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS, LODGING PROVIDERS, AND ACTIVITY PROVIDERS (COLLECTIVELY, THE "RELEASED PARTIES") ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES, ILLNESSES, DAMAGES, THEFT, OR LOSS OF LIFE THAT MAY OCCUR DURING THE WORKSHOP OR AS PART OF ANY RELATED ACTIVITIES.

YOU RECOGNIZE THAT PARTICIPATION IN THE WORKSHOP AND ITS RELATED ACTIVITIES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS, AND YOU ENGAGE IN THESE ACTIVITIES VOLUNTARILY AND AT YOUR OWN RISK. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION: INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TRAVEL; COACH, VAN, AND OTHER GROUND TRANSPORTATION; WALKING TOURS ON URBAN AND UNEVEN SURFACES; HIKING AND WALKING ON LAVA FIELDS, VOLCANIC TERRAIN, TRAILS, AND UNPAVED GROUND AT ÞINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK AND ÖXARÁRFOSS WATERFALL; EXPOSURE TO COLD, WIND, RAIN, ICE, LIMITED VISIBILITY, AND RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER; PROXIMITY TO WATER, WATERFALLS, CLIFFS, AND UNGUARDED NATURAL FEATURES; BATHING AND SWIMMING IN GEOTHERMAL WATER AT THE BLUE LAGOON, INCLUDING RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HEAT, MINERAL CONTENT, WET AND SLIPPERY SURFACES, AND SUBMERSION; KAYAKING AND OTHER WATERCRAFT USE ON LAKE ELLIÐAVATN, WHICH IS UNSUPERVISED AND UNDERTAKEN ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK; FOOD AND BEVERAGE ACTIVITIES; AND ALL OTHER SCHEDULED, OPTIONAL, AND INDEPENDENTLY UNDERTAKEN EVENTS.

YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE PHYSICALLY CAPABLE OF PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITIES YOU CHOOSE TO JOIN, THAT YOU HAVE DISCLOSED ANY MEDICAL CONDITION THAT MAY AFFECT YOUR PARTICIPATION, AND THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSESSING YOUR OWN FITNESS FOR EACH ACTIVITY. ALL AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES ARE OPTIONAL, AND YOU MAY DECLINE ANY OF THEM.

YOU HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LIABILITIES, RIGHTS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION THAT ARISE FROM OR ARE IN ANY WAY RELATED TO ANY INJURIES, DEATH, OR DAMAGES, BOTH PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL, THAT MAY OCCUR DURING OR AS A RESULT OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE WORKSHOP.

YOU SPECIFICALLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THIS RELEASE INCLUDES ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, WHETHER THAT NEGLIGENCE IS ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, AND WHETHER IT IS THE SOLE OR A CONTRIBUTING CAUSE OF ANY INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE. THIS RELEASE DOES NOT APPLY TO GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT.

YOU HAVE BEEN FULLY INFORMED OF YOUR CONSENT, WAIVER OF LIABILITY, AND RELEASE BEFORE ENTERING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE WRITING WORKSHOP IN ICELAND, MAY 2027, ORGANIZED BY WRITINGWORKSHOPS.COM. BY PAYING YOUR TUITION OR GUEST FEE, YOU EXPLICITLY AGREE TO THESE TERMS.

Travel, Documentation, and Program Contingency

It is the responsibility of each attendee of Writing Workshops Iceland to arrange their own travel to and from Iceland, and their own transfers to and from Hotel Kriunes. Travel is not included in tuition or in the guest fee.

Each attendee is responsible for holding a valid passport and for obtaining any entry documentation, travel authorization, or public health documentation required by Iceland or the Schengen Area for the dates of Sunday, May 23 through Friday, May 28, 2027. Entry requirements for Iceland may change before the program dates, including the possible introduction of a European travel authorization. WritingWorkshops.com will share general guidance as it becomes available but does not provide immigration advice and is not responsible for a participant's or guest's inability to enter Iceland, for denial of boarding, or for any consequence of incomplete or expired documentation. No refund is available in these circumstances outside the refund policy stated below.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended, including coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical care abroad, and emergency evacuation.

Iceland is a geologically active country. Volcanic activity, seismic activity, storms, and other natural events may close roads, sites, and attractions, may disrupt air travel, and may require changes to our schedule on short notice. Specific excursions listed on this page — including the visit to Öxarárfoss and Þingvellir National Park and entrance to the Blue Lagoon — may become unavailable for reasons outside our control. In that event, WritingWorkshops.com will make reasonable efforts to substitute an activity of comparable value. The unavailability of any individual excursion does not constitute a failure to deliver the program and does not entitle a participant or guest to a refund or partial refund.

If the government of Iceland or the government of the United States prohibits travel to or gatherings in Iceland for the program dates, or if the workshop is otherwise canceled in its entirety by WritingWorkshops.com, we will offer a full refund of program fees and guest fees. WritingWorkshops.com will not reimburse airline tickets, travel insurance, or any additional trip-related expenses incurred. If the Iceland writing workshop takes place on the dates planned, no program fees will be reimbursed, regardless of attendance.

Refund Policy

Given the intimate nature of our destination workshops and our own non-refundable deposit schedule as organizers, our refund policy is as follows. Ninety or more days before your trip, tuition payment minus a $900 deposit is fully refundable. Sixty or more days before your trip, 50% of your tuition is refundable. Thirty or more days before your trip, 25% of your tuition is refundable. Less than 30 days before your trip, no refunds can be offered. By making your tuition payment in full, you agree to these terms. Guest fees are subject to the same refund schedule as tuition.

If you have selected a shared room and we are unable to match you with a roommate, we will let you know.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions and any dispute arising from or relating to Writing Workshops Iceland, May 2027, are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. You agree that any action or proceeding arising from or relating to this program shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Dallas County, Texas, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts. Nothing in this provision limits any non-waivable statutory right you may have under the consumer protection laws of your country of residence.

Agreement

By registering for and paying tuition or a guest fee for Writing Workshops Iceland, May 2027, you agree to these Terms & Conditions in their entirety and contribute to a welcoming and productive environment for all. For more information or inquiries, please contact WritingWorkshops.com.