Writing Workshops Iceland 2023
Writing Workshops Iceland 2023 brings together fiction and nonfiction writers for an intensive four days of workshops, craft seminars, one-on-one conferences, and in-depth discussions on the craft and business of writing. Our program is inclusive, intentionally small, and takes place in the heart of Literary Iceland, rich with history and inspiration.
Each workshop will have no more than 10 participants each. All writers will submit two completed pieces of writing. One submission will be workshopped by your cohort and instructor and a second piece will be submitted for your one-on-one meeting with your workshop leader. Daily craft talks are open to all participants and led by program staff or faculty.
Our workshops are open to writers who want to strengthen their voice, develop a greater understanding of craft, and forge a path to publication along the way. We take your writing seriously and place the highest importance on teaching the craft of writing so that students can produce meaningful and memorable work that has the opportunity to find a readership beyond the workshop. Our mission is to bring your writing out of the wilderness and into community, and we think there is no better place to do this than in Iceland during the Summer Solstice in June every year (see a video reel here).
Note: It is the responsibility of attendees of Writing Workshops Iceland to have the appropriate documentation required and to meet any COVID vaccination requirements implemented by the country of Iceland.
Though our admissions process is competitive and the quality of writing high, all interested writers are encouraged to apply by March 31st, 2023.
Workshop Faculty:
Nonfiction Instructor Isaac Fitzgerald is the New York Times bestselling author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts (winner of a New England Book Award). He appears frequently on The Today Show and is also the author of the bestselling children’s book How to Be a Pirate as well as the co-author of Pen & Ink: Tattoos and the Stories Behind Them and Knives & Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos (winner of an IACP Award). His writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Esquire, The Guardian, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, and numerous other publications. He lives in Brooklyn and is currently working on his next book, American Dionysus, forthcoming from Knopf.
Fiction Instructor Amber Sparks is the author of four collections of short fiction, including And I Do Not Forgive You: Revenges and other Stories and The Unfinished World, and her fiction and essays have appeared in American Short Fiction, the Paris Review, Tin House, Granta, The Cut and elsewhere. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, daughter, and two cats.
Lodging at Hotel Kriunes
Immerse yourself in both comfort and inspiration for 6 days, 5 nights at Hotel Kriunes. Overlooking Lake Ellidavatn, this 4-star hotel is located just outside of Reykjavik and only 15 minutes from the city center. The hotel is one of the best kept hideaway secrets in the city area, where we'll combine the benefits of city and country.
Class Size
Workshop Schedule
4:00PM: Hotel check-in (if you arrive early you are welcome to drop off your bags at reception).
5:00PM: Meet-and-greet happy hour followed by introductory dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Tuesday - Friday
Mornings: Workshops and one-on-one instructor meetings.
Afternoons/Evenings: Lunch Break & free time. Optional afternoon seminar, led by faculty or staff. Optional afternoon activity and dinner.
Saturday
11:00AM: Final check-out at Hotel Kriunes.
Get your bearings and take in the main attractions of Central Reykjavik on the Walk with a Viking Tour led by Your Friend in Reykjavik Tours. The tour lasts approximately two hours and will go rain or shine.
Visit to Öxarárfoss Waterfall and hike in Þingvellir National Park (Wednesday)
Öxarárfoss Waterfall sits on the edge of the boundary line between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and was featured in Game of Thrones. After visiting the waterfall we will take a hike through Þingvellir National Park in Iceland's "Golden Circle."
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa (Thursday)
Example Workshop Schedule Detail
Workshop Tuition
Tuition is $3,495.00 and includes the following:
- Lodging in your own room at Hotel Kriunes for 6 days, 5 nights.
- 4-day writing workshops in small groups of no more than 10 writers, led by program faculty.
- Critical feedback on two writing submissions.
- Several craft of writing and/or business of writing seminars
- One-on-one conference with faculty.
- Free pickup and drop off from the airport to our hotel.
- Free optional afternoon activities including entrance to The Blue Lagoon and walking tour of Reykjavik.
- Free use of kayaks at Hotel Kriunes.
- Daily breakfast is included in your tuition. However, the cost of lunch and dinner are not included in your tuition.
2-Day Golden Circle Add-On
2-Day Golden Circle Add-On
2-Day Golden Circle Add-On Activities
-Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland's most photographed waterfall.
-Lunch at Friðheimar Farm.
-Check in at Hotel Geysir.
-Strokkur Geysir and Great Geysir, the earliest documented geyser in European literature and source of the English word "Geyser." After seeing the geysers we will hike through the Haukadalur Valley where we will see many smaller geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pots.
-Dinner at Efstidalur II.
-Breakfast at Hotel Geysir starts at 8:00 a.m.
-Depart from Hotel Geysir at 9:00 a.m.
-Visit the Town of Skálholt, considered by some as Iceland’s first town, and home of the Skálholt Cathedral.
-Visit the Ecovillage of Sólheimar.
-Visit Kerið Crater, a colorful volcanic crater forming a complete oval with a small lake at the bottom.
-Lunch at Kaffi Krús in the town of Selfoss.
-Hike through the Reykjadalur Valley to the Reykjadalur Hot River. This slow-moving river is fed by geothermal springs and keeps a temperature of roughly 100 degrees year round, so it's a great place to take a dip.
-Dinner at Hotel Geysir restaurant.
Iceland Testimonials
"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.
"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 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.
"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.
"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.
Program Staff
Executive Director Blake Kimzey worked as a bicycle tour guide in Paris in his 20s. He is the founder of WritingWorkshops.com and has an MFA from UC Irvine. Blake sits on the Board of the Elizabeth George Foundation and his fiction has been broadcast on NPR and published by Tin House, McSweeney’s, VICE, Longform, Redivider, Short Fiction, Smokelong Quarterly, Hobart, The Los Angeles Review, The Masters Review, and The Best Small Fictions. Blake’s collection of short tales, Families Among Us, was published by Black Lawrence Press.
Operations Director Mike Franz was General Manager and Tour Guide at Fat Tire Bike Tours, Paris, for seven years. His tours were featured on Rick Steves-Paris, The Independent-UK, and the television show 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. Mike taught government, economics, and public speaking for ten years at Headwaters High School in Austin, Texas, where he won teacher-of-the-year award after his first year of teaching.
Workshop Application & FAQ
What is the application deadline?
Applications for our June 2023 Iceland Workshop ARE NOW OPEN and will close on March 31st, 2023. Due to volume, early applications are encouraged.
What is your COVID policy?
It is the responsibility of attendees of Writing Workshops Iceland to have the appropriate documentation required and to meet any COVID vaccination requirements implemented by the country of Iceland. If the country of Iceland forbids entry to their country, or if Hotel Kriunes closes, for the dates of June 19th - 24th, 2023, and no comparable location in Iceland can be secured, Writing Workshops will offer a full refund for program fees. Writing Workshops will not reimburse for any airline tickets or 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.
What will my application include?
- Brief bio informing us of your involvement in the writing and literary community, as well as any prior or forthcoming publications (500 words max).
- Purpose statement explaining why you would like to participate in Writing Workshops Iceland. You can also discuss current manuscripts or writing projects that you might choose to workshop. (500 words max.)
- Writing sample excerpt in fiction or nonfiction. This does not have to be published work, though that is acceptable, nor does it have to be a piece you plan to workshop. Complete works under the word count are not required; excerpts are acceptable. (Fiction/nonfiction: 2500 words max)
- Applications for our June 2023 Iceland Workshops ARE NOW OPEN and will close on March 31st, 2023. Early applications are encouraged.
When will I know if I've been accepted to the workshop?
We cap our workshop participation at 10 writers in each genre cohort (fiction, nonfiction) for the week. Our goal is to provide an intimate, rigorous workshop environment so that participants can come to Iceland and 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 after the application window closes.
How much does the Iceland Workshop cost?
Tuition is $3,495.00. If your application is accepted, full tuition is due within ten days. Upon acceptance, you will have the option to pay your tuition in full or opt for a payment plan by selecting Affirm at checkout. There will be no refunds after tuition is paid. We have this refund policy because the balance of our hotel deposit and all group expenses are due and are also nonrefundable.
What does tuition include?
- Lodging in your own room at Hotel Kriunes for 6 days, 5 nights.
- 4-day writing workshops in small groups of no more than 10 writers, led by program faculty.
- Critical feedback on two writing submissions.
- Several craft of writing and/or business of writing seminars
- One-on-one conference with faculty.
- Free pickup and drop off from the airport to our hotel.
- Free optional afternoon activities including entrance to The Blue Lagoon and walking tour of Reykjavik.
- Free use of kayaks at Hotel Kriunes.
- Daily breakfast is included in your tuition. However, the cost of lunch and dinner are not included in your tuition.
Are Payment Plans Available?
Yes. Accepted writers will have the option to pay their tuition in full or opt for a payment plan divided into equal monthly payments by selecting Affirm (for U.S. & Canadian residents) at checkout.
Are Scholarships Available?
Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to offer scholarships for this workshop. However, we do have payment plans available.
Where is the hotel and workshop venue?
Immerse yourself in both comfort and inspiration for 6 days, 5 nights at Hotel Kriunes. Overlooking Lake Ellidavatn, this 4-star hotel is located just outside of Reykjavik and only 15 minutes from the city center. The hotel is one of the best kept hideaway secrets in the city area, where we'll combine the benefits of city and country.
How late can I apply?
We will accept applications through March 31st, 2023.
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.
Optional Two-Day Golden Circle Add-On FAQ
Can I bring someone else along on the add-on trip?
Yes, the add-on is open to friends/partners of anyone attending the Writing Workshop.
If I bring a second person along on the add-on trip and we share a room at Hotel Geysir, can we get a discount?
Yes, please let us know if you are interested in doing this and we can provide price and room details.
Can I bring my entire family along on the add-on trip?
Yes. Please let us know if you are interested in doing this and we can provide price and room details.
How much does the Optional 2-Day Iceland Trip Extension Cost?
The cost of the 2-day add-on excursion is an additional $1,495, which includes two nights stay at Hotel Geysir as well as transportation to the hotel and back to the airport or Central Reykjavik at the end of the trip. Breakfast at Hotel Geysier is included in the price of the trip extension. However, the cost of lunch and dinner are not included.
Can I attend the add-on even if I don't attend the Writing Workshop?
No, the add-on is only open to attendees of the Writing Workshop and their guests.
I have a question not answered here.
Please contact us and we’ll reply promptly.