The Oxbelly Retreat  for Fiction Writers 2026, a meeting for international writers working in cinema and literature will take place from July 1 to 9 in Costa Navarino, Messinia.

The Fiction Writers Retreat hosts ten emerging writers who seek to upgrade their technique, strengthen their literary voice, and contribute to intercultural dialogues around the concept of storytelling. The program offers a series of workshops, led by a team of established writers, as well as free writing time in the peaceful atmosphere of Messinian nature.

Participants will have the opportunity to develop their work during the morning hours, while in the evenings, they will participate in a joint program of interdisciplinary events with distinguished guests, renowned professionals from the worlds of cinema and literature, as well as creators from the broader spectrum of narrative art.

The necessary elements of the application include a brief CV, a writer’s statement, and a sample of unpublished literary prose.

The Fiction Writers 2026 program is led by Program Director Chigozie Obioma, and previous advisors and guest experts have included Rebecca Makkai, Anuradha Roy, Nadifa Muhamed, Isabelle Hammad, Katie Kitamura, Fiammetta Rocco, and Bill Clegg, among others. There is no application fee, and all expenses, including flights, accommodation, and meals, are covered by Oxbelly.

Applications are now open for Greek and international authors, with a deadline for submission on January 14, 2026, at 23:59 (EET-Greek time).