Applications have opened for the 2026 Oxbelly Fiction Writers program, which will take place from July 1 to 9, 2026, at Costa Navarino in Messinia, Greece.
Directed by novelist Chigozie Obioma, the program will bring together emerging writers for a week of workshops, craft sessions, and dedicated writing time. Applications opened on December 2, 2025, and will close on January 14, 2026.
Submission Guidelines
- Open to Greek and international applicants aged 18 and above.
- Submissions must be unpublished prose fiction: short stories or novel excerpts.
- Work scheduled for publication is not accepted.
- Poetry, nonfiction, screenplays, theatrical works, and writing intended solely for children or young adults are not eligible.
- The working language is English; applicants must have strong proficiency.
- Applicants may apply to both the Fiction and Screenwriters programs but can attend only one if accepted to both.
- Participation is free, and all expenses for selected fellows are covered.
- Finalist interviews will be held in late spring 2026.
The eight-day program is structured to balance guided craft development with focused writing time. The first four days consist of workshops and individual sessions with faculty, while the remaining days function as a mini-residency intended for concentrated writing. Evening events include readings, screenings, panel discussions, and collaborative sessions with participants in the parallel Screenwriters program.
Following the retreat, fellows receive continued career support, including an annual opportunity to submit unpublished work directly to editors at Granta. A public webinar for prospective applicants will be held on December 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. EET.
For more information, kindly click here or send an email to contact@oxbelly.com.
Click here to apply today!
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