The Isle of Iona Creative Retreat 2025

Hosted by The Rock Retreat and Accord Literary
25 October to 1 November 2025

 

3 FULLY FUNDED PLACES ARE AVAILABLE.

If you wish to apply for funding assistance please send us an email: sarah@accordliterary.com

 

The Rock Retreat and Accord Literary invites aspiring writers and illustrators to make their own journey to this ancient Scottish isle for a six-day, seven-night residency focusing on the creation of books for today’s young readers.

This retreat offers a special opportunity to develop the craft of writing and illustrating, with expert guidance. It will be facilitated by experienced professionals in the world of children’s books: Publisher, Author and Illustrator Ken Wilson Max, Publisher Sarah Odedina, Literary Agent Victoria Wells Arms and Illustrator Eleanor Dobbs – who all share a passion for teaching, learning and encouraging talent.

How to apply:

Please send us a brief bio and a synopsis of your work along with the first 2000 words of long form writing, your full picture book text or three jpegs or pdfs of your illustrations.

Please use the heading IONA CREATIVE RETREAT on your emails and label your image files with your name.  Send your illustration work in jpeg or pdf format and send your writing embedded in the body of your email not as an attachment.

Submissions to be sent to sarah@accordliterary.com

 

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Enquiries about this opportunity should be directed to The Rock Retreat. Please always refer to their website for complete details and information.

Please note, this opportunity is run by The Rock Retreat, not the Commonwealth Foundation.