Announcing the Isle of Iona Creative Retreat 2025
Hosted by The Rock Retreat and Accord Literary
25th October to 1st November 2025
Bishop’s House, Iona, Argyllshire, Scotland
From the creators of the medieval Book of Kells to the Scottish Colourists and beyond, the magical island of Iona has long been a place of pilgrimage and cradle of inspiration for artists.
Now, 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.
Click through on the following link to learn more about Iona, our retreat and how to apply.
Who we are and what we do
The Rock Retreat is a non profit residency for writers and Illustrators who want to create the next generation of books for children and young adults
The first Rock Retreat was held as we emerged from the pandemic in May 2022. We were determined to remedy the months of confinement with an in-person gathering. In 2023 the residency joined Accord Literary https://www.accordliterary.co.uk/ in Accra, Ghana. In May 2024 The Rock Retreat returned to Gibraltar where our compact and culturally rich community that hinges between the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Europe and Morocco once again offered a week of inspiration to the next generation of children’s book creators.
Led by renowned professionals from the children’s publishing industry our aim is to equip participants with courage, motivation, method and of course information and the necessary networks that too often feel out of reach. We want everyone who becomes part of the residency to believe in their unique voice, feel supported, valued and able to access the world of children’s publishing. The Rock Retreat, through the support of our sponsors here in Gibraltar and across the globe, is proud to offer fully funded places to attend this career building retreat.
Sponsors
THE ROCK RETREAT 