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Sara & the Iceland Writers Retreat

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**NOTE: The main promotional period for this campaign has ended. However, I'm still accepting donations so I can communicate with donors as I fulfill their perks, and to accommodate friends and family who weren't able to donate before the February 4th deadline.**

Hi! My name is Sara Letourneau, and I'm a speculative fiction writer from Massachusetts, USA. You might know me from my column on literary themes at DIY MFA, the Resident Writing Coach Program at Writers Helping Writers, or past projects like tea reviews at A Bibliophile's Reverie or CD reviews at Sonic Cathedral

Recently I discovered a writing retreat that would be an amazing experience as well as a dream come true. And I could use your help to get there.


The 2017 Iceland Writers Retreat will be held April 5th through 9th at Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura in Reykjavik, Iceland. Participants will attend workshops led by award-winning authors from various genres, as well as readings and related social functions. They'll also take guided tours through Reykjavik and the Icelandic countryside and meet fellow writers from all over the globe. The event, which has happened annually since 2014, has received high praise from past attendees and extensive coverage from journalists worldwide.

Want to know more? Click here to visit the Iceland Writers Retreat website.

Why I Want to Go: Yes, I'd travel abroad for the first time. And yes, it would be an amazing opportunity to learn more about the craft of writing. But the real reason why I want to go to the Iceland Writers Retreat? The northern latitudes of the world I invented for my story are inspired by Iceland's geography and wildlife. In fact, a waterfall that appears in the story is based on Hraunfossar, which will be a stop on one of the retreat's tours. So, in a way, this will be my first and best chance to "step into" my story's world and do some research for future stories.

Why I Need Your Help: As a single woman and homeowner with a modest salary in a high-cost-of-living area, I have to stick to a strict budget. This makes it challenging to afford expenses such as international travel and investments in my writing career that aren't local. I was also recently turned down for a scholarship for that would help fund the costs of the retreat.

The Goal & Its Breakdown: I'm hoping to raise $3,500 USD for my trip. This would cover:

- All workshops, related IWR events such as readings and social gatherings, conference program / materials, and select meals covered by the registration fee
- Airfare to and from Iceland
- Four nights’ accommodations at Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura
- A literary walking tour of Reykjavík
- My choice of one of two all-day guided tours in the Icelandic countryside
- Shipping costs for select campaign perks (see "What Do You Get In Return?" for details)

Deadline: February 4, 2017. **As noted above, I'm keeping this page open past its deadline to accommodate "after-hours" donations and for the convenience of communicating with my donors.**

What Do You Get in Return?: Everyone who donates will have their names posted on special Thank-You page on my website. Plus, depending on how much you donate, you can also get:

- Acknowledgements Page of My First Published Book: Your name will appear in the Acknowledgments page(s) of my first book when it's published.

- A 1-Month Subscription to One Stop For Writers: For ten (10) donors, a one-month trial subscription of One Stop For Writers, a writing resource site run by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi of Writers Helping Writers. Click here for more information on One Stop. (And many thanks to Angela and Becca for donating this perk!) 

- Photo Gallery Access: Access to an online photo gallery of my trip to Iceland (available after the trip in 2017).

- First Chapter Critique: For writers, a critique of your story's first 2500 words, or roughly its first chapter. I typically read adult or YA fantasy, but I also enjoy historical fiction, science fiction, dystopia, mystery, and literary fiction. This perk can be fulfilled anytime up to one (1) year after the campaign ends, in case your first chapter isn't ready by February 4th.
*NOTE: This perk is limited due to time constraints. Please include the title and genre of your story in the "Messages" section when completing the online form. Chapters will be critiqued after the campaign ends in the order in which donations are received, unless donors elect to wait for a later date on their critique.

- Custom Loose-Leaf Tea Blends: SOLD OUT for U.S. donors, but still open to International donors! 
For tea drinkers, a four-pack of custom loose-leaf tea blends (mostly black and green teas) inspired by my story, courtesy of Adagio Teas. Each sample comes in a 0.5-oz tin, and makes about 5 to 6 cups. Click here to read more about the tea blends.
*NOTE: This perk is limited due to shipping costs. Donors will be asked to provide a valid mailing address.


- Hand-Knitted Scarves: For three (3) U.S. donors only, your choice of the above scarves I've knitted by hand. Only one scarf is left! It is:
LEFT: Light blue / light green / purple, made from
"fuzzy" polyester yarn, 31 inches long x 5 inches wide
*NOTE: This perk is limited due to "first-come first-serve" availability. Donors will be asked to provide a valid U.S. mailing address. Please specify which scarf you'd like in the "Messages" section when completing the online form. Scarves will be mailed after the campaign ends on February 4th.

Writing Coach Session via Skype: A 1-hour Skype session with me to discuss issues you may be having with your writing. This perk can be fulfilled anytime up to one (1) year after the campaign ends, and can focus on any of these subjects:
1) The Writing Process (time management, creative blocks, prioritizing and goal-setting)
2) Story Specific (plotting / story structure questions, character arcs)
3) Brainstorming (worldbuilding, character creation / development, plotting)
*NOTE: This perk is limited due to time constraints.

***Please note that all campaign perks will be fulfilled after the campaign ends on February 4, 2017 unless otherwise noted.***

Not interested in the writing, photo, or tea perks? You can select the Thank You level, then enter whatever amount you'd like. You may also donate privately / anonymously. Offline donations will be accepted as well, if you'd prefer not to use your credit card (or if you live locally to me).

Living outside the U.S.? You can sign up for the Loose-Leaf Tea perk as long as Adagio Teas ships to your country. Click here to visit Adagio's Shipping Information page, then scroll down to "International" and check the drop-down menu for country availibility.

I can't express how grateful I'll be for your donation, regardless of the amount. Like I said earlier, this trip will be both the chance of a lifetime and a dream come true, and I hope you'll help me make this happen. :)

If you have any questions, please contact me at the following sites:
My Blog
Twitter 
Facebook (Public / Writer's Page)

Organizer

Sara Letourneau
Organizer
Foxborough, MA

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