frequently asked questions
Here we try our best to answer the most frequent questions we get regarding the festival and Iceland in general:
How can I get on a panel at Iceland Noir?
First you have to register at the registration link here at the site. Then send an email to oskar.g@simnet.is and tell our wonderful manager Mr. Óskar Guðmundsson that you are registered and wish to get on a panel. We try our absolute best to get all registered authors on a panel. To be eligible for a panel you have to have published two crime novels with a reputable publisher and be able to speak about your work in English. If you fulfill these requirements but are late registering and we cannot get you on a panel we will give you the chance to back out and refund your registration fee.
Do you have press-passes?
We do indeed have free passes for the press, bloggers and other fabulous people who want to share and tell the world about our festival. If you want to apply for a press pass please send an email to our lovely Mr. Óskar Guðmundsson – oskar.g@simnet.is - with the subject "Press-pass"
Why is it so damn expensive?
Is it? We are cheaper than Crime-fest in Bristol ... but hey, we understand. Iceland is one of the most expensive locations on the planet so the festival registration adds up to the flight, the hotel bill and the ridiculous price of the alcohol. Oh, yes and then you need to eat.
Iceland is in the peak of a tourist boom so prices in the country have risen considerably since we last held the festival. We now need to pay more for everything we need for Iceland Noir to be as great as it is and then we have also taken the festival to a professional level with a hired manager. To add insult to injury the currency of our Króna has risen considerably. We are sorry.
Shall I bring books as a participating author?
No. Iceland Noir is not really a book selling festival, although we usually partner up with a local bookstore that has books for our featured guests available and English versions of Icelandic books. . People who come from abroad will rather fill their bags with lovely woollen jumpers and stuffed puffin-teddies that over-expensive books. But that doesn´t mean that the festival doesn´t increase sales for authors, it just means that people will buy the books when they come home to Britain or France or Denmark. The Icelanders will buy and read anything that is translated into Icelandic and then order books in other languages online.
Where shall I stay?
Center Hotels is our official partner this year but it is almost fully booked but the link is: https://www.centerhotels.com/hotels/
Of course there are more hotels and guesthouses and AirB&Bs in different price ranges available in central Reykjavík and then you could do it Iceland style and couch-surf.
How do I travel to Iceland?
You come flying with our partner WOW-air!
https://wowair.is/
Of course many other airlines fly to Iceland and finding nice offers should not be a problem if you book in good time.
How cold is in Iceland in November?
Cold. Although the cold is usually not the main problem, but rather the wind, or the sleet or the rain or the snowstorm. Or even all of those together. Icelandic weather is very unpredictable but on average the temperatures in November in Reykjavík dance around the zero on Celcius.
Will I see the northern lights?
Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on how cloudy it will be during your stay and also on the activity levels of the lights. But November is usually the best month to see them.
Are there really elves in Iceland?
Yes, of course.
Can I get normal food in Iceland?
No. You will have to get by on fermented shark and pickled ram-testicles. That´s a joke. You´ll be fine. Reykjavík has a selection of very nice restaurants and bars and take-outs in a varied price range. Please remember to try our local hot-dogs "Ein með öllu" and a Skyr with cream poured over.
Will there be a tour to see some of the country?
Yes! On the Sunday, the All Iceland travel agency will offer a special Iceland Noir day-tour out of Reykjavík. Please contact them to register and get further info.
https://all-iceland.co.uk/
jorunn@all-iceland.co.uk
What else do I need to know:
First of all: buy the full allowance of alcohol in the duty free. Alcohol is only sold in special off-licence stores in Iceland (Vínbúðin) and is expensive. Alcoholic beverages are also very costly in the bars and restaurants. That´s why Icelanders tend to start their nights at home and don´t go out until they are already drunk, usually around midnight.
Dress in layers you can easily remove and put on as we do make very good use of the thermal energy to heat our houses so many places are close to tropical while outdoors is cold.
Our many clean, cheap and very nice swimming pools are a key to your wellbeing in Iceland. After having survived the naked public showering and walking in your swimsuit through the freezing cold out and into the hot-pot, that warm thermal water is a bliss. Just sit there until you are properly pruned and you will have another outlook on life.
Then ask the Iceland Noir team and the many Iceland Noir veterans about recommendations about eating and sightseeing or whatever else comes to mind.
How can I get on a panel at Iceland Noir?
First you have to register at the registration link here at the site. Then send an email to oskar.g@simnet.is and tell our wonderful manager Mr. Óskar Guðmundsson that you are registered and wish to get on a panel. We try our absolute best to get all registered authors on a panel. To be eligible for a panel you have to have published two crime novels with a reputable publisher and be able to speak about your work in English. If you fulfill these requirements but are late registering and we cannot get you on a panel we will give you the chance to back out and refund your registration fee.
Do you have press-passes?
We do indeed have free passes for the press, bloggers and other fabulous people who want to share and tell the world about our festival. If you want to apply for a press pass please send an email to our lovely Mr. Óskar Guðmundsson – oskar.g@simnet.is - with the subject "Press-pass"
Why is it so damn expensive?
Is it? We are cheaper than Crime-fest in Bristol ... but hey, we understand. Iceland is one of the most expensive locations on the planet so the festival registration adds up to the flight, the hotel bill and the ridiculous price of the alcohol. Oh, yes and then you need to eat.
Iceland is in the peak of a tourist boom so prices in the country have risen considerably since we last held the festival. We now need to pay more for everything we need for Iceland Noir to be as great as it is and then we have also taken the festival to a professional level with a hired manager. To add insult to injury the currency of our Króna has risen considerably. We are sorry.
Shall I bring books as a participating author?
No. Iceland Noir is not really a book selling festival, although we usually partner up with a local bookstore that has books for our featured guests available and English versions of Icelandic books. . People who come from abroad will rather fill their bags with lovely woollen jumpers and stuffed puffin-teddies that over-expensive books. But that doesn´t mean that the festival doesn´t increase sales for authors, it just means that people will buy the books when they come home to Britain or France or Denmark. The Icelanders will buy and read anything that is translated into Icelandic and then order books in other languages online.
Where shall I stay?
Center Hotels is our official partner this year but it is almost fully booked but the link is: https://www.centerhotels.com/hotels/
Of course there are more hotels and guesthouses and AirB&Bs in different price ranges available in central Reykjavík and then you could do it Iceland style and couch-surf.
How do I travel to Iceland?
You come flying with our partner WOW-air!
https://wowair.is/
Of course many other airlines fly to Iceland and finding nice offers should not be a problem if you book in good time.
How cold is in Iceland in November?
Cold. Although the cold is usually not the main problem, but rather the wind, or the sleet or the rain or the snowstorm. Or even all of those together. Icelandic weather is very unpredictable but on average the temperatures in November in Reykjavík dance around the zero on Celcius.
Will I see the northern lights?
Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on how cloudy it will be during your stay and also on the activity levels of the lights. But November is usually the best month to see them.
Are there really elves in Iceland?
Yes, of course.
Can I get normal food in Iceland?
No. You will have to get by on fermented shark and pickled ram-testicles. That´s a joke. You´ll be fine. Reykjavík has a selection of very nice restaurants and bars and take-outs in a varied price range. Please remember to try our local hot-dogs "Ein með öllu" and a Skyr with cream poured over.
Will there be a tour to see some of the country?
Yes! On the Sunday, the All Iceland travel agency will offer a special Iceland Noir day-tour out of Reykjavík. Please contact them to register and get further info.
https://all-iceland.co.uk/
jorunn@all-iceland.co.uk
What else do I need to know:
First of all: buy the full allowance of alcohol in the duty free. Alcohol is only sold in special off-licence stores in Iceland (Vínbúðin) and is expensive. Alcoholic beverages are also very costly in the bars and restaurants. That´s why Icelanders tend to start their nights at home and don´t go out until they are already drunk, usually around midnight.
Dress in layers you can easily remove and put on as we do make very good use of the thermal energy to heat our houses so many places are close to tropical while outdoors is cold.
Our many clean, cheap and very nice swimming pools are a key to your wellbeing in Iceland. After having survived the naked public showering and walking in your swimsuit through the freezing cold out and into the hot-pot, that warm thermal water is a bliss. Just sit there until you are properly pruned and you will have another outlook on life.
Then ask the Iceland Noir team and the many Iceland Noir veterans about recommendations about eating and sightseeing or whatever else comes to mind.