Our popular online writing retreat has returned. With brand-new content, and more expert-led workshops, writing surgeries, and space to hone your craft than before, our retreat is better than ever. And, this year, we’re giving you the opportunity to book a single week of the retreat or save by booking all three weeks for the price of two.
In week one, you’ll delve into character with the best-selling author Diana Evans, have the opportunity to put your writing dilemmas to (qualifier) Ross Raisin, flex your writing muscles with workshops from the celebrated novelist Natasha Pulley and the Betty Trask award-winner, Maame Blue, join the writing guru Tim Lott for a feedback session and discover the key to attention-grabbing (standout) beginnings with the ten-times novelist, playwright and TV screenwriter, Louise Doughty. And you’ll have the opportunity to make time for your own writing with our special writing room sessions where you can find accountability and companionship with fellow writers.
Crucially, you can follow this retreat at a pace that suits you. Our masterclasses, writing workouts, surgeries and salons are all recorded, which means you can watch and rewatch until the end of August.
Date: Monday 24 July-Sunday 30 July 2023
Time: various, please refer to the schedule
Price: £199 (plus £7.80 booking fee), or £398 (plus £7.80 booking fee) for the full three-week retreat
Week one details
Monday 24 July
Writing workout workshop with Natasha Pulley, 8am-8.45am BST
Kickstart your writing week with a bite-sized workout with the bestselling novelist Natasha Pulley.Writers’ Salon: How to get the most from your retreat experience, 6pm-6.45pm BST
In this session you’ll get the chance to set some intentions for your time on the retreat and meet your fellow writers.
Tuesday 25 July
Writing room, 10am-4pm BST
Put simply: this is space for you to carve out writing time with support and accountability from like-minded individuals. Join us for the whole day or just an hour, there are no rules.Masterclass: Exploring character with Diana Evans, 6.30pm-8pm BST
Join the award-winning, bestselling author of A House for Alice and Ordinary People for a masterclass that will explore the fundamentals of character in fiction-writing and offer advice on how to bring your characters to full and vivid life.
Wednesday 26 July
Ross Raisin’s writing surgery, 1pm-2pm BST
What’s holding your writing back this week, month or even year? Get invaluable advice from the award-winning novelist Ross Raisin.Tim Lott’s writers’ workshop, 6.30pm-8pm BST
A chance to read each other’s writing for feedback and advice in a supportive setting with the celebrated author and creative writing mentor, Tim Lott
Thursday 27 July
Writing room: Evening session, 7-9pm BST
A space to write-together and stay accountable - no lessons, no gimmicks, just the time to write knowing you’re not alone.
Friday 28 July
Masterclass: Beginnings with Louise Doughty, 3pm-4.30pm BST
Nothing is more important than how you open your novel - agents, publishers and readers will make a snap judgement on a first page, first paragraph, even an opening line. What makes a good opening to a book and how can you involve some of the classic pitfalls?
Saturday 29 July
Writing room, 10am-4pm BST
Sunday 30 July
Writing hour with Maame Blue, 11am-12pm BST
The first of a series of interactive writing workshops with the Betty Trask award-winning author.Writers’ salon, 6pm-6.45pm BST
Highlights and an informal chat to wrap up the first week of our retreat.
Tutor profiles
Natasha Pulley is the author of award-winning novel and international bestseller, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street (2015) and The Bedlam Stacks (2017).
Diana Evans bio
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Ross Raisin is the author of four novels: A Hunger (2022), A Natural (2017), Waterline (2011) and God’s Own Country (2008). Ross’ work has won and been shortlisted for over ten literary awards. In 2018 he was awarded a Fellowship by the Royal Society of Literature.
Tim Lott is the author of ten novels and Penguin Modern Classic memoir The Scent of Dried Roses. He is one of the most sought-after writing teachers in the country, particularly through his personal mentoring services.
Louise Doughty bio
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Details
This masterclass is available globally. See this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.
6pm BST | 7pm CEST | 10am PDT | 1pm EDT
You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the course start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.
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Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
