Dream of getting away to jot down, but need some guidance on the following steps on your novel?
Want to satisfy and work with other writers, but in a more intimate setting than a writing conference?
A writing retreat is perhaps just the ticket.
And while a few of these retreats might still be on hold as a result of the pandemic, many are getting back into hosting.
Discover writing retreats in:
Why it is advisable to attend a author’s retreat
Whereas writing residencies are mostly about working in solitude, conferences deal with networking and lectures, writing retreats fall somewhere in between.
Most are in beautiful locations (where, presumably, your creative juices will flow more easily), and offer a mixture of workshops, tours and interaction with a small group of writers.
They’re an excellent approach to mix a vacation with inspiration, networking — and, after all, plenty of writing.
They could be pricey, but some offer scholarships (so at all times ask!), or consider creating your individual writing retreat with friends.
And remember: A author’s retreat is an investment in your profession, in addition to a possibility to get away. In the event that they’re out of your price range, then perhaps a writing residency can be a greater fit. Or, take a look at this list of grants for writers.
In search of a women-only retreat? A few of the retreats on this list fit the bill, and you may also jump over to our post on women’s writing retreats.
Incredible writers’ retreats to attend in 2024
The writing retreats below happen in the rest of 2024 and plenty of have plans to proceed in 2025 — and are organized by location, so as from least to most costly.
(Hint: If there’s a specific country or month that works best for you, command-F to go looking the page for it.)
Unless otherwise noted, the costs include workshops, shared accommodation, activities, and most meals. None include airfare to and from the destination.
Though we now have done our greatest to remove those retreats which are either accomplished, or dissolved, as a result of the pandemic, lots of these retreats have moved online completely or offer each online and in-person options.
Please take into account that The Write Life team has not attended these retreats. While we’ve gathered as much information as possible to share with you, consider this a start line, and do your individual research before committing. To make sure you’ll have an enjoyable experience, we recommend reading testimonials and reviews, or asking the host to attach you with past participants.
USA & Canada
1. Wake Up and Write Writers Retreat Workshop
For 3 a long time, this retreat — in a single form or one other — has been providing an immersive learning experience for people writing novels.
After taking a hiatus as a result of the pandemic, the Wake Up and Write Author’s Retreat is getting began again on a smaller scale. This yr it’ll be held in Cedar Park, Texas a community of Greater Austin. Don’t let the summer heat get you down, there’s loads of A/C within the Jason Stitzes’ back studio and shady places to jot down in the nice outdoors.
Cost: $250 with $50 deposit. Dates August 22nd – 25th
A lot of the retreats and courses available at the moment are online, though some are in person and native to the USA currently – the Pines, Florida, and Recent England. To maintain up thus far with upcoming programs and places, it’s best to join their newsletter.
Murphy Writing at Stockton University offers a wide range of workshops and retreats each online and in-person. Find out about their recent offerings by signing up for his or her newsletter or follow them on social media.
Cost: $350 – $450 on average for his or her online writing events.
That is now an internet only retreat and costs have been updated accordingly.
Willow Writers’ Retreat is facilitated by Susan Isaak Lolis, a broadcast and award-winning author. Attendees have access to workshops, including one with creative writing instructor Margaret Harrington, plus a reading on the last evening to have fun your work.
Cost: TBD; 2022 rate was $350.
This event was already held from July 10-14, 2022. Keep an eye fixed out for more detailed details about next yr’s location, costs and more.
Disclosure: Willow Writers’ Retreat is a partner of The Write Life. We hold our advertisers to high standards and vetted this retreat identical to the others on this list.
4. Good Contrivance Farm Writer’s Retreat
Positioned 25 miles north of Baltimore on a six-acre property in historic Reisterstown, Maryland, this author’s retreat is open to writers of all levels, plus it operates on a first-come, first-served, non-competitive basis. (Although, you continue to must submit a resume and one writing sample for admission.)
Good Contrivance Farm is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and restoration of small, historic farms in Maryland, and it offers the retreat as a part of public outreach efforts.
Directed by Pushcart Prize author (plus a ton of others) Ron Tanner and his wife Jill Eicher, the retreat offers workshops and readings in addition to loads of alone time for you within the farm’s contemporary loft apartment.
There aren’t any Facebook reviews, but Harlan Roberts wrote a Google Review, saying, “My wife and I just spent per week here and we each got a LOT of labor done! She managed to edit half of her current novel and I finished editing a book of my short stories. Ron Tanner has put together the right writing retreat. It’s quiet, comforting and really accessible.”
Cost: $570 for one person for a weeklong stay (meals and beverages not provided); $670 for 2. Discounts can be found for longer stays as much as 4 weeks.
5. Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Retreat
This retreat is now available online only, nevertheless, their 2022 Colorado Gold Conference is being held in person September 9 – 11, 2022 on the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver.
This conference offers Round Table Critiques, Pitch-Prep Coaching, and One-on-One Mentor appointments. There may also be a Publishing Professionals Panel Luncheon and Reading Brunch.
Cost: Registration for the conference ranges from $439 member fee to $489 non-member fee until August 18th; $499 member to $549 non-member until August 31st; and $549 member to $599 non-member until September 5th.
Until August 31st there are two self-paced courses with Pam Novak and price is $40 for members and $45 for non-members.
6. Find Your Story: A Therapeutic Life Writing Retreat for Older Women
Are you within the second half of your life? Are you a newbie author who desires to tell your story? Then this women-only retreat in Dallas, Texas was designed for you.
Over the weekend, psychotherapist and writing coach Jennifer Westrom will assist you to start (or unstuck) with regards to your memoir.
After attending Westrom’s writing class in 2018, Cherri Julia Maker Ridingin wrote on Facebook: “Jennifer is a powerful leader in a soft way, highly intuitive, and an impressive teacher. Class three is next week, and already I feel that I actually have released some blocks that were stopping me from moving forward in my writing. Her lessons have touched me deeply.”
This event happened within the Spring of 2022. Keep an eye fixed out for next yr’s event details.
Cost: TBD; 2022 rate was $799 per person.
7. The White Mountain Book Writing Retreat
Editor’s note: Attributable to the coronavirus pandemic, this retreat now offers an internet option.
This retreat within the mountains of Recent Hampshire focuses on two things: self-nurturing and nonfiction book writing. In the event you keep pushing aside your book due to, well, life then host Dorothy Holtermann might say this retreat is for you.
From September 25 – 29, you’ll learn her “Birth a Book system” through group classes and personal coaching, all while feeding your body with farm-to-table organic food and each day yoga classes. In the event you’re Zooming, you’ll be able to still join the fun: receive “healthy food goodies” by mail, enjoy live meditation classes and book writing and performance classes which are sure to be interactive.
Cost: $995 per person to attend from home, $2,455 per person for a non-public room, or $1,495 per person for tuition only.
In November, author and poet Julie Maloney will bring her women’s retreat home to Lenox, MA on the Brook Farm Inn only one mile from The Mount, Edith Wharton’s house.
After a tour of Edith Wharton’s estate, attendees may have a writing workshop within the gilded drawing room and use it as inspiration to take into consideration writing in a brand new place.
“Listening to women, watching women listen and hearing the stories of ladies who’ve clearly lived, that is bliss. That is Women Reading Aloud. I actually have been to several WRA events and I do know why I’m hooked. It’s the listening. We simply don’t make enough time to listen and to permit ourselves, our bodies to reply and travel.”
–Joanne Edelmann, Recent York City, Recent York
Cost: Inclusive: $1295 – includes deposit (non-refundable) – $300
9. Autumn Writing Retreat in the Berkshires
Let autumn in Recent England be your muse on this five-day retreat with Page Lambert, an instructor of creative writing on the University of Denver’s graduate school.
From October 9-13, you’ll stay at a historic inn, participating in group writing sessions and individual manuscript consultations — and drenching your creativity in the attractive fall colours. Alternatively, take a look at Lambert’s 13-day women’s retreat in Peru in 2022 ($4,350).
Lambert has a lengthy page of testimonials on her website. In a single, Paula Hagar said Lambert was “probably the most awesome writing teacher I’ve ever studied with.” In one other, Marsha Rosenzweig Pincus called the Peru trip “some of the inspirational, spiritual and transcendent experiences of my life.”
Cost: $1,695 per person.
10. Writers Who Run, Retreat & Race
Held within the mountains of northeastern Virginia, this exciting retreat got here back in 2022, and registration is open for July 10 – 16, 2023.
After a two-mile run each morning, you’ll have a full schedule of workshops, critique groups, writing time and social events. The culminating event is a scenic 5K and 10K race on Saturday morning!
For testimonials, take a look at these YouTube videos from past participants.
Cost: Basic Author ($2,125), Advanced Author ($2,525), Super Awesome Creator ($3,125) Basic and Advanced Author includes shared rooms. Super Awesome Creator is a non-public room (limited supply). Every level offers a 5-month payment plan.
11. TLC Women’s Writing Retreats
Want something a bit different?
Schedule your individual private retreat with Tammy L. Coia, a memoir-writing coach who lives in Bellingham, Washington. You’ll stay at her house, in a non-public bedroom with water views. Every day, you’ll have one-on-one coaching alongside home-cooked meals. She offers this at her home in Palm Springs, plus Dahlonega, Georgia as well.
Or, if you happen to’d relatively work in a gaggle setting, Coia holds retreats in Greece in May ($3,900–$4,400) and Vermont in October ($2, 700–$3, 400).
“Tammy gently leads you thru what are sometimes difficult memories to placed on paper, but it will possibly prove to be a really healing experience,” Joni Padduck wrote on Facebook. “I highly recommend Tammy! I guarantee it’ll be an exquisite experience.”
This yr’s Vermont retreat might be held from October 7 – 12, 2022 at the center of Vermont’s Fall Foliage season!
“The last Corfu, Greece retreat held in 2019 was a smashing success!” reads a note on the web site. Though cancelled from 2020 to 2022, it’s now back for 2023 and is being held May 14 – 21, 2023 and May 21 – 28, 2023.
Cost: $2,700 (2-person shared room) – $3,400 (private room) for three- to five-day retreats.
12. Retreat & Create
2022 is full. Follow on Instagram or join for newsletter for 2023 dates and charges.
A brand new offering from The Write Life founder Alexis Grant, this retreat is held in the attractive, historic mountain town of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, about an hour from Washington, D.C.
This retreat is intimate, with about 10 attendees. It’s not only for writers; it’s open to anyone who’s career-focused and wish space and quiet to deal with their work. Several of the events are women-only.
Along with loads of work time, the retreat includes an easy-to-moderate hike each morning and a gaggle dinner each night at an area restaurant. Grant emphasizes on the web site that every one activities are optional, so you’ll be able to decide to be energized by group conversations or dive deep into solo work time.
Cost: TBD, but the associated fee includes 4 nights’ accommodation, three meals a day, hikes and a massage.
Mexico & Latin America
13. Creative Revolution Retreat
Leigh Shulman invites you to decide on your individual retreat dates — and join her anytime in Salta, Argentina. This retreat is supposed for people at any stage of writing a book, or for individuals who want to start out writing but need some guidance.
Over eight days, you’ll enjoy intensive writing workshops tailored to your project, yoga, cultural activities, a massage and a non-public apartment in a bustling city center. Space is proscribed and the host prefers an intimate retreat, so grab a few friends and book a date.
“The retreat met and exceeded my expectations,” Kathleen Evans said in a testimonial on Shulman’s site. “Every day I could feel the progress during this retreat, and I feel that I’ve really grown. My writing has matured, and I actually have a solid plan and an idea of where I would like to go along with my writing project.” (She tweeted about it, too.)
Cost: $2,500 per person. Scholarships can be found.
Europe
14. The Moth Retreat For Artists And Writers
“The Moth Retreat was exactly what I used to be in search of,” writes Susan Allot on the retreat’s website. “A converted barn all to myself, fresh veg(etables) from the garden and a each day delivery of eggs. Beautiful countryside on the doorstep. I managed a couple of month’s price of writing condensed into one inspired week.”
For writers of any discipline trying to experience this along a good looking country lane in Ireland, this retreat could also be for you. You’ll be surrounded by the country’s famed lakes and joined by three dogs and a flock of hens.
Whilst you’re free to spend your time as your please, there’s Wi-Fi, a writing desk and an easel to make use of to work, plus a motorbike to explore the realm.
The Moth Magazine publishers Rebecca O’Connor and Will Govan might be available if you happen to need any assistance. You won’t find guided writing workshops here, but you’ll definitely find the solitude and silence needed to complete that novel.
Apply to seek out out when you’ll be able to book this retreat in 2022!
Cost: €400 per week ($476 USD), plus a €100 ($119 USD) fee to bring a partner or friend; a minimum stay of 1 week is required; self-catered.
Writers, authors, poets, academics, screen and songwriters searching for a “creative haven to seek out their inner voice, develop their craft and start or complete their story” will find solace on this retreat’s nurturing environment.
Positioned in central France’s Loire Valley and shut to the historic town of Saumur, this retreat for writers offers a tranquil space so that you can deal with your writing.
Whether you stay for one week or 4 in 2022, hosts Iris and Derrick Mathews ensure your only responsibility might be to unleash your creativity — and you already know they mean it because they even handle the cooking and cleansing for you. Whenever you need a writing break, enjoy one complimentary holistic therapy session plus access to bicycles to explore the French countryside.
“Thanks for an exquisite Writing Retreat,” said creator Tony Macaulay in a testimonial on the positioning. “You could have created the right place for writers to get away from all of it, to calm down, focus and easily write.”
Cost: £784 (~$1,047 USD) per person per week.
16. Retreats for You
Debbie Flint, the owner of a picturesque Seventeenth-century thatched house in southwest England, runs a wide range of retreats all year long. (Importantly, all of them include home-cooked meals and resident labradors you’ll be able to walk through the countryside.)
Developing and Pitching a Commercial Novel is scheduled to start September 19th, Rare Weekend Just Write Retreat is scheduled to start September 23rd, Alison May’s Developing Your Novel – Tutored Retreat is October 17th, and General Just Write Retreat begins November 21st.
The middle, which welcomes groups, has a five-star rating on Facebook with greater than 80 reviews. “The home is gorgeous and cozy; the food is delicious, and there may be at all times home-made cake,” Anita Chapman wrote. “Alison is a incredible tutor who knows an excellent deal, delivering it beautifully; and she or he has an actual interest in her students’ projects.”
Cost: £652 (~$792) per person £125 (~$152) deposit requested when booking for Developing and Pitching a Business Novel. Try the opposite links for current pricing and book your house today as spaces are filling up quickly!
17. Write Away Europe — Provence
In search of a spot where your “soul and artistic spirit will soar”? Head to Provence, France with Lisa Howe, Scott Stavrou, and George Crane to be inspired by beautiful lilac fields and the culture and history of Provence September 11 – 17th.
Your hosts might be Lisa Howe, an expert editor; Scott Stavrou, a novelist and writing instructor; and George Crane, a broadcast creator and writing instructor. You’ll take part in writing workshops, one-on-one mentoring sessions and nightly social hours, all while staying in the center of a historic city.
Cost: $2, 950 per person (doesn’t include lunch).
Craving for time and space for yourself and your writing? This retreat in idyllic surroundings is open to max. 10 participants at any level of experience, and offers expert guidance in a supportive environment. Gain focus, find inspiration and hone your craft through each day workshops, independent writing time and feedback sessions. Published novelist Valeria Vescina will assist you to conquer those blank pages and breathe recent life into your work in progress. Her solid credentials include years of teaching creative writing to all age groups and levels: from secondary-school pupils and students on Creative Writing BA and MA degrees to Adult Education classes.
Valeria might be offering a retreat from 9 to fifteen October 2022 in delightful Flüeli-Ranft, Switzerland. Participants might be staying (full board) within the charming 17th-century Gasthaus of an iconic historic hotel, the Jugendstil-Hotel Paxmontana.
Cost: 1500 Swiss Francs (~$1540 USD / €1460 / GBP 1235) per person, inclusive of workshops, your individual room, wealthy breakfast buffet, sandwich lunch and 3-course dinner. Click here for details of this and future retreats.
19. The Creative Writer’s Workshop: Fiction & Autobiographical Fiction
Inis Mór, Aran Islands, Galway, Ireland
Learn to inform your story while escaping to the mythical Irish island of Inis Mór from September 4-10. Hosted by Creator & Fiction Coach Irene Graham
Encourage your writing spirit, invigorate your senses, and create the story that’s in your heart. A writing adventure to deepen your connection to story within the stunning landscape of Ireland’s western shores.
Along with writing workshops with host Irene Graham, you’ll enjoy guided walks and tours of the distant island. Graham also hosts two memoir-specific retreats in June and September.
Cost: €1,725 euro (~$1,755 USD) (doesn’t include all meals).
The Ireland Writing Retreat isn’t at all times in Ireland. The Donegal, Ireland retreat in September 2022 is fully booked, but you’ll be able to still head to Paris for a writing retreat!
The Paris Writing Retreat is scheduled for October 17 – 23, 2022.
Adopting ‘Six Senses’ because the theme for this week, including the spectacular sights of town, uplifting smells from each town’s famous cuisine and its world renown perfumes and sound as within the soft musicality of the French language, we now have decided to rebrand Paris as ‘Sensorial City.’
Except for each day writing workshops and critiques of retreat assignments in Paris, participants may also be given the chance to avail of focused one-on-one critique and discussion session on one in every of their works-in-progress.
Follow – literally – within the footsteps of such legends as James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sylvia Beach, Gertrude Stein, George Orwell, Oscar Wilde, even Dan Brown across the boulevards of Paris while learning the art of creative writing through practical workshops and creator meetings.
Enjoy hands-on tutoring from published authors and energetic literary discussions in the exact same places that the Twenties ‘Lost Generation’ frequented for the exact same reasons, a few of whom ultimately emerged as Nobel Prize winners.
Attributable to ever-increasing popularity, acceptance on our retreats will not be just on a first-come, first-served basis. Just as necessary is your response to a special application questionnaire we’ll send you. That’s why payments are ONLY accepted from participants AFTER selection has been confirmed.
Cost: 1777 EUR (~$1800 USD) – Accommodation will not be included.
Attributable to covid, all Melete Retreats are currently virtual. While there are a selection yet to announce their dates, you’ll be able to now take the Fiction Retreat with Bryan Delaney, the Virtual “Art of the Pitch” with Catherine Eaton, or each on this 7-day online writing retreat.
In the event you’re a fiction author, TV or screenwriter, it’s worthwhile to be at this week-long, immersive retreat in Piedmont, Italy between the months of May and July.
To get in, you’ll must submit a canopy letter or resume and writing sample. Although reviews or testimonials weren’t available, know that finetuning your craft in Piedmont puts you in great company: authors like Charles Dickens, Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway and Natalia Ginzburg have all frolicked writing in and about this region.
Cost: 7-Day Online Retreat $1,995. Cost for each the Bryan Delaney and Catherine Eaton retreats in the identical week is $3495.
22. Pink Pangea’s Writer’s Retreat in Rhodes, Greece
Dates: October 6 – 11, 2022
Pink Pangea is the community of ladies who like to travel. We’re smart women who like to explore and grow through our adventures.
We consider that each woman has a story to inform. That features you. Meet us at one in every of our retreats and experience the rejuvenation that comes from spending per week doing something good for the soul in a shocking destination.
Rhodes, Greece is a soothing and exquisite destination crammed with olive groves, gorgeous beaches and incredible views. Here, we’ll spend six days getting up close and private with our writing and exploring the attractive Island. Through transformative writing workshops, we’ll strengthen our creativity, express what we really need to say, and connect with a community of international women writers.
Wish to explore Rhodes, Greece while sharing stories and making recent friends? This women-only, Pink Pangea retreat is perhaps for you.
Cost: Single room $2,735 and double room $2,270
Spend per week at a historic villa in Tuscany — complete along with your own private chef — at this women-only retreat from October 9 – 15, 2022 or May 21 – 27, 2023.
Within the mornings, creator Kathryn Kay will lead group writing sessions that deal with craft and the creative process. Afternoons might be for writing, one-on-one sessions and group outings to nearby towns and sites. Within the evenings, you’ll share your work and reflect on the day (over wine).
Kay has written and video testimonials on her site. A recent review from Marisa Brown said: “I said ‘yes’ to the dream of a writing retreat, and what higher guide than Kathryn Kay to make that dream change into a reality. As a workshop leader, Kathryn is gracious, grounded and focused. This was truly an all-encompassing experience of exploring myself and my writing.”
Cost: $3,000 (shared room) – $3,700 (single occupancy room)
Asia, Africa & Middle East
24. Writing Retreat in South Africa
You’ll stay at a guest lodge on Table Mountain, one in every of the 7 wonders of nature, at the bottom of the Victoria pass linking Hout Bay with Cape Town. Enjoy morning classes and afternoon free writes (and countryside walks).
Within the evening, writing coach and literary agent Sarah Bullen will lead sessions specializing in the whole lot from genre to character development to approaching publishers. All of it goes down March 23 – 27 and again, November 23 – 27.
“I recently attended the writers retreat and residency at Skala Eressor (sic),” Mary-Joe Emde wrote in a Facebook review. “This has been probably the most profound retreat I actually have ever done. Kate and Sarah are masters at making a space for creativity and writing skills. I loved every moment of it and would recommend this to each aspiring author.”
Cost: Single Room 12,000 South African rand (~$715 USD).
Deposit 4,000 South African rand (~$240 USD)
25. Indian Summer House Writers’ Retreat
Dates: mid to late October 2022
“Our numbers are small and the chance to combine your individual writing time with workshops, consultations and informal readings is flexible based on how participants would really like to be involved,” says Caroline Van De Pol.
At this luscious boutique hotel in southern India, you’ll be able to attend a writers retreat in October or arrange your individual dates upon request.
Along with morning yoga and meditation, “tantalising” meals and cultural activities, you’ll have each day writing workshops, evening reading sessions and abundant writing time.
In a recent TripAdvisor review, user shonee2018 gave their experience an “excellent” rating. “Time has this lovely pace in India,” they wrote. “It seems to pass much more gently at Indian Summer House during our each day author’s workshops with Caroline Van De Pol, readings and discussions to reflect and share our work with others or having fun with the outdoor showers, having a drink within the coconut lounge, jumping into the pool two, 3 times a day or relaxing on the spa.”
Cost: TBD; 2020 costs ranged from $2,190–$2,990 AUD (~$1,494–$2,040 USD) per person.
As we near the tip of obtainable retreats for 2022, here’s a retreat you’ll be able to start planning for now, and select from their spring or fall options in 2023. Dates available are March 21 to 31 and October 3 to 13. But don’t worry, if you happen to can’t wait, you’ll be able to still start by taking one in every of their online master classes.
Each retreat has a guest leader, plus two resident facilitators: a psychologist and an creator. They’ll guide you thru the whole lot from discussions to long walks, bonfires, yoga and pottery. Except for airfare, the whole lot is included in the value — airport transfers, food and even a visit to the Taj Mahal!
This retreat has greater than 100 five-star Google reviews. In a recent one, Ramanjaneya Sharaph wrote: “The workshop covers all points, from the science and craft of writing, to getting published. It is a workshop within the true sense of the word. There are enough hands on (sic) writing exercises, with feedback from the course leader and other participants, that helps higher understand the concepts.”
Cost: $3,300 per person.
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