This summer is for you: the writer. The writer you currently are, and the one you aspire to be. Whether you’ve written a full novel draft or you’re just about to embark on your creative journey, whether your ideas are buzzing around your brain, or your work-in-progress has been locked inside a drawer, maybe, just maybe, it’s time to sharpen your pencil and bring your work into the light.
After almost 200 writers joined us last summer, our popular online creative 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. Join Diana Evans, Ross Raisin, Natasha Pulley, Tim Lott, Maame Blue and more – including extra-special guest Louise Doughty – for three weeks of committed creative time.
Our invigorating programme has been carefully crafted to enhance your writing, and balances masterclasses with community writing time, so you can stay on track with your projects and connect with others, while also getting words on the page, editing with confidence, and reading critically. If it’s a writing community you’re seeking, our regular writing room sessions and our online writing community will give you the opportunity to work on your projects in the company of others.
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. 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.
This course is for …
Writers of all levels, at any stage in their creative journey
Writers of all genres and forms (please note that this programme will focus on fiction-writing, but that the skills are transferable to all forms of writing)
Retreat highlights
Week one
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
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.
Week two
Monday 31 July
Writing workout workshop with Natasha Pulley, 8am-8.45am BST
Tuesday 1 August
Writing room, 10am-4pm BST
Wednesday 2 August
Ross Raisin’s writing surgery, 1pm-2pm BST
Tim Lott’s writers’ workshop, 6.30pm-8pm BST
Thursday 3 August
Writing room: Evening session, 7-9pm BST
Friday 4 August
Masterclass: Plot and narrative structure with Louise Doughty 3pm-4.30pm BST
Structuring your novel can sometimes seem like wrestling with an octopus. How do you put form on a story lasting hundreds of pages? What if your beginning is too slow or your middle too sludgy?
Saturday 5 August
Writing room, 10am-4pm BST
Sunday 6 August
Writing hour with Maame Blue, 11am-12pm BST
Writers’ salon, 6pm-6.45pm BST
Week three
Monday 7 August
Writing workout workshop with Natasha Pulley, 8am-8.45am BST
Tuesday 8 August
Writing room, 10am-4pm BST
Wednesday 9 August
Writing surgery, 1pm-2pm BST (Author shortly to be announced)
Tim Lott’s writers’ workshop, 6.30pm-8pm BST
Thursday 10 August
Writing room: Evening session, 7-9pm BST
Friday 11 August
Masterclass: Dialogue with Louise Doughty, 3-5pm BST
How do you write convincing dialogue in the pages of a book - why is it that what works spoken aloud doesn’t necessarily work on the page and what is the role of dialogue in advancing your story? This final masterclass with Louise includes an extended Q&A.
Saturday 12 August
Writing room, 10am-4pm BST
Sunday 13 August
Writing hour with Maame Blue, 11am-12pm BST
Writers’ Salon: Wrap party, 6pm-7pm BST
Please note that while we will endeavour to feature all elements of our masterclasses as advertised, due to the volume of classes in this event, we may be required to replace a speaker if necessary.
Catch up recordings of masterclasses and workshops available until 31 August 2023
Details
Dates:
Week one: Monday 24 July – Sunday 30 July 2023
Week two: Monday 31 July – Sunday 6 August 2023
Week three: Monday 7 August – Sunday 13 August 2023
Price: £199 (plus £7.80 booking fee) per week of the retreat; or book all three weeks for £398 (plus £7.80 booking fee)
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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Returns policy
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.
