Since COVID has drastically changed the world we live in, many of these retreats may be canceled, postponed or moved online. Check with each individual retreat for details.
Dream of getting away to write, but need some guidance on the next steps for your novel?
Want to meet and work with other writers, but in a more intimate setting than a writing conference?
A writing retreat might be just the ticket.
And while some of these retreats might still be on hold due to the pandemic, many are getting back into hosting.
Why you might want to attend a writers retreat
Whereas writing residencies are mostly about working in solitude, and conferences focus on 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 combination of workshops, tours and interaction with a small group of writers.
They’re a great way to combine a vacation with inspiration, networking — and, of course, lots of writing.
They can be pricey, but some offer scholarships (so always ask!), or consider creating your own writing retreat with friends.
And remember: A writer’s retreat is an investment in your career, as well as an opportunity to get away. If they’re out of your price range, then perhaps a writing residency would be a better fit. Or, check out this list of grants for writers.
Looking for a women-only retreat? Some of the retreats on this list fit the bill, and you can also hop over to our post on women’s writing retreats.
Incredible writers’ retreats to attend in 2022
The writing retreats below take place in 2022 (unless they’re postponed or cancelled because of the pandemic) — and are organized by location, in order from least to most expensive.
(Hint: If there’s a particular country or month that works best for you, command-F to search the page for it.)
Unless otherwise noted, the prices include workshops, shared accommodation, activities and most meals. None include airfare to and from the destination.
If your chosen retreat has already happened, don’t despair; click through to check out next year’s dates, as many of them are annual affairs. And the same goes for if one has been postponed due to COVID.
Please keep in mind 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 starting point, and do your own research before committing. To ensure you’ll have an enjoyable experience, we recommend reading testimonials and reviews, or asking the host to connect you with past participants.
USA & Canada
1. Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Retreat
If you’re a fiction writer looking for a quick and affordable getaway, this retreat might be for you.
Set at the Franciscan Retreat Center of the Colorado Rockies it offers workshops, critiques and readings. The organizers promise you’ll “find inspiration in the natural beauty that will surround you.”
The retreat has a handful of Facebook reviews, with Diana Williams writing, “Everything – the people, the training – I am so impressed!” and Hillary Rose adding, “RMFW is a quality conference! Great teachers and keynotes every year. If you are going to invest in a writing conference, this is the one to choose!”
Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2021 costs ranged from $299–$399 per person. Or $65 per day if arranging your own lodging.
2. Willow Writers’ Retreat
This three-day retreat in Hermann, Missouri (wine country!) offers quiet time away to immerse yourself in the writing process, plus a supportive group to cheer you along.
Willow Writers’ Retreat is facilitated by Susan Isaak Lolis, a published and award-winning writer. Attendees have access to workshops, including one with creative writing instructor Margaret Harrington, plus a reading on the last evening to celebrate your work.
Cost: TBD; 2022 rate was $350.
This event was already held from July 10-14, 2022. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about next year’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 just like the others on this list.
3. Find Your Story: A Therapeutic Life Writing Retreat for Older Women
Are you in the second half of your life? Are you a newbie writer who wants 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 help you get started (or unstuck) when it comes to your memoir.
After attending Westrom’s writing class in 2018, Cherri Julia Maker Ridingin wrote on Facebook: “Jennifer is a strong leader in a soft way, highly intuitive, and an outstanding teacher. Class three is next week, and already I feel that I have released some blocks that were preventing me from moving forward in my writing. Her lessons have touched me deeply.”
This event happened in the Spring of 2022. Keep an eye out for next year’s event details.
Cost: TBD; 2022 rate was $799 per person.
4. Writing With Care
Picture a charming converted church by the ocean in Newfoundland, and something like Ochre House Retreat comes to mind. This retreat welcomes a small group of creative artists from all disciplines and welcomes participants to “unwrap their writing and their experience of writing.”
Under the guidance of “extraordinary” instructors, you’ll discuss writing techniques and tools, as well as “the place of writing in one’s life.”
“This is an amazing treasure, a gem, the best,” wrote Bernardine Stapleton in a 2017 Facebook review for Ochre House. “The Writing With Care retreat really WAS all about care, thought, being gentle, and guiding the participants.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 costs ranged from $1113-1525 CAD ($851–$1166USD) Meals and accommodations included.
5. Writing Round the Trees: A Transformational Writing Retreat
At this Colorado retreat located near the San Juan National Forest, you’ll “immerse yourself in the wilderness and your writing.”
Using her background in publishing, editing and astrology, host Cassandra Leoncini will lead you through workshops, one-on-one sessions and experiential ceremonies, all the while gaining inspiration from Lilith, the “ancient Tree of Life spirit who seeks embodiment and dramatization in our lives.”
There aren’t a lot of public reviews for this retreat — though one written by Madonna Kettler on Facebook said, “Great people, great food, and plenty of time to create and BE!”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more. If you don’t want to wait, contact Leoncini to get on the mailing list for 2022!
Cost: TBD; 2020 rate was $800 per person for a private room plus daily meals.
6. The Writer’s Cruise
Cruise your way to writing success and sail to beautiful destinations with Melinda Copp, a ghostwriter, developmental editor and writing coach.
Along with a small group of writers, you’ll attend workshops on creative writing, getting published and productivity. On your days in port, you’ll have the chance to explore gorgeous beaches before reuniting with the group for dinner. Best of all: When you’re on the boat, you’ll be free from distractions, ready to do what you came to do — write!
“One of the most exciting parts about working with Melinda was gaining momentum,” Amy Menna said in a testimonial on Copp’s site. “Melinda was a resource that helped me get my thoughts from my head to the paper… Without Melinda’s program, I would never have had the motivation to move forward.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 costs ranged from $827–$1,056 per person (when booked before December 13, 2019). After that, rates rise $200 per person.
Disclosure: The Writer’s Cruise is a partner of The Write Life. We hold our advertisers to high standards and vetted this retreat just like the others on this list.
7. Retreat & Create
A new offering from The Write Life founder Alexis Grant, this retreat is held in the beautiful, 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 just for writers; it’s open to anyone who’s career-focused and need space and quiet to focus on their work. Several of the events are women-only.
In addition to plenty of work time, the retreat includes an easy-to-moderate hike each morning and a group dinner each night at a local restaurant. Grant emphasizes on the website that all activities are optional, so you can choose to be energized by group conversations or dive deep into solo work time.
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD, but the cost includes four nights accommodation, three meals a day, hikes and a massage.
8. Writers Who Run, Retreat & Race
OK, so this retreat isn’t happening in 2021, but if you’re reading this late in the year, take note it will be running (get it?) again in April 2022 in the mountains of northeastern Georgia.
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, check out these YouTube videos from past participants.
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2019 costs ranged from $1,400–$2,400 per person.
9. Autumn Writing Retreat in the Berkshires
Let autumn in New England be your muse on this five-day retreat with Page Lambert, an instructor of creative writing at the University of Denver’s graduate school.
From October 17-21, you’ll stay at a historic inn, participating in group writing sessions and individual manuscript consultations — and drenching your creativity in the beautiful fall colors. Alternatively, check out Lambert’s 13-day women’s retreat in Peru in 2022 ($4,350).
Lambert has a lengthy page of testimonials on her website. In one, Paula Hagar said Lambert was “the most awesome writing teacher I’ve ever studied with.” In another, Marsha Rosenzweig Pincus called the Peru trip “one of the most inspirational, spiritual and transcendent experiences of my life.”
Cost: $1,695 per person.
10. TLC Women’s Writing Retreats
Want something a little different?
Schedule your own private retreat with Tammy L. Coia, a memoir-writing coach who lives in Bellingham, Washington. You’ll stay at her house, in a private bedroom with water views. Each 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’d rather work in a group setting, Coia holds retreats in Mexico in February ($1,950–$2,250), , Greece in May ($3,900–$4,400), and Italy ($2,800–$4,500) and Vermont in October ($1,500–$2,500).
“Tammy gently leads you through what are often difficult memories to put on paper, but it can prove to be a very healing experience,” Joni Padduck wrote on Facebook. “I highly recommend Tammy! I guarantee it will be a wonderful experience.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: $2,400–$3,400 for three- to five-day retreats.
11. Wake Up and Write Writers Retreat Workshop
For three decades, this retreat — in one form or another — has been providing an immersive learning experience for people writing novels.
It will be held on a 15-acre retreat center outside of Boise, Idaho, where you’ll participate in workshops, intensive writing and one-on-one meetings with industry professionals.
Though the retreat doesn’t have any testimonials or social media reviews, we’re including it because of its longevity. One anonymous testimonial on its site said, “My friend says any workshop/retreat/conference that offers one nugget of insight is worth its weight in gold. If so, the Writers Retreat Workshop made me a wealthy woman.” We’ll just have to take her word for it!
The retreat is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. Bookmark it to keep an eye out for developing information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2019 rate was $1,895 per person for a single room.
12. The White Mountain Book Writing Retreat
Editor’s note: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this retreat now offers an online option.
This retreat in the mountains of New Hampshire focuses on two things: self-nurturing and nonfiction book writing. If you keep putting off your book because of, well, life then host Dorothy Holtermann might say this retreat is for you.
From July 12-17, you’ll learn her “Birth a Book system” through group classes and private coaching, all while feeding your body with farm-to-table organic food and daily yoga classes. If you’re Zooming, you can still join the fun: receive “healthy food goodies” by mail, and enjoy live meditation classes and book writing and performance classes that are sure to be interactive.
On the retreat’s website, a testimonial from Tammy Wetzel said: “My experience was transformative. I came to just work on the mechanics of writing but it was so much more. The holistic experience, the making of friends and ‘letting loose’ helped me discover the ‘soft side’ of writing.”
Cost: $995 per person to attend from home, $2,455 per person for a private room, or $1,495 per person for tuition only.
13. Wide Open Writing: The Coast of Maine
Interested in spending a week writing from an Adirondack chair on the shores of the Atlantic? This retreat in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, will take place from June 20-26.
It includes writing workshops, a Thai massage, daily yoga — and membership in a “writing community that is devoted to co-creating magic.” Hosts Dulcie Witman and Nancy Coleman offer a March retreat in Mexico ($2,300) and a September retreat in Italy ($2,650), as well.
On Wide Open Writing’s website, Robin Gaines, author of “Invincible Summers,” wrote: “I came to the retreat expecting a similar experience I’ve had at other writing retreats, the classic workshop style of sharing work and critiquing, but this retreat allowed participants to open up their imaginations to new work, new ideas, all with the support of other writers urging you on. It was dream-like. It was special. I’ll be back.”
Cost: $2,500 per person (does not include all dinners).
14. Unplug and Write: An All-inclusive Writing Retreat in Minnesota
Not only is Jess Lourey a tenured writing professor; she’s also the author of 20 books and counting. When you join this women-only retreat from August 8-14, in St. Paul, Minnesota, you’ll get her tutelage via group workshops and a private coaching session.
Mornings at the beautifully-restored Summit Avenue mansion will feature meditation, yoga and writing, and afternoons will be yours to read or relax (or keep writing). This retreat is open to female writers of all stripes and stages, including bloggers, novelists, nonfiction authors and memoirists.
“I had the opportunity to take a workshop from Jess before I was published,” Lissa Marie Redmond, author of “A Cold Day in Hell,” said in a testimonial on Lourey’s site. “Her honesty, encouragement, and knowledge of the craft helped me make the leap from aspiring writer to published author. I still take the lessons I learned from Jess and apply them to my daily writing routine.”
Cost: $4,600.
15. The Taos Deep Dive & Revision Writer’s Retreat
Want to get away, but not too far away? Try this women-only retreat in Taos, New Mexico, hosted by author Jennifer Louden from October 24 – 30.
Your fee includes everything: “All lodging and all meals, daily writing seminars, daily yoga classes, on-the-spot writing coaching, plentiful snacks, and love love love.”
In a testimonial on Louden’s site, an anonymous writer said: “The retreat was honestly life-changing for me because it helped me understand what it is to be a writer.” Plus, Lauren Taylor shared, “The retreat transformed my relationship to my writing.”
Cost: $2,390–$2,790 per person.
16. Good Contrivance Farm Writer’s Retreat
Located 25 miles north of Baltimore on a six-acre property in historic Reisterstown, Maryland, this writer’s retreat is open to writers of all levels, plus it operates on a first-come, first-served, non-competitive basis. (Although, you still need to 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 part of public outreach efforts.
Directed by Pushcart Prize writer (plus a ton of others) Ron Tanner and his wife Jill Eicher, the retreat offers workshops and readings as well as plenty of alone time for you in 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 a week here and we both got a LOT of work 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 perfect writing retreat. It’s quiet, comforting and very accessible.”
Cost: $570 for one person for a weeklong stay (meals and beverages not provided); $670 for two. Discounts are available for longer stays up to four weeks.
17. Write-by-the-Light Writers Retreat & Workshop
Author of 11 books Julie Tallard Johnson, MSW, LCSW is an educator, counselor and writing sherpa in Wisconsin who uses her five-day retreats as a way to help writers establish a solid foundation for their ideas and writing aspirations.
The daily syllabus is brimming with writing prompts and opportunities to develop your book’s theme, voice and structure. She promises that if you come with just an idea, you’ll leave with a fully blossomed template for a book, plus knowledge of “simple and constructive ways to write about your experiences and knowledge in a uniquely creative way.”
After Johnson helps you shape your stories and narrative during this retreat, you’ll know exactly how to bring out your story’s true meaning and complete your book.
Take it from Moly Chanson, whose testimonial said: “Julie’s teaching style is encouraging and heartfelt, and over the course of the week my mindset shifted from writing as an indulgent hobby to an act of self-expression and service that can actually change the world. … I now have a completed manuscript that is ready to publish, and much of the writing I did at WBTL is in my book!”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs, accomodations and more.
Cost: TBD.
18. BOAAT Writer’s Retreat
BOAAT is a literary journal and poetry book publisher that hosts an annual weeklong writer’s retreat in a spacious log cabin in the mountainous Vilas, North Carolina.
Seven poets get to enjoy one-on-one time with a prominent workshop leader who will lead five group and individual workshop sessions — besides that, writers can use their serene time in the mountaintops to chip away at writing projects, explore nature and workshop their poetry with an established poet.
Poet Ysabel Y. Gonzalez’s testimonial on the website said her time attending this retreat was “incredibly rewarding” for her poetry and personal well-being. She wrote, “This retreat was half residency and half workshop, which allowed my poetry the opportunity for feedback and critique, along with plenty of down time to generate new work.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs, accomodations and more.
Cost: TBD.
Mexico & Latin America
19 . Costa Rica Retreat for Writers and Families
Bring your partner and niños along on poet/children’s writer/playwright Julie Hartley’s creative writing retreat from January 30 to February 6.
You’ll stay at a gorgeous eco-lodge in the heart of the rainforest, with easy access to both hammocks and hikes. Each morning, you’ll participate in creative writing workshops, and you’ll have the afternoon to write or explore. In the evenings, you’ll reconvene with your group for readings and other writerly activities.
In a 2020 Facebook review, Trish Roberts wrote: “I had an amazing experience at the Costa Rica retreat in 2020. I met a wonderful and diverse group of writers. The writing workshops were well constructed and the group leader, Julie, offered invaluable insights and guidance. … I highly recommend.”
Cost: $870.10–$1,265.60 per person (does not include lunch or dinner); $395 per child if sharing a room with two adults.
20. VSW Writing Retreats
Run by the Vancouver and Victoria Schools of Writing and hosted by writing coach and author Kathrin Lake, this retreat isn’t a bad deal — especially for Americans.
It offers group classes and one-on-one coaching in writing and publishing, plus optional dancing and tours. Dates for the seven-day retreat are annual between January and March. Lake hosts one retreat in Canada in August, too.
In a blog comment, David Pelzer wrote attending Kathrin Lake’s writing retreat in the historic village of Barra de Navidad in Mexico “is a gift to oneself,” saying: “Kathrin creates a supportive, nurturing environment while challenging each participant to explore their work in a deeper and more meaningful way, both in group work and individual coaching sessions. Highly recommended.”
The retreat is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. Bookmark it to keep an eye out for developing information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 rate was $1,360 CAD per person (~$1,043 USD) (does not include lunch or most dinners).
21. Journey Into Sacred Expression Women’s Retreat
I love the sound and attitude of Aimee Hansen’s women-only writing retreats in Guatemala — and from her glimmering reviews, they live up to their promise.
You’ll stay on Lake Atitlan and enjoy daily yoga, meditation and writing sessions. Guest facilitators will also lead you in Mayan fire, cacao and dance ceremonies.
“Aimee Hansen’s retreat was wonderful from start to finish,” Jill McGrath wrote in a Facebook review. “I was looking for a women’s retreat to recharge my poetry writing and to connect to my spirituality via yoga, meditation, and nature. The retreat far exceeded my expectations.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 costs ranged from $1,575–$1,895 per person (private rooms are an extra $300–$400).
22. Story Quest — Costa Rica
Make progress on your novel or memoir while staying on the lush beaches of Nosara, Costa Rica.
During this “ultimate writing adventure,” authors Doug Kurtz and Dan Manzanares will teach you their “Story Map” curriculum, which covers characters; plot; and theme, setting and voice. The retreat includes six days and more than 30 hours of instruction, plus group and individual coaching sessions, happy hours and yoga.
On Facebook, Evon Michelle Davis wrote, “The Story Quest workshop blew my mind! I have an MFA, but what I learned took my writing to a whole new level. Doug, Dan, and Doug’s wife, Cat, went out of their way to attend to the needs of the retreat participants.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: $1,695–$2,995 per person.
23. Under the Volcano
Typically held in the Mexican village of Tepoztlán, this respected nonprofit program will hold its 18th annual retreat in cyberspace over a three-week period from April 9-30. The program, which is highly selective, requires a writing sample for admission.
As an “incubator of literary talent,” it’s intended for “committed writers with projects underway.” Since it’s gone from one week to three, the 2021 program will combine master classes, intimate gatherings and craft talks, agent presentations plus optional pitch sessions, and even a weekly social that brings together participants from around the world.
“Under the Volcano is not just about the writing,” said Natalie Hart, according to the program’s website. “It is a personal journey. Never has a combination of place, people and programme felt so powerful and inspiring.”
Cost: $995 per person, plus a $450 auditor fee per masterclass. Financial aid is available.
24. Creative Revolution Retreat
Leigh Shulman invites you to choose your own retreat dates — and join her anytime in Salta, Argentina. This retreat is meant for people at any stage of writing a book, or for those who want to start 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 private apartment in a bustling city center. Space is limited and the host prefers an intimate retreat, so grab a couple of friends and book a date.
“The retreat met and exceeded my expectations,” Kathleen Evans said in a testimonial on Shulman’s site. “Each day I could feel the progress during this retreat, and I feel that I’ve really grown. My writing has matured, and I have a solid plan and an idea of where I want to go with my writing project.” (She tweeted about it, too.)
Cost: $2,500 per person. Scholarships are available.
25. The Right Place to Write
Who doesn’t want breath-taking views of mountains, valleys and the ocean as writing fodder?
Join publishing powerhouses Dawn James and Tenita Johnson on their seven-day Costa Rican retreat, where you’ll have plenty of time to write, reflect and learn with a “dedicated team of publishing professionals to support, inspire and guide you.”
From March 25-31, you’ll get to expand your creativity through in-depth workshops and individual consultations with a writing coach and publishing strategist, feedback on written work and accountability partners.
But first, you have to get through a clarity call with either James or Johnson to discuss your project and your commitment to publishing your work. You’ll also have to submit a book synopsis (if you haven’t started writing) to the editor or up to 12 pages of the work you hope to shape at the retreat — that way, she can prepare feedback for your one-on-one editorial session.
On the retreats testimonial page, Jen wrote, “This retreat taught me to have confidence in my voice and my writing. I also learned the business side of becoming an author. It was an incredible week!”
Cost: $1,895 until December 31, 2020; $2,195 after.
Europe
26. Retreats for You
Debbie Flint, the owner of a picturesque 17th-century thatched house in southwest England, runs a variety of retreats throughout the year. (Importantly, they all come with home-cooked meals and resident labradors you can walk through the countryside.)
Author Alison May, for example, is running three “Developing Your Novel” retreats from March 8-12, June 7-11, and November 1-5. If you can’t make those dates, author Rebecca Horsefall is hosting a five-night “Develop Your Novel” retreat from February 22-27. There are also several “General Just Write” Retreats to consider, too.
The center, which welcomes groups, has a five-star rating on Facebook with more than 80 reviews. “The house is gorgeous and comfortable; the food is delicious, and there is always home-made cake,” Anita Chapman wrote. “Alison is a fantastic tutor who knows a great deal, delivering it beautifully; and she has a real interest in her students’ projects.”
Cost: £595 (~$705 USD) per person.
27. Alpine Writers’ Retreat
If you’re looking for basically a writing residency, with a bit of tutelage thrown in, this new retreat might be of interest.
To enable attendants to focus on their writing, published novelist Valeria Vescina will lead small group retreats — max of three people! — in the Swiss Alps. You’ll enjoy a 90-minute writing workshop in the morning, then have the rest of the day to conquer those blank pages. After dinner, you can also participate in readings or group discussions.
Though she doesn’t have any reviews yet, Vescina’s creative writing workshops at a library and high school have received positive feedback.
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2019 rate was £600 (~$711 USD) per person for your own room. Dinners will be prepared by the host, with your help. Other dates may be available; inquire with Vescina.
28. The Leopardi Writing Conference
When you attend this retreat in the medieval town of Le Marche, Italy, its hosts promise you’ll get a glimpse of “authentic Italian country life.”
This “immersive program for new and experienced authors” takes place in July 2021. It includes workshops and talks on fiction, nonfiction and poetry, as well as opportunities for expert feedback on your writing project.
The retreat has several reviews on Facebook, including this recent one from Kelly Leonora: “Excellent and personal instruction in a small group setting, surrounded by beauty and inspiration. It exceeded expectations!”
Cost: $975 (does not include accommodation or meals). Partial scholarships are available.
29. Verse Kraken Writing Retreat
This weeklong retreat in Brittany, France in July is taught by authors Claire Trévien and Tori Truslow. (Trévien’s debut poetry collection was the reader’s choice in the Guardian’s first book award.)
They promise you’ll “engage with the environment” by exploring local culture, food and literature — and engage with your words through workshops, tutorials and independent writing time. Writers of all genres are welcome and encouraged.
“This has been such a wonderfully restorative experience, one that has made me realise how starved of inspiration I’ve been for the last year,” Quen Took wrote on Twitter. “I want to carry this experience with me & use it to make my life a better, more joyous place.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: £850 ($1,007 USD) per person. £500 ($593 USD) £450–£500 (~$576–$641 US) per person without lodging or breakfast.
30 . Black Sea Writing Retreat
Pumped to include a getaway in Romania — a lovely country that deserves more visitors! At this seaside retreat, you’ll receive practical instruction in writing and editing, as well as one-on-one critiques of your work.
Also included in the cost are Romanian language classes, a food tasting and trips to historical sites in Romania and Bulgaria. The host offers more retreats in Ireland in May (for travel writing), June and September, and Paris in October.
“This is a special place in the world, a magical place,” Denise Stablein wrote in a testimonial on the site. “The Irish and local authors both entertained us and challenged us to be like them. They are real people. The combination of writing with immersion in the culture cannot be duplicated anywhere else. The land, the sea and the people are delightful.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 rate was €1290 per person (~$1,528 USD).
31. Iceland Writers Retreat
At this retreat, it seems like you get what you pay for: intimate workshops and panels with award-winning authors like David Chariandy and Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir.
You’ll also have dedicated writing time and the opportunity to explore the incredible country of Iceland, with outings led by contemporary Icelandic writers. It runs April 29 to May 3, 2020.
On Facebook, Christine Wilkins Blackford wrote: “IWR is the best organized, the most productive and the most jam-packed full of fun I have ever had at a writers’ retreat. Going again this year. Can’t wait!”
Cost: 198,000 ISK (~$1,586 US) per person (does not include lodging and most meals). Scholarships available.
32. Write Away Europe — Plovdiv
Looking for a place where your “soul and creative spirit will soar”? Travel to the 2019 European “Capital of Culture” — the charming Bulgarian town of Plovdiv — from July 18-24, 2021.
Your hosts will be Lisa Howe, a professional editor; Scott Stavrou, a novelist and writing instructor; and George Crane, a published author and writing instructor. You’ll participate in writing workshops, one-on-one mentoring sessions and nightly social hours, all while staying in the heart of a historic city.
Write Away Europe also hosts retreats in Greece in May, Italy in June and France in September. It has several Facebook reviews, including one from Amy Lynn, who attended the Plovdiv retreat in 2019. “This program is phenomenal,” she wrote. “Every day there is individual attention to each writer’s projects. [They] used their expertise to really help me hone in on my craft—from plot to sentence structure, their attention was extremely valuable and helpful to me… The experience changed me as a writer.”
Cost:$1,850 per person (does not include lunch).
33. The Creative Writer’s Workshop: Fiction & Autobiographical Fiction
Learn to tell your story while escaping to the mythical Irish island of Inis Mór from July 11-18 or September 5-11.
In addition to writing workshops with host Irene Graham, you’ll enjoy guided walks and tours of the remote island. Graham also hosts two memoir-specific retreats in June and September.
“I am quite a different writer leaving this retreat than I was on arrival,” Kris Mescher wrote on Graham’s site. “I now know what story development is. My purpose is clear. I am freer to follow my internal creative sense.”
Cost: €1,675 ($1,885 USD) per person for a private room in July; €1,650 ($1,950 USD) in September (does not include all meals).
34. Women Reading Aloud — Greece
In June, writer and poet Julie Maloney will bring her women’s retreat to the Greek island of Alonnisos for the tenth straight year.
You’ll stay in a family-owned guest house overlooking the Aegean sea. Each morning, you’ll participate in writing workshops, and each afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore your surroundings. One night, you’ll also partake in a sunset dinner cruise (swoon!).
“I have attended the Alonnisos Writing Retreat with [Women Reading Aloud] for three years and each year I come away fuller, richer, and more excited about my writing,” said a testimonial from Lynne Rosenfeld on Maloney’s site. “I have grown so much as a woman and a writer.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 rate was $2,425 per person for a private room (includes breakfast and three dinners).
35. Ireland Writing Retreat on the Wild Atlantic Way
Authors Carolyn Flynn and Jona Kottler invite fiction and creative nonfiction writers to join them at the Delphi Resort near Galway for a “generative and restorative retreat.”
You’ll receive mentored critique, individual consultations, group talks on topics like story architecture, narrative flow and dialogue — and time to wander the mountains of Connemara.
“The inspiration from… Ireland is still shining bright,” 2019 participant Cathy Wade wrote in a Facebook post. “The retreat had a profound impact on my writing and my confidence in my writing.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2019 rate was $2,295–$2,495 per person if booked before February 1, 2020, after which cost increases $100–$200 (includes breakfast and most dinners).
36. Your Beautiful Writing Life Retreat
Because no one can get enough of Italy: three-time novelist Vanessa Carvale’s three-night retreat will be held at a villa a few miles from the historical city of Florence.
It’ll include craft-based and coaching workshops, personalized manuscript feedback and even an onsite pasta-making class. Carvale hosts a retreat in Australia, as well.
“I came in incredibly blocked and stressed about the project I was working on,” Josephine Moon, author of “The Beekeeper’s Secret,” said in a testimonial on Carvale’s site. “[A]nd I’m leaving with a new project that feels totally right, that I’m excited about.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: $2,450 per person.
37. Krouna Writing Workshop
Travel with novelist and writing instructor Henriette Lazaridis to her ancestral home in the mountains of northern Greece, where you’ll enjoy group workshops, individual coaching and lots of time to write.
To apply, you must submit a 10-page writing sample. And before attending the retreat from July 25-31, you’ll also need to submit a paragraph explaining why you want to participate in the workshop.
“Krouna Writing Workshop is an amazing experience led by a brilliant, caring person in one of Greece’s most gorgeous landscapes, and I would attend again in a heartbeat,” Elene Catrakilis wrote in a Facebook review. “I received kind, constructive and incisive feedback, both written and verbal with respect to my manuscript.”
Cost: $2,500 per person (does not include breakfast or dinner, but it does include round-trip transportation from Ioannina to Papingo by car).
38. Get Away to Write — Spain
Murphy Writing of Stockton University will hold its 11th international retreat in northern Spain.
The retreat, led by award-winning authors Peter E. Murphy, Roberta Clipper and Christine E. Salvatore, is open to fiction writers, memoirists and poets. It includes workshops, feedback sessions, plentiful writing time and an excursion to Barcelona.
In a Facebook review for Murphy Writing, Helen Chibnik said: “In addition to providing reliably gifted, supportive, and working writers as guides, the workshops are well-balanced, productive, and a whole lot of fun – worth every penny.”
Murphy Writing also hosts a March retreat in Florida for $1,500–$1,700 per person.
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: $2,500–$2,700 per person (scholarships and early registration discounts available).
39. Hamlet’s Hideaway
This all-inclusive retreat will be held in Denmark from August 8-14. You’ll stay in the shadow of Fredensborg Palace, a “magical setting to dream and create.”
Hosts Shawna Kenney, an author, and Anja Klemp Vilgaard, a journalist, will lead you in one-on-one sessions and daily writing workshops. Both new and experienced writers are welcome.
Among the retreat’s five positive Facebook reviews, this one from Karen Halasa stood out: “Hamlets Hideaway was an experience of a lifetime, a crucible of creativity in a luxurious setting of natural beauty. The feedback provided by the organisers and other participants was encouraging and constructive, the place conducive to writing.”
Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: $2,700 per person.
40. A Writer Within — Tuscany
Spend a week at a historic villa in Tuscany — complete with your own private chef — at this women-only retreat from May 21- 27, 2022 or May 29 – June 4, 2022.
In the mornings, author Kathryn Kay will lead group writing sessions that focus on craft and the creative process. Afternoons will be for writing, one-on-one sessions and group outings to nearby towns and sites. In 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 better guide than Kathryn Kay to make that dream become 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: $2,900–$3,700 per person.
41. GoodWorld Journeys Literary Salons on Patmos, Greece
You’ll get to work with some BIG names at this pair of 10-day literary salons in Greece.
The first retreat in May features the poets Kaveh Akbar, Terrance Hayes and Mary Karr, who will guide you through discussions, in-class exercises and informal workshops. During the second, in June, Karr is joined by the legendary George Saunders to focus on personal essays, memoirs and short stories.
“The Salon experience was intimate, and structured in a relaxed and informal way but also enabled me to gain valuable writing knowledge, skills, and affirmation,” Josephine Dempsey said in a testimonial on the retreat site. “Yes, a life changing experience!”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 rate was $3,450–$3,950 per person (includes breakfast and two dinners). Scholarships and early-bird registration discounts available.
42. Stone + Wildflower Writing Retreat
At this (warning: $$$) retreat, founder Malika Ali Harding says, “We’ll gather seaside to make poems from wildflowers, short stories from stone, and reimagine Nordic fairytales by the fire.” It takes place at Norway’s stunning Arctic Hideaway from September 18-21, 2020.
This retreat is more focused on activities — like sunrise yoga, pebble stacking and wildlife viewing — than on coaching or critiquing, but allows time for writing and reflection, too.
“Traveling with Story Rebels allowed me to have the time and space to be creative,” Amanda Ponzio-Mouttaki said in a testimonial on the site. “With all the details sorted, I could relax and focus on writing, surrounded by others with a similar drive.”
Official 2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 rate was €4290–€4690 (~$4,753–$5,196 US) per person.
43. Loire Writers Retreat
Writers, authors, poets, academics, screen and songwriters in search of a “creative haven to find their inner voice, develop their craft and begin or complete their story” will find solace in this retreat’s nurturing environment.
Located in central France’s Loire Valley and close to the historic town of Saumur, this retreat for writers offers a tranquil space for you to focus on your writing.
Whether you stay for one week or four in 2022, hosts Iris and Derrick Mathews ensure your only responsibility will be to unleash your creativity — and you know they mean it because they even handle the cooking and cleaning for you. When you need a writing break, enjoy one complimentary holistic therapy session plus access to bicycles to explore the French countryside.
“Thank you for a wonderful Writing Retreat,” said author Tony Macaulay in a testimonial on the site. “You have created the perfect place for writers to get away from it all, to relax, focus and simply write.”
Cost: £784 ($1,047 USD) per person per week.
44. Vacation Writing
From September 26 to October 2, discover your story in Ragusa, one of the most picturesque towns of southern Sicily. Whether you need to dust off a project, start or complete one, this (albeit pricey) retreat might be the restorative experience you need.
Besides one daily writing workshop led by an author, you’re encouraged to use this time to generate new work, overcome writing blocks, simply keep writing — or sleep in as much as you can. In your free time, connect with the writers you’ll share a villa with or find inspiration in the architecture colors, tastes and sounds of Sicily.
Oh, and this isn’t too shabby: A private onsite chef will prepare all your meals and snacks. This fairly new retreat doesn’t have any reviews just yet, but the details look very promising.
Cost: $3,000 for shared accommodations, $4,500 for a private room and $5,500 for couples (with only one person a part of the retreat).
45. Melete Writing Retreats
If you’re a fiction writer, TV or screenwriter, you need to be at this week-long, immersive retreat in Piedmont, Italy between the months of May and July.
The learning experiences found in each retreat session will be led by Harvard faculty and acclaimed authors, playwrights, screenwriters and TV writers. (No big deal.) It takes place at the historic Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta estate, where a typical day includes readings, two-hour group manuscript workshops and one-hour one-on-one conferences — all al fresco if the weather is agreeable.
Besides writing time, you can explore the national park and golf course located nearby, not to mention the cooking classes and wine and cheese tours. “Join us,” the site says, “and we will nurture your creativity as you deepen your process and build community.”
To get in, you’ll need to submit a cover 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 spent time writing in and about this region.
Cost: $2,675 per session (includes continental breakfast with room service and daily housekeeping service).
46. Words Wanderlust
How many writers can say they spent six days writing in the old-world streets of Tbilisi, Georgia? Between the vineyards with an 8,000-year-old history of winemaking and the ancient monasteries, you might not ever want to leave this retreat for writers.
From June 6-12, this retreat invites you and a small group of writers to accomplish three things: explore, escape, write.
“Nurture your creativity, develop your work-in-progress or jumpstart your writing project” through writing sessions and daily creative writing classes led by award-winning authors. In addition to that, talks by international and local authors, personal consultations with writing tutors — and, of course, tours to Georgia’s countryside for wine and cheese tastings.
While you’re here, enjoy a private room in a stunning boutique hotel plus the opportunity to roam hidden gems in your spare time. Writers at any level are welcome, and course topics include: plotting and structuring your novel, turning life into story, creating compelling characters and getting your work published.
Cost: $1,695 (not all dinners are included).
47. The Moth Retreat For Artists And Writers
“The Moth Retreat was exactly what I was looking for,” writes Susan Allot on the retreat’s website. “A converted barn all to myself, fresh veg[etables] from the garden and a daily delivery of eggs. Beautiful countryside on the doorstep. I managed about a month’s worth of writing condensed into one inspired week.”
For writers of any discipline looking to experience this along a beautiful country lane in Ireland, this retreat may be for you. You’ll be surrounded by the country’s famed lakes and joined by three dogs and a flock of hens.
While you’re free to spend your time as your please, there’s Wi-Fi, a writing desk and an easel to use to work, plus a bike to explore the area.
The Moth Magazine publishers Rebecca O’Connor and Will Govan will be available if you need any assistance. You won’t find guided writing workshops here, but you’ll certainly find the solitude and silence needed to finish that novel.
Apply to find out when you can book this retreat in 2022!
Cost: €400 a 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.
Asia, Africa & Middle East
48. Writing Retreat in South Africa
Boy does this sound dreamy! You’ll stay at a farmhouse a few hours from Cape Town, enjoying morning classes and afternoon free writes (and countryside walks).
In the evening, writing coach and literary agent Sarah Bullen will lead sessions focusing on everything from genre to character development to approaching publishers. It all goes down March 10-14. Along with the author Kate Emmerson, Bullen also hosts a retreat in Greece in June and Italy in September.
“I recently attended the writers retreat and residency at Skala Eressor [sic],” Mary-Joe Emde wrote in a Facebook review. “This has been the most profound retreat I have ever done. Kate and Sarah are masters at creating a space for creativity and writing skills. I loved every moment of it and would recommend this to every aspiring writer.”
Cost: 7,900–11,700 South African rand (~$514–$761 USD) per person.
49. Write Your Journey — Vietnam
You’ll take a cooking class, boat to an ancient town, practice daily yoga, get a sound bowl massage — and, oh yeah, write — during this retreat at a boutique resort in Hoi An.
In September, former academic and published author Kerstin Pilz will guide you in group and one-on-one writing sessions — all while exploring “authentic Vietnam” to “ignite your creativity.”
This retreat has an abundance of reviews on TripAdvisor and Facebook. Julie B., for example, wrote: “It’s hard for me to explain the magic that happened in the retreat – very much thanks to beautiful and expert facilitation by Kirsten and wonderful service from the team she has in place. Whether you think you are a writer or not, this is definitely the place to find out…it was a truly fantastic and beautiful experience!”
Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: $1,950.
50. Writer’s Retreat in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel
Want to explore the cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv while sharing stories and making new friends? This women-only, Pink Pangea retreat might be for you.
In addition to exploring Tel Aviv’s markets and history, you’ll participate in daily writing workshops, get guidance on pitching stories and connect with other women writers. The company also hosts retreats in other countries like France, Switzerland or Greece throughout the year.
According to a testimonial on the Pink Pangea site, Bobbie Traut said: “I met wonderful writers and had the chance to share stories with strangers who later became friends. By minimizing distractions and removing myself from my day-to-day schedule, I found that the creativity flowed.”
2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: $1,080–$1,280 per person (does not include lunch or dinner).
51. Indian Summer House Writers’ Retreat
At this luscious boutique hotel in southern India, you can attend a writers retreat in March or October, or set up your own dates upon request.
In addition to morning yoga and meditation, “tantalising” meals and cultural activities, you’ll have daily 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 even more gently at Indian Summer House during our daily writer’s workshops with Caroline Van De Pol, readings and discussions to reflect and share our work with others or enjoying the outdoor showers, having a drink in the coconut lounge, jumping into the pool two, three times a day or relaxing at the spa.”
2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 costs ranged from $2,190–$2,990 AUD (~$1,494–$2,040 USD) per person.
52. Himalayan Writers Retreat
On this 10-day retreat in the Indian Himalayas from March 31 to April 10, maybe you’ll find the solace you need to finish that important project.
Each retreat has a guest leader, plus two resident facilitators: a psychologist and an author. They’ll guide you through everything from discussions to long walks, bonfires, yoga and pottery. Aside from airfare, everything is included in the price — airport transfers, food and even a trip to the Taj Mahal!
This retreat has more than 100 five-star Google reviews. In a recent one, Ramanjaneya Sharaph wrote: “The workshop covers all aspects, from the science and craft of writing, to getting published. This is a workshop in 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 better understand the concepts.”
Cost: $2,800 per person.
53. Writing on Water — Inner Mongolia
Ready for a real adventure? At this retreat, you’ll stay in a luxury hotel in Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of northern China.
You’ll participate in creative writing and movement workshops, attend historical and cultural tours, and gain a deeper understanding of this unique part of the world. Plus, you’ll meet guest artist Rahna Reiko Rizzuto, the award-winning author of two novels and one memoir. The organizers also host retreats in Australia and Croatia.
Although no social media reviews are available, Nicole Reed wrote in a website testimonial: “The week I spent with Writing on Water was a powerful experience. I was able to discover myself as a writer.”
2022 dates have yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for more detailed information about location, costs and more.
Cost: TBD; 2020 costs ranged from $2,975–$3,375 per person.
54. The Cape Town Writers Retreat
This five-day retreat is hosted by Rohm Literary Agency and led by best-selling author and literary agent Wendy Goldman Rohm.
Fiction and nonfiction writers, poets, filmmakers and playwrights of all levels are welcomed to attend this private retreat in the heart of Cape Town to accomplish whatever they’d like: create new material, develop ideas or shape works-in-progress.
Here, “story and manuscript development come alive.” As information becomes available for Cape Town’s 2022 retreat, check out these additional opportunities:
- Maui, Hawaii: January 18-22 ($2,395)
- Biarritz, France: March 5-7 ($875)
- Paris, France: March 19-21 ($850)
- Andros, Greece: May 16-21 ($2,245)
“I will bask in the creative afterglow of Wendy Goldman Rohm’s writers’ courses for a long, long time,” writes Margaret Atwood’s literary agent Phoebe Larmore on the website. “During my many years as a literary agent, I attended numerous writers conferences, but none of them came close to the extraordinary events for writers that Wendy presents. Wendy … has the gift of inspiring writers to expand their visions and hone their crafts, and of sensibly instructing them how the publishing world works.”
Cost: TBD; 2020 rate was $1,550 (not including lunch and dinner). Scholarships available.
Have you attended any of these writing retreats? Have any others to recommend? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.
Photo via MRProduction / Shutterstock
