EDIT: This is an older post so the dates will be wrong; but you can still click the links to see if these projects have upcoming events. I won’t be renting more castles any time soon.
With the new year comes a new set of writing workshops to participate in! If you’ve joined a workshop before and wish to join again, or if you’ve never tried joining a workshop and want to see what it can do for you, then this list might come in handy when helping you pick! There are all kinds of workshops available for you to choose from, whether you’re focused on memoirs, novels, short stories, poetry. So check this list out and see if there’s something you might want to join to help you relax, have fun, and more importantly, help you write this year!
We’re in the process of updating this list, so check back for more dates, more retreats, and more opportunities for you to sign up for a relaxing and engaging writing getaway!
Vancouver and Victoria Schools of Writing
Mexico Writing Retreats 2019
Who? For fiction and non-fiction participants, this retreat includes one-on-one coaching with experienced writers, insightful classes, community activities, readings, and optional tours. With focused group discussions, exercises, and customized coaching, this retreat will help participants learn more about their writing processes, all while having fun socializing with like-minded individuals.
When and where? February 18-24, 2019, at the Retreat Center near Manzanillo, Mexico
Cost: $850 CAD (not including airfare and accommodation rates)
Visit their website to learn more!
Centauri Arts Costa Rice Writing Retreat
Who? This retreat is for writers of all levels, from the beginning writer to the novelist who is about to finish their book. Participants are welcome to bring loved ones along, and have the luxury to experience the lush beauty of Costa Rica.
When and where? February 9-16, 2019
Cost: Starts at $1,399 per person
Visit their website to learn more!
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Retreat
Who? This retreat is for fiction writers who wish to participate in a retreat the won’t break their bank. Designed to help participants find beauty and inspiration in the environment surrounding them, it offers a variety of activities from workshops to critiques.
Where and when? March 7-10, 2019, at the Franciscan Retreat Center, Colorado Springs
Cost: $299-399 per person (currently sold out, but waitlisting is available)
Visit their website to learn more!
Wide Open Writing
Isla Holbox Retreat
Who? This is open for writers of all backgrounds who would love to enjoy a relaxing retreat, participate in guided writing sessions, and be part of a community of like-minded and supportive individuals. Plenty of time is given not just for writing, but for activities such as yoga.
When and where? March 10-15 or March 17-22, 2019, at Isla Holbox, Mexico
Cost: $2200
Visit their website to learn more!
Ireland Writing Retreat
Travel Writing Retreat
Who? This retreat is for those who are looking to develop, improve, and enrich their travel writing skills. With workshops handled by seasoned correspondents, as well as a load of insights from travel and tourism officials, this is the perfect place to start becoming the travel writer that you want to be – all in the beautiful country of Ireland.
When and where? March 16 to 22, 2019, at Gweedore, Co Donegal, Ireland
Cost: 990 Euro (roughly $1,125)
Visit their website to learn more!
The Himalayan Writing Retreat
India Fiction Writer’s Retreat
Who? A retreat designed for intermediate and advanced writers, this gives participants the chance to bask in the vibrant world of Delhi and the Himalayan Mountains. Experiencing both the bustling city life and the calm, rural setting with other like-minded writers will certainly help you enrich and enhance your skills.
When and where? March 31 to April 10, 2019, at Delhi, and Satkhol Village in the Indian Himalayas
Cost: $2,500
Visit their website to learn more!
Iceland Writers’ Retreat
Who? This workshop is for those who want to interact with a variety of authors and participate in workshops, all while getting the chance to tour and be inspired by the beautiful landscapes of Iceland.
When and where? April 3-7, 2019 at Hotel Reykjavik Natura
Cost: The standard package costs around $1800, though other package options are available.
Visit their website to learn more!
Verse Kraken Writing Retreat
France 2019 Writing Retreat
Who? This retreat is open to writers of all genres. Aside from workshops, tutorials, and optional excursions, participants are encouraged to think about the retreat’s theme of “Thresholds,” and explore boundaries, overlaps between space, place, history, and the crossing between genres.
Where and when? May 10-17, 2019, in Peumerit, France
Cost: Single room available at 750 Euros (roughly $853)
Visit their website to learn more!
Write Away Europe
Prague Writing Retreat
Who This workshop is for aspiring writers who wish to develop their ideas into their full potential, and would love to participate in daily roundtable sessions with experienced authors – all in beautiful, historically rich, and magical Prague.
When and where? May 12-18, 2019, at Prague, Czech Republic
Cost: $2050 for double occupancy and $2500 for single occupancy
Visit their website to learn more!
Aegean Arts Circle Workshops
Who? This is open for writers both beginning and published, who would love to participate in daily workshops that bring out the best in them, and who are excited to work with established authors. Led by Kitsi Watterson, the retreat focuses on giving writers a room of their own, as well as an opportunity to be part of small, focused writing groups – all while basking in the beauty of the Aegean Sea.
When and where? May 22 to June 1, 2019 at Andros, in Greece
Cost: $2,900 for new participants and $2,700 for returnees
Visit their website to learn more!
Black Sea Writing Retreat
Who? For writers who want to take special classes on the art of travel and food and entertainment writing. With an exotic, relaxing location, writing guides, language classes, and trips to historical sites, there is plenty for writers to learn and indulge in in this retreat.
When and where? May 27 to June 2, 2019, at Mai, Romania
Cost: 990 Euro (roughly US$ 1,135)
Visit their website to learn more!
The Creative Writer’s Workshop
Memoir Writing Workshop
Who? This workshop is for anyone who wishes to tap into their creative energies, connect with the heart of their experiences, find time to delve into a deep understanding with their personal selves, and create a memoir out of this wonderful experience.
When and where? June 2-7, 2019 and September 6-12, 2019 at Inis Mór, Aran Islands, Galway & Doolin, Co Clare, Ireland.
Cost:
Visit their website to learn more!
Writing On Water Croatia Retreat 2019
Who? This is for writers who wish to stay in a beautiful villa overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Activities include workshops, hiking tours, and visiting plenty of historic and wonderful sights
When and where? June 8-19, 2019, near the Adriatic Sea in Croatia
Cost: $2,675 per person
Visit their website to learn more!
Writing With Care at the Ochre House Retreat
Who? This retreat is open to creative artists, performers, directors, choreographers, and writers of any genre, from fiction to poetry to academic writing. Offering a variety of activities and workshops, all in a peaceful and productive setting, afford the participants a chance to truly connect with themselves.
Where and when? June 9-14, 2019, at the Ochre House Retreat
Cost: Starts at $935
Visit their website to learn more!
Women Reading Aloud
Greece Writing Retreat
Who? This retreat is for all women writers of all levels and genres, who wish to find a perfect balance of community and solitude. With spacious rooms, extensive workshops, and a variety of activities that serve as a welcome break from writing – from yoga to swimming – it will certainly be a retreat fit for the goddesses.
When and where? June 9 to 18, 2019, at the island of Alonnisos in Greece
Cost: $2,295
Visit their website to learn more!
Writers Who Run (Or Walk)
Who? This unique retreat is tailored for people who love walking or running, and writing. Aside from workshops, journaling, writing, critiques, meals and movies, there are also morning runs that writers participate in. A race day for Writers Who Run 10k and 5k For Literacy will also happen on the last day.
Where and when? June 17-22, 2019, in North Carolina
Cost: $2,499 to $2,899 per person
Visit their website to learn more!
The Storyteller Within
Journey Into Sacred Expression Women’s Retreat, Guatemala
Who? Open to women writers who want to explore more than their writing energies and open themselves up to more spiritual and creative ways to express themselves. Activities include daily prompted writing sessions, meditation, yoga, saunas, hiking, with a lot of healthful vegetarian meals, all in the stunning and scenic Yoga Forest near Lake Atitlan.
Where and when? July 25 – August 3, 2019, at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Cost: Starts at $450
Visit their website to learn more!
Hamlet’s Hideaway
Who? For those who wish to experience the wonder of the Danish countryside, while having a relaxing room of their own to develop their writing. The retreat includes mentoring from two accomplished writers, Anja Klemp Vilgaard and Shawna Kenney.
When and where? August 11-17, 2019, in Denmark
Cost: $2,700
Visit their website to learn more!
Pink Pangaea
Writing and Hiking Retreat in the Swiss Alps
Who? This retreat is for those who want to nourish their souls and recharge, and explore the amazing mountains of the Swiss Alps, while enjoying a variety of interactive writing activities to enrich creativity.
When and where? August 23-29, 2019
Cost: $1440 for a shared room, $1750 for a single room
Visit their website to learn more!
The Taos Writer’s Retreat
Who? This retreat is for women who would love to work in a relaxing, soulful environment with equally soulful amenities, meals, and activities. It is for women who simply love to communicate, talk about their books and their writing, and participate in activities that enhance their love for writing.
When and where? The Mabel Lodge Luhan House at Taos, New Mexico (dates still to come)
Cost: Starts at $2,205
Visit their website to learn more!
The Writing Room
Write n’ Walk Spain
Who? This retreat is open to writers of all levels. Participants join writing coach Sarah Bullen and international author Kate Emmerson in Spain’s beautiful Asturias region, a place studded with beautiful peaks and gorgeous rivers, with refreshing mountain air to breathe in. Writing practices, workshops, and storytelling activities are all available participants, but one of the highlights of the retreat is a daily guided trek around the region.
Where and when? October 6-13, 2019, in Asturias, Span
Cost: A single room costs 2,400 Euros, or around $2,730
Visit their website to learn more!
Story Rebels Writing Retreat in Morocco
Who? This retreat is designed for writers who deeply value peace and solitude while they are writing. With a completely still, quiet environment, participants are able to fully enjoy writing activities, excursions, and personal reflections with fellow writers.
When and where? October 13-18 2019 in Marrakech, Morocco
Cost: ~ $2,850
Visit their website to learn more!
Himalayan Memoir Writer’s Retreat
Who? Meant for intermediate and advanced memoir writers, this retreat offers participants the opportunity to bask in the beauty of Satkhol Village in India. Guided by a Fulbright scholar who is intimately connected with India, writers are given the chance to truly reflect on their own personal stories, and produce the illuminating memoir they wish to write.
When and where? November 15-25, 2019, at Satkhol Village in India
Cost: $2500
Visit their website to learn more!
Krouna Writing Workshops
Who? For students who wish to receive rigorous instruction and discuss writing issues in-depth with the retreat instructors. Applicants are expected to submit up to 100 pages of a novel, two short stories, or a selection of poems, and are required to send a ten-page writing sample, as well as a description of previous workshop experience and why they want to participate. Beyond writing, there is an option for guided walks around the area.
Where and when? Dates to be announced, at Papingo, Epirus, Greece
Cost: $2,500
Visit their website to learn more!
The 3 secrets to book marketing, and a haunted castle tour. Totally free. Get it here.
I’m a philosophy dropout with a PhD in Literature. I covet a cabin full of cats, where I can write fantasy novels to pay for my cake addiction. Sometimes I live in castles.