Our next retreat in 2022 is in Portugal
Register your interest for the next Italy Retreat
DAILY ROUTINE
We start the day with a good breakfast ready to move into a writing workshop – tailored to the group, and your individual needs which we will establish before we start.
Some people may want to rise at 6am to write before breakfast; others will write until late and then sleep in; resting and recuperating along with their writing. Everyone will set their own pace and goals on the retreat and we will meet you wherever you are to help you achieve what you want to do.
The retreat will give you the time, space and energy to write and create in a safe, supported place
The exact programme will be planned when we know who our group is and what their needs are; but each day will run something like this:
- Breakfast – help yourself at the right time for you.
- 10am Writing workshops covering: journalling, book writing, getting started on a new project, finishing, editing, the importance of premise why concept sells, creative expression, the publishing world, pitching and how to get a literary agent.
- Lunch – important in Italy, we will eat well!
- Free writing, reading or resting time
- Story tea time (or Aperol in Franco’s bar) – discussion, sharing, questions. One-to-ones
- Optional: Deep relaxation / yoga Nidra session – to set you up for a creative day or a good sleep after lunch.
THE VILLA
The villa’s position and the relaxed environs of Puglia create the perfect environment to rest, heal and nourish your body, mind & spirit with all of life’s most important things. The food is amazing, not to mention the clear turquoise sea directly opposite the villa.
Introducing your host
Jacq Burns was commissioning editor at Random House & Editorial Director at Harper Collins where she edited classics such as Men are from Mars; Women are from Venus, Who Moved My Cheese,Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Toddler Taming – which have sold millions of copies.
She is the author of Write a Bestseller, published by Hodder, and a bestselling series of successful books for Random House, under a pseudonym. Jacq has also ghostwritten a number of well-known titles and she co-founded The London Writers Club. She is a literary agent for non-fiction authors.
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions:
The retreat is for 5 nights and 6 days. You can check in from 2pm and we begin Day 1 at 3pm and go through until Day 6, after we’ve committed to our next steps and future writing plans over a long breakfast, finsihing around 11am.
Writing workshops, techniques, advice, feedback, time to free write and check back in.
You can also expect to move, breathe and relax so you are able to be creative. There is ample free time in the afternoon for you to write, rest, take walks, read or book a private, optional 1:1 mentoring session. There is a small swimming pool at the villa and we are right on the sea. There is also a long path along the coast and a beautiful grotto nearby.
We have 3 fabulous Italian meals per day included in our stay and these are a great time for connection and conversation. Coffee, teas and mineral water and fruit are also included.
All rooms are double with ensuite. You do not have to share! The rooms will be allocated in the order of booking.
I love the sound of this, how can I reserve my spot?
If you’d like to be on the waiting list for the next Write a Bestseller Italy Retreat, send a quick email and register your interest.