Naxos, Greece
Writers & aspiring writers with works in progress and/or germinating ideas or projects to polish and bring to fruition
Writers Retreat: A wonderful week to focus on your writing, get feedback and inspiration and generate new ideas
The Write Away Naxos Writing Retreat offers an inspiring and invigorating Writers Retreat in the heart of the Cyclades on the enchanting island of Naxos, Greece, the largest and most fertile of the Cycladic Islands. Being surrounded by stunning views over the Aegean Sea, olive groves, vineyards, and classic Cycladic architecture and history will soothe your senses and summon your creative spirit.
Naxos is famous for its legendary history, its unique culture, its long sandy beaches and crystal clear waters and the rich history and great beauty of the island have inspired writers and artists throughout the ages, making it the ideal place to disconnect from your everyday life and reconnect with your muse.
The Cyclades - and Naxos in particular - have captivated writers and artists throughout the ages and Naxos has played a prominent role since the early days of Ancient Greece. There are ancient archaeological sites, like the Temple of Demeter and the monolithic marble doorway, the Portara, the remains of the ancient Temple to Apollo, that still stands sentinel over the island. The ancient Greek myths tell of Zeus and Dionysus being brought up on Naxos and Dionysus using his power to make the land fertile. These myths live on as Naxos today is still filled with vineyards producing fine wines and olive groves and farms making some of the finest produce and food in Greece.
Writers will reside in private rooms in a charming boutique hotel near the ink-blue Aegean Sea and will get inspired by stimulating Round Table Writing Discussions and Workshops, convivial group dinners savoring delectable local cuisine as well as evening social gatherings and still also have free time available for additional inspiring activities.
The Write Away Naxos Writers Retreat, the stimulating beauty of the island, and the inspiring daily Writing Round Table Workshops all combine to make Naxos an idyllic place to unleash your creative potential.
Reserve Your Place NowReviews & the Retreat ExperienceGiving you the tools to harness your creative vision and expand and embrace your creative potential.
Daily Writing Workshops clarify and demystify the essential elements of good storytelling.
Get the insight and encouragement to empower you to tell the story only you can tell.
Learn to live the write way: to make writing an integral part of your life and find your ideal creative process.
"How grateful I am for the last week and for all I was able to take away from everything we did.
I appreciate everything you did for us, and especially for me.
This last week was something incredibly special, and I am so lucky to have been a part of it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Elizabeth O., playwright
"This Retreat experience was so much more than I even expected. This was the best investment I've ever made in myself."
Abby R., Essayist, Personal Memoir Writer
"My heart is still in Tuscany... I am glad I took some me time for writing in such a peaceful environment with amazing people.
Thank you for the best experience ever. I miss everyone already."
Masako T., Nonfiction Writer
"I couldn’t possibly have loved it more! Thank you again for putting it on and allowing us all to come together
in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever spent time!"
Kimberly P., Novelist
"Missing the villa and great company! I managed to get inspired enough to
get more work done on my novel in the past week than in the entire past year."
Aloy A., Screenwriter and Novelist
"What an experience: that workshops, the evening conversations and dinners. There's absolutely
no substitute for getting to be surrounded by a group of people who share your passion for books and writing."
Carolyn R., Novelist
"Loved every minute!!!! Thank you all so much, miss you already!"
Manal N., Short Story Writer, Personal Essayist
"I hope you know how incredibly amazing you are! You taught me more than I ever expected in a very short amount of time.
The week was filled with so many new adventures and surprises. All I could see was an impressive array of activities that you managed to put together seamlessly.
Your give and take worked wonderfully for everyone in attendance. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Prague, the retreat, and mostly meeting all of you.
I will remember this time fondly and with great appreciation for the help, guidance, and friendship from everyone. Thank you so much."
Debbie M., Fiction Writer
"I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of you during our wonderful week together and hope to see your faces again whether in person,
on more book covers, TED talks, or national interviews celebrating your works. I took your advice and have used some of the writing prompts to write about my writing,
completing a synopsis, a beat sheet and a back cover blurb to help light the way forward and am now more inspired to continue on my novel and create productive spaces and habits."
Jillian S., Novelist
"Evenings are filled with the conversational warmth and good humour of like-minded participants who freely share their emotions and insights into the writing life.
It can be unimaginably exhilarating to connect with people from all walks of life that share a common passion. I’m sitting at my desk again surveying my surroundings
in wonder, pondering how I really got here, and yet feeling as though I have discovered a sense of place. For those wanting to explore their inner writing muse and reflect
on your life thus far, a writing retreat in Tuscany may just be the path you were destined to follow. Surrounded by such beauty and mesmerised from my
continued state of surreal disbelief, I pondered how reality could exceed my dreams."
David S., Travel Writer
"The Paros Retreat experience was literally life-changing
for me. I've found the courage and inspiration to write every day and have
written more words in the past week than I had in a year."
Isabelle P., Memoirist
"Extraordinarily inspiring! When I read all the reviews about how transformative this program was I was skeptical but I could not believe
how completely transformative it truly was!"
Kate M., Novelist & Screenwriter
"Thank you for making all of our time so special & memorable. Every detail was obviously carefully planned, & you shepherded us through
each delightful meal & activity with the kind of grace that let us blissfully forget all the work that goes into organizing a group (working) holiday.
All your tips enriched every day. I had a fabulous time talking & laughing with you all week."
Heather G., novelist
"I'm back in Chicago (and back at the office -- Day 2, ugh).
But I'm working hard on my script with all the ideas gleened from the workshops and our talks and newly inspired to stay on course!"
Kate H., scriptwriter
"Thanks for the inspiration, the friendship and all of the wonderful memories, moments which I look forward to reliving through my journal
and photos - and continued friendship with a stellar bunch of people."
Chris K., non-fiction writer
"Thank you, to each of you beautiful souls, for sharing your lives and stories this week and being so attentive and helpful with mine.
I had no idea that I'd take so much away from the last 9 days."
Liz S., dramatist
"I was nervous on arrival, not quite sure what to expect meeting strangers with whom I would be spending the ensuing week.
Those fears dissolved with the welcome dinner and upon waking the following morning, I felt a sense of hope that had long been absent from my life.
Each day proved more invigorating than the previous and by the end of the week my heart was filled with joy, my journal overflowing with words,
and my mind bursting with ideas. I see a way forward in my writing that was lost to me prior and have made bonds that will last a lifetime."
Isabelle T., memoir writer
"I've gotta say this has absolutely been a trip of a lifetime.
My face hurts from smiling so much, my mind is reeling with input and ideas. I feel inspired. Invigorated."
Lisa D., screenwriter
"Thanks for the energy and inspiration! What a life-changing week, my notebooks are filling!"
Maureen J., travel & non-fiction writer
"I really can't put into words my experience at the Write Away retreat. I went as a traveler/writer should, with an open mind and heart, and what
I have received has not only re-inspired my writing, but has given me a creative well to draw upon.
I believe if that well is to ever run dry I can reflect upon my time at the retreat and again be re-inspired."
Travis K., fiction writer
"I already miss you all, our boisterous laughter, our deep talks of life and writing, and the salient and sometimes silly jabber.
During our week together, you all helped me remember how good life can be, and who I was trying to be before I strayed from my path.
I'll be grateful forever, to all of you, for nudging me back on course, in both life and in writing."
Amy M. novelist
"The teachable moments, the constructive creative input, infectuous laughter and the immense intellectual propensity and generosity of the facilitators
along side the participant writers is a must for any writer."
Mike L., novelist
"I was blown away by the well organized dining and travel accommodations that took the usual anxiety away from travel.
To all this I say thank you with a big heart and anyone one that embarks on a Write Away Retreat will have it placed as an anchor in their hearts."
Jesse T.,
"The Write Away retreat was given to me as a surprise gift, I just signed my first book deal based on my blog and proposal and I needed to decide
on the plan for my book and ideas to fill the pages. I found both at the retreat. After each productive workshop, I was raring to get planning and writing.
I'm feeling inspired and well-armed with lots of thoughts for moving forward with my book."
Sarah M., non-fiction lifestyle writer
"My experience in Greece… has not only re-inspired my writing but it has also re-invented how I think about writing and how I'll approach it in the future.
Days flew by in a heady haze of meeting great new people, stimulating writing workshops and enjoying fantastic food (and drink) but I know the experience and memories of
the trip are something that will stay with me forever! ."
Neil F., fiction writer
"What a wonderful week! The opportunity to be surrounded by so many creative people all sharing the common interest of writing
was fantastic. The give and take and supportive atmosphere of the workshops was terrific but some of the best memories are the inspiring talks
during the evening social gatherings."
Anwar M., fiction writer