Writing Retreats
in Australia and Bali
Our next Bali offering is the inspiring and unforgettable
Writing in Paradise
13 Oct–19 Oct 2017
at the superb Villa Sekala, Sanur, Bali
Here’s the picture. You’re relaxing on a verandah overlooking a lush tropical garden. You’ve got your writing book or your laptop and you’re filling the pages with new ideas, splendid sentences and engaging characters and you want to k
eep going.
Where are you?
You’re at Villa Sekala, in Sanur, Bali and the writing retreat is underway. For now, you’re immersed in the world of words and your own writing project. You’re in the company of other writers and they’re as enthusiastic as you… and dedicated to spending this week on their writing — whether it’s a novel, or an article; a memoir or a brand new poem.
It’s truly precious to have unrestricted writing time, away from daily life and commitments. Our retreats in Byron Bay, Australia and Bali give you the opportunity to have that time. Give yourself the gift of the company of other writers and — with the week’s program run by two experienced and enthusiastic writing mentors, you’ll discover the thrill of finding ideas and words that ‘love each other’ as you create your next piece of writing. Our retreats are the place where your creativity can thrive.
What will I be doing each day?
At Writing in Paradise you will:
- learn about the power and discipline of writing daily
- learn how to tap into your imagination to create
memorable and captivating passages of writing - benefit from support, guidance and feedback from two highly-trained writing mentors and editors
- enjoy the mutual support of a small group of
fellow writers (maximum 10) - discover what Hemingway meant when he said
the hardest thing about the writing endeavour is
‘getting the words right’.
Intrigued? Let me tell you more… Over 6 nights and 7 days we’ll guide, inspire, support and nourish your writing skills. You’ll discover the thrill of creating a new piece of writing and finessing a piece you’ve already started. Your voice will emerge — and ‘compelling voice’ is the phrase most used when publishers are asked what they’re looking for!
Your daily program Each morning we write together — it’s intense, rigorous and intensely fun! You’ll have the afternoons to relax and explore Sanur village or beaches and avail yourselves of some of the most nurturing and relaxing spa services on the island! Bali’s special sites provide inspiration, a chance for devotion and calm. Then we regroup for drinks, dinner and the evening writing session.
Read what Amy said about the retreat in Byron Bay in April:
If you are writing or have a dream of writing a novel, a memoir, a poem — take the time and gift yourself this retreat. Writing is not easy; there are blocks & walls & doubts and for most of us it’s done alone. Connecting with other writers and to have the daily guidance of Shelley & David will fill up your creative tanks and restore your faith in your talent and in the process of writing your manuscript! — Amy Davoren, Sydney, 2017
Kelly, who was at our July 2016 retreat in Bali, said:
"I'm back to writing after such a dry spell. It wasn’t that I was out of things to say or words to say them with, I had fallen out of the habit of listening to myself ... of observing my world and reaching for the words to express the aching gratitude I feel for it’s ferocious beauty."
— Kelly McDonald, Bali, 2016
Who will be leading Writing in Paradise?
Shelley Kenigsberg — an esteemed freelance editor, writer and trainer for 30 years. Shelley mentors authors privately, via the Australian Society of Authors, the Byron Writers Festival, through the Editing in Paradise Writing Salons and privately. She helps writers preparing to submit manuscripts to publishers or, alternatively, choosing to publish independently. She presents long and short courses in editing and writing at literary festivals and writers’ centres in Australia, Indonesia and Singapore.
Shelley has commissioned new titles (trade and education), and edited books for Australia’s most respected publishers. She’s been Head of Book Editing & Publishing at Macleay College, Sydney’s premier independent university, for 27 years and active in Australian national and state editing societies, serving as President and Vice-president of the NSW Society of Editors.
David Leser is an award-winning journalist who has worked in Australia and internationally for the past 37 years. Author of six books, his most recent, a memoir — To Begin to Know: Walking in the Shadows of My Father (2014) — was shortlisted for the 2015 Australian National Biography Award. While his other books include political biography, history and business, he was editor of Paul Kelly: The Essays (2012), as well as Executive Producer of the award-winning Australian music documentary ‘Paul Kelly: Stories of Me’.
A former Middle East and Washington correspondent David has worked as a senior feature writer for the Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne Age, The Bulletin, HQ magazine and, for a decade, as the writer-at-large for The Australian Women’s Weekly. He was Australian correspondent for Italian and German Vanity Fair.
Based in Sydney, David also works as a public interviewer, guest lecturer and writing mentor.
Retreat fees (AUD)
SUPER EARLY BIRD $1995 booked & paid before
30 June
EARLY BIRD $2225
booked & paid before
31 August
FULL PRICE $2495
booked before 7 September
paid before 1 October
Venue: Villa Sekala, Sanur
Inclusions: All workshop materials,
(single room), all meals, internal transfers,
shared accommodation. Single room supplement is $260.
(Fees do not include airfares/travel insurance.)
"A dream come to reality. Couldn’t have been better!" — Helen Kinny-Lewis, Bali
"It is rare to come home and describe a short trip to friends as life-changing, but that’s exactly what I did when I returned from Bali. In one hot, intensive week, I discovered what my real writing strengths and weaknesses were – things clicked into place, and I worked harder and with more focus than I have in a very long time. ... I was actually excited about going home, because I now had a plan and I couldn’t wait to get on with it. Inspiring." — Stephanie Goldberg, UK
Contact us
and we’d be happy to send more details or give you a call.