Creative Writing Holidays

The Writers’ Lab in Skyros island, Greece - described by the Guardian as Number 1 of the World's Best 5 Writing Holidays - offers writers, thinkers and dabblers the opportunity to learn from distinguished authors, share the joys and struggles of the creative writing process, discover their strengths and polish their skills. In an idyllic environment, far away from the demands and routines dictated by a busy life, course participants can navigate beyond old boundaries and emerge with pieces of writing to be proud of.

Indeed, participants have gone on to publish books or to stage plays started, developed or completed in Skyros.

Creative Writing Courses

Courses are open to novices with a secret passion for writing as much as to writers who have a book under their belt. The tutors enjoy helping people at any stage of development – so do come with work in progress or just an empty page.

Courses convene for up to three hours every morning. They may include group and individual exercises, feedback sessions, varying scenic locations and always camaraderie and fun. Their pace and content are determined by the participants themselves.

The Skyros Writers’ Lab has built up an excellent reputation over the years. Steven Berkoff, Rachel Billington, Margaret Drabble, Hanif Kureishi, Alison Lurie, Hilary Mantel, D M Thomas, Sue Townsend, Marina Warner, Hugo Williams and many others have graced the place over the years and given hundreds of people the benefit of their passion and experience.

‘Intellectual rigour, spiritual encounters and good old-fashioned rioting in the evening’.
Angela Neustatter, The Times

Catering for all levels of experience, this year’s facilitators include comedian, writer and broadcaster Arthur Smith, Booker prize nominee James Scudamore, Creative Writing Lecturer Alice Jolly and Monique Roffey presenting her crash course in fiction writing.

On the programme there are also many other distinguished writers - Crysse Morrison, Jennie Rooney, Helena Drysdale, Jeremy Sheldon, Allegra Taylor and Amanda Smyth.

All the Skyros writing tutors combine experience and passion for their work and will give their course participants the best guidance new writers can expect.