What You’ll Learn

Course Overview

Led by acclaimed author and educator Mez Packer, the "Write Now" course is tailored to support writers at all stages. Mez's workshops are known for their engaging and supportive atmosphere, focusing on:

Idea Development: Cultivate and expand your creative concepts?
 

Story Structuring: Learn techniques to organize and pace your narrative effectively?
 

Character Building: Create compelling and authentic characters?
 

Refining Your Voice: Hone a unique writing style that resonates with readers?
 

By the end of the retreat, you'll have gained valuable insights and practical tools to elevate your writing?

About Mez Packer

Mez Packer is a highly experienced and empathetic writing facilitator. Her debut novel, Among Thieves, was nominated for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and her short stories have been featured in anthologies by Comma Press and Floodgate Press. As an Assistant Professor in digital/film/media storytelling at Coventry University, Mez has over 20 years of experience mentoring writers through institutions like Arvon, Skyros, and Curtis Brown Creative. She is also an arts consultant, professional editor, and creative writing mentor.?

Why Skyros?

Set in Skyros Town, a maze of cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and sea views, this retreat is more than a writing course. It’s a chance to reconnect with your creativity in a place where time slows down and inspiration is all around you.

Every day starts with optional yoga, sea-view walks or meditation, followed by breakfast and your workshop with Mez. Afternoons are free for writing, relaxing on the beach, or joining:

Colour me Greek with Theresa Amarilio

Through colour and art you will start speaking, in a few hours, some basic Greek, that you could practise in situ, while you are in Skyros! You will learn through listening and speaking,without the pressure of writing things down in order to memorise them. Listening and repeating is the key to this method, while art and colour will help to lock every new word in your memory.

This is a fun and creative course, held in the afternoons, which aims to make Greek part of your holiday's experience, which will bring you closer to the friendly Skyrians and closer to mastering a new foreign language.

Whether you only ever sing in the bath or sing regularly in choirs, this is the place for you to have a wonderful time learning glorious harmonies to some well-known and less well-known songs and tunes. We will look at popular jazz standards, world music, and some more contemporary songs and participants will be introduced to different rhythms, phrasing and given an opportunity to explore and experiment with their vocal range.

This is a course for all abilities. It is designed to be fun and relaxed. You don’t need to be able to read music or have any experience of singing in choirs, just come along to enjoy yourself! 
Evenings might include live music, group dinners or a quiet glass of wine watching the sun set over the Aegean.

Traditional Skyrian design accommodation

Rooms vary, often reflecting the charming mix of local craftsmanship and modern convenience with displays of antique ceramics, Skyrian furnishings, and always with thoughtful touches such as:

Kitchenettes for preparing quick meals or snacks

Air conditioning for summer comfort

Bathrooms with showers to freshen up after a day of exploration

 

Food & Drink

Meals are half board - usually breakfast and lunch but sometimes dinner instead - and served as a buffet.
All diets are catered for. Tell us your preference when you book. Tea and coffee are available throughout the day.