Holiday Facilitators: Lisa Harding
skill, experience, warmth
Biography
Lisa Harding is a writer, actress and playwright. She is currently Writer in Residence at University College Cork and is teaching creative writing at master's level. She received an MPhil in creative writing from Trinity College Dublin in 2014.
Harvesting, her debut novel, won the Kate O’Brien award, was shortlisted for an Irish Book Award and the Kerry Group Prize in 2018. It is being republished in the US with Harper Collins in 2023 in a new version, titled Cloud Girls.
Her second novel, Bright Burning Things, was published internationally to widespread critical acclaim. It received a starred review in the Publisher’s Weekly, was shortlisted for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year, a Dalkey Literary Award, and was a New York Times Editor’s Choice, a People Magazine Choice, and a read with Jenna Book Club Pick as featured on the Today Show.
Both novels are in development for film and TV. Short stories have been published in the Dublin Review, The Lonely Crowd and Winter Papers among others. Plays have been performed at the Battersea Arts centre, Theatre 503 and The Project Arts Centre. Her third novel, Truth Game, is due to be published with Bloomsbury and Harper Collins in 2024. Lisa is delighted to be returning to Skyros, as her writing journey began here over a decade ago!
What people say about Lisa and her courses:
Lisa was great!
Learned so much, very detailed content. Exercises were very rewarding. Lisa was not only very instructive but very encouraging to everyone. Loved it!
Lisa has unlocked my voice. She is a thorough yet delightful teacher. Her notes for us to take away will be super useful. Lisa’s love of words and technique gave us such freedom to express ourselves, as well as the tools to write well. It was a wonderful week of creativity, constructive critical analysis and sharing. Thank you.
Where does Lisa Harding facilitate?
Sun 2 Jun - Sun 9 Jun 2024 (7 nights)
At a glance
The Skyros Centre is the original home of Skyros holidays, the perfect creative, wellness adult-only retreat. Meet like-minded new friends and explore your potential with inspirational, skilled facilitators who will support you. Enjoy laid-back Greek island life. As with every Skyros holiday, do as much or as little as you choose. Logan Murray is directing this week at the Skyros Centre.
Find out more about the choice of writing courses below in What's On.
About
Skyros attracts mostly solo travelling guests from all over the world. Although all ages are represented, approximately 70% are between 35 and 65. The Skyros Centre is set in the stunning hillside village, with panoramic views of the hills and the sea.
Accommodation
Stay in traditional Skyrian rooms or by the sea. Twin shared occupancy is including in the price or book single occupancy.
Inspiring Courses
Choose your Writers' Lab course in advance. Your course will run mid-morning for three hours per day, five days per week. Morning Yoga drop-in classes are open to all.
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.
Guide Itinerary
07.15: Morning drop-in classes
08.30: Breakfast
09.00: Demos (news of the day)
10.15: Your Masterclass
13.30: Lunch
15.00: Siesta/beach time
18.00: Ad-hoc drop-in classes
20.00: Dinner & evening activities
Average Temperature
Temperatures in June range between 20 degrees and 28 degrees Celcius.
Location
Summary
What's included?
- 15 hours of your chosen Writers' Lab course per week
- Five mornings of drop-in Morning Yoga per week
- Community structures unique to Skyros that bring people together in a fun and authentic way
- Twin shared accommodation in the traditional Skyrian village or by the sea (upgrades available)
- Breakfast and lunch, although sometimes dinner in place of lunch
- Local walks and talks as well as organised excursions including a boat trip
- Plenty of time out for relaxing on long, sandy beaches
What's On
Travel
To travel to Skyros Island you must go to Athens. We have organised transfers from Athens (detailed below) to take the stress out of your journey.
Domestic Travel (Athens – Skyros, return)
Flights to Skyros island are limited so we recommend booking as soon as possible with Aegean Airlines. For this session we recommend –
- OUT: Departing Athens on the 2nd June at 2.35pm, arriving to Skyros at 3.15pm
- RETURN: Departing Skyros on 9th June at 3.35pm, arriving to Athens at 4.20pm
If the flight to Skyros sells out for these dates we will organise an overland transfer.
International Travel (to/from Athens)
- OUT: Arrive to Athens Airport on or before 12.35pm on the 2nd June in time to catch the connecting flight to Skyros. Many choose to arrive the day before (on the 1st June) for a more relaxed journey.
For those arriving in Athens on the 1st June we have an organised transfer including an overnight stay in Central Athens. If many arrive in to Athens at a similar time we will arrange a courtesy coach (minimum numbers required) departing Athens Airport to the hotel where you can relax and meet others joining the session. The following day the bus will return to Athens Airport in time for the flight to Skyros. To join this transfer, select Single/Twin Share at the Dorian, Transfer to Athens Airport & Transfer to Skyros Centre when booking.
For those arriving in Athens on the 2nd June you will only require a transfer from Skyros Airport to the Skyros Centre. To secure this please select Transfer from Skyros Airport to Skyros Centre only when booking.
- RETURN: We have an organised transfer from the Skyros Centre to Skyros Airport in time for the flight to Athens. To join this organised transfer, select Transfer to Skyros Airport when booking.
We recommend allowing at least two hours in Athens Airport by booking an international return flight after 6.20pm on 9th June.
