Come to my Spanish Writing Retreat

Getting your writing to the next level with Paul McVeigh

Come spend a week in Spain with me – 29 Oct – 4 Nov 2022 at the beautiful Casa Ana in the Andalucian mountains.

Here’s the blurb…

“Paul will bring his 30 years of experience as an award-winning writer, tutor, editor and competition judge to helping you raise your writing to the next level. He’ll lead group sessions each morning, dissecting texts to illustrate how to write compelling fiction, exploring techniques to better equip your writers’ toolbox, and helping you develop your writing voice. The afternoons are free for you to put new insights into practice in your writing and Paul will also offer a one-to-one session where you can discuss your writing and/or the industry. To round off the retreat there’ll be an evening where you can read your work in a supportive atmosphere, in the company of the other writers.”

Your retreat at Casa Ana

  • You’ll have the luxury of a week or two working uninterruptedly on your writing
  • Inspiring mountain surroundings, quiet corners on the terrace, Spanish sunshine
  • Your own room and writing table
  • The company of other writers, from many countries
  • Opportunities to read from your work in the supportive atmosphere of the group
  • One-to-one sessions are available with the resident mentor
  • You don’t have to cook! The Casa Ana chef prepares sumptuous meals. Full board is included in the price.
  • We make it easy for you to travel to Casa Ana with a minibus from Malaga or a taxi from Granada airport

If you’re interested please head over to the Casa Ana website…

The Good Son 3rd Editon
You can buy here

Winner of The Polari First Novel Prize

‘A triumph of storytelling. An absolute gem.’ Donal Ryan

Raw, funny and endlessly entertaining’Jonathan Coe

Teaching in Spain 2020

Teaching at the Literary Adventure writing retreat in Spain 2020

I’ll be teaching for the wonderful TLC. Here’s the info from their site…

TLC is thrilled to announce the tutor for its Guardian-recommended Literary Adventure writing retreat 2020 is the award-winning novelist Paul McVeigh. Paul will be joining us September 5th-12th 2020 at the beautiful Casa Ana in the Alpujarra region of Spain. Groups are limited to a maximum of 12 writers, to allow writers the creative space and freedom to help develop their projects in a focussed and supportive environment. The retreat is open to writers of fiction and memoir with works in progress.

The Study at Casa Ana

TLC Literary Adventures offers an environment where inspiration and improvisation meet. You will have access to world-class teaching, get a chance to work, read, listen, learn and relax in a stunning setting which will open the mind and senses. The retreat will include morning workshops, free writing time, readings, and optional afternoon sessions including a poetry workshop, a talk about the publishing industry, and a trip to a nearby village offering artisanal products. The week will end with a series of short, focussed one-on-one sessions, and a chance to share work written during the week with your fellow writers. Daily breakfasts, lunches, three 3-course chef cooked dinners at Casa Ana, and accommodation are included in the ticket price. A full programme including details on accommodation, location and booking can be found here, or you can email us directly: aki@literaryconsultancy.co.uk.”

TLC Literary Adventure 2020 Programme
TLC Literary Adventure 2020 Rooms and Fees

Hope to see you there.

Writing Retreat in Tuscany

This September I’m teaching at a writing retreat in Tuscany – fancy joining me? Here’s the info…

“A week-long stay in a blissful Tuscan setting. A 17th century villa on a Chianti hill with panoramic views, providing the perfect backdrop for a time of serene relaxation, writing and dining. Unwind by the poolside, or over a glass of wine from the villa’s vineyard, with an intimate group of like-minded writers, and allow the inspiration to unfold.

At the Free With Words June 2019 writing retreat, you’ll be given space away from your day-to-day life to set your creative spirit free. Workshops, teaching, and one-to-one consultations with our experienced and passionate tutors will help shape your writing in the way it needs to go.

Because we know a relaxed writer is a better writer, we don’t believe in pressure. Our passion and focus is to provide the perfect environment and support to help you do your very best writing, and to move forward in your life with more confidence in your writing projects and ability. You can choose to attend each part of the retreat, or you can use your time to simply write, relax by the pool, or explore the stunning region. Whatever way you approach our retreat, we aim to help you free your creative self.

You’ll leave this uniquely nurturing experience renewed, invigorated, and ready for the next part of your writing life.

What to expect from our Free With Words Tuscan retreat. . . .

Over your six days and seven nights at the stunning Villalta, you’ll wake up to a beautiful breakfast every day, before joining in an optional creative meditation in the morning sunshine to put you in the headspace for maximising your potential that day.

The workshops

Each morning our tutors will host a workshop, covering a range of subjects to inform your writing. From working with self-doubt to developing a page-turning plot, from writing characters that jump off the page to harnessing the power of emotion to hook the reader, you’ll be given a toolbox to bring your writing alive and to the next stage. Learn more about our tutors here.

Writing time

Throughout the day we break for blocks of writing time, where you can go to your room or find a private nook in the villa or gardens, giving yourself space to write.

Mentoring

You will have the chance to send us up to ten pages of a manuscript before the retreat. During the week our tutors will be available for a personalised feedback and mentorship session with each participant, so you and your writing can get the very most from your time with us.

Salons

Every evening post-dinner we host a salon, at which there will be readings, Q&As, discussion, curated interaction, and maybe even song.

Food and wine

We provide a buffet lunch every afternoon, and a three-course meal every evening, in a space that is ripe for convivial conversation. Our food is cooked by an Italian in-house chef with locally-sourced fresh ingredients, and our wines included at dinner come from the villa’s vineyard. (If you prefer to take yourself off to a local restaurant, the town of Arezzo, just a few kilometres away, has a range of top-notch authentic Italian restaurants.)

Meet the tutors…

Click here

What’s included:

  • Seven nights accommodation in a private room

  • Opening night reception and barbeque

  • All meals and alcohol

  • Workshops and salons

  • One-to-one feedback on your writing with our tutors

  • Morning meditation

  • Poolside aperitifs each evening

  • Free Wi-Fi

  • Closing night reception

What’s not included:

  • Airfares, travel and health insurance, and transportation to and from the villa

Pricing:

7-Night Stay & Programme

€2,500 per person, single occupancy

€2,000 per person, double occupancy

Payment terms: €800 deposit due on acceptance of booking. Final balance due by April 1, 2019.

(Rooms are on a first come first served basis.)

Read terms and conditions here

Frequently asked questions here

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