WRITER'S RETREAT
23 - 27 November 2022 - Hout Bay, Cape Town
8-12 February 2023 - McGregor, Western Cape (Novels)
28- 30 April 2023 McGregor, Western Cape
15 - 19 November 2023, McGregor, Western Cape
8-12 February 2023 - McGregor, Western Cape (Novels)
28- 30 April 2023 McGregor, Western Cape
15 - 19 November 2023, McGregor, Western Cape
Every year we retreat a few times for a writing immersion. Anyone with a book, or a writing project is welcome to join. You may be a new writer, or an experienced writer who simply needs time away from your life to really settle into your writing. You will join writing coach and literary agent Sarah Bullen on a journey into quiet, and into your story.
In 2022 our dates are a midsummer retreat just outside Cape Town, South Africa in the small coastal village of Hout Bay.
In 2023 we will be going back to the Retreat Centre at Temenos in McGregor, two hours drive out of Cape Town.
Please look at at the dates and then book a suitable retreat.
Mornings will be a structured class with afternoons free to pour your words onto the page. We gather in the evenings for reading, feedback and storytelling.
I have writers of many different levels coming on these retreats. Some are starting a book and need more guidance, others working on the 2nd or 3rd books. Still other writers join to journal or write poetry. Academic writers are also welcome. Each writer has two personal sessions with me to focus on your project and work on your writing plans and material.
For those who need a push, my structured evening sessions will show you how to write, edit and market your book, find a structure, character, plot, advanced plotting and pace, how to construct scenes, best writing techniques, timelines and schedules, genre and finding your voice, preparing your manuscript, how to approach publishers, how to write your marketing material, new publishing models.
All writing genre's are welcome on this retreat - novels, memoir, non-fiction, poetry, children's books, academic.
In 2022 our dates are a midsummer retreat just outside Cape Town, South Africa in the small coastal village of Hout Bay.
In 2023 we will be going back to the Retreat Centre at Temenos in McGregor, two hours drive out of Cape Town.
Please look at at the dates and then book a suitable retreat.
Mornings will be a structured class with afternoons free to pour your words onto the page. We gather in the evenings for reading, feedback and storytelling.
I have writers of many different levels coming on these retreats. Some are starting a book and need more guidance, others working on the 2nd or 3rd books. Still other writers join to journal or write poetry. Academic writers are also welcome. Each writer has two personal sessions with me to focus on your project and work on your writing plans and material.
For those who need a push, my structured evening sessions will show you how to write, edit and market your book, find a structure, character, plot, advanced plotting and pace, how to construct scenes, best writing techniques, timelines and schedules, genre and finding your voice, preparing your manuscript, how to approach publishers, how to write your marketing material, new publishing models.
All writing genre's are welcome on this retreat - novels, memoir, non-fiction, poetry, children's books, academic.
THE VENUE - CAPE TOWN
The Guest Lodge is in scenic Hout Bay. Situated on the Atlantic Seaboard, twenty minutes from the Cape Town City Centre and the very popular V & A Waterfront. Cape Town International Airport is an easy 25 minute drive. Victorskloof Lodge is secluded yet it is very central to all the attractions of the Cape Peninsula. There are unparelled sea and mountain views of Hout Bay Harbour, Chapman’s Peak, The Sentinel and the Kommetjie light house in the distance.
10 spacious, well-appointed furnished suites make up the private accommodation.
All units have separate entrances opening onto the garden, pool area with magnificent sea views.
Each spacious unit is en suite and is equipped with coffee and tea making facilities.
There is a large shared entertainment area with tables for writing, relaxing and dreaming.
The Guest Lodge is in scenic Hout Bay. Situated on the Atlantic Seaboard, twenty minutes from the Cape Town City Centre and the very popular V & A Waterfront. Cape Town International Airport is an easy 25 minute drive. Victorskloof Lodge is secluded yet it is very central to all the attractions of the Cape Peninsula. There are unparelled sea and mountain views of Hout Bay Harbour, Chapman’s Peak, The Sentinel and the Kommetjie light house in the distance.
10 spacious, well-appointed furnished suites make up the private accommodation.
All units have separate entrances opening onto the garden, pool area with magnificent sea views.
Each spacious unit is en suite and is equipped with coffee and tea making facilities.
There is a large shared entertainment area with tables for writing, relaxing and dreaming.
THE VENUE 2023 - Temenos Retreat Centre, MCGREGOR
Temenos is well loved for its beauty and tranquility. It is set in the heart of the small village of McGregor. There are a range of simple, fully equipped cottages. Each cottage sleeps has its own private patio and fireplace for winter visits. The centre is comes from the Buddhist tradition where simplicity and silence are welcomed. There is a swimming pool in the gardens, healing gardens are many private spaces for meditation and quiet reflection and writing. There is an on-site restaurant that offers breakfast lunch and supper. There are 11 cottages and when you book you will be given the list and can select one that calls to you.
Environmentalist journalist Don Pinnock wrote about the place in his story, Billy’s Magic Garden of the Beloved, saying: “While walking the labyrinthine paths of the Garden of the Beloved, getting lost is inevitable and the greatest pleasure. Among the eclectic flowerbeds, woods and ponds are unexpected surprises.“Around a sudden curve in the path you might discover the Inner Temple of the Heart, just big enough for two people with walls in blue stained glass, or the Angel for Lost Children. Sitting on a driftwood bench you could be surrounded by peacocks or have your shoelaces undone by a playful grey cat.
Temenos is well loved for its beauty and tranquility. It is set in the heart of the small village of McGregor. There are a range of simple, fully equipped cottages. Each cottage sleeps has its own private patio and fireplace for winter visits. The centre is comes from the Buddhist tradition where simplicity and silence are welcomed. There is a swimming pool in the gardens, healing gardens are many private spaces for meditation and quiet reflection and writing. There is an on-site restaurant that offers breakfast lunch and supper. There are 11 cottages and when you book you will be given the list and can select one that calls to you.
Environmentalist journalist Don Pinnock wrote about the place in his story, Billy’s Magic Garden of the Beloved, saying: “While walking the labyrinthine paths of the Garden of the Beloved, getting lost is inevitable and the greatest pleasure. Among the eclectic flowerbeds, woods and ponds are unexpected surprises.“Around a sudden curve in the path you might discover the Inner Temple of the Heart, just big enough for two people with walls in blue stained glass, or the Angel for Lost Children. Sitting on a driftwood bench you could be surrounded by peacocks or have your shoelaces undone by a playful grey cat.
Reviews on our retreats! We have a full page of reviews for you to read - click here
The group is intimate and we are gathering in the most beautiful and magical of landscapes for a retreat in LATE summer. |
COST 2022 Cape Town
Single occupancy room R12,000 Deposit R5,000 Full payment by 05 October 2022 Shared room R9,000 per person Deposit R5,000 per person Full payment by 05 October 2022 We will not pair you up with someone, so book this room if you are coming with a partner or friend. Non Residential Ticket R6,000 You will not stay at the venue but lunches, and all tuition will be included Please note a deposit is required to secure your place. This is non-refundable as per our T&Cs. Please be clear before your book as places fill up fast. We can jump on a quick call to discuss if this is right for you. COST INCLUDES
COST EXCLUDES
YOU WILL LEARN
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TESTIMONIALS
"Thank you so much for an unforgettable week. The beautiful feminine energy, the gentle, nurturing environment that blended with the physical care taken with the healthy, organic food, yoga sessions and massages all conspired to bringing about a luxurious introspection into spaces that I have allowed to become dusty corners of my imagination."
- Carin Combrink, Forgotten Waterfall, 2019
"I spent this last week with Sarah and the other writers at the Write your Novel Retreat in the Cape. This was truly the most inspiring and motivating thing I have ever done for myself. Sarah's guidance is invaluable. Working our way through the writing process with Sarah has left me feeling far more equipped to pursue my dream. And her personal insights into my project has taken it to another level. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone, regardless of where you are writing wise. Amazing experience."
- Hanri Mostert, 2017
"This 'write a novel' course was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel!"
- Kate, 2017
"Dear Sarah. That was the best writing course I’ve ever been on. Thank you so much. I learned so much, and I can apply it immediately to my third novel."
- Helen Brain (Elevation Trilogy) 2018
"This retreat was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah."
- Kate Baxter, 2017
"The McGregor retreat was a real treat! Temenos is a lovely place, relaxing and inspiring, I would even say “nourishing". I met some lovely people, talked about writing and reading, meditated, progressed a lot on my story and enjoyed Sarah’s passionate talks. A highlight was Sarah’s storytelling.
-Petros Isaakidis, 2021
"Apart from being at lovely venue the retreat in McGregor fired me up to complete my fist draft which I am now doing. I learnt a lot about the practical and business side of getting published."
-Jan Glazewski, 2021
- Carin Combrink, Forgotten Waterfall, 2019
"I spent this last week with Sarah and the other writers at the Write your Novel Retreat in the Cape. This was truly the most inspiring and motivating thing I have ever done for myself. Sarah's guidance is invaluable. Working our way through the writing process with Sarah has left me feeling far more equipped to pursue my dream. And her personal insights into my project has taken it to another level. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone, regardless of where you are writing wise. Amazing experience."
- Hanri Mostert, 2017
"This 'write a novel' course was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah and Anel!"
- Kate, 2017
"Dear Sarah. That was the best writing course I’ve ever been on. Thank you so much. I learned so much, and I can apply it immediately to my third novel."
- Helen Brain (Elevation Trilogy) 2018
"This retreat was the best birthday present I ever gave myself. It was set in a beautiful and peaceful environment, was well paced, was information packed with all the basics of how to really write a book, had surprising acts of art and physical exercise included to move the thinking through the body, was practical and honest about how dedicated one must really be to write, and was delicious to be around such inspiring facilitators who are warm, caring and so professional too. Thank you Sarah."
- Kate Baxter, 2017
"The McGregor retreat was a real treat! Temenos is a lovely place, relaxing and inspiring, I would even say “nourishing". I met some lovely people, talked about writing and reading, meditated, progressed a lot on my story and enjoyed Sarah’s passionate talks. A highlight was Sarah’s storytelling.
-Petros Isaakidis, 2021
"Apart from being at lovely venue the retreat in McGregor fired me up to complete my fist draft which I am now doing. I learnt a lot about the practical and business side of getting published."
-Jan Glazewski, 2021
