
What’s the best idea ever for a little Christmas present, for an author wanting to be published? Can you guess? See below.

We had an exceptional writers group recently, eight people who got on like a house on fire have now formed a WhatsApp group, two of them already have booked for next year. Did you have a great group when you came? If you’d like to see those people again I could always contact everybody for you and put you in touch. I need to know exactly when it was though!

Meanwhile, somebody asked me about how to find an agent. She came to a retreat in 2019 and was inspired by some of our little quirky places around the house, and has nearly reached “the end”, that magical place we all long to get to. Well, I would always recommend the ‘writers and artists yearbook’, it makes a great Christmas present for an author, and possibly the best one ever for someone waiting to be published – they come out every July.
Plus here’s a link to a new writers and artists newsletter, sign up to those as I have some smashing offers from time to time, indeed one lady is coming to our Feb Just Write retreat and doing an online writing course whilst here in like-minded company, amongst other authors, being looked after with her own cosy room with all food, drinks and snacks accommodated, with beautiful countryside walks and a roaring fire in the evenings, and of course wine at supper and wine o’clock! And did we say no chores?

If you’d like to take advantage, especially if you want one of those coveted ensuite bedrooms, do get in touch as soon as you can, or enquire about Christmas present vouchers.
Thought I would give you a quick heads up about our new Retreats calendar – already many places have gone. Would you like to get a voucher to come and stay here? Just tell your loved ones to email me and I can explain how it works. You can part pay as well. And of course the sought after ensuite bedrooms, always go first and the same thing is happening again for the new dates from January through to June, so take a look at our calendar, six retreats to choose from, and get in touch soon?
From ‘Developing your Novel’, our bestselling writers workshop with Rebecca Horsfall – from Jericho writers amongst others – to the open University tutor Rosemary Dun, (who ran her first retreat last year here, which was a big success, one guest saying it’s the best workshop she has been on & particularly loved all of her handouts), to the return of Marnie with her memoirs week, as well as three Just Write Retreats including January the 24th (arrive Tuesday leave Saturday). Go here for more details.
Best wishes to everybody and have a happy Christmas!
Debbie
Xx
PS don’t forget to join our newsletter for the latest updates and new dates, there may be a weekend added in 2023 but I’m not sure yet. The place is still up for sale but the last time something like my house sold in the middle of Sheepwash, it took five years for it to go. Plus, I think the universe knows I don’t really want to sell! I don’t need to sell, don’t forget, I just wanted to – to free up more time so I can write my own 5th book and also see my daughter and her young family in Wales. When you’re based in Surrey most of the time, it’s quite hard to fit everything in. But the right person may come along, who wants to take over and carry on the writing retreats we all know and love :-)… Till then, I enjoy it too much to stop 🙂