NEW: 2026 date
This is the most suitable course we do for beginners, as Rosemary is a former open university tutor and gives copious handouts!
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DEVELOPING AND PITCHING A COMMERCIAL NOVEL with Rosemary Dun
Apr 27th – May 1st 2026 (4 nights)
Perfect course for beginners. It has frequently sold out. £710pp, own room.
Beginner author Anita said, “I’ve been on lots of workshops and Rosemary’s was definitely the best I’ve been on. Her handouts were a godsend and made everything really clear. I’m really inspired now.”
Get Going with Writing That Novel
Whether you’ve always dreamed of writing a novel but don’t know where to start, or you’ve begun and feel a bit stuck, this friendly and practical course will help you get that story moving.
If you’re at the ideas stage, we’ll explore how to turn that spark into a working plot, drawing inspiration from Hollywood story structures and proven techniques to help you build confidence and momentum. You’ll have the chance to create a synopsis (yes—even before you’ve finished the book!) and learn how this can keep you on track as your story unfolds.
By the end of the course, you’ll have fresh inspiration, solid tools, and a clear sense of direction—plus plenty of material to keep you writing long after the course ends.
The sessions are full of writing exercises, tips, and handouts (I do love a good handout!), with opportunities to write, share, and receive one-to-one feedback on work submitted in advance. Don’t worry if you only have ideas to send in—signing up is a statement to your subconscious that you mean business. You’re giving yourself permission to begin.
You’ll also meet fellow writers, find motivation, and—yes—have fun. Think of it as The Nearly-Famous Five (Writers) Go to Devon!
About Rosemary Dun
Rosemary Dun has navigated the choppy waters of both traditional and independent publishing and can discuss the pros and cons of each. She teaches on the MA in Creative Writing at the Open University, has taught undergraduates for seventeen years, and runs her own online course, Writing the Commercial Novel, through an adult education centre in Bristol.
She has delivered workshops at Cheltenham Literature Festival, Leicester Festival of Literature, and The Writers’ Conference in Winchester, and offers freelance mentoring and critique.
Rosemary is the author of The Trouble With Love (Sphere, 2016; Book Guild, 2025) and Only Hummingbirds Fly Backwards (as Rosie Parker, Troubadour, 2022). She’s also a prize-winning short story writer and poet, with four poetry collections to her name. A sometime slam poet and performer, she has taken a one-woman show to the How The Light Gets In festival at Hay-on-Wye, writes comedy songs on her ukulele, and has even dabbled in stand-up comedy. (She apologises for her website, which—let’s just say—is still a work in progress.)
Itinerary: Get Going with Writing That Novel
Monday
Arrive 2 PM, settle in, and plan your one-to-one feedback session with Rosemary.
In the evening, enjoy a home-cooked meal followed by an informal introduction to the course — a relaxed chat about where you are with your writing, and of course, a glass (or two) of wine!
Tuesday
Morning workshop: Character + Conflict = Plot — we’ll explore how character drives story and discover how conflict brings your plot to life. Expect some lively exercises and optional “homework” for later.
Afternoon: Individual writing time and one-to-one sessions.
Evening: A relaxed catch-up over wine, with plenty of opportunity to talk about your work.
Wednesday
Morning workshop: What Can We Learn from Hollywood?
We’ll look at how films can teach us about structure, pacing, and emotional payoff. Discussion will include: what agents and editors look for, identifying your genre (and why it matters), and adding that elusive va-va-voom to your writing. Includes short exercises and optional homework.
Afternoon: Individual writing and one-to-one sessions.
Evening: As above — wine, chat, inspiration!
Thursday
Morning workshop: The Art of Self-Editing — practical tips for shaping your first draft into something strong and satisfying. We’ll embrace the “shitty first draft” (thank you, Anne Lamott!) and focus on getting it written before getting it right.
Afternoon: More writing time and one-to-ones.
Evening: A friendly discussion about work-in-progress and what’s next for your novel.
Friday
Departure after breakfast (most guests leave mid-morning).
Recommended Reading
- Stealing Hollywood — Alexandra Sokoloff
- Write Your Novel from the Middle — James Scott Bell
- Save the Cat! — Blake Snyder
Recommended Movies
- The Proposal
- The Great Escape
- Chalet Girl
- War of the Worlds (the Tom Cruise one)
Extra Info
All the usual treats are included: full board, afternoon tea and cake, wine with supper, and absolutely no chores!
Retreats for You is a charming 17th-century thatched house in the picturesque North Devon village of Sheepwash, surrounded by beautiful countryside walks. Rooms are cosy and comfortable, offering peaceful spaces to write — and sleep!
Sheepwash lies between Bideford and Okehampton, easily reached by car (ample parking) or taxi from Exeter St Davids station. The village has a shop, a pub, and a church — all quintessentially Devon.
All meals are home-cooked by your host Debbie and her team (and no, you won’t have to cook a thing — hurrah!). Between writing sessions, enjoy walks, the gardens, or simply the company of fellow writers. There’s something truly magical about sharing a retreat with others on the same creative journey.
Demand for this retreat is expected to be high so do book early.
cost – £710 per person. (Two ensuite rooms are available at a supplement, please enquire).
£125 deposit is required to secure your booking. (There will be a waiting list if over-subscribed). Balance payable when we invoice you about 6-8 weeks beforehand. In case of postponement, you can transfer your deposit to the next retreat no problem.
Contact [email protected] for further information and to book a place or enquire via RFY. Please put Writing Retreat in the subject heading.
Follow Rosemary on Twitter and find her website here.
“If you are serious about seeing your book in print, Rosemary Dun’s course Developing and Pitching a Commercial Novel is the course for you. I learnt more about the practical skills required to be a published author on this course than I did on a two year part-time Masters degree in Creative Writing. And the icing on the cake? The wonderful Retreats for You location and host, Debbie.”
– Jane Murrell, April 2023