Memoir Writing with Marnie Summerfield Smith – Tutored Retreat
July 7th – 11th 2025 (4 nights)
This workshop is being revamped to a more premium version, more details to follow.
Ever fancied writing your life story? Don’t know where to begin? Want help shaping it? Plus advice about how to self-publish it? We have the retreat for you. Includes much personalised attention tailored for your own needs whatever stage you are at, with one of our most experienced tutors who looks after people and guides them to achieve their aims in beautiful surroundings whilst being looked after and no chores. Four nights, full board, own cosy room. £899pp
Marnie Summerfield Smith is a ghostwriter and memoir mentor who has helped more than 200 authors to write their stories. The primal desire to have our story heard is the heart of her work. She loves working with people to explore and deepen their stories and bring them into the world, whether it’s for an author’s personal satisfaction or a wider audience. We are thrilled to be welcoming back Marnie and offering our popular memoir writing retreat.
Wherever you are on the memoir writing journey – at the very beginning, stuck in the middle, or nearing the end – Marnie will meet you and guide you to where you want to be.
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak to Marnie in advance of the retreat and she will also read 3,000 words of your work, or just talk through beforehand what you want to achieve whilst you are with us. This way she will tailor your week to meet your individual needs. She promises that the retreat will move your project along in a completely personalised way.
The course will run for 4 nights. There will be optional workshops on subjects determined by the participants’ needs, one to one sessions with Marnie and plenty of time to write and if you so desire, to share your work with other memoirists.
Spaces are limited to 9, ensuring lots of focused, quality time for everybody.
Feedback from Marnie’s previous retreats:
Sarah Weller
Being part of the Cream Tea Memoir Crew was a pleasure and a joy. We spent the best part of a week huddled together, deep in the Devon countryside, surrounded by beautiful farmlands and rain! To have the freedom to write (or not) within this group was an experience I will never forget. Marnie has a gift for putting people at ease. We were a group of strangers and Marnie’s lead gave each of us the confidence to be open and share and have the group support to carry on. As a tutor Marnie ‘sees’ all of us, her empathy and understanding prompts us to go deeper, find more, bring out what we don’t know we have. Yes, there were tears as memoir can be both difficult and painful but Marnie understands what a reader demands and gently moves us to recreate the stories that we are trying to hone into something new to go on to share.
Kendall
A group writing retreat led by Marnie – enlightening, enjoyable and total support from Deb at Retreats For You.
Sarah
Space to write! Marnie has been a fantastic mentor and guide – informative, encouraging, reflective, and much more! It’s been like being in another world. And all with Debbie’s amazing support and food. The perfect writing retreat!
Carol
Brilliant teaching and guidance from Marnie, all facilitated by Debbie’s caring surroundings.
Tara Cochrane
I booked a retreat with Marnie about a year after first putting pen to paper. I had no idea what to expect but hoped to find direction, clarity and inspiration. I didn’t expect to find all of that and more. I came to her with pages of scattered thoughts, questioning why I ever thought writing my Memoir was a good idea. She was encouraging, kind, compassionate and without doubt an expert at what she does. With her attentive guidance I was able to structure my thoughts and share them in a safe space. I can’t thank or recommend her enough. We could do with some more Marnies in this world.
Michelle Reid
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Marnie at the memoir writing retreat in 2021. She’s so easy to talk to, non-judgemental, has a sharp sense of humour, and so much empathy; all qualities that make her perfect for coaching memoir writing. I will absolutely continue to work with Marnie as I progress with my writing.
Wendy
I was fortunate to get a shot in the arm of Marnie magic. This was my second retreat with Marnie and it was, as always, such a special time. Ticked all my writing boxes.
Lizzie Perkins
Marnie knows her stuff. She is encouraging and insightful and used her knowledge of writing coupled with strong listening skills to guide me towards finishing my story. The retreat was intimate and provided me with lots of time to write and also time to spend with other writers. Thanks Marnie for a marvellous retreat.
Pema
Life changing – I will remember it forever. Marnie, thanks for bringing the love we needed to nurture us and help us grow. Debbie, you have created a haven – a perfect place to write. The location is a dream!
Some of Marnie’s books can be found here:
Home From War: How Love Conquered the Horrors of a Soldier’s Afghan Nightmare
At Home with Muhammad Ali: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Forgiveness
The Simple Philosophy Of Heaven: The true story of the unbreakable bond between mother and son
Riding The Storm: A Memoir of Mental Illness
Itinerary:
Monday
Arrive lunchtime
Introductions & welcome
Planning of one-to-ones/finalising workshop topics
Workshop topics can be done individually or in smaller groups
I am flexible and anyone should feel free to write when the mood takes them and I will accommodate accordingly. Sharing our stories and writing is always optional and no one will feel pressured to do so.
Tuesday
Morning workshop/individual/group writing
Lunch
Afternoon individual/group writing/one-to-ones
Wednesday
Morning individual/group writing, one-to-ones
Lunch
Afternoon workshop/one-to-ones
Thursday
Morning workshop/individual/group writing
Lunch
Afternoon individual/group writing/one-to-ones
Friday
Morning workshops on traditional/independent publishing
(Or we may do this Thursday evening, depending how we all feel)
Followed by planning what to write next and how we can fit memoiring into our lives once we are home
Lunch
Departure
Included in the price is one catch-up call/Skype session with Marnie following the retreat.
All the usual treats are included as well as full board, no chores, wine at supper and afternoon tea/coffee/cake.
About Retreats For You…
Retreats For You is a 17th century thatched house in a picturesque North Devon village, with beautiful countryside walks. There is a mini home gym, a delightful summer house in the garden, excellent broadband, and pretty courtyard. Your own cosy room (or ensuite, optional extra – first come first served, they usually go first, £29 per person per night extra, Martin room and Hewitt room). All are equipped with filtered water, tea and coffee making facilities, writing desk and lamp, dressing gown and towels, slippers, sleep spray, crisp white cotton bedding and really comfortable mattresses. Two have a Sealy Posturepedic! (Jones rm and Martin rm.) All have memory foam. Check out the book a room page or look at the holiday let page for videos.
The quaint village of Sheepwash is in between Bideford and Okehampton and reached by car (there is ample parking) or taxi from Exeter Saint Davids station, or go to Okehampton station which is much nearer and is now open! We put you in touch with the taxi lady who will liaise to save you money if a joint ride is possible.
Our regular retreats are from £128pppn if you want to ‘just write’.
This is our second memoir writing retreat and the first one sold out so please book early. A deposit of £125 is payable now, with the balance 6-8 weeks before the retreat when we will contact you and be in touch with more information.
The total cost for the retreat, full board including wine at supper is £899 per delegate. (Two ensuite rooms may be available, at a supplement, remember, please enquire – first come first served.) A reminder that this includes the opportunity to speak to Marnie in advance of the retreat.
In the first instance contact us here at [email protected] for details.Or text 07949 052208
For more about Marnie please visit:
yourmemoir.co.ukTwitter: MarnieMemoirsInstagram: MarnieMemoirs
Join Marnie’s mailing list and receive her Memoir Writing Guide FREE