Write a Book That Sells
With award-winning author Janet Gover
Whether you’re just starting out, or already have stories out in the world, this new retreat will help you lift your writing to the next level with an in-depth look at what readers and publishers want in a commercial novel, and how to give them exactly that.
Arrive Tuesday, leave Saturday. Workshops every morning, and afternoon. Writing time galore! Own cosy room, with lovely bedding, towels, tea and coffee making facilities, and writing desk in every room. All food and hot drinks, snacks, cake (!), and wine at supper, provided. Gorgeous 1600s thatched house in quaint North Devon village with mini home gym, great broadband and fabulous beds. No chores! Just reams of me-time, countryside walks and spending time in like-minded company.
Tutor – Multi award-winning author and experienced tutor, Janet Gover
Cost – £689 per person, includes a one-to-one and follow up.
All you need to do is book now, £125 deposit is payable upfront, the balance due 6-8 weeks beforehand. (NB the ensuite bedrooms usually go first).
Write a Book that Sells
There are no guarantees in the world of publishing. Well written books get rejected. Unexpected books soar to extraordinary heights. Trends come and go. All we can do as authors is write the best book we can, send it to the right market and then rinse and repeat, whether you are going for an agent/traditional publisher or self publishing. But Janet Gover will give you tips and tricks to help it be the best it can be, and guidance if you need it, whatever stage you are at.
Janet will also examine a sample of your work, which you can email beforehand, or write during your stay; plus there will of course be tips and tricks galore to give you a better chance of achieving your writing goals.
The course will include daily workshops, writing exercises, a one-to-one assessment of pre-submitted work, as well as offering plenty of me-time to write.
Janet Gover on ‘does your book need a prologue?’
Your week will include
Daily:
workshops –
– 10 am till 11.30am.
– 2pm till 3.30pm
An individual one to one at some point.
The rest of the time is your own.
TUESDAY:
Arrive 2pm and settle in to your own room before pre-dinner introductions over afternoon tea. Tell us all what you are writing and set your goals for the week.
After dinner discussion, around the roaring wood burner in the big sitting room: ‘The books we love and why we love them.’
WEDNESDAY:
Morning: What makes a ‘commercial’ novel?
Writing Time and lunch.
Afternoon: It’s all about your characters. Make people like them.
Writing time and one to one chats with Janet.
After dinner discussion: Genre – what it is and why we need to get it right.
THURSDAY:
Morning: Moving the story along with plot and pace. We need action on the page.
Writing time and lunch
Afternoon: Conflict and resolution. Giving the reader that AHHHHH moment.
Writing time and one to one chats with Janet.
After dinner discussion: Ask all your questions about publishing.
FRIDAY:
Morning: What are you really writing about? Find the deep core of your story.
Writing time and lunch
Afternoon: Meeting expectations – your own as well as the readers. It’s time to ask all the questions about publishing.
Writing time and one to one chats with Janet.
After Dinner discussion: setting achievable goals.
SATURDAY:
10am vacate rooms, most people leave late morning .
Set off home to put the week’s lessons and inspiration into practice.
Follow-up – as discussed with Janet during your retreat.
Fully catered retreat:
Anytime, self-service breakfast, including home-made bread and yoghurt, local eggs, (we have a self-service egg steamer/boiler!), a wide selection of cereals, inc GF, teas and coffee, milk of your choice. Cheese and fruit.
1pm lunch: a delicious, healthy help-yourself buffet. And cake.
Afternoon break – tea/coffee/cake, or savouries. All available any time you want day or night. NB dining room tea and coffee station is never closed and you may find others standing there having a chat too, whilst they take a break from writing in their rooms.
Please note on popular retreats we often have people staying in the Annex rooms of the Gastropub in the adjacent square. Those guests join us for all meals, all day long and retire to the Annex at night. They find their own space to write here, during the daytime, whether it’s the summerhouse down the bottom of the garden, the studio, or one of the rooms downstairs in the house. On fine days they may be in the courtyard amidst the flower planters, under a sun umbrella, or on a lounger in the walled back garden.
6pm ish – wine o’clock, some take a breather and have a banter around the fire . Others continue writing in their rooms right up until supper.
Supper is usually between 730 and 8 pm, served in the dining room, where a second glass of wine, or your preferred drink, is also served.
(Please let Debbie know of any dietary requirements in advance.)
NO CHORES. Unlike some retreats you will not be asked to take up any of your valuable me-time with chores. No washing up, or contributing to the cooking. Minimal plate-clearing (we just ask you to put it on the island in the kitchen when you’re done with it! ) and stripping bed on final morning, only.
How do I book?
All you need to pay is £125 now, by bank tf, and the balance due about 6-8 weeks beforehand. You will be introduced to Janet online prior to the course and she will let you know what’s in store. Any questions, ask now, as Debbie and Janet are very happy to tell you more. If you want, you can also join a little WhatsApp group, set up two weeks beforehand, to liaise with other guests e.g. about Taxi share et cetera.
Contact us as soon as possible to book, by emailing [email protected].
Or use the enquiry form below.
From your tutor:
Writing a book can be a lonely and at times heartbreaking experience. Only another writer knows exactly how it feels to put your heart and soul into words on a page. Spending time at a retreat like this is doubly helpful. It’s a chance to learn from the experience of others, and a chance to talk to people who really understand.
I believe there are three parts to this process. The Author – that’s you. The book – the child of your creativity. And the audience (be it one person or a hundred thousand) who read you book. Let me help you write the book you want to write – and help that book find the audience you both deserve.
Come join me and I’ll do my best to give you a Headstart, plus Retreats for you is a wonderful place. I’ve been there several times and love going back there. You will love it! Get in touch now.
Janet
🙂
More about Janet
Janet Gover is a multi-award-winning author of women’s fiction and romantic novels. A former television Journalist and producer, she grew up in rural Australia, surrounded by wide open spaces, horses and many, many books.
Her novel ‘Little Girl Lost’ won the Epic Romantic Novel of the Year Award presented by the Romantic Novelists’ Association in the UK, and she has three times been a finalist for the Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year. Her small-town novels have also won or been shortlisted for multiple awards in the USA.
As Juliet Bell, in collaboration with Alison May, she rewrites misunderstood classic fiction, with an emphasis on heroes who are not so heroic.
Janet spent four years as coordinator of the highly regarded RNA New Writers Scheme. She is also a founder member of Fiction Tutors and The Debut Author Club, which offer a range of tutoring and mentoring services to writers. Janet has always been a teacher, from pony clubs to universities and mentoring new writers.
Janet lives in London with her husband and a very fluffy cat where she spends too much of her spare time playing silly computer games, or trying to be an enthusiastic, if not always successful, cook.