This summer is for you: the writer. The writer you currently are, and the one you aspire to be. Whether you’ve written a full novel draft or you’re just about to embark on your creative journey, whether your ideas are buzzing around your brain, or your work-in-progress has been locked inside a drawer, maybe, just maybe, it’s time to sharpen your pencil and bring your work into the light.

After almost 200 writers joined us last summer, our popular online creative retreat has returned. With brand-new content, and more expert-led workshops, writing surgeries, and space to hone your craft than before, our retreat is better than ever. Join Diana Evans, Ross Raisin, Natasha Pulley, Tim Lott, Maame Blue and more – including extra-special guest Louise Doughty – for three weeks of committed creative time.

Our invigorating programme has been carefully crafted to enhance your writing, and balances masterclasses with community writing time, so you can stay on track with your projects and connect with others, while also getting words on the page, editing with confidence, and reading critically. If it’s a writing community you’re seeking, our regular writing room sessions and our online writing community will give you the opportunity to work on your projects in the company of others.

Crucially, you can follow this retreat at a pace that suits you Our masterclasses, writing workouts, surgeries and salons are all recorded, which means you can watch and rewatch until the end of August. And, this year, we’re giving you the opportunity to book a single week of the retreat or save by booking all three weeks for the price of two.

This course is for …

Writers of all levels, at any stage in their creative journey
Writers of all genres and forms (please note that this programme will focus on fiction-writing, but that the skills are transferable to all forms of writing)

Retreat timetable

Week one

Monday 24 July
Writing workout workshop with Natasha Pulley, 8am-8.45am BST
Writers’ Salon: How to get the most from your retreat experience, 6pm-6.45pm BST

Tuesday 25 July
Writing room: Drop-in online writing day, 10am-4pm BST
Masterclass: Exploring character with Diana Evans, 6.30pm-8pm BST

Wednesday 26 July
Ross Raisin’s writing surgery, 1pm-2pm BSTTim Lott’s writers’ workshop, 6.30pm-8pm BST

Thursday 27 July
Writing room: Drop-in online writing session, 7-9pm BST

Friday 28 July
Masterclass: Beginnings with Louise Doughty, 3pm-4.30pm BST

Saturday 29 July
Writing room: Drop-in online writing day, 10am-4pm BST

Sunday 30 July
Maame Blue writing workshop: The driving force of desire, 11am-12pm BST
Writers’ salon: An informal celebration of the week, 6pm-6.45pm BST

Week two

Monday 31 July
Writing workout workshop with Natasha Pulley, 8am-8.45am BST
Shelley Weiner’s writing surgery, 6pm-7pm BST

Tuesday 1 August
Writing room, 10am-4pm BST
Masterclass: Picture perfect with Ross Raisin, 6pm-8pm BST

Wednesday 2 August
Ross Raisin’s writing surgery, 1pm-2pm BST
Tim Lott writers’ workshop: A supportive feedback session, 6.30pm-8pm BST

Thursday 3 August
Writing room: Drop-in online writing session, 7-9pm BST

Friday 4 August
Masterclass: Dialogue with Louise Doughty 3pm-4.30pm BST

Saturday 5 August
Writing room: Drop-in online writing session, 10am-4pm BST

Sunday 6 August
Maame Blue writing workshop: The driving force of desire, 11am-12pm BST
Writers’ salon: An informal celebration of the week, 6pm-6.45pm BST

Week three

Monday 7 August
Writing workout workshop with Natasha Pulley, 8am-8.45am BST

Tuesday 8 August
Writing room: Drop-in online writing day, 10am-4pm BST

Wednesday 9 August
Writing surgery, 1pm-2pm BST
Tim Lott writers’ workshop: A supportive feedback session, 6.30pm-8pm BST

Thursday 10 August
Writing room: Drop-in online evening session, 7-9pm BST

Friday 11 August
Masterclass: Plot and narrative structure with Louise Doughty, 3pm-5pm BST

Saturday 12 August
Writing room: Drop-in online writing day, 10am-4pm BST

Sunday 13 August
Maame Blue writing workshop: The driving force of desire, 11am-12pm BST
Writers’ Salon: Wrap party, 6pm-7pm BST

Please note that while we will endeavour to feature all elements of our masterclasses as advertised, due to the volume of classes in this event, we may be required to replace a speaker if necessary.

Catch up recordings of masterclasses and workshops available until 31 August 2023

Course Details

Dates:

Week one: Monday 24 July 2023 – Sunday 30 July 2023
Week two: Monday 31 July 2023 – Sunday 6 August 2023
Week three: Monday 7 August 2023 – Sunday 13 August 2023

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

6pm BST | 7pm CEST | 10am PDT | 1pm EDT

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

We aim to make all Guardian Masterclasses accessible to all. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.

This event will be hosted on a third-party live streaming platform Zoom, please refer to their privacy policy and terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket to the class.

Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.

A summer writers’ retreat: Online with Guardian Masterclasses