Writer’s Digest Is Going to London!

Writer’s Digest is now doing writing retreats? They are headed to Tuscany this spring and Britain in the Fall? Man … I wish I could go …

Last year, when Amy Jones told me that WD was going to start doing writing retreats, I developed a serious case of FOMO. I was so jealous of Amy and Robert for heading off to Florence. But then, Amy asked me if I would consider cohosting the retreat being held in London and Bath, England!

I absolutely jumped at the chance. London is one of my favorite cities in the whole world. And I have spent many happy days in the city of Bath.

But I had questions: Where were we going to stay? How much of our time would I get to spend with the authors? Would they like it if I invited some of my editor pals from London who work at the big publishing houses to join us for a few meals? Would they let me drive the bus to Bath and back?

Once the team started telling me what this retreat was going to entail, I got even more excited. I reached out to a few agents and editors in England, and they were all delighted at the idea of coming to Bath or joining us in London for lunch or dinner. The folks we have invited are going to help us all learn the behind-the-scenes things about publishing that you cannot learn from a podcast.

I have been working with U.K. publishers for over 20 years. They all have one thing in common I absolutely love: Every U.K. editor I know loves finding new authors and supporting them as they launch their publishing careers. I can’t think of a better place to hold a writing retreat. (Well ... except for Florence, of course.)

We are going to be in the houses and theaters where some of the English language’s most beloved books and plays were written. We are going to eat like kings, sleep in four-star hotels, have a lot of laughs, and see parts of England that are so beautiful it will stop time for a moment.

And then? There will be quiet, peaceful times where you can write on your own or partner up with some of your fellow retreaters to work on your book or screenplay. The best part is that you get to have the week you want. Need time to decompress and write? Then stay in the manor house and do just that. Want to see the British Library with us? Great! We leave at 10. No pressure, no expectations, just what you want, when you want it. Sounds like heaven, and I cannot wait!

One of the things I am most looking forward to is making new friends, seeing Trafalgar Square (and its iconic lion statues), having a Pimm’s cocktail in a traditional British Pub, and revisiting a small, white, stone, theater in Bath where my mother and I got last minute tickets to see Bob Dylan 25 years ago. (Yes, the theater is still there … I checked.)

But most of all, I am looking forward to helping my fellow retreat members with their writing and sharing my publishing experience. I adore authors and always welcome a chance to see how I can be helpful to their careers. This seems like the perfect place for all of us to recharge, learn, and get ready for the next steps in our careers. I hope you will join us!