Workshops & Retreats
In-person memoir workshops in Edinburgh, and week-long writing retreats in Greece and Kenya, run alongside The Writing Room. All levels welcome, from your first page to your final draft.
Memoir Workshops
A series of in-person, three-hour sessions on capturing, shaping and sharing your personal story. Each workshop is designed for all stages of experience, from complete beginners to writers refining a manuscript.
What Your Memoir Is Really About
- What makes a memoir different from an autobiography
- Finding your central theme, or "transformation arc"
- Your "narrative lens" – the slice of life your memoir will focus on
- Crafting your story summary, or "pitch paragraph"
How to Plan Your Memoir
- How to structure a personal story or memory
- How to write scenes that bring truth to life
- Developing your writing voice and point of view
How to Share Your Memoir with Others
- Ways to store and share your stories with friends and family
- Traditional versus self-publishing options
- The editing and submission process
- A realistic next-step plan
Summer Writing Retreat, Skala Eressos
A week fully devoted to your writing, in the village of Skala Eressos. Join literary agent and writing mentor Sarah Bullen and novelist and coach Emma Dhesi for this annual retreat on the Greek island of Lesvos.
Your itinerary
Arrival & welcome dinner
Travel to Skala Eressos, check in, meet your fellow writers, and set your writing intentions over a welcome dinner.
Kick off your writing
Morning swim, quiet writing time and a class on plot and narrative structure, split by genre. Afternoon connect session with feedback.
Unleash your creativity
A class on character, plot and setting, plus a one-on-one session for advice on your own writing. Evening storytelling under the stars.
Explore the past
A walking tour of the historic village, free time to explore, then a focused writing session and a mystical evening under the stars.
Integrate & rest
Gentle movement, focused writing, and space for self-care – a swim, a spa, or simply time to write. Evening aperitivo with poetry and feedback.
Write, write, write
Advanced plotting with Sarah, a writing push to finalise your project, and a celebratory dinner with poetry and shared stories.
Write, write, write
A final push to meet your week's goals, and time to set new ones for home. Closing feast at a seaside tavern.
Closing & farewell
Last breakfast together, then departures for Mytilini – or stay on and keep exploring.
This is a guideline of what to expect during your week in Eressos; the organisers may adjust the programme at any time.
Costs 2027
| Room type | Single occupancy |
|---|---|
| Seafront room | €3,850 |
| Village-facing room | from €2,850 |
| Returning writers – studio accommodation | €2,550 |
| Returning writers – self-catering | €1,550 |
8 days / 7 nights, with the option to add 3 extra nights for €800. Deposit of €600 due on acceptance of your place.
"There is something magical about the small village on the Aegean Sea" that helped one writer leave day-to-day distractions behind and finally get words on the page.Janis P, retreat attendee (second year running)
See full details on the retreat page.
Autumn Writing Retreat, Lamu
A writing retreat on the island of Lamu, off the Kenyan coast, built around daily swims, writing sessions and quiet focus. Emma will be teaching alongside Sarah Bullen.
How the days unfold
- An early morning sea swim in the mangrove channels, with a dhow trailing you
- Yoga at Banana House with local Kenyan instructors
- A mid-morning writing session on craft and structure
- Anchored writing time at Banana House, and space to work on your own project
- A one-on-one session with Sarah on planning, feedback or telling your story
- Afternoons exploring Lamu's old passageways and shaded villas, or writing on
- A second writing session in the afternoon, with feedback and a deeper exercise to take to bed
Price includes
- A structured writing journey for the full retreat, with two daily group sessions
- Daily breakfast, and all lunches and dinners for five nights
- Daily swims in the mangrove swamps with a dhow
- A welcome Swahili dinner, and a sunset dhow trip with supper
- A boat and walking tour of Lamu Old Town
- A family constellation session led by Niall Campbell
- One individual session with Sarah on your writing
| Room | Single occupancy |
|---|---|
| Banana Penthouse Suite | $4,125 |
| Wellness Penthouse Suite 1 | $4,185 |
| Wellness Penthouse Suite 2 | $4,185 |
| Sweet Penthouse | $3,905 |
| Family room (x2 available) | $3,540 |
| Double room (x3 available) | $3,485 |
| Double room, garden view (x3 available) | $2,915 |
| Twin room | $2,885 |
| Single room | $2,860 |
Add $1,000 for a second person sharing a room. Prices are per person; the €600 deposit is followed by three instalments, adjusted from euros to the dollar price. See room availability at Banana House.
"The Lamu Writing Retreat gave me the bravery to explore my purpose."Stanley G, retreat attendee
Emma Dhesi
Novelist and memoir coach, teaching alongside Sarah on this retreat.
Sarah Bullen
Literary agent and writing mentor, founder of The Writing Room.
Liz Bullen
Handles retreat logistics, keeping everything running smoothly on the ground.
Island flights are limited and run on small aircraft – book that leg early. See past writers who've completed their books on Sarah's authors page.
Before you book
Do I need writing experience to join a workshop?
No. Every Edinburgh workshop and both retreats are open to all levels, from complete beginners to writers refining a manuscript.
Do I need to attend all three Edinburgh workshops?
No. Each workshop is booked and paid for separately, so you can attend one, two, or all three, in any order that suits your schedule.
What's included in the retreat price?
Both retreats include structured writing sessions, accommodation, and most meals. Full details are listed under each retreat above, including what's covered and what's not.
How do I book?
Edinburgh workshops are booked through Cademy. The Greece and Kenya retreats are booked through Eventbrite with a deposit, followed by instalments. Links are provided in each section above.
Could the dates or itinerary change?
Occasionally, yes. Retreat itineraries are a guideline and may be adjusted by the organisers. Where dates are still to be confirmed, this is noted on the page.
Questions about a workshop or retreat?
Get in touch and Emma will help you find the right session for where you are in your writing.