30 OCTOBER - 1 NOVEMBER 2026
19 - 21 MARCH 2027
Join me in the Cambridgeshire countryside for a weekend of deep creative writing. Bring your writing project, slow down and be guided and supported in your process.
Join writing coach and literary agent Sarah Bullen for two nights at a private riverside retreat tucked into the hamlet of Water Newton, Cambridgeshire — three self-catering cottages and three ensuite rooms set around a heated pool, a mill house, and the slow-moving River Nene itself.
Whether you are starting your book, or polishing your draft this very structured writing workshop will get your novel futher. Novels. short story or any fiction writing welcome.
WHO SHOULD JOIN? This is for novels or short story writers.
Writers at any stage of a novel or fiction project — whether you're 20,000 words in and stuck, staring at a blank page and an idea, or polishing a draft that needs an outside eye.
You will leave with some key things in place – your cast, a strong plot, a writing plan and two clear days to make real progress on it. More advanced novel writers are welcome and we will support stronger edits, a tighter book and even your pitch deck.
We stay at the River Nene Cottages, Cambridgeshire
We are just two hours from London, arrive around 2pm for a 4pm start.
Riverside setting. The cottages and Mill House sit directly on the River Nene, with private gardens, scenic river views, and access to the historic 11th-century churchyard next door
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Room to think. Extensive grounds, countryside walks, and quiet corners for when you need to get away from the group and get inside your own head
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Comfortable, characterful accommodation. A mix of self-catering cottages and ensuite double rooms in the Mill House — including the Church Room, with its views over the lawns and village church, and the River Room, with a super king bed and a window seat looking straight out over the water
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Genuinely private. The pool and grounds are for the exclusive use of guests — no passing trade, no other groups, just us
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Barley Cottage -
2 bedrooms. A beautifully traditional stone converted listed barn that promises a delightful escape. Our spacious two-bedroom cottage features two comfortable double bedrooms and one bathroom.
Yew Cottage
2 bedrooms. Part of a beautifully converted listed barn from 1805 that offers a unique blend of 19th-century charm and modern comfort. It has a large walk-in shower bathroom.
Coach Cottage
1 x bedroom, a charming one-bedroom retreat nestled on the first floor of our historic listed barn built in 1805
Main House
Three comfortable double rooms on the first floor named Church Room or River Room. Both en-suite. The house does not have self-catering but Coach Cottage will be ouir shared space and cottage catering will be shared.
QUESTIONS
Can I choose my own room?
You can request which room or cottage you prefer but we can’t guarantee that.
Can I self cater?
Yes indeeed. There is a generous breakfast but lunch and dinner you can self-catering, or eat at any of the charming eateries a few steps away. The cottages are fully self catering and if you are staying in the main house we will be sharing Coach Cottage for workshop and kitchen.
COSTS
The costs are in EURO not GBP as our accounts are EURO based (sorry!)
We did a conversion for below
Single occupancy room €514 (£440)
Sharing a room per person €291 (£250)
Deposit of €291 (£250) and balance payable in 60 days
Bookings on our event partner EVENTBRITE
COSTS INCLUDE …
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2 nights accommodation
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Breakfast daily - buffet
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Dinner opening night
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A fully guided writing process
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A one-on-one session
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Structured feedback on your project
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All course fees and learning materials
COST EXCLUDES
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Travel to the venue.
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Other meals - you can self cater or there are super pub and restaurants around.
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Drinks
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Any additional services such as yoga, massages, treatments, or extra trips
WORKSHOP CONTENTS
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Some things we will cover on the weekend
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Choosing Your Genre:
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My personal superpower. I am fanatical about you getting this right so lets Identify Where Your Story Fits. Find your story's place in the literary world and make sure it hits the conventions and requirements
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Plotting Basic
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Structuring Your Novel and Crafting a Compelling Synopsis
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Learn how to plot out key events in your novel and create a gripping synopsis that hooks agents and readers alike.
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The Hero and Point of View (POV):
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Finding the Best Protagonist
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into the different narrative perspectives and determine which best serves your story’s voice and theme.
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The Elements of Fiction:
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Understanding What Makes Great Fiction Click
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We explore the Hero's Journey and the core beats of story that make a story truly resonate with readers—plot, character, setting, theme, and style—and how to weave them together.
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The Cast:
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Character & Plot Development
Create fully realized characters and challenge them with scenarios that push your story forward and keep readers engaged
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Setting:
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Building Your Novel’s World and Mood
Learn how to build a believable world for your story and define the tone, style, and underlying themes that give it depth
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Beginnings, Middles, and Endings:
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Building to the Big Moments in Plot
Understand how to drive your plot toward powerful climaxes and critical scenes, and explore the cause-and-effect relationships that make your story's events feel inevitable.
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Dialogue & Exposition:
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Writing Realistic Dialogue
Perfect the balance between natural, authentic dialogue and informative exposition to keep your story moving without bogging it down.
Author, Literary Agent, Speaker & Writing Mentor
Sarah Bullen is a multi-published author and writing coach, leading international writing retreats and adventures in Europe and Africa. Sarah had a life-altering near-death experience herself where she was in a coma for three weeks. Her story has become a book Love & Above: A journey into shamanism, coma and joy. She is a former financial and magazine journalist writing for titles such as Marie Claire, The Guardian, Cosmopolitan and Psychologies UK. Her latest book The Other Side: Journeys into Mysticism, Magic and Near Death gathers riveting and radical stories of people from Africa, who have crossed to the ‘other side’ or those who can contact it.
Her range of books include:
WHAT OUR WRITERS SAY
Ayla TK, Israel
This retreat topped all of my expectations. It gracefully operates between professionalism, deep connection with the land and creativity, and a load of fun. I felt I was given practical tools to write while also given a beautiful space to meet my muse. It was a magical seven days in Tuscany I will carry with me forever. I will tell you what my husband said when I was contemplating the trip. “Just go!” You won’t regret it
Michelle Ruiz, USA
I did the Italy retreat and it changed my life. There were so many incredible moments that inspired my writing and enlightened my soul. I HIGHLY recommend this retreat. Kate and Sarah are amazing and thoughtful in everything they do. I plan to go to another one of their retreats soon!