How To Be A Happy And Successful Writer 2

26th September  - 2nd October 2027 | Naxos, Greece

With Sophie Hannah, Jenny Savill, Emily Winslow & Jon Appleton

More details coming soon

The Overview

Morning Workshops

An exploration of how to clarify what your book is offering the reader and how to align intention, structure, and psychology. Sophie introduces her distinctive approaches to drafting and planning, helping writers work more consciously and coherently.
A reframing of what writing progress actually feels like. This session examines creative capacity, character development, and confidence — both in the writer and on the page — offering a framework that supports sustained creative work.
A practical and psychological look at the challenges that arise mid-book and beyond. Writers learn how to diagnose what isn’t working, think clearly about structure and endings, and navigate resistance without losing momentum.
An examination of decision-making as a core creative skill. This session focuses on reducing paralysis and second-guessing, enabling writers to move forward with greater clarity and trust in their own judgement.

Support & A Note On Expectations

Practical Details and Frequent asked questions

Naxos, Greece
Naxos wraps writers in a rare blend of beauty, calm, and breathing space, with the island’s slow, generous rhythm woven into every day of the retreat. Afternoons stay deliberately unprogrammed, so you can swim in clear water, walk the coastline, write in the shade, or simply rest and let ideas settle. All meals are shared around the table, with a welcome reception and a closing gala dinner that bring the group together in easy, unhurried conversation.
The Accommodation
We stay at Lianos Village in Agios Prokopios, one of Naxos’s most beautiful coastal areas. The hotel is set in peaceful gardens, close to the long golden beach and the small selection of relaxed tavernas, cafés and shops nearby. Guests can enjoy the generous outdoor pool, sun loungers and shaded spaces for reading or writing, while the sea is only a short walk away.
The rooms are comfortable, air-conditioned and thoughtfully equipped, many with private balconies or terraces looking out towards the gardens, pool or sea. It is an easy, welcoming base for the week: close enough to enjoy beach life and village evenings, while peaceful enough to properly switch off, write and rest.
Daily Rhythm Some mornings there will be Yoga before breakfast!
- 08:00–09:30: Breakfast
- 10:00–12:30: Morning workshop (selected days)
- 13:00: Lunch
- 14:00–16:00: Free time / writing / consultations / pitch sessions
- 17:00–19:00: Evening sessions (selected days)
- 19:15: Drinks and dinner
Sunday: Welcome Reception & Dinner
Monday: "Fulfilling Your Book’s Promise" (Sophie Hannah) + "The Role of Literary Agent" Panel (Elly James and Jamie Hodder-Williams).
Tuesday: "Capacity, Character and Confidence" (Sophie Hannah) + "Different Kinds of Publishing" Panel (Sophie Hannah, Elly James and Jamie Hodder-Williams).
Wednesday: "Going the Distance" (Sophie Hannah) + Agent Pitch Sessions
Thursday: "A Publisher’s Perspective" (Jamie Hodder-Williams) + 1-2-1s
Friday: "Decision-Making in Writing Success" (Sophie Hannah) + Gala Dinner
Dates: 20–26 September 2026
Location: Naxos, Greece
Participants: 18 writers
Eligibility: Open to writers at any stage of their writing journey—from those with just the seed of an idea to those with a full manuscript.
Genres: Adult fiction across genres (including literary, commercial, crime, thriller, historical, fantasy, romance) and narrative non-fiction (memoir).
- A pre-retreat online meeting for all participants — last-minute questions welcome!
- Goody bag full of Naxos treats.
- Accommodation (6 nights).
- All meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with drinks.
- Workshops and taught sessions with Sophie Hannah, Elly James, and Jamie Hodder-Williams.
- Individual consultations with Sophie Hannah.
- One-to-one pitch session with Elly James and Jamie Hodder-Williams.
- Private Group WhatsApp to share news, ask questions, and keep the writing community alive long after the retreat ends.
- Welcome reception and Gala Dinner.
- Visas, flights and ferry tickets (we can help you plan this).
- Travel insurance (essential).
- Extra drinks and snacks outside of scheduled meals
Fly to Athens, Mykonos, or Santorini, then take a ferry to Naxos. Or fly directly from Athens to Naxos. We’ll be waiting to pick you up when you arrive.

No. You do not need to have been published.
You do need to be serious and enthusiastic about writing, however, and have a strong desire to pursue it even if you do not yet have a lot of writing experience.
We welcome writers at all levels of experience. Whether you have a complete first draft, a few chapters, or just an idea you love and want to turn into a book, you are very welcome here.
Yes. The retreat includes small-group manuscript discussion sessions, individual consultations with Sophie Hannah, and a guaranteed one-to-one pitch session with Elly James or Jamie Hodder-Williams.
No. Representation is never promised.
The retreat offers professional insight, clarity, and informed guidance — and will massively increase your ability to attract representation when the time is right, by giving you all the practical and mindset tools you need.
Yes! It’s useful to know about markets, in order to be able to decide how and if we want to work with them or create new ones!
The mornings are focused and demanding. Afternoons are intentionally left free to allow ideas to settle and writing to continue.
This balance is central to the retreat’s design.
Yes! Writers at all levels of experience will find the retreat equally useful and inspiring.

A white paper table cover with blue text and graphics, a clear glass with no liquid, a small white die showing five dots, a metallic bucket, and part of a wooden basket on the left side.

A group of nine people gathered around a dining table outdoors, raising glasses in a toast, under a covered patio with trees and a window in the background.

People sitting and talking at a wooden table outdoors under a large tree with a clear sky in the background.

People sitting and dining outdoors under shade sails near trees and plants, with a stone wall in the foreground and a blue sky with clouds overhead.

A person with curly red hair and a blue shirt reaching for a book on a bookshelf filled with various books, with a large decorative vase with greenery on top.

Coastal town with white buildings on a hillside overlooking the ocean, waves crashing against rocks in the foreground.

A woman with red hair and sunglasses on her head is tasting something from a spoon held by another person. The setting is indoors with large windows in the background.

White building with blue shutters, outdoor staircase, and colorful flowering plants on the stairs and balcony, typical of Mediterranean architecture.

A plate with sliced cake and brownie, a white cup, and a glass jar with a pink flowering plant on a wooden table in a room with bookshelves.

A woman with red hair, wearing a purple checkered strapless dress, is holding a small wrapped gift with a red ribbon. She is standing at a table with other wrapped presents, in a restaurant or banquet setting during sunset with a view of water and tr

A black round metal table with a glass bowl of pink flowers, a stack of two books, a glass of water, and a potted green plant set against a sheer white curtain with sunlight.

A woman with long red curly hair, wearing a blue sleeveless top, sitting outdoors with her arms crossed and a serious expression.

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Ready To Write Your Happy Ending?

This is more than just a writing retreat; it’s a commitment to your creative future.
Whether you’re stuck in the soggy middle of a draft or standing at the brink of a new idea,
this week will give you the tools, the confidence, and the clarity to succeed on your own terms.

We want you to dream big—and we want to help you get there.
Spaces are limited to just 18 writers.

Apply for your place now