Writers' Retreats

Our retreat is for anyone who believes they have a book in them, but doesn’t necessarily know how to go about it. Anyone who has started a book, but lost the self-belief or energy to finish it. Or anyone who has been so inspired by reading that they want to learn more about the writing process.

You’ll leave Writers Inc at Docklow Manor with many new insights on how to become a better, more confident writer, and a greater understanding of what it takes not just to start a book, but also to finish one.

We hope, too, that our guests will leave feeling they’ve found new friends – fellow travellers on their writing journey.

Day 1:

Arrive at Docklow Manor around 4pm, in time for tea and cake. Around our kitchen table we will get to know each other while discussing your writing projects and ambitions.

Guests will settle into their rooms, make themselves comfortable, then reconvene for drinks and dinner.

Jane is a wonderful cook; we can promise you food for the soul at our writers’ gatherings, as well as food for thought.

Day 2:

After breakfast, we hold two workshop sessions.

The first is hosted by Jane, with the focus on aspects of fiction-writing. This is not a lecture, but a free-flowing conversation and exchange of ideas, based on what she knows about the novel-writing process, and how it can be applied to your work.

After coffee, Brian hosts a second workshop session, based on the skills he has picked up over many years as a journalist and author of non-fiction books.

Because we keep our retreats to a maximum of six guests, we can to a large extent tailor the workshop itineraries to their specific needs.

However we find that whatever their writing ambitions, be it fiction or non-fiction, all our guests find value and inspiration from our many years of hard-earned writing wisdom!

Lunch will be in our kitchen or in fine weather, the Victorian conservatory or garden.

Afterwards, the afternoon is your own.

We set (entirely optional) writing assignments, which are designed to channel the tips and ideas shared in the two workshop sessions.

Alternatively you might decide to spend a few hours of uninterrupted writing time on your own work in progress, or to curl up with a book and read.

And if what you want is a period of quiet reflection, thinking time, or just some good, fresh, country air, we can direct you to some of our own favourite walks or wild swims in this beautiful county.

Later, over a cup of tea, and later still over dinner, we’ll talk more with you about books and writing, or anything else that evolves, because none of this is prescribed; we just want to encourage convivial, free-flowing conversation.

This is a country house weekend, which also happens to be a writers’ retreat.

There’s much to learn from Writers Inc, but equally, it’s a break from the ‘real’ world, and all its distractions.

Day 3:

After a leisurely breakfast, Jane and Brian will host a joint session on, among other things, the art and craft of writing sparely.

Each of our guests will have been given, on arrival, the same novella to read by Sunday morning.

Some authors manage to convey in 50 pages what others take 300 pages to say, and there’s much to be learned from the ‘less is more’ technique. Yet if it’s what readers really wanted, there’d be more novellas out there and fewer fat, blockbuster summer reads!

We’ll all share our thoughts and feelings on one book in particular and the genre in general, and we’ve found that this conversation tends to lead naturally to a consolidation of all you’ve learned over the past two days.

Following a light lunch, over which we will answer any more questions you might have, we’ll say goodbye – but will remain available by email over the weeks ahead, if you need support in your writing endeavours.

Two nights of fully-catered accommodation at Docklow Manor (inclusive of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks).

Lots of creative guidance and practical advice.

Structured writing sessions.

Optional writing assignments.

Helpful contact with your hosts beyond the event.

Investment: £695 (£100 payable on booking)

Course dates: 

September 26th – 28th: SOLD OUT

November 14th – 16th

January 30th – February 1st 2026

I’ve never written before, but I’d like to try. Can I come to your retreat?

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t written anything before. Anyone who wants to write, or thinks they want to write, or wants to find out if they want to write, is welcome at Writers Inc. All you really need is an interest in writing, and a love of books.

I am a published writer. Is this retreat suitable for me? 

Yes, published authors are welcome if they’re interested in spending a weekend in the company of other writers and are looking for some dedicated writing and thinking time in a lovely environment.

What is the format of your writers’ retreat? 

Our guests arrive at around 4pm on the Friday and, after tea, cake and a chat, settle into their rooms. Later, we have drinks and dinner, which gives us more time to get to know each other, and find out what everyone hopes to get out of the retreat. There are two workshop sessions – Saturday and Sunday mornings – which are run by Jane and Brian and are designed to encourage conversation and questions about all aspects of the writing process. We set assignments on Saturday afternoon for those who want them, but they are by no means compulsory. Our writers leave on Sunday, around 2pm.

What are the benefits of a writers’ retreat? 

We can’t speak for other writers’ retreats, but Writers Inc is run by two very experienced published authors, Brian Viner and Jane Sanderson, who give guests the benefit of all they’ve learned about the writing process, from beginning a book to getting it published. Our retreat also gives guests the chance to focus on their writing, while the company of other writers is often a very validating and motivating experience.

How many other people will there be on the retreat? 

There will usually be a minimum of four and a maximum of six people at a Writers Inc retreat.

Will I have to read my work in front of everyone else? 

No one at our retreat has to do anything they don’t want to! We find many of our guests are happy to share what they’ve written, but we understand completely that not everyone will want to do this.

Do I have to attend all of the workshops on the retreat?

Nothing is compulsory at Writers Inc, but we recommend you attend the two workshops because they’re informative and inspiring.

How much writing will I have a chance to do? 

If all you want to do at a Writers Inc retreat is write, that’s absolutely fine! Our format leaves all of Saturday afternoon free for writing, but if you’d prefer to write than attend the workshops, that’s entirely up to you.

What do I need to prepare for your retreat? 

There’s no preparation as such, but it might be a good idea to think about some of your favourite authors and books, because these will come up as part of our workshop conversations. Other than that, just have a think about what you’d like to get out of it, and we’ll do our best to help you succeed.

How much one-on-one time will I get with the authors?

This is variable, and can be arranged during the weekend if there’s something specific you’d like to talk about with Jane or Brian.

How many people will share my bathroom? 

We have two rooms with en-suite facilities, and three bathrooms in the main house.

Are there facilities for people with disabilities? If so, can my personal assistant carer also stay? 

Writers Inc is held in a Victorian manor house, which isn’t very accessible. We do have one self-contained studio next door, with a single bed and an en-suite wet room. Please do get in touch to discuss your needs.

Will my mobile phone work at Writers Inc? 

You can make WiFi calls at Writers Inc, and the main phone networks have decent signals here too.

What time should I arrive on the first day and leave on the last?

We start at 4pm on Friday and end at 2pm on Sunday.

Guests can arrive by train if they wish, and we’ll collect them. Our local railway station is Leominster.