Learn the secrets that turn ordinary stories into extraordinary tales.
Unleash your writing potential at this 3 day retreat in beautiful Kurrajong
Join us in the serene foothills of the Blue Mountains, where creativity meets tranquility, and dreams of literary excellence come to life. This exclusive writing retreat is meticulously designed to elevate your craft, and guide you towards publication.
The Overview
- Dive deep into the art of storytelling with expert-led workshops covering plotting, character, setting, scene writing, and creating tension on every page.
- Gain invaluable insights into the business of publishing through engaging discussions. Learn how to navigate the literary landscape and position your work for success.
- Find inspiration in the picturesque landscape and the serene, distraction-free environment, allowing you to focus entirely on your craft.
- Receive personalised feedback from an experienced author/ mentor dedicated to helping you refine your voice and take your writing to new heights.
Want to know more?
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is aimed at writers who have a completed draft of their manuscript (as a minimum) and are looking to tighten their writing, deepen their characters and create an engaging manuscript that will have readers turning the page.
The focus of the workshops is on refining, editing and shaping your work, and providing a dedicated space and time for you to learn and develop your skills alongside like-minded writers.
There are limited numbers - only 12 onsite guests - with the possibility of a small number of additional offsite spots.
Join us at Beautiful Curraweena House
Relax in the tranquil grounds of Curraweena House and let your creativity blossom.
Enjoy delicious, healthy meals prepared by our dedicated caterers - you'll only have to lift your fingers to write!
Enjoy the quiet interior of the house while you write and connect with your fellow retreaters.
About The Venue
Curraweena House is set in established gardens with decks overlooking the hills, a fireplace and firepit, and a plunge pool and spa.
You will be accommodated at either Curraweena House or adjoining Bellevue House and workshops will be held in the spacious stand-alone barn. Both houses have a fireplace, ducted air conditioning and wi-fi.
Choose from a variety accommodation options – 4 (only) single rooms or 4 twin rooms, where you can share with a writing friend or make a new one!
Accomodation is split between two houses - Curraweena (where the workshops and meals happen) and Bellview (three doors down). While Curraweena offers more deluxe-style accomodation it has twin-share only rooms while Bellview caters to those who prefer to room on their own. One room in Bellview is quite small and is priced at the least expensive rate. The pricing of the rooms reflects these differences.
All meals will be in the large eat-in fully equipped kitchen or, if the weather allows, on the spacious outdoor deck of Curraweena House.
Room Options for 12 Guests:
- 3 twin rooms with single beds and shared bathroom (Curraweena House)
- 1 deluxe share with 2 single beds and ensuite (Curraweena House)
- 1 single room with ensuite (Bellview House)
- 2 standard single rooms with shared bathrooms (Bellview House)
- 1 small single room with shared bathroom (Bellview House)
- Rooms will be allocated on a first-to-book basis and prices are based on the room sizing and facilities
Click here for more information on Curraweena House
What will the weekend look like?
Retreat Schedule
Arrive from 3pm on Thursday May 16. Check in and unpack before Welcome Drinks and Nibbles at 5pm followed by a get-to-know-each-other meal at 7pm. (NB: No lunch or morning/afternoon tea provided on Thursday)
Sleep well and be up for breakfast at 7.30-8am, ready for a 9.30am start for our first workshop. Finish at 4pm and have a break before dinner at 7pm.
Saturday’s workshops starts at 9.30 and goes through until 1pm, followed by lunch and private writing time from 2pm-5pm, and a round-table discussion about the publishing industry and writing life from 5pm-7pm. Dinner.
Sunday, we start at 9am and finish at 2.30pm.
Evenings can be spent chatting on the deck or by the fire-pit, reading, writing or getting an early night – totally up to you!
There will be opportunities to work on your own writing during the workshops and time for a 15-minute one on one consultation with Pamela on your opening chapter.
And plenty of time to connect with your fellow retreaters.
Curraweena House feels intimate, yet has a standalone barn for workshops, creating spaciousness and flexibility. The gorgeous established gardens, decks, fireplace and fire pit will transport you far away from the everyday, and provide that extra touch of magic to your writing time.
Retreat Workshops Include:
Hook Your Reader From the Start
Create Memorable Characters
Deepen Emotions
Refine Your Plot and Setting
Write Strong Scenes
Workshop Your Blurb and Synopsis
Included in your weekend:
Reading of your first chapter and synopsis by tutor Pamela Cook prior to the retreat along with written feedback and a face to face discussion over the course of the weekend.
Welcome drinks and nibbles on arrival prior to our get-to-know-you dinner on Thursday May 16. Hopefully the weather gods will be kind and we can do this on the balcony looking out at the spectacular view!
7 workshops on writing craft, including hooking your reader, plot and setting, creating memorable characters, infusing your writing with emotion, writing strong scenes, workshopping your blurb and/or synopsis, and adding tension to every page.
Expert tutoring from a multi-published author and experienced teacher, Pamela Cook (click here for Pamela's bio) including examples from a range of genres.
All meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and morning and afternoon tea - prepared by experienced caterers and served in the comfort of Curraweena House
Private writing time, allocated on Saturday afternoon, or at your own discretion if you would prefer to write rather than attend a workshop.
3 nights accomodation (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) in a single or twin share room. Rooms will be allocated on a first come, first served basis by the retreat organiser, and priced according to the room size, sharing options and bathroom access.
A Saturday night round table discussion on the publishing industry, publishing options, and what it takes to get published in the current market.
How To Book
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Choose your room option - payment is per individual, so if booking a twin room with a friend please email me so I can make sure you are in the same room. There are 3 single rooms with share bathrooms and one single room with an ensuite, 3 twin rooms (share bathroom) and one deluxe twin room with ensuite
- Pay in one installment or three
- Please CHECK THE DATE CAREFULLY and take note of the cancelation policy to ensure you are not disappointed.
- Cancellation policy: There has been a lot of interest in the retreat, so if for some reason you need to cancel I will try to fill your spot and be able to give you a full refund. However, if it is not possible to find a replacement by the time of the retreat a 50% refund will be given IF more than 30 days notice has been given. As the retreat venue has already been booked and paid for, no refund will be given if notice is less than 30 days and nobody can be found to take your place. Please keep this policy in mind when making your booking.
Book Now for The Next Chapter Writing Retreat
Choose the room option that suits your needs and budget
Inclusions
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Tutor reading and written feedback of your first 3,000 words/first chapter prior to the retreat
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3 night's accomodation at beautiful Curraweena house or Bellview House in the foothills of the Blue Mountains in either single or twin share accomodation (allocated on a first come first served basis) with use of plunge pool, spa and firepit
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Welcome drinks and nibbles on arrival on Thursday evening
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All meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner, morning and afternoon teas
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Daily workshops on writing craft including character, plot, setting, scene writing, blurb & synopsis writing, creating tension and injecting emotion
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Round table discussion on the publishing industry, writing life and what it takes to get your book published
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Free writing time at your discretion and on Saturday afternoon
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Face to face discussion on your opening with your tutor
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Meeting and connecting with fellow writers and discussing the ups and downs of the writing life
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What 2024 Retreaters Say About The Next Chapter
Option 1: Pay in Full for a 5% Discount
Curraweena House
where all workshops and meals will take place
Twin Share Ensuite
SOLD OUT
$1580pp
pay in full
-
1 bed in share room
(with ensuite)
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in full for a 5% discount
Twin Share
Shared bathroom, 6 beds available
$1440pp
pay in full
-
1 bed in share room
(shared bathroom)
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in full for a 5% discount
Option 2 Pay In Three Monthly Instalments
Curraweena Twin Share Ensuite
SOLD OUT
$1665pp
($555 x 3)
-
1 bed in share room
(with ensuite)
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in 3 monthly instalments
Curraweena Twin Share
Shared bathroom, 6 beds available
$1515pp
($505 x 3)
-
1 bed in share room
(shared bathroom)
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in full for a 5% discount
or in 3 instalments
Option 3: Pay in Full for a Single Room in Bellview House
Bellview House
three doors down from Curraweena House
Single Room
with ensuite*
double bed (1 available)
*can also be for two friends sharing in two single beds
$1590pp
pay in full
-
1 double bed or two singles
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in full for a 5% discount
Standard Single Room
double bed, shared bathroom
2 rooms available
$1450pp
pay in full
-
1 double bed
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in full for a 5% discount
Small Single
single bed,
shared bathroom
SOLD OUT
$1311pp
pay in full
-
1 single bed in small room
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in full for a 5% discount
Option 4: Pay in 3 Monthly Instalments for a Single Room in Bellview House
Bellview House
three doors down from Curraweena House
Single Room
with ensuite*
double bed (1 available)
*can also be for two friends sharing in two single beds
$1675pp
($558 x 3)
-
1 double bed or two singles
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in 3 monthly instalments
Standard Single Room
double bed, shared bathroom
2 rooms available
$1525pp
($508 x 3)
-
1 double bed
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in 3 monthly instalments
Small Single
single bed,
shared bathroom
SOLD OUT
$1380pp
($460 x 3)
-
1 single bed in small room
-
All retreat features
-
Pay in 3 monthly instalments
Sign up now and take your writing to the next level!
THURSDAY APRIL 10 - SUNDAY APRIL 13, 2025
Is this retreat for me?
This RETREAT is a fantastic fit for you if:
-
You have a completed a draft of a fiction manuscript or are well on your way
- You're looking to inject some zing and take your writing to the next level
- You're ready to commit to doing the work
This program isn't the best fit for you if:
-
You're still working on your first draft, or you are still developing your idea - as we will be focusing on your own manuscript, a completed draft is a pre-requisite for the retreat
Questions?
Email me at pamela@pamelacook.com.au and
I'll help you decide if it's right for you!
Maybe you're thinking...
Doing a retreat is self indulgent
Devoting time to your writing and creativity not only helps improve your writing skills, it makes you a happier, more creatively fulfilled person. That's a bonus for you and also for your friends and family. Spending time with fellow writers is always inspiring and motivating and you'll return to your daily life with a clearer idea of how to complete your manuscript and prepare it for publication.
What if I don't know anyone?
As writers, we tend to be an introverted bunch and enjoy our own company. But connecting with fellow writers is such an important part of the path to publication, and provides much-needed support as we navigate the ups and downs of the writing life.
Come along and meet fellow writers, learn from each other and have some fun!
This seems expensive
The retreat cost is based on payment for the venue (including accomodation, food and workshop space) and payment to the tutor for both the time spent running the workshops, planning and preparing materials, reading novel openings and providing feedback and managing the logistics of the retreat. Compared to many other retreats The Next Chapter is extremely good value for money.
Here's what happens when you sign up:
1. You'll receive an email welcoming you to the retreat along with an registration form where you can tell me about yourself and your writing.
2. In March you will receive a handbook with further information about the retreat and guidlines on submitting your opening chapter for feedback
Frequently asked questions
answers to our most commonly asked questions
CAN I REALLY DO THIS?
You've completed a full manuscript. You can do anything! Coming to a retreat where you don't know anyone might feel intimidating but writers are a friendly bunch and you will be made to feel very comfortable. There will be some workshopping but if you don't feel safe sharing your work that's fine too.
WHEN DOES THE COURSE START AND FINISH?
The retreat opens at 3pm on Thursday April 10 and ends at 2.30pm on Sunday April 13. If you are unable to make the Thursday night Welcome you can join us on Friday but the cost is the same.
Workshops run from 9.30am - 4pm on Friday, 9.30am-1pm Saturday, and 9am-2.30pm on Sunday.
WILL THERE BE TIME TO WRITE?
Dedicated writing time is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. You may like to write in the morning before workshops begin, or in the evening and you are very welcome to skip any workshops if the muse is with you.
WILL DIETARY NEEDS BE CATERED FOR?
Our fabulous chef NJ will make every effort to accommodate your dietary needs. Please let us know well in advance if you have special dietary requirements.
WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND I CAN'T MAKE IT?
If for some reason you need to cancel I will try to fill your spot and provide a full refund. However, if it is not possible to find a replacement by the time of the retreat a 50% refund will be given IF more than 30 days notice has been given. No refund will be given if notice is less than 30 days and nobody can be found to take your place.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have so you can determine if this course is right for you! Email me at pamela@pamelacook.com.au and I'll get back to you asap.
Before you go...
If you've read this far, I have a feeling The Next Chapter Writing Retreat could be exactly what you need to fine tune your writing. If you've never done a retreat before, take it from me, it's the best way to find inspiration, motivation and guidance for your writing. You'll leave with a much stronger idea of what you need to do to get your manuscript to a level that will attract the attention of agents, publishers and readers.
If you're not 100% convinced The Next Chapter Writing Retreat is the perfect fit - reach out via pamela@pamelacook.com.au and let's have a chat.
I'll be totally honest about whether I think this retreat is for you.
You've got nothing to lose.
So what are you waiting for?