selling fast 🔥
No Distractions. No Excuses. Just Writing.
Procrastination-busting one day writing retreats across the UK
Get your butt in a chair and spend the day writing, drinking tea and eating pastries. Perfection.
- Stop fucking about
- Start writing
- Feel great about it
Find the writing retreat nearest you
Birmingham
Bradford
Brighton
Chichester
Edinburgh
Leeds
Walthamstow
Writers’ HQ is the difference between wanting to write and doing it. The courses, community spirit, and support are invaluable. The people I have met and the things I’ve learned have changed my life. It is like finding home.
– Heather H
We've all been there. Work, family, laundry and the general lifeyness of life all end up taking priority over your writing.
Chill thy frustrated booty, brave writer-human. We have exactly the thing you need:
- A glorious six hours of structured writing time without distractions or demands
- A dedicated facilitator to help you set and meet your goals, break free of blocks, and feed you tea and pastries
- The chance to share knowledge and experience with a huge community of writers
- No one saying 'muuuum' or asking where their shoes are for a whole entire day
Writers’ HQ isn’t just where stories get written. It’s where badass writers get brave, get unstuck, and get shit done.
It’s tea. It’s swearing. It’s thousands of writers cheering you on through every draft, deadline, and doubt.
It’s built by writers, for writers.
A no-bullshit community that actually gets what you’re going through
Events designed to fit around busy lives and difficult schedules
Never-ending pep to keep your momentum high and your story moving
Support that helps you develop a writing practice that is meaningful, joyful and sustainable (and also lets you finally yeet self-doubt into the sun)
WHQ has given me the courage and tools to turn a vague notion of trying to write into my driving passion, along with the support and wonderful company of the most amazing people I have ever encountered. There are no words for how much this has enhanced my life.
– Heather H
What happens at a Writers' HQ writers' retreat?
Writing! More writing! Some more writing! A bucket-load of writing!
- You get to spend the day with a bunch of awesome writers, limitless caffeine and no distractions
- We help you set your writing goals for the day, celebrate your successes, and break through blocks
- We write together in short sprints – long enough to focus but not so long you burn out – with breaks for leg stretches, drinks, snacks and lunch.
- Track your progress in between sprints with a check-in and score board and use the people there to help you through any struggles.
- Gold stars, general silliness and supportive competitiveness will help you reach your targets and get your writing moving.
Who are Writers' HQ writers' retreats for?
- Everyone! New writers! Emerging writers! Aspiring writers! Experienced writers! Not-sure-if-they’re-really-allowed-to-call-themselves-writers! (Hint: if you write, you’re a writer)
- Writers who want to tinker with some ideas or make a start on a brand new project
- Writers with a work-in-progress that’s stalled or been put aside while life takes over
- Writers who just wanna get shit done
- People who want to drink tea and eat biscuits and write some words in a fun, supportive environment
I love Writers’ HQ retreats, which are one of the few times I can really get my head down and write. They feed you, caffeine you up, encourage you and, to top it all, you’re surrounded by amazing inspirational writing folk, sharing your projects and supportuing each other in the breaks.
– Jenny R
Farquar
Got questions? We’ve got answers…
How much is a retreat and what exactly do I get for my cold hard cash?
Each retreat is £45, or £38.25 if you’re a WHQ Gold Star Member.
You get a place at a one-day creative writing retreat. We’ll support your writing, feed and water and caffeinate you. You’ll spend the day with a bunch of awesome writers all gunning for your success and you’ll get a whole bunch of words written.
Can’t I just write at home?
Sure. And if you do, then great! Keep doing you.
But for lots of us it’s not quite like that. We make Booker Prize winning plans but there’s always just one other thing to do or another cat to look at on the Internet.
Before you know it, it’s gone midnight, you’re sitting in your pants eating Dairy Milk, and you’ve written 25 words. Ugh.
Do we share our work?
Nope. WHQ creative writing retreats are strictly non-sharing events. We want you to focus on writing your story instead of getting anxious about other people reading it.
There is no workshopping or taught element to the retreats. It’s just about the writing.
For taught courses please check out our super-awesome range of online courses.
What if I get stuck or have questions on the day?
Speak to the facilitator or utilise the other amazing writers who’ll be there!
WHQ retreats are super friendly and super supportive. While they’re not set up for intense 1:1 feedback kind of scenarios, you can definitely slump on the desk and say ‘grargh I’m stuck!’ and a whole bunch of people will leap to your aid.
I have accessibility requirements. What do I do?
Let us know! We do our best to make sure our venues are accessible and we put accommodations in place where ever you need. Just email he**@**********co.uk or fill in the little form when you book your place and we’ll leap into action with keenness and speed.
I’m a little bit (maybe a lottle bit) scared. Help?!
– Vicky J
Book your Writers' HQ writers' retreat now and become a writerly superstar
Picture this – you, your stories made real, and finally tapping out the two words every writer wants to hear: the end.