Writers in Residencef
a customisable, six-to-twelve day springtime writers’ retreat in the heart of the Aegean
23 March-3 April, 2026
Join our EXPERT AUTHORS & COACHES to hone your writing skills in the Aegean spring at Villa Komito for this 6-12 day WRITER’S IN RESIDENCE, retreat, designed for anyone interested in enhancing their creative competence in this most inspirational environment.
EXPERIENCED OR NOVICE, YOU’RE WELCOME.
Whether you’re NEW to writing, are starting a long-considered PROJECT, or are already well into your process and want GUIDANCE or ideas to move it ahead and improve it, you’ll find a wealth of guidance experts at hand.
YOUR WRITING, YOUR FORM
Whether your project is fiction, biography, non-fiction, journalism, memoir, or whatever form your writing goals take, these experienced EXPERTS will enhance your ideas and improve your TECHNIQUE through both joint workshops and individual study sessions.
Your Coaches and Expertsy
Below are the distinguished authors, coaches, writing experts and publishing professionals who will join us for all of part of the retreat, two will be in residence at any time. There may be others to add.
Bruce Clark
Non-Fiction, Journalism
Bruce is a writer, lecturer and broadcaster of many years experience with The Economist, Reuters and The Times. He is author of very highly regarded titles including Athens, City of Wisdom, Twice a Stranger, and he is the winner of the Runciman Award 2007.
As a tutor, Bruce advises and shares with us his long and distinguished experience and learning both as a journalist and as a non-fiction author.
Sara Wheeler
Author, Biographer, Travel Writer and experienced Writing Coach
Sara is a highly-experienced writing coach and a multi award-winning travel writer and bestselling biographer. Her eleven books include Terra Incognita: Travels in Antarctica, Cherry: A Life of Apsley Cherry-Garrard and Glowing Still: A Woman’s Life on the Road.
Sara is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a contributing editor of the Literary Review.
Published by Faber, Sara’s authorised biography of Jan Morris will be available on April 9, 2026.
Juliet Nicolson
Fiction Author and Journalist, Social Historian
When it comes to literary heritage, few come with the pedigree of acclaimed author Juliet Nicolson. The daughter of writer and publisher Nigel Nicolson, she grew up, impossibly romantically, at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, amidst the legendary gardens cultivated by her grandmother, the novelist, diarist, poet and one-time lover of Virginia Woolf: Vita Sackville-West.
With a quintet of tomes under her belt – a memoir, a novel and three histories – the latter genre prompted Tina Brown, the author and former editor of Vanity Fair, to write of Juliet that she had ‘invented a new kind of social history.’ (“the Good WebGuide”)
Books: A House Full of Daughters; The Great Silence; The Perfect Summer. Recent works include The Book of Revelations: Women and their Secrets, and Frostquake.
Clare Conville
Founder, CEO of Conville and Walsh literary agency
Clare is one of the founders of this retreat. She has the reputation as one of the leaders in literary publishing, and her agency, Conville and Walsh, is one of the most respected literary agencies worldwide.
C&W represents an eclectic range of bestselling and award-winning authors, with a reputation for discovering and nurturing outstanding voices across the globe.
In one of the most appreciated aspects of the retreat, Clare will be available in situ or via video chat to discuss publication prospects and ideas.
Exploration, Inspiration and Expertise y
Our experts will conduct a class or group discussion each day on finding solutions to challenges that every writer faces, from the CREATIVE PROCESS, to PLOT SOLUTIONS, and refining PERSONAL STYLE, to getting your work published.
Emphasis will be on each writer being able to work autonomously toward their individual goals, and utilise the talents and resources of our resident writers as they wish—and also from each other.
Daily Encounters & Excellent Writing Advice
The WORKSHOP SESSIONS are designed so that we can IDENTIFY the areas where you’d like support and ideas. There are ASSIGNMENTS if you request them, to enable you explore your strengths and weaknesses.
In addition, much of the EXCHANGE of ideas and learning arises from INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS with our experts. Participants may want to send in notes or questions in advance as an introduction, to help our coaches get an idea of your goals.
Some Enthusiastic Reviews y
It was a brilliant week! I loved it and it helped me believe in the project again! Sarah, Bruce and Clare all seemed positive which is great; Bruce said I should email Clare with more details which I will do.
It was also lovely to get to know Madison, Martin and Margaret. You did a truly fantastic job putting it all together!
What an enjoyable and informative week. The tutors, both published authors, were excellent and very helpful. Also, the Zoom call with Claire (Clare Conville of Conville Walsh literary agency), a very experienced senior agent, was hugely beneficial.
The location, accommodation and catering were superb. Both Christopher and Bill, were so helpful and supportive.
I am truly so happy and grateful to have had this experience.
I wanted a critique of what I had done so far, and I got that. Bruce read my work-in-progress and gave an instant response which I felt was fair and most helpful. Sara spent time with me going through a chapter or two in detail and that as much as anything convinced me that I have a good story worth telling. She gave me excellent pointers on style and things to be avoided.
This course gave me the confidence to go ahead and finish what I had started.
I had a FANTASTIC week! The scenery, food, activities, workshops, and PEOPLE were all phenomenal. You could say it exceeded my expectations.
I found a new setting for my book, and Sara (Wheeler) and Bruce (Clark) helped me learn some incredible new writing techniques. I feel very set up for success.
After the Writing’s Done y
We keep workshop sessions to the mornings. One-to-one sessions can be in the afternoons. But the afternoons and evenings are reserved to explore the luscious Komito estate and Syros itself.
- Walks down to the sea to swim or lounge by our private cove
- Walking trips to explore the nearby beach and hillsides
- Play our own adaptation of Padel tennis
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The possibility of tennis with a local expert
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Visits to the island capital, Ermopouli.
- Backgammon at your leisure
Additional possibilities:
- Dinner in enchanting Ermopoli.
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Yoga on the hilltop terrace with Anna Vardoxaglou, the most admired therapy/yoga/exercise teacher in Greece.
- “Five Greek Dishes” cooking class with Nella, Komito’s chef supreme
- Visit by boat to the extraordinary, ancient island of Delos
- and more
About Komito, Your Workshop Home
Villa Komito was built in the 1960’s and 70’s by Anglo-Irish Baronet Sir Richard Musgrave and his wife Maria, who still lives there much of the time. Today the villa is run by his son Christopher, who has turned this renowned retreat in its glorious location into a much-admired destination in the Cyclades.
Weather
Spring on the Aegean is a marvellous time to be in Syros. The crowds have not yet arrived, everything is in bloom, and this lovely island is at its most endearing. Just a few days here, and you’ll understand why Syros has attracted so many long-stay international residents.
Program & Pricing y
Included in your payment:
- All transfers to and from Komito between the airport or the port
- Board and lodging at Villa Komito
- All writer’s sessions with our experts
- An evening talk on Greek and Cyclades history
- ‘Five Great Greek Dishes’ cooking class with Nella
- Zoom discussion with and advice from Clare Conville
- All programmed excursions
- A variety of afternoon activities in the villa and around the island (hiking, petanque, backgammon, padel and more)
What’s not included:
- Flights, ferries to Syros
- Meals and transport costs on optional excursions to other islands such as Delos
- Tips for our expertly attentive Greek/Albanian Komito staff
- Yoga with local expert Anna is €20 per person
Pricing:
Prices start at €1155 per person and vary by room choice, length of stay, and whether single or sharing the room.
Review and download the programme.
Join Us a
Please complete the form below to request your place in this rich, one-of-a-kind writer’s experience.
You can also contact us directly at Musgavechristopher@yahoo.ie, ColegraveBill@gmail.com, or
+44 7990010754 (SMS or Whatsapp)