Writers’ Workshop
writers in residence
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 fresh ideas, you’ll find a wealth of expert support at hand.
Whether your project is fiction, biography, non-fiction, journalism, or memoir, these experienced writers and publishers will deepen your ideas and refine your technique through joint workshops and study sessions.
daily sessions
The workshop sessions are designed so that we can identify the areas where you would most value support, guidance and ideas. There are assignments if you request them, allowing you to explore your strengths and weaknesses, and deepen your creative practice.
Beyond the formal sessions, some of the richest learning happens through informal conversations with the tutors and other guests. Writers in Residence at Komito has become a co-operative as much as a classroom as our many testimonials confirm. New and experienced writers tell of the energy, direction and confidence that Komito has delivered.
Morning
workshop sessions | solo writing
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 development, to personal style, to getting your work published.
Emphasis will be on each writer being able to work autonomously towards their individual goals, and utilise the talents and resources of our resident writers as they wish, as well as those of each other.
Afternoon
one to one tutoring | excursions | yoga
One-to-one sessions can be held in the afternoons, reserving afternoons and evenings to explore the Komito estate and Syros itself.
Walks down to the sea for a swim or to relax by our private cove; Walking excursions to explore nearby beaches and hillsides; Our own adaptation of padel tennis; The opportunity to play tennis with a local expert; Visits to the island’s capital, Ermoupoli; Backgammon and guided yoga at your leisure.
Evening Soiree
presentations | readings | talks
Evenings at Komito are centred on fun and togetherness, casually sharing, in the relaxed atmosphere around the fire, cocktail in hand. Tutors and participants are encouraged to read extracts of their work, share stories or presentations on topics that interest them, or simply sit back and listen.
our week
Themes
Course themes include structure, plot, character development, beginnings, endings, voice, dialogue and vignette. Daily 200-word tasks help you practise your craft, with feedback from tutors and the group of writers.
One-to-one
Tutors will read and give feedback on your work, helping you to improve your writing, define your voice and guide you to progress your project. Additional experts will advise on literary agents and publishing.
Personalised
Tutors can adapt the course content to meet individual needs, both within the group or during one-to-one sessions. After the course you can submit a story, vignette or poem for publication in the Komito Collective publication.
Pricing
Prices start at €1190 per person sharing a room and €1750 for a single room. (Six day retreat, seven nights)
Included in your payment:
- All transfers to/from Komito between Syros airport/port
- Board and lodging at Villa Komito
- All writers’ sessions with our experts
- An evening talk on Greek and Cycladic history
- ‘Five Great Greek Dishes’ cooking class with Nella
- A Zoom discussion with, and advice from, Clare Conville
- All scheduled excursions
- Afternoon activities in the villa and around the island (hiking, pétanque, backgammon, padel)
What’s not included:
- Flights and ferries to Syros
- Meals and transport costs for excursions to other islands
- Tips for our attentive Komito staff
- Yoga with local expert Anna (€20 per person)
Programme
Writers
WORKSHOP
DAILY SCHEDULE
A day in the life at Komito Writers Workshop
Komito
collective
A sampling of texts from Komito Writers in Residence
Komito, Syros, Greece
March-April 2026
With contributions from writers Sara Wheeler and Bruce Clark
upcoming workshops
Writers
WORKSHOP
11-18
OCTOBER
2026
Places are limited, please book early.
Writers
WORKSHOP
DATES TBC
OCTOBER
2027
Places are limited, please book early.
Syros
getting there
BY AIR
Syros has a national airport, with Sky Express offering flights to the island from Athens International Airport.
BY FERRY
From Athens International Airport, make your way to the Port of Piraeus by bus X96, metro Line M3, taxi (€80) or pre-book a private transfer (€60).
Daily Ferries: Piraeus to Syros: 07:30 | 17:30 | Syros to Piraeus: 16:00.
Ferries also connect Syros to Mykonos.
Daily Ferries: Mykonos to Syros: 14.00 | Syros to Mykonos: 11.45
Private Helicopter Transfer from Mykonos to Syros | flyhoper.com
The schedules for all ferries are available nearer the time, check individual websites or ferryhopper.com.
Tutors at Komito
Below are the distinguished authors, coaches, writing experts and publishing professionals who will join us for all or 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 with many years’ experience at The Economist, Reuters and The Times. He is author of very highly regarded titles including Athens, City of Wisdom and Twice a Stranger, and is the winner of the Runciman Award 2007.
As a tutor, Bruce shares and draws on his long experience as a journalist and non-fiction author.
Sara Wheeler
Author | Biographer | Travel Writer | 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.
Jan Morris: A Life by Sara Wheeler was published by Faber in 2026.
Juliet Nicolson
Fiction Author | 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 that Juliet had ‘invented a new kind of social history.’ (The Good Web Guide)
Books: A House Full of Daughters, The Great Silence and The Perfect Summer. Recent works include The Book of Revelations: Women and their Secrets, and Frostquake.
Laura Beatty
Author | Tutor | Writing Coach
Laura Beatty is an acclaimed writer of both fiction and nonfiction. Her debut novel Pollard won the Authors’ Club First Novel Award and was shortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize recognising books that evoke a powerful spirit of place. Her most recent book, Looking for Theophrastus, Travels in Search of a Lost Philosopher was shortlisted for the Runciman Award.
Laura is interested in the no-man’s land between established genres and combines writing with teaching. She is a Gladstone Fellow as well as a fellow of the Royal Literary Fund.
Joshua Barley
Author | Translator
Josh is a writer and translator with a deep love of Greece, where he has lived for over a decade.
He holds a degree in Classics and a master’s in Modern Greek literature.
His translations of Greek folk poetry were shortlisted for the Greek State Prize, while his latest book, Athens Tales, was shortlisted for the Runciman Award. His first book of poems is due to be published in autumn 2026.
When he is not writing, he leads specialist tours in Greece and the Balkans.
Terry Finnigan
Facilitator | Literary Review | Journalism
With over 40 years’ experience in publishing, media, commercial strategy, and 26 years at The Literary Review, Terry Finnigan offers writers a practical, end-to-end perspective to bring their book successfully to market.
The purpose of Terry’s sessions are advisory, strategic and hands-on, helping writers think like publishers, build their author platform, and position their work professionally.
Terry helps writers harness modern platforms, build visibility and audience engagement; develop podcast opportunities and create effective content strategies across social media.
The aim is simple: to ensure that when your book is ready, so is the market for it.
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.
Your hosts: Christopher Musgrave (left) and Bill Colegrave (right) with tutors/coaches Terry Finnigan, Sara Wheeler and Bruce Clark
Komito Villa, March 2026
testimonials
“I chose this course based on the beautiful location and the quality of the teachers provided and I was not disappointed- everything exceeded my expectations.
The daily workshop sessions felt packed full of invaluable knowledge from the teachers as well as the other attendees. Additionally, the way that the retreat was structured there was ample time to keep all the discussions from the mornings ongoing with the group as we enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and the villa setting and meals.
This retreat partially felt like going to stay as a guest at a family home instead of an impersonal hotel experience. The generosity and loveliness of the hosts, the location, the villa, and the quality level of the teachers and attendees can’t be overstated.”
“I wanted to have time to write and edit my manuscript. I was able to do just that with incredible support and guidance.
The timing was right, the schedule gave me plenty of time to write, and the courses were optional (I opted out of the morning sessions to be able to write). I liked everything about this course and would highly recommend it. The location is exceptional as were the organisers and facilitators.
Amazing location far from distraction, yet dramatic and beautiful, thus inspiring. Great food by great staff. Superb care taken by organisers. One felt very supported yet free to create. It takes a bit of commitment to get there, but once there, you don’t want to leave.”
“I chose this retreat because the location and accommodations looked divine, the program was flexible (you could take part in the workshops and activities if you wanted to, or you could just write), and the tutors were accomplished writers I felt could learn a lot from. And it certainly did not disappoint.
Christopher, our gracious host, made sure we were well taken care of in his warm and inviting house (the food was fresh and the cocktails delicious). The ever-energetic Bill was our intrepid hike leader, and Bruce and Sarah, our lovely tutors, were always on hand to give constructive and detailed feedback.
I managed to completely disconnect and immerse myself in the gorgeous surroundings, focused on my writing and utilised the constructive feedback I received to helped navigate my story forward.”
Join Us
Writers’ workshop
Please complete the form below to request your place in this unique writer’s experience.
You can also contact us directly:
MusgraveChristopher@yahoo.ie | ColegraveBill@gmail.com | SMS or Whatsapp: +44 7990010754
waiting for you
