Creative Writing Retreat in Italy, September 2026

Some places make it easier to concentrate. Abruzzo is one of them.

From 5 to 12 September 2026, this creative writing retreat takes place in a private villa in central Italy, positioned between the Adriatic coast and the Gran Sasso mountains. The aim is simple: to offer writers time, structure, and editorial guidance in a setting that supports sustained work rather than distraction.

Hosted by editor and reviewer Wendy Ridolini, the retreat is designed for writers who want to move a project forward with clarity. It is not a writing holiday, and it does not promise transformation. What it offers instead is focus, honest feedback, and a working rhythm that many writers struggle to create for themselves at home.

As Anna Akhmatova once wrote, “Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.” In Abruzzo, that sense of return feels quieter and more deliberate, shaped by landscape rather than spectacle.

A Creative Writing Retreat With Purpose

This is a small, residential writing retreat in Italy, limited in size to preserve concentration and meaningful discussion. Days follow a clear but flexible structure.

Mornings are dedicated to workshops and guided sessions, focusing on craft, structure, and revision. Afternoons are left open for individual writing, reading, or reflection. Evenings are shared, often extending conversations that begin around the table and return to the page the next morning.

Writers work at their own pace. There is no comparison, no pressure to perform, and no expectation of producing a certain word count. Progress is measured in clarity rather than volume.

Editorial Guidance and Mentoring

Wendy’s approach is practical and grounded. Her background as a book blogger, editor, and reviewer informs sessions that balance creative development with an understanding of how manuscripts are read, shaped, and assessed.

Each participant receives one-to-one mentoring alongside group workshops. These sessions are tailored to the individual project, whether writers arrive with a complete manuscript, a partial draft, or an early idea that needs structure.

Discussion also covers the realities of publishing, from submission pathways to long-term writing practice, without inflated promises or generic advice.

Writers Who Have Attended

Previous participants have gone on to complete and publish work following the retreat, reflecting the value of focused time combined with editorial direction.

Jeremy (UK)
“The week was rewarding and inspiring. It was well organised and encouraging, especially in terms of improving my writing.”

Jeremy attended the retreat in 2022. His political thriller Court in the Act was published in January 2025, exploring constitutional crisis through the arrest of a newly crowned monarch overseas.

Roz Kings (UK)
“I met Wendy on a writing retreat some time ago. My manuscript Clean Skins is now finished and has been submitted to publishers.”

The novel follows a young girl groomed into a drug gang, written with restraint and close attention to character.

Nicole T. Smith (USA)
“This was a special week that I will never forget.”

Nicole’s novel Shadows is a psychological drama centred on memory, family history, and identity.

What the Writing Retreat Includes

The all-inclusive price from £1,750 is intended to remove practical concerns so attention can remain on the work.

Included:

• Seven nights’ accommodation in a shared double bedroom
• Breakfast, lunch, and evening meal each day
• Daily creative writing workshops
• One-to-one mentoring sessions
• Group discussions on craft and publishing
• Airport transfers from Pescara

The programme balances structured teaching with time to write independently, allowing participants to apply ideas directly to their own projects.

Writing in Abruzzo

Abruzzo remains one of Italy’s less mediated regions. The villa is set close to the Adriatic coast, with views towards the Gran Sasso mountains and the historic town of Città Sant’Angelo.

The landscape encourages attention rather than interruption. There is space to walk, to sit outside with a notebook, and to work without constant stimulus. It is a setting that supports sustained writing rather than temporary escape.

Who This Retreat Is For

This creative writing retreat in Italy suits writers who are serious about their work but do not require validation or spectacle. Participants come with different levels of experience, but share a willingness to engage thoughtfully with their writing.

The retreat works best for those looking to refine, revise, or complete a project with informed guidance and time to concentrate.

September 2026 Retreat Details

Creative Writing Retreat in Abruzzo, Italy
5–12 September 2026

We provide the setting. You bring the work.

All-inclusive from £1,750, including accommodation, meals, workshops, mentoring, and airport transfers from Pescara.

Places are limited to maintain the working nature of the retreat.