Murphy Writing of Stockton University

11th annual international writing retreat

Are you a writer who loves to travel? Join us this summer in beautiful northern Spain to immerse yourself in a supportive week-long writing experience that will energize and inspire you. Enjoy encouraging workshops, plentiful writing time, panoramic cliff top views and excursions to Barcelona and the ancient town of Vic.

Get away to write + be inspired

• Advance your craft and energize your writing in supportive workshops
• Explore Spain and its spectacular landscape and culture
• Enjoy an encouraging community and time to recharge

You will take up residence at l’Avenc, a rural hotel with stunning cliff top views and a rich history dating back to the 13th century. This beautifully renovated retreat center, which has a 5-star TripAdvisor rating and has won awards for its sustainability practices, offers both single and double rooms. This summer, experience living in a place where you can reconnect with yourself and your writing—a place where time slows. Bask in the tranquility and silence of rural Spain. Your writing will thank you.

This writing vacation is brought to you by Murphy Writing of Stockton University. Led by award-winning author Peter E. Murphy, the retreat will offer challenging and supportive workshops, readings by local writers and time to soak up the atmosphere. Peter has led hundreds of workshops and retreats for writers and teachers. His unique prompts and insightful feedback have helped thousands find voice and direction. Whether you plan to begin new material or continue an ongoing project, you will return home from this inspiring adventure energized, with a substantial body of fresh writing and ideas on how to develop it.

WORKSHOP

July 7-14, 2020
Catalonia, Spain

Taking inspiration from the extraordinary location in Spain, the workshop will focus on identity, independence and transformation. Each day you will join Peter and your fellow writers to discuss craft elements around a selection of stories, poems and essays chosen to stimulate your imagination. This anthology will form the backbone of the conversation and will include work by classic and contemporary Spanish, Catalan and American authors. Peter will guide you through freewriting exercises relevant to the day’s discussion and then give you one of his unique writing prompts and send you off to work.

Peter’s assignments are designed to challenge you to stretch your imagination and produce new work that will surprise and please you. They are crafted to be effective whether you are starting a new poem or prose piece, or working on a long-term project such as a novel, memoir or other nonfiction manuscript. In fact, Diode Editions published More Challenges for the Delusional, which features Peter’s prompts with an anthology of the writing they inspired. It includes work by Kim Addonizio, Tony Hoagland, Dorianne Laux and Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Dunn.

While different genres have different demands, Peter has found that fiction writers, nonfiction writers and poets can learn much about their own craft by working together in a mixed-genre workshop. For example, playing with dialogue, setting and point of view can make a poem more surprising and meaningful. Paying attention to compression, rhythm and sound can make a work of prose stronger and more credible.

“There was nothing to worry about other than focusing all my attention on productive writing in a relaxed and beautiful location. Peter’s writing prompts, discussions and group workshops were thought-provoking, encouraging and welcoming. This Getaway was truly a life-rewarding experience. I left not only with amazing new friends but also with a renewed excitement and confidence for my writing.”

~ Danielle, Barnegat, NJ

Feedback sessions

Three times during the week, you will participate in supportive feedback sessions. You will have the opportunity to share your new writing, to reflect on what you wrote, get responses on what worked well and receive suggestions for strengthening the next draft. You will have one feedback session with each of our faculty–Peter E. Murphy, Roberta Clipper and Christine E. Salvatore. (Bios below.)

One-on-one Tutorials (Optional)

If you are looking for more feedback on your writing, you have the option to add on a tutorial, which will offer a constructive critique on a work in progress. These one-on-one-sessions will last 40 minutes and you may request general feedback or seek assistance on a specific question or problem you are having. Led by: Roberta Clipper for prose (memoir, nonfiction and fiction) and Christine E. Salvatore for poetry. Limited quantity of one-on-ones available.

• You and your tutor will select a mutually convenient time during the week.
• No need to send your writing ahead of time; the tutors are experienced at providing constructive and supportive feedback in the time allocated.
• You may choose to bring something you wrote before the retreat or something you write during the retreat itself.
• Prepare for your tutorial by bringing two copies of a printed sample of your writing that is representative of a larger problem you are facing. For example, your challenge might have to do with plotting, point of view, tone or writing dialogue. The piece of work (or excerpt) you bring should be no more than 1,000 words so your tutor can offer you constructive advice within the 40 minute time period. In lieu of a writing sample, you may bring questions and concerns about your work or broader questions about writing and publishing.
• See tutor bios below.

Schedule

Mornings will be devoted to the workshop, which includes guided discussions, freewriting and feedback sessions. Afternoons and evenings are free for you to use as you wish:

• Write to your heart’s content
• Soak in the breathtaking view and revitalizing mountain air
• Relax by l’Avenc’s beautiful indoor pool
• Watch picturesque birds in flight from your private patio
• Explore the pristine countryside on a hike along the cliffs to a nearby lookout where you can see from the Mediterranean to Montserrat

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

View the tentative full schedule.

“Peter is simply one of the finest writing teachers I have ever encountered. His craft talks were inventive, astute and insightful. His imaginative prompts often inspired startlingly fresh and innovative writing. In short, Peter empowers his students to write, while offering instruction and feedback that allows them to make leaps and bounds in their writing.”

~ Patty Paine, Doha, Qatar – Founding editor of Diode Poetry Journal and author of four books

FACULTY

Workshop Leader

Peter E. Murphy was born in Wales and grew up in New York City where he operated heavy equipment, managed a nightclub and drove a taxi. He is the author of eleven books and chapbooks including The Man Who Never Was, Mean Time and two books of writing prompts. More than a dozen excerpts of his memoir-in-progress, You Go To My Head, have been published as standalone pieces in journals, including “Looking for Thelma,” winner of the 2018 Wilt Nonfiction Chapbook Prize. The founder of Murphy Writing of Stockton University, Peter has received dozens of awards and fellowships and has led hundreds of workshops for writers and teachers. Read an interview with Peter and an excerpt from his memoir in The Lightning Key Review.

Feedback Session + Tutorial Leader

Roberta Clipper has published two novels-in-stories under the name Robbie Clipper Sethi, The Bride Wore Red (Picador) and Fifty-Fifty (Silicon Press), as well as short stories in The Atlantic Monthly, Mademoiselle, The Philadelphia Inquirer and a number of literary magazines and anthologies. Her fiction has won a National Endowment for the Arts award and two fellowships from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Robbie teaches fiction, poetry, expository writing and literature at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. On a Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship, she spent a “monsoon semester” teaching creative writing at the International Institute of Information Technology in Hyderabad, India and in the summer of 2019 taught English in Prague. She is proud to have had a story accepted in More Challenges for the Delusional. To read some of her work, visit robbieclippersethi.com.

FEEDBACK SESSION + TUTORIAL LEADER

Christine E. Salvatore received an MFA from The University of New Orleans where she taught in its undergraduate college as well as at Tulane University. She is a thesis advisor in the MFA Program at Rutgers University-Camden, and teaches literature and writing in the MFA Program at Rosemont College, Stockton University and at a public high school in South Jersey. Her poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in journals including [Pank], The Cortland Review, Diode, The Literary Review, Mead Journal, and The Southeast Review. Her work is also included in the craft book More Challenges for the Delusional and is featured in the art book Mother Monument by Holly Trostle Brigham and Maryanne Miller. You can read an interview with her on the Dodge Poet Spotlight Blog and learn more at christinesalvatore.com.

Cultural Liaison 

María Luisa Guardiola was born and raised in Barcelona, which is in the Catalonia region of Spain. She moved to the US after college and did her graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania. María Luisa is currently a Professor at Swarthmore College where she teaches Spanish language and literature. She started writing when she was very young. She has enjoyed participating in several Murphy Writing getaways in the US and abroad, noting the engaging prompts and collaborative atmosphere as her favorite elements. María Luisa lives between cultures and looks forward to opening the doors of Catalonia to her fellow writers.

María Luisa will act as your local guide. She will introduce you to Catalan culture, acquaint you with basic pronunciation and teach you a handful of Catalan words. She will also guide some of the tours and will be available each morning to answer your cultural and travel questions.

Special Guest 

Laia Fàbregas will be our special guest, joining us for a reading and dinner during the retreat. Her books Landing (2016 in English, 2010 Dutch), Yellow Days (2013) and Girl with the Nine Fingers (2008) have been translated widely into languages including Spanish, Catalan, French, Italian, Danish, Norwegian, Turkish, Dutch and English. Laia has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Barcelona. Since 2012, she has taught creative writing at the writing school Laboratori de Lletres in Barcelona. She is also partner and co-director of the school with founder Laia Terrón.

“The retreat was all I had hoped it would be. Visiting a different country, meeting new people, and working with Peter Murphy and his impressive faculty has enhanced my writing and offered a very pleasant life experience. I’m bringing back new ideas to the creative writing class I teach.”

~ Bobbe, Oceanside, CA 

Setting

¡Bienvenido a España! Welcome to Spain! For centuries, Spain has inspired writers and artists to create their greatest masterpieces. Some of the best-known include: painter Salvador Dalí; architect Antoni Gaudí; and writers Miguel de Cervantes, Ernest Hemingway, Federico García Lorca and George Orwell. Barcelona is home to the Dalí Museum and La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s famous cathedral that was started in 1882 and is finally scheduled for completion in 2028, more than a century after his death. Scores of other artists and writers have called Spain their home and left their mark on its rich heritage.

With miles of beaches and more than 300 sunny days per year, Spain is a Mediterranean paradise. It is the second most mountainous country in Europe with panoramic views overlooking exquisite valleys. The culture is as diverse as the geography, and pride in their homeland is evident in the character and welcoming atmosphere of every Spaniard. While in Spain, you can enjoy visiting Roman temples, Moorish palaces, medieval castles and some of the best restaurants in the world. From the modern to the ancient, the mountains to the sea, Spain offers room for adventure, contemplation and awe.

Did you know?

• The quill pen is thought to have originated in Spain 1,400 years ago
• Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote is considered the first modern novel
• Spanish food is known for being flavorful but is rarely spicy hot
• Though Spain is known for its red wine, most of its vineyards have white grapes

WEATHER

July is one of the warmest months with average temperatures in the 80s during the day and 60s at night. You will enjoy long, sunny, summer days and can expect 15 hours of daylight, as the sun won’t set until 9:30 pm—perfect for swimming in l’Avenc’s gorgeous indoor pool day and night!

ACTIVITIES + EXCURSIONS

You will have the opportunity to participate in a number of cultural activities and excursions, which will help you develop a sense of the place where you will be writing for the week. The El Collsacabra region, which is off the well-worn tourist path, is part of Catalonia. It shares many traits with Spain yet maintains a distinct identity of its own. While none of our excursions will be extreme, they will involve walking and moderate physical activity.

Cultural Liaison María Luisa Guardiola will enrich your experience, acting as your local guide. She will introduce you to Catalan culture, acquaint you with basic pronunciation and teach you a handful of Catalan words. She will also guide some of the tours and will be available each morning to answer your cultural and travel questions. See her bio.

Historic “Masia” House Tour

L’Avenc, our retreat center, is owned and operated by the Parris family who will share its history and the story of how they saved and restored it. You will travel back in time as Belinda Parris guides you through the historic “Masia” house at l’Avenc. While the oldest parts date back to the 13th century, the primary architectural influence is from the 16th century. The Parris family discovered the abandoned ruins of l’Avenc while hiking in 1997. Looking back they describe it as “brave and foolish to fall in love with it,” to buy, restore and expand it into a rural eco-friendly hotel.

Excursion to Vic

Halfway between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, the ancient city of Vic is considered the heart of the Catalan region. Tradition and modernity coexist in this medieval city. You will enjoy a walking tour of the city center and have free time to visit the open air market, which dates back to the 9th century. You will eat lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to l’Avenc to enjoy the afternoon siesta.

Excursion to Barcelona

On the final day of the retreat, you will depart l’Avenc at noon to take in the sites of Barcelona. After reaching the city, you will have the opportunity to stretch your legs and take photos and will visit a museum. At the end of the excursion, you can take advantage of either drop off option–La Placa Catalunya for those staying the night (or longer) in Barcelona, or El Prat Airport.

Special Guest Session

Writer Laia Fàbregas will be our special guest, joining us for a reading and dinner during the retreat. See her bio.

“Thank you. You did a great job in putting together a week well balanced in writing, workshopping and touring, but what made it really stand out was our involvement with the locals as we became part of the culture and experienced it from the inside.”

~ Pat, Allendale, NJ 

Accommodations

Lodging

You will have the option to select a private single room or share with another person.

Amenities

• Most rooms have private bathrooms
• Most also have a writing desk and an outdoor patio or terrace with stunning views
• Enjoy the swimming pool, yoga room (equipped with mats), library, garden and hiking trails
• There is a common sitting room with free Wi-Fi internet access
• Option to treat yourself to a massage onsite

If you would like to bring a spouse, significant other, friend or family member, these non-participating guests are welcome to share your room and attend all activities other than workshops.

Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Register early to get your first choice!

Meals

L’Avenc’s chefs focus on fair trade, local and organic ingredients. Their mouthwatering menu will give you a real flavor for the cuisine of the region. Meals will be served buffet style with a variety of choices including vegetarian and gluten-free options, and one night the group will dine off-site at a local restaurant.  If you have dietary restrictions you will be able to indicate them on the registration form.

“Everyone was blown away by the beauty and hospitality at l’Avenc. It’s going to be hard to top such a location. However, what most struck me again this year (as it did last year in Wales) was not just the excellent workshops, but the spirit of camaraderie among the participants. It’s truly impressive, and that camaraderie can be traced back directly to the leadership and example you set.”

~ Rich, North Falmouth, MA

Get Away to Write – Spain is featured in TheWriteLife.com’s “Incredible Writing Retreats to attend in 2020”

Pricing + REGISTRATION

Update 3/12/20: Due to the escalating global concerns about COVID-19, Stockton University has suspended all international travel until further notice. As a result, Get Away to Write – Spain is cancelled for 2020. Sign up for our EMAIL LIST to be notified about future dates and our other writing retreats.

take advantage + save

• $75 “Early Bard” discount if you register by April 1
• $75 “re-PETER” discount if you’ve attended any of our other programs

Program Fee Includes

• Writing workshop and feedback sessions
• Accommodations for 7 nights/8 days
• 20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
• Morning and afternoon refreshments on non-excursion days
• Round trip transportation from El Prat Airport in Barcelona
• 2 excursions (Transportation, admissions and tours. A brown bag lunch will be provided on one of the excursion days. The other will offer a lunch stop which is not included in this fee.)
• Cultural activities including a reading with a local writer
• Travel medical insurance*
• Use of wi-fi, pool, yoga room, library, garden and hiking trails
• Trip blog and Google group providing travel recommendations, a packing list and opportunities to connect with fellow participants ahead of time

Room Package Options

• Program fee with DOUBLE room package – $2,345 – A double room is a great way to save money. Let us know if you’d like us to match you with a roommate.
• Program fee with SINGLE room package – $2,645
• Program fee with SHARED room package (with non-participating guest) – $3,745 – If you are bringing a guest, they may join us for meals and all non-workshop activities.

Fees do not include airfare, college credit, one-on-one tutorials, travel insurance (non-medical), gratuities or additional accommodations, meals or personal expenses.

* Unfortunately, the University’s contract for travel medical insurance group coverage is only able to cover individuals through age 74. If you will be 75 or older at the time of travel, you must purchase individual coverage and provide a copy of the policy for us. Please call 609-626-3594 before you register to discuss the coverage requirements and allow us to answer your questions.

One-on-one Tutorials (Optional)

To get even more out of your Spain experience, you can add on the following tutorials.

• Tutorial in Prose — $100
• Tutorial in Poetry — $100

Detailed descriptions

Registration Options

Or, mail your check or purchase order with this registration form.

After you register

We will follow up with you within 3 business days to answer any questions you may have. If you have trouble registering online, or if you don’t receive an email confirming your online registration within 24 hours, call us at 609-626-3594 or email us at info@murphywriting.com.

The Fine Print

• By registering for this program, you are agreeing to uphold our Code of Conduct
• To receive the “Early Bard” Discount ($75), you must pay in full by April 1
• To receive the “re-PETER” Discount ($75), you must have attended at least one of our other programs
• A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your place
• Balance due in full by May 1. If you register after May 1, your full payment is due when you register.
• Change Fee ($25) will be charged to make changes to your registration after May 1
• Discounts are not available for guest fees

Cancellation Policy

• By April 1 — 100% refund minus non-refundable $500 deposit
• By May 1 — 50% credit toward one of our upcoming programs
• After May 1 — Sorry, no refund will be issued

Scholarships

We are offering a $1,000 scholarship to a first-time participant in one of Murphy Writing’s international programs. A panel of judges will review the submissions and make their selection based on a combination of merit and need. Application Deadline: March 8, 2020.

APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

TRAVEL

For maximum flexibility, airfare is not included. You will be responsible for making your own round-trip travel arrangements which will allow you to choose your airports and make it easy to extend your trip. We will assist you in identifying budget-conscious flights. For the best fares, you should purchase your ticket in the spring.

It is very important that you follow these recommended times. The retreat location is approximately 2 hours from the airport and very rural. If you do not follow these times, you will need to make your way there on your own, which you will find very difficult to do without renting a car.

Arrival

Tuesday, July 7. The program is designed so you can arrive in Spain the day the retreat begins. We recommend you fly to El Prat Airport in Barcelona. If you are flying from the US, depart on the evening of July 6 and you will land early the next morning. We suggest you arrive at the airport by 10:00 am so you have time to clear customs, pick up your luggage and meet the group at 11:45 am. If you wish to arrive in the country prior to July 7, plan to make your way to the airport in time to meet the group. We will send details on where to meet at the airport and emergency contact numbers approximately two weeks before the program.

Departure

Tuesday, July 14. We will depart l’Avenc at noon and head to Barcelona. After reaching the city, we will have the opportunity to stretch our legs and take photos and visit a museum. At the end of the excursion, we will offer two drop off options: 4:15 pm at La Placa Catalunya for those staying the night in Barcelona and 5:00 pm at El Prat Airport.

Do not book a flight before 8:00 pm on July 14. Most flights to the US depart in the morning. If you can’t book a flight after 8:00 pm, plan to stay the night in Barcelona and fly out the next day, July 15. If you plan to stay the night (or longer) in Barcelona, consider a hotel or Airbnb in the “Eixample” or the “Barri” Gotic neighborhood, which are both a short walk from La Placa Catalunya, offer many good hotel options and easy access to public transportation.

Travel Note

You will have access to our trip blog, which will provide you with additional travel details. We will also provide the opportunity to connect with other participants. Many years, people make plans to travel together before or after the retreat. This can be especially helpful if you are not an experienced overseas traveler.

“Attending was a big deal for me since I’d never been to a writing retreat before. It turned out to be fabulous—the atmosphere was perfect for writing and Peter was an excellent teacher. His lessons were unique and helped uncork my writing, getting me to think and use my writing time wisely. I highly enjoyed the trip and would recommend a Murphy Writing retreat to absolutely anybody, whether a novice or pro.”

~ Michelle, Huntsville, TX

Special Preparations

• Passport: It is essential that your passport does not expire until after January 2021 or Border Control may not allow you to enter Spain. Please check and renew it today.
• Visas: US citizens do not need a visa to enter Spain. If you are a citizen of a different country, please check if you need a Spanish visa.
• Travel medical insurance: This is included in your program fee for most participants.*
• Additional travel insurance: We encourage you to buy traditional travel insurance to cover things like lost bags, delayed flights or trip cancellations, but it is not required. Check with a broker such as InsureMyTrip, which is recommended by Consumer Reports.

* Unfortunately, the University’s contract for travel medical insurance group coverage is only able to cover individuals through age 74. If you will be 75 or older at the time of travel, you must purchase individual coverage and provide a copy of the policy for us. Please call 609-626-3594 before you register to discuss the coverage requirements and to allow us to answer your questions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How big will the workshop be?
Our international writing retreats generally have about 20 participants in addition to faculty and staff. Plus, sometimes travelers bring non-participating guests.

I’m new to writing workshops. Will I fit in?
Absolutely! Peter’s unique prompts will allow this supportive program to benefit both beginning and experienced writers. We pride ourselves on building an encouraging community of writers where all feel welcome.

I’ve been to dozens of workshops. What will I get out of this one?
Peter challenges experienced writers to push beyond their usual limits. If you have been writing for decades, he will compel you to go deeper, take more risks and experiment with form and content. We know that experienced writers benefit from our programs based on the fact that hundreds of “re-PETERs” have attended 3 or more of our writing getaways. Try one of Peter’s prompts from Challenges for the Delusional.

I write both poetry and fiction. Do I need to have a project in mind to attend?
No. Many of our participants write both poetry and prose. It’s not uncommon for someone to decide what form their writing will take after Peter gives the prompt.

“The relaxed but well-structured workshop is the key to a superb experience. Peter makes you feel comfortable to write freely, to reflect and to acquaint yourself with your surroundings.”

~ María Luisa, Rose Valley, PA

Photo Gallery

Take a look at the photos from our most recent international writing retreat, our 2017 retreat in Spain or view our full collection of Writing Getaway photos. 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDITS

Participants will receive a professional development certificate of participation. Stockton University is recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education to provide Professional Development credit hours, which many other states are willing to accept. You may check with your employer to see if it will work for you.

Questions?

Call 609-626-3594 or email info@murphywriting.com.

Book your slice of inspiration.