9th annual international writing retreat
Are you a writer who loves to travel? Join us in idyllic Wales to immerse yourself in a supportive week-long writing retreat that will energize and inspire you. Enjoy encouraging workshops, plentiful writing time, invaluable instruction, breathtaking mountain views, organic meals and excursions to castles, the coast and more.
Get away to write and be inspired:
- Advance your craft and energize your writing in supportive workshops
- Explore Wales, a spectacular, lesser known Celtic gem
- Enjoy an encouraging community and time to recharge
You will take up residence at Trigonos, a beautiful 18 acre estate in a quiet valley with a striking view of Mount Snowdon, the tallest mountain in England and Wales. The property includes a lake, meadow, woodlands and an organic vegetable garden. This recently expanded retreat center, which has a 5-star TripAdvisor rating, 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 Wales. Your writing will thank you.
This writing vacation is brought to you by Murphy Writing of Stockton University, proudly celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Led by award-winning author Peter 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 unique adventure energized, with a substantial body of fresh writing and ideas on how to develop it.
WORKSHOP
July 7-14, 2018
Snowdonia, Wales
Taking inspiration from our glorious setting in Wales, the workshop will focus on myth, imagination and transformation. Each day you will join Peter and your fellow writers to discuss craft issues around a packet 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 Welsh and world 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 will challenge you to stretch your imagination and produce new work that will surprise and please you. They are designed to be effective whether you are starting a new poem or prose piece, or working on a long-term project such as a novel, chapbook, memoir or other nonfiction manuscript. In fact, this year, 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.
“The relaxed but well-structured workshop was the key to a superb experience. Peter makes you feel comfortable to write freely, to reflect and to acquaint yourself with your surroundings.”
~ Maria Luisa, Rose Valley, PA
Feedback sessions
Three times during the week, you will participate in supportive feedback sessions. You will have the opportunity to share your new writing, 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, Roberta and Christine. (Bios below.)
Bonus session: Panel on publishing
Patty Paine and Law Alsobrook will discuss their careers as poets, writers and artists with significant publications. As editors and publishers of the highly regarded Diode Journal and Diode Editions, they will provide insight from the other side of the desk. They will offer suggestions on where and how to submit your writing, as well as advice on avoiding common mistakes. Peter will host the panel and share tips from the 45 years he has been publishing essays, poems and books.
One-on-one Tutorials (Optional)
If you are looking for more feedback on your writing, you can add 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-one tutorials 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 week.
- 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.
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 in the sitting room or browse the bookshelves in the library
- Reconnect with nature while exploring Trigonos’ walled garden and farm
- Enjoy the pristine countryside on a hike through the woodlands or the mountains
sample daily schedule
| 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00 | Workshop and feedback sessions (Refreshment break at 11:00) |
| 1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00 | Free time for writing and other activities |
| 4:30 | Afternoon refreshments |
| 7:00 | Dinner |
| 8:00 | Free time |
View the full schedule (PDF).
“I think you, Peter, are one of the best writing teachers around, certainly the best I’ve ever had, the proliferation of MFA programs notwithstanding. You create a space where writers can REALLY GROW, and my manuscript and I are very happy to have been in it for a week.”
~ Katherine, New York, NY
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 cab. He is the author of ten books and chapbooks including two books of writing prompts and Stubborn Child, a finalist for the Paterson Poetry Prize. More than a dozen excerpts of his memoir-in-progress, You Go To My Head, have been published as standalone pieces in literary magazines 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. Enjoy a brief interview with Peter and read some of his work at peteremurphy.com.
Feedback Session + Tutorial Leader
Roberta Clipper has published two novels-in-stories under the name Robbie Clipper Sethi: The Bride Wore Red and Fifty-Fifty, as well as short stories in The Atlantic Monthly, Mademoiselle, The Philadelphia Inquirer and numerous literary magazines and anthologies. Her fiction has won a National Endowment for the Arts award and two fellowships from the NJ 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. To read some of her work, visit robbieclippersethi.com.
FEEDBACK SESSION + TUTORIAL LEADER
Christine E. Salvatore received her MFA from The University of New Orleans. She teaches literature and writing at Stockton University, a public high school in South Jersey and in the MFA Program at Rosemont College. The recipient of a Fellowship from the NJ State Council of the Arts, Christine is a Geraldine R. Dodge Poet and a regular faculty member for Murphy Writing of Stockton University. Her poetry has recently appeared or will appear in Diode, The Turnip Truck[s], The Fem, The Literary Review, The Cortland Review and Mead Journal. To read some of her work, visit christinesalvatore.com.
panel on publishing speaker
Patty Paine is the author of three books including Grief & Other Animals and The Sounding Machine. Her poems, reviews and interviews have appeared in Blackbird, Adroit, Gulf Stream, Waxwing, Thrush and The South Dakota Review. She is the editor of Gathering the Tide: An Anthology of Arabian Gulf Poetry and The Donkey Lady & Other Tales from the Arabian Gulf. Patty is the founding editor of Diode Poetry Journal and Diode Editions and is Director of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University, Qatar.
panel on publishing speaker
Law Alsobrook is an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar where he teaches semiotics, communication theory, bookbinding and typography. He has recently published or has work forthcoming in DIAGRAM, Typehouse Literary Magazine, After the Pause, Petite Hound Press, The Volta, Technoetic Arts: A Journal of Speculative Research and Noema. He received his MFA in graphic design from Rhode Island School of Design and is the Editor and Art Director for Diode Poetry Journal and Diode Editions.
“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
Croeso i Cymru! Welcome to Wales! North Wales was named one of the top places to visit according to Lonely Planet’s 2017 Best in Travel, and the only UK destination featured on the list. You will be astounded by its natural beauty. Like its better known Celtic neighbors, Ireland and Scotland, Wales is full of friendly people and beautiful open spaces. Wales is a bilingual country, and while everyone speaks English, you will have fun learning to pronounce Welsh words and read the signs which are written in both languages.
In addition to Dylan Thomas, Wales’ rich literary heritage includes Roald Dahl, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Bertrand Russell, Doctor Who and Hay-on-Wye, known as “The Town of Books.” Wales has been inspiring poets and writers since the 6th century. Its majestic landscape produced the legend of King Arthur, and Tintern Abbey in South Wales is perhaps best known from Wordsworth’s great lyric poem.
Our writing retreat will be held at the foot of Mount Snowdon, the training site that Sir Edmund Hillary practiced on before conquering Mount Everest.
Did you know?
- Wales has 641 castles, more per square mile than any other country in the world
- J. R. R. Tolkien is said to have based Mordor from The Lord of the Rings on the Snowdonia mountains
- The red, green and white Welsh flag is the only one in the world featuring a dragon
- Wales has 3 million people and about 11 million sheep. Bah…
WEATHER
July is the warmest month in Wales with average temperatures in the 60s during the day and 50s at night. You can expect 16 hours of daylight, as the sun won’t set until 9:45 pm. Weather changes frequently in the mountains, and most days include bright sunshine, dramatic clouds and a short rain shower. You’ll want to pack your “Mackintoshes” and “Wellies” just in case.
ACTIVITIES + EXCURSIONS
We will embark on several excursions to cultural and historical sites during the retreat. While none will be particularly strenuous, they will involve walking and moderate physical activity. The trips and cultural activities will tie into the writing you are doing and will include:
Introduction to Welsh Culture & Pronunciation
Although Peter lives in the US, he was born in Wales and returns each year to reconnect with his roots. Acting as your local guide, he will introduce you to Welsh culture, acquaint you with basic pronunciation and teach you a handful of Welsh words.
Special Guest Session
We are pleased to announce that Welsh poet, memoirist and playwright Menna Elfyn will be our special guest, joining us for a reading and lunch. Her books include Eucalyptus, Selected Poems 1978-1994, Cell Angel, Murmur and the recently published Bondo. She co-edited The Bloodaxe Book of Modern Welsh Poetry. Recently retired from teaching at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Menna is president of PEN Cymru and lives in South West Wales.
Excursion to Llanberis at the base of Mount Snowdon
Our bus will take us on a scenic drive to Llanberis, a small town at the foot of Mount Snowdon, where we will have free time to write and visit the shops. We will then board the Llanberis Lake Railway for a journey around Lake Padarn and through the woods past Dolbadarn, one of the castles built in the 13th century by Llywelyn The Great.
Excursion to Anglesey and Caernarfon Castle
We will start our day by taking in the rugged beauty of the Isle of Anglesey. After crossing the historic Menai Suspension Bridge, built in 1826, we will explore the coast near Tŵr Mawr Lighthouse. We will make a brief stop in the quaint village of “Llanfairpwllgwyngyll…,” famous for having the longest name in the world. Then we will head to the walled city of Caernarfon for a guided tour of the castle where Charles was invested as Prince of Wales in 1969. Afterward, we will have free time to enjoy the city and eat dinner on our own or in small groups before heading back to Trigonos.
“The program was one of the most enjoyable vacations I ever had. The friendships, the creativity, the entire experience of the workshop, guest speakers and excursions amounted to a trip I will never forget. It helped me as a writer, as a potential novelist, and I’ll be back.”
~ Walt, Linwood, NJ
Accommodations
Lodging
You can select a private single room or share with another person. Your modest but comfortable room will have a twin bed and be made up with linens, pillows and towels, and most offer a lake or garden view. Trigonos doesn’t provide daily housekeeping service but will change the sheets midway through your stay. There are no televisions to distract you from writing and relaxing, but wi-fi is available.
Amenities
- There are several sitting rooms with free wi-fi internet access
- Enjoy the library, gardens and hiking trails
- Laundry service is available for a small fee
- If you need to print, the office staff will be happy to assist
If you would like to bring a spouse, significant other, friend or family member, these non-participating guests are welcome to share your room, which will have two beds, and attend all activities other than workshops. Couples may be able to upgrade their room to have a double bed.
Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Register early to get your first choice!
Update: As of 4/1/18, all of the rooms with private bathrooms are now filled. If you register after this date and wish to be added to the waitlist for a private bathroom, please email info@murphywriting.com.
Meals
Wales was a pioneer of the “Eat Local” movement and its chefs are proud to use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. At Trigonos, you will dine on nutritious, tasty meals that are mostly vegetarian. Often the chefs use fresh seasonal produce right from Trigonos’ organic garden.
Meals will be served buffet style with a variety of choices. The dining room, with its beautiful handmade furniture, looks out on the meadow and lake and offers stunning views of the mountains. Endless tea, coffee and fruit are available 24 hours a day so you can make yourself at home. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated, and you will be able to indicate them on the registration form.
“Everyone was blown away by the beauty and hospitality of the venue. It’s going to be hard to top such a location. However, what most struck me again this year (as it did last year) 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 – Wales is featured in TheWriteLife.com’s “Incredible Writing Retreats to attend in 2018”
Pricing + Registration
take advantage + save
- $75 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, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
- Morning and afternoon refreshments on non-excursion days
- Round trip transportation from Bangor Railway Station in Wales
- 2 excursions (Transportation, admissions and tours. A packed lunch will be provided on excursion days. The second excursion will offer a dinner stop which is not included in this fee.)
- Cultural activities including a reading with a local writer
- Travel medical insurance*
- Use of wi-fi, library, gardens and hiking trails
- Trip blog and Google group providing travel recommendations, a packing list and opportunities to connect with fellow participants ahead of time
- Suggested itineraries for additional travel in Wales and London
Room Package Options
- Program Fee with Single Room Package — $2,365
- Program Fee with Double Room Package — $2,065 per person — A double room can be a great way to save money. Let us know if you’d like us to match you with a roommate.
- Program Fee with Shared Room Package (With non-participating guest) — $3,465 — 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, 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 to allow us to answer your questions.
One-on-one Tutorials (Optional)
To get even more out of your Wales experience, you can add-on the following tutorials.
- Tutorial in Prose — $100
- Tutorial in Poetry — $100
Registration Options
- Register online to pay by credit card
- Mail your check or purchase order with this registration form
After you register
We will follow up with you within three 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
- To receive the “Early Bard” Discount ($75 off), you must pay in full by April 1
- To receive the “re-PETER” Discount ($75 off), 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. 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 March 15 — 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 selections based on a combination of merit and need. Application Deadline: March 8, 2018, and the recipient will be announced on this page by March 28, 2018.
Update: Congratulations to our scholarship recipient! It was a tough choice, but the judges have selected Jessica Fischoff from Pittsburgh, PA. We look forward to writing with her in Wales.
“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
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. Trigonos, the retreat center, is approximately 45 minutes from our meeting point at the Bangor Railway Station and very rural. If you miss this pick-up you will have to make your way there on your own.
Arrival
Saturday, July 7. The program is designed so you can arrive in the UK the day the retreat begins if you do not wish to travel beforehand. Depart the US on the evening of July 6 and arrive at Heathrow Airport in London no later than 8:30 am. You will have time to clear customs, pick up your luggage and travel to Central London to catch the train to Wales. If you cannot arrive by 8:30 am, plan to arrive a day earlier and stay in a hotel.
If you wish to take advantage of our transportation to Trigonos, plan to arrive at Bangor Railway Station by 5:30 pm. The 2:10 pm train, direct from London Euston Railway Station, will get you there in time.
Participants often connect with other members of the group to travel together before or after the program. It’s common for people to opt to arrive in London a few days early, book rooms at the same hotel, or sometimes even share a room, and then travel to Wales together. On the registration form, you will be able to let us know if you are interested in this.
Departure
Saturday, July 14. We will depart Trigonos at noon to drop you off at Bangor Railway Station. If travelling to London, we recommend you take the 1:07 pm train to London Euston, which arrives at 4:36 pm. Or, if you wish to extend your trip in Wales, you can book your onward travel for anytime after 1:00 pm via train or 1:20 pm via bus.
Should you wish to fly home on July 14, allow yourself plenty of time for connections and do not book a flight out of London before 9:00 pm. Most flights to the US depart in the morning. If you can’t book a flight that meets these guidelines, plan to stay the night in London and fly out the next day.
Travel Notes
- Approximately one month before the program, we will send registered participants details on how to book the suggested airport transfers, which are not included in your program fee.
- If you plan to stay the night (or longer) in London, consider a hotel or Airbnb in either the “Paddington” or the “Euston” neighborhoods, which offer many good options and easy access to public transportation. We will provide hotel suggestions in the spring.
- Registered participants will have access to our trip blog, which will provide travel tips and suggested itineraries for additional travel in Wales and London. We will also provide the opportunity to connect with other participants. It’s common for our participants to make plans to travel together before or after the retreat. This can be especially helpful if you are not an experienced overseas traveler.
“This was just the boost I needed to get experimental, take risks and discover more of what’s inside that could become interesting writing. A valuable exploration of perspective and surprise. Thank you!”
~ Ida, Los Angeles, CA
Special Preparations
- Passport: It is essential that your passport does not expire until after January 2019 or Border Control may not allow you to enter the UK. Please check and renew it today!
- Visas: US citizens do not need a visa to enter the UK. If you are a citizen of a different country, please check if you need a UK 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 20-24 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 three 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, a number 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.
“I benefitted by being surrounded by writers from all walks of life. I learned so much about myself as a writer while I was here, and I’m excited to bring this experience home with me.”
~ Hannah, South Portland, ME
Photo Gallery
Take a look at the photos from our most recent international writing retreat 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.
