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Writing Retreat with Priscilla Morris & Guest Author Melissa Fu
28 Sep-5 Oct 2026, Catalonia, Spain
BOOKINGS OPEN ON 15 JANUARY 2026
If you have a brilliant idea but aren’t sure how to bring it to life on the page, if you’re floundering in the middle of a first – or umpteenth – draft, if you just can’t find the time to finish the damn thing, join us for five magical days and six convivial nights this Autumn and let us help you.
We’ve found the perfect place for a retreat in a spacious, light-filled haven with gardens and a pool on the edge of the medieval hamlet of Romanyà de la Selva. Romanyà has strong literary appeal – it’s where the celebrated Catalan writer Mercè Rodoreda spent the last years of her life. “The village is sensational,” she noted. “The houses are quite far apart from each other, situated on the top of a highish mountain from where you can take in the sea and the white crest of the Pyrenees at a glance.” She finished several novels here, so perhaps you can channel her energy!
Highlights of your writing holiday will include: one-to-one consultations and a programme of stimulating classes, discussions and workshops led by PRISCILLA MORRIS, Women’s Prize shortlisted author of Black Butterflies, and MELISSA FU, author of BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick Peach Blossom Spring; ample writing and free time; a writing table in each room; a guided walk of the local area, a trip to the sea and access to beautiful forest trails; dips in the pool; dinner out in a harbour-side seafood restaurant and delicious meals prepared by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef.
The retreat is open to fiction and creative non-fiction writers of all levels of experience, from complete beginners to those who have been writing for years. There’ll be no more than ten participants, so you’ll receive lots of individual attention.
Come, write, enjoy! Unlock your creative potential and take your writing to the next level in 2026. Catalonia is calling.
“I can quite confidently say that this was one of the happiest, most stimulating and rewarding weeks of my life! The fact that the quality of everything on offer was so high made me so glad that I found you!” Barbara Elliot, London, UK. Autumn Writing Retreat 2025
Autumn Writing Retreat (2025)
“I most enjoyed being completely removed from daily distractions and surrounded by people who took writing seriously. The beautiful setting deepened that sense of focused immersion. The retreat gave me the time and mental space to focus deeply on my work without outside pressures. I left with a clearer sense of direction for my project and renewed confidence in my writing process.” Mike Allen, Valencia, Spain. Autumn Writing Retreat 2025
what to expect
Before the retreat
- An in-depth Zoom consultation with Priscilla to discuss where you’re at in your writing journey and set your goals for the retreat
Arrival: Monday
- Arrival at Casa La Daina from 4pm, settle in, freshen up, explore
- Introductions, welcome drink and canapés at 7pm
- Delicious 3-course dinner at 8pm
Five-Day Retreat: Tuesday to Saturday
- Self-serve breakfast from when you wake until 10am
- Morning writing time
- GENERATE with Melissa Fu at 11am. Playful and provocative prompts and activities to generate new writing. All classes are optional so you can carry on writing, if you wish.
- CRAFT with Melissa Fu at 12pm. Exercises to extend and deepen existing pieces (either work from GENERATE or writers’ works-in-progress).
- Lunch Buffet at 1.30pm
- Afternoon writing time and individual consultations with Priscilla Morris.
- When you fancy a break from writing, there are many forest trails for you to explore, a pool for you to dip in and lots of lovely reading nooks and crannies. There will be guided walks offered (around the village and to the sea) on two of the afternoons.
- CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP & DISCUSSION with Priscilla Morris. Bring your works-in-progress for constructive critique and reader response. Tuesday to Friday 6-8pm.
- READINGS with canapés and a glass of cava, Saturday 6-8pm.
- Delicious 3-course dinner at 8pm. On Thursday, we’ll eat out at a wonderful harbour-side restaurant (not included in the retreat fee).
Departure: Sunday
- Self-serve breakfast from when you wake until 9am
- Say adieu to Casa La Daina by 10am
After the retreat
- A follow-up in-depth Zoom consultation with Priscilla to consolidate your learning and draw up a continuation plan.
Note the above schedule is indicative and may be subject to change.
For a full description of the creative writing classes and all other retreat details, the AUTUMN WRITING RETREAT 2026 brochure will be available to download soon!
who we are
PRISCILLA MORRIS will facilitate evening creative writing workshops and give individual writing consultations in the afternoon. Priscilla’s debut novel Black Butterflies (Duckworth/Knopf) was shortlisted for several prestigious awards, including the Women’s Prize 2023, the RSL Ondaatje Prize and the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. It was named a New York Times best historical novel in 2024 and awarded Runner-up in Fiction for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize 2025. She’s a highly experienced teacher with an MA and PhD in creative writing from the University of East Anglia, so you can be sure you’ll be in safe hands. She has taught creative writing at University College Dublin, the Irish Writers Centre and Kingston University among other places. Her approach is empathetic, incisive and encouraging.
MELISSA FU will lead two writing workshops each morning, GENERATE and CRAFT. She has taught at the National Centre for Writing (UK), mentored with the Middleway Mentoring Programme, and offered private mentoring and classes. She especially enjoys facilitating small groups. Melissa is from Northern New Mexico and lives in England. Her educational background includes degrees in Physics, English, and Education. She is widely published with work in The Lonely Crowd, International Literature Showcase, and Wasafiri. In 2018/2019, Melissa received an Arts Council England, DYCP grant and was the DTK Wong Fellow at the University of East Anglia. Her novel Peach Blossom Spring, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick and a selected title for the American Booksellers Association, has been translated into 8 languages.
LUCY DOHERTY will be our fabulous chef! She is Cordon Bleu-trained and has cooked at the Michelin-starred AngloThai restaurant and the River Cafe in London. She’s assisted The Hairy Bikers and many other interesting folk. Breakfasts are self-serve, along the lines of overnight oats, homemade breads, jams, eggs and ham. Lunch is a nutritious, filling buffet. Delicious three-course dinners may include a paella, a Catalan feast, a Thai night and a barbecue.
RORY PIERCE will offer two optional guided walks: a walk around our small village of Romanyà de la Selva and into the surrounding forest to visit the local menhir and magnificent stone circle; and a visit to the stunning Costa Brava coastline for a clifftop walk and sea dip. Rory and Priscilla live part of the year in Romanyà de la Selva (alas not in the retreat house) and adore the local area. Rory is an academy-trained composer, cellist & flautist, lecturer and nature lover. He has trekked all over the world and performed music all over the world too, in ensembles such as The Divine Comedy, The Grit Orchestra and Cuillin Music.
“It had always been a dream to go on an international writing retreat, and this experience exceeded every expectation. After meeting Priscilla on a webinar, I knew she would create a warm, supportive environment and she did exactly that. Her teaching style was both inspiring and empowering. I’m so grateful to have attended Priscilla and Rory’s first writing retreat and can highly recommend. It was the best six days!!!” Tracy Peacock, Australia. Autumn Writing Retreat, 2025
where it is
Romanyà de la Selva is a picturesque medieval hamlet set atop a cork oak forested hill on the edge of the Gavarres National Park, Catalonia, Spain. It’s a 15-minute drive from some wonderful beaches and coastal walks along the Costa Brava and a 40-minute drive from the beautiful medieval city of Girona. 90 minutes by car will bring you to Barcelona. There are several walks and trails from our doorstep, including a lovely stroll to the impressive Bronze Age dolmen Cova d’en Daina, after which the retreat house is named.
Casa La Daina
Casa La Daina consists of two adjacent houses: a 19th century villa adjoined to an 18th century farmhouse. The farmhouse is the building on the right in the photo and the villa is the tall, square building on the left.
outside…
Casa La Daina has a beautiful garden with sweeping views over the forested valley to the Garrotxa mountains and the Pyrenees in the far distance. There are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the peace and birdsong. Sunsets are spectacular!
come inside…
the villa
Classes, workshops, the buffet lunch and three-course dinner will all take place in the villa’s dining room or living room, unless the weather coaxes us outside. The spacious living room is the ideal place for full-group gatherings. It’s where the readings will take place on the final night with canapés, a glass of cava and a roaring fire in the hearth.
the farmhouse
Extra writing nooks can be found next door in the farmhouse, if you fancy a change from your bedroom. There are plenty of places in both houses to sit and read or chat. Both the villa and the farmhouse have their own kitchen, where you’ll find the self-serve breakfast each morning. Biscuits, tea, coffee and perhaps the occasional cake will be available throughout the day.
where you’ll sleep & what it’ll cost
There are eight bedrooms: four in the villa, four in the farmhouse. All come equipped with writing table and chair. The two largest rooms can be shared with another writer for a reduced retreat fee.
Please be aware that the house is a little more worn than appears in the photos! However, the energy and space are gorgeous. When I toured the house, I walked into each room and asked myself, Could I write here? and the answer was always a definite YES.
Starting from £1,750 / €2,000 (euros price may vary), view our Rooms and Retreat Fees and see what’s included in the retreat price and what’s not.
read more
The AUTUMN WRITING RETREAT 2026 brochure answers FAQs, including details of classes and consultations, what you can do when not writing, food and drink, retreat fees, payment details and cancellation and refund policy. The AUTUMN WRITING RETREAT brochure will be available to download soon!
If you’d like to book or enquire
Fill in the form below and Priscilla will get back to you soon. She’ll be happy to answer all your questions to make sure the retreat is right for you. Places are limited to 10, so make sure to book early! BOOKINGS OPEN ON 15 JANUARY 2026.
getting here
- Romanyà de la Selva is 35 minutes from Girona and 90 minutes from Barcelona.
- Girona Airport is our closest airport, followed by Barcelona Airport. The high speed train from France stops in both Girona and Barcelona.
- From Barcelona airport and Barcelona centre, you can take a Moventis coach which will drop you off at Santa Cristina d’Aro and we’ll pick you up from there. One way from Barcelona Airport is about €20.
- Alternatively, we can arrange taxis from Barcelona Airport or centre (about €180 per taxi) or Girona Airport or centre (about €65 per taxi) straight to Casa La Daina. We’d be happy to organise taxi shares wherever possible. This would be the fastest option.
- The retreat has parking space for several cars if you’d like to hire a car (often not that expensive).
- Consider spending some time in Girona or Barcelona before or after the retreat. The Costa Brava has some stunning beaches and places like Tamariu, Begur, Palamos and Llafranc are well worth a visit.
We’d love to see you in Romanyà de la Selva next Autumn and are excited to share this magical part of the world with you!
PRISCILLA MORRIS 