3 Day Writers Retreat - Novel Writing for beginners - December 2025

Book your retreat and reserve accommodation
3 Day Writers Retreat - Novel Writing for beginners - December 2025
€750.00

3 Day Writers Retreat

Novel Writing for beginners - 

December 2025

Novel Writing 

Accommodation details and contact information

 

Afternoon pick up from Béziers Airport and Main Train Station. Details will be confirmed in our guest information sheet.

3 Day Writers Retreat

Your Retreat

Novel Writing for Beginners 

December 2025

Novel Writing

A fantastic long weekend of creative writing in beautiful surroundings with relaxed tutorials from an experienced Writer.

You will have lots of time to develop your novel in lovely surroundings.

Your retreat starts the night before with dinner at the L’Ortensia, a wonderful local restaurant recognised in the Michelin Guide for its excellent cuisine. Its a chance to mingle and meet other writers. Then two days of creative writing in the studio with optional country walks. Morning croissants and coffee are available every day along with delicious lunches. The food is hearty and you will get to enjoy roasted chesnut's, mould wine and local delicacies and also get explore our lovely village on crisp sunny days.

 

Itinerary 

Day One 

4pm (depending on arrival)

Pick up from Bezier airport - We provide a single shuttle bus/taxi from Bezier Airport and also collect guests from the Main Train station 'Gare de Bezier' then take you to your accommodation in St Gervais Sur Mare which is about a 50 minute away.

If you are driving to Riverside Studio there is plenty of parking adjacent to Riverside studio in the village square. Its then just a short walk to your accommodation. 

Evening meet and greet 7pm

Your retreat includes aperitifs and dinner at the L’Ortensia restaurant, which has beautiful views over the village. Here you can mingle and get to know your fellow artists.

Day two and three

9.30am

Croissants and coffee at Riverside studio where your tutor will discuss the programme and answer any questions.

10am

Morning tutorial and painting in studio 

12 Noon

Lunch 

1pm

Afternoon painting in the studio and around the village 

4pm

Free time to relax,  have drinks in the friendly village bar or explore the village with new friends.

Drop off to Bezier airport (3.30 pm on day three to catch return flight) - Departure to the airport on day four will depend on flight time - We usually leave two and a half hours before flight departure.

Information sheet  Retreat details will be sent to you in advance of your trip in a informative information sheet to answer all of your questions and there is also the 'Whats included' sheet below. 

 

 

 

 

 

About Your Tutor

Sanda McKewan

Novelist & Storytelling Tutor

Sanda McKewan is an acclaimed novelist and storyteller, celebrated for her haunting and atmospheric works of historical fiction with a gothic edge. Her novels, such as The Widow’s Lantern and Ashes of the Moor, have captivated readers with their blend of suspense, rich period detail, and unforgettable characters. Her ability to weave unsettling tension into beautifully written narratives has made her a distinctive new voice in modern gothic literature.

Beyond her books, Sanda has expanded her craft into audio and screenwriting. She worked as a lead writer on the award-winning audio drama Whispering Walls, a historical horror series praised for its immersive sound design and chilling storytelling. This experience has honed her ability to create gripping narratives across different mediums, from page to performance.

With her background in both long-form fiction and dramatic audio, Sanda brings a deep understanding of how to build atmosphere, suspense, and compelling character arcs. She is also passionate about nurturing new voices, making her an inspiring mentor for emerging writers.

In this beginners’ course, Sanda will:

  • Help you discover your unique writing voice and overcome the fear of the blank page.

  • Show you how to create vivid, believable characters that stay with the reader.

  • Teach you to structure your story, whether you’re exploring short fiction or drafting your first novel.

  • Share practical tips for developing discipline and confidence so you can finish what you start.

Sanda’s teaching style is approachable, encouraging, and practical. She knows that everyone begins at a different stage, and her aim is to equip you with the tools, techniques, and confidence to begin your writing journey with clarity and excitement.

Whether you dream of crafting your first novel, experimenting with gothic atmosphere, or simply unlocking your creativity through storytelling, Sanda will guide you every step of the way in a supportive and inspiring environment.

What's Included

Professional tuition by experienced tutors.

Reservation of accomadation: If you would like us to reserve accomadation on your behalf we will charge a small administration fee. (You will then either pay the hotel/guesthouse on arrival or in advance depending on their normal terms and conditions).

Alternatively you can personally book the local hotels/guest houses/airbnbs and avoid this charge. All of the accomadation providers are local with friendly proprietors. We have provided a link to details of local accomadation providers.

Airport pickup and drop off from Bezier airport to St. Gervais de Mare (when arriving and departing on designated flights).

Aperitiffs and dinner at the L’Ortensia, a local restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide and recognised for its excellent cuisine.

Croissants and coffee from 9:30 am each morning at the Riverside Studio.

Buffet Lunch (but not on the days of arrival or departure).

We provide craft tables, palettes, water pots and a small selection of paper if you are not bringing your own.  We also have easels for beginner's or students who don't want to bring your own. But in general you should bring your preferred paints, brushes and sketchbooks/paper (so you can work with materials you know and love).

Excluded: Other evening meals, high end paints, brushes, paper/canvasses -  Art materials can be purchased from the Studio along with easels and acrylic/water colour starter kits for begineers. (approximately 100 euros) 

We hope that gives you a good idea of what to expect  but please do drop us a message if you have a query and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Additional information

Flights

From the UK , Ryan air has regular flights to Bezier from Stansted and Luton, as well as Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester. Bezier is the closest airport to Riverside Studio and about 50 minutes away.

Alternatively there are regular Easy Jet and British airways flights to Montpellier which is about 1hr 20 minutes from Riverside Studio with direct trains to Bezier.

Equally both airports are served by regular flights from numerous European destinations.

Airport Transport

Riverside Studio will arrange for a free group pick up from Bezier Airport on the first day of your retreat/course. Pick ups will usually be late afternoon followed by a second pick up at Bezier's main train station.

We will then drive you to your hotel/guest house or Airbnb in St Gervais Sur Mare. Where you can change/freshen-up in plenty of time for the meet and great dinner at the L'Ortensia Restaurant. 

If you are arriving on an earlier flight you can either wait to be picked up at the airport or take the red shuttle bus into Bezier town centre (about 25 minute) where you can see the sights before we collect you from the main station.

Accommodation

There is a wide range of village accommodation which you can either reserve through Riverside Studios via this web site (for which we charge a small admin fee per room booked),  or alternatively you can book directly with the hotel/guest houses/air BNBs. In both cases we do not take payment for your stay and this will need to be paid directly to the accommodation provider either on arrival or in line with their own terms and conditions.

Non-painting Guests

We welcome non-painting guests if you wish to bring a friend. Their cost for coming will be discounted by X% (50?).

Art Supplies

At Riverside Studio, we want your creative experience to be inspiring and stress-free so we will send you a suggested materials list when you book, so you’ll know exactly what’s need to bring including any specialist materials recommended by your tutor who is running the course. But in general you should bring your preferred paints, brushes and sketchbooks/paper (so you can work with materials you know and love).

We provide craft tables, palettes, water pots and a small selection of paper if you are not bringing your own.  We also have easels for beginner's or students who don't want to bring your own.

We would also suggest a lightweight apron or old shirt for working comfortably. 

Art Supplies can be purchased at the studio including a selection of watercolours, acrylic paints,  brushes and paper. For beginner's we have water colour and acrylic paint sets retailing for around 50 Euros each.

Meals

Food and wine is exceptionally good in the South of France and our lovely little village is no exception. From fresh Croissants in the local patisserie to rich red tomatoes picked from smallholdings along the river, everything smells and tastes divine.

Breakfasts (included)

Riverside Studio daily breakfast includes – croissants coffee, and preserves which is available all morning.

Lunchs (included)

Riverside Studio daily buffet lunch includes  hearty mouth-watering dishes. Some days we will lunch on the village square and play boule and other days we may have a picnic outside in a local vineyard. But rest assured you will have plenty of time to relax and chat with new friends.

Aperitif and Dinner

Meet and great dinner at the L’Ortensia, a local restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide and recognised for its excellent cuisine. Other dinners are at guests own expense, and you can choose from a variety of dishes at the local bar/bistro and pizzeria as well as produce from a fabulous patisserie and boulangerie. There are also many restaurants a short drive or taxi journey away in neighbouring villages.

Bringing Artwork Home

We can arrange for wrapping and shipping of any oversized artwork that students want to keep.

Art Gallery and Selling Your Art

Any paintings left by students may be hung in the ground floor gallery or advertised on our website with donations made to local charities for every painting sold.

Cancellations and Refunds

Your reservation is refundable if cancelled at least 6 weeks before the start of your retreat. Riverside Studio cannot offer refunds for cancellations made to close to the course time, but the reservation is transferrable to a different person.

Have Questions

A helpful information sheet will be sent to you before your visit which should  answer most queries, but we are happy to help with any questions you may have if you would like to get in touch.