Future Jess Lourey-led Writing Retreats

Two weeks ago, I led a life-changing retreat in Italy. Sixteen of us explored Rome and Florence, ate incredible pasta (and learned how to make our own), drank sparkling wine, expanded on and elevated our craft during morning workshops, and lifted one another up during afternoon check-ins. I’m still in awe of the women who showed up and the voices they are bringing into the world.

As if that wasn’t enough, upon returning, I learned that two previous writing retreat participants (France 2019 and Lake Tahoe 2019) have books coming out this fall. Woot!

Those two combined—getting to lead a next-level retreat in Italy and hearing that past retreat participants are realizing their publishing goals—are an incredible high note on which to end my writing retreats (at least for a while). This is my official announcement that I’m taking a sabbatical.

Mostly, I want a year or two to focus on my writing. The Italy retreat showed me there's a book I really need to create, and now's the time. A secondary, smaller reason this seems like the right moment to take a sabbatical is that the company that was handling the registration and travel details for the retreats is no longer a viable option. If you know a company that organized the travel so I can focus on the writing, women, and workshops, let me know! 

In the meanwhile, most of my materials are available online at Jess Lourey’s Creative Writing University and in my book, Rewrite Your Life. Plus, signing up for my newsletter brings regular writing tips right to your mailbox.

Onward together.