Skyros holidays are pleased to reveal their bestselling, award-winning facilitators for their Writers' Lab retreats in Greece this summer. Visit Skyros.com for more information.

With decades of experience running writing retreats, Skyros once again provides a fantastic programme of writers to inspire the next generation of bestsellers. All courses are ideal for those with just thoughts of writing or seasoned authors looking for the best place to perfect the last few chapters. Writers' Lab holidays take place this summer on the idyllic Greek island of Skyros as well as throughout the year at Skyros offshoot, The Grange by the Sea, in the Isle of Wight.

“Because the whole Skyros experience is so memorable the writing courses are a landmark in anyone's writing career. They are strong on motivation, technique and achievement.” Steve Attridge

The retreats are on the unspoilt, Greek island of Skyros. There are two centres on Skyros island, Atsitsa Bay and The Skyros Centre. Atsitsa is nestled in a pine forest on the north-west coast, sleep in bamboo huts and enjoy up to three courses per day. The Skyros Centre is on the hilltop of Skyros Village, the metropolis of the island, with plenty of restaurants and tavernas to write for hours. Stay in traditional accommodation near the Centre and book your course in advance.

“It is a life changing experience where participants meet as strangers and depart having forged friendships that will last a lifetime.” Leigh Russell

Skyros is delighted to welcome several new authors to teach at the Writers' Lab this summer. Justin Hill's novel Shieldwall was a Sunday Times Book of the Year and Passing Under Heaven won the Somerset Maugham Award. Nick Barlay is the author of four highly acclaimed novels. Jane Harris is a bestselling author and has been shortlisted for the UK National Book Awards, the Orange Prize for Fiction and The Times Breakthrough Award. Julia Bell is a bestselling editor, writer and course director of the MA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck. Lisa O'Donnell is the award-winning author of The Death of Bees.

“Of all the various locations in which I help nurture the telling of stories, Skyros Writers' Lab is the most magical. In the heady Greek island air, surrounded by sea (and with the beach and several handy tavernas close by), creativity seems to flourish.” Shelley Weiner

The Writers' Lab welcomes back the fantastic: BAFTA nominated Steve Attridge; author of three novels Alison Habens; acclaimed novelist Shelley Weiner; Award-winning writer Amanda Smyth; author of Among Theives, Mez Packer; comedy master Logan Murray; bestselling crime writer, Leigh Russell; Grumpy Old Man and stand-up comic Arthur Smith; and Crysse Morrison, who was inspired by a Skyros Writers' Lab course to become a full-time writer.

"When I first taught at Skyros I remember thinking, wow! I wish I'd known about this when I first started writing.” Mez Packer

The Writers' Lab is also available at The Grange on the Isle of Wight for weekend breaks with a difference from March – June and September - October.

Skyros is the leading alternative holiday and offers holidays with a difference; perfect for solo travellers, and those of all of ages who are looking for a new adventure. It is the place where participants can let go of inhibitions and be themselves. Over 20,000 participants have experiences Skyros over 37 years, over 200 courses are offered with 71 professional facilitators and over 55% of participants return time and time again after saying it has been 'a holiday of a lifetime'.

A brochure can be requested via the website or drop Skyros Holidays an email to office@skyros.com. Skyros Holidays can be followed on social media for the latest updates on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and, new for 2016, Instagram!

Please send any press enquiries to press@skyros.com and address to Lottie or call her on 01983 86 55 66 with any questions regarding Skyros' 2016 holidays.

ENDS

Writers' Lab Dates 2016

Atsitsa Bay - Greece
5 - 12 June - £595 - Nick Barlay - Life Writing
12 - 19 June - £645 - Justin Hill - Historical Fiction
19 - 26 June - £645 - Steve Attridge - Writing a Screenplay
26 June - 3 July - £675 - Alison Habens - The Stories of Your Life

Skyros Centre - Greece
3 - 10 July - £675 - Jane Harris - Fiction Writing
10 - 17 July - £695 - Julia Bell - Book Under The Bed
17 - 24 July - £695 - Shelley Weiner - Writing Your First Novel
24 July - 6 August (13 nights) - £1245 - Amanda Smyth - Fiction From Life
7 - 20 August (13 nights) - £1245 - Mez Packer - Write Your Novel
21 - 28 August - £695 - Logan Murray - Adventures in Comedy Writing
28 August - 4 September - £695 - Leigh Russell - Successful Fiction
4 - 11 September - £675 - Arthur Smith - Mindlessness

Atsitsa Bay - Greece
11 - 18 September - £645 - Crysse Morrison - Your Writers' Voice
18 - 25 September - £595 - Lisa O'Donnell - The Core of Good Fiction Writing. 

The Grange – Isle of Wight
11-13 March – Steve Attridge – Writing a Screenplay
1-3 April – Lisa O'Donnell – Good Fiction
15-17 April – Logan Murray – Comedy Writing
22-24 April – Phil Gladwin – Screenwriting
13-15 May – Leigh Russell – Successful Fiction
3-5 June – Alison Habens – The Stories of Your Life
16-18 September – Jane Harris – Fiction Writing
30 September- 2 October – Nick Barlay – Life Writing
14-16 October – Justin Hill – Historical Fiction