Maybe you've dreamt of adventure and found it in books.  This trip is a chance to bridge those two worlds— your life, and the one you've only read about.  Elizabeth and Sherri are book lovers and world travelers.  Elizabeth's PhD in Folklore, and Sherri's M.A. in the Humanities, never mind their lived experience, will enhance your own.  Plus they know what it's like to just want to disappear into a great book, and can show you the world through bookish eyes.  Doesn't that sound fun?

Writers, this is your chance to work with two award-winning authors who are also MFA faculty.  Sherri and Elizabeth bring 20+ years of practical experience to the table.  Whether you are just at the start of thinking of a project, or elbow-deep in writing historical fiction, nonfiction, or historical fantasy, they can offer you insight and advice on how to research your time period and turn that research into stories and characters that leap off the page.  They can also give you an insider’s look into the publishing world.

This is your chance to learn the secrets of writing engaging historical fiction, from research tips to insight on what you can fake and what you should fact, what makes a story sing— even the mysteries of the publishing world.  Come prepared to write, and bring your questions.  Sherri and Elizabeth each have two decades of writing under their belt, and they’re ready to share what they've learned with you.

Have you ever joined a book club, but not enjoyed the books selected?  Have you ever wanted to just curl up with a good book, but not necessarily spend your day all alone?    Then a Silent Book Club is for you!  Choose your own book, and join like-minded readers in a cozy spot we've picked out just for you.  Grab a warm drink, and seat, and read to your heart's content.  You'll be accompanied by either Elizabeth or Sherri on alternating days.  We'll help facilitate quiet conversation and book recommendations at the start or end of club time.  Otherwise it's you in the historical city of Chaucer, living out your bookish dream.

Afternoons and alternate days will include guided tours around Kent, plus time for exploring, writing, shopping, and a bookstore crawl.  

Planned visits include:

• The Battle of Britain Museum and Memorial

• Dover Castle

• The Ramsgate Tunnels

All attendees will spend six nights at our hotel of choice, the ABode Canterbury.  We've secured an excellent group rate with the option of a "Comfortable" or slightly larger "Desirable" room, available on a first come, first serve basis.  Both styles are lovely and include: 

• Luxury bed

• Climate control with air conditioning

• Indulgent toiletries

• Bath with shower

• Premium teas, coffee & biscuits

• The usual; safe, iron & ironing board, hairdryer and dressing table/desk

• Unlimited free Wi-Fi

• Continental breakfast (option to upgrade to full English for an additional fee)

• Accessible rooms available upon request on first come, first serve basis.  Contact the hotel directly for more information.

Note:  If you are local to Canterbury, please let us know so we can discuss accommodations.

Airfare, travel insurance, meals (except for hotel breakfasts, and welcome and farewell dinner), personal purchases such as laundry, phone calls, etc., and anything not specifically included above.

Additionally, most visitors to the UK are required to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a visa, depending on your nationality, before you travel. ETAs cost £20 GBP. Click here to apply or learn more.‍ ‍Be sure to apply early!

Tuition and Lodging are paid for separately. Tuition includes all six days of activities and events. 

Early Bird Tuition (until May 15):  $2,100 USD

Regular Tuition(after May 15):  $2,500  USD

Deposit: A $650 USD deposit is due within 7 days of acceptance to the retreat. This deposit goes toward the total cost of your tuition.

Lodging:  £576 GPB + applicable tax and fees

Upon receipt of your deposit, you will receive instructions on how to book your hotel room at our discounted rate.  You are responsible for booking your own room directly with the ABode Canterbury.   All guests will need to guarantee their booking with a credit card by August 1st.  Payment is due no later than 14 days prior to arrival.

The deadline to apply is July 15, 2026. Until that time, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Space is limited, so don’t delay!

Applications accepted by May 15th are eligible for the Early Bird tuition rate.

Tuition:
If you are accepted into the retreat, you will receive an acceptance email, which will contain directions for where and how to register and pay your tuition.

• Your deposit of $650 USD is due within one week of acceptance.

• The remainder is due June 15, 2026.

• If you pay before May 15th, you will receive a $500 discount on your tuition. After May 15th, tuition will be the regular rate of $2,500 USD.

• All payments are made via Paypal. Credit cards are accepted through this service.

Please note that your deposit is nonrefundable. Further details can be found under our cancellation policy below.

Lodging:
You will also receive instructions on how to book your hotel room directly with the ABode Canterbury with our group rate. Guests are responsible for their own payments. You will need to guarantee the booking with credit card no later than June 15, 2026. Payment will be due no later than 14 days prior to arrival.

• If you need to cancel your reservation for any reason, your tuition will be refunded up to 14 days before the start of the tour, less the non-refundable deposit. Cancellations less than 14 days before the tour are non-refundable in full, unless we can find a replacement for your spot.

• If Readers & Writers cancels the tour, your tuition will be refunded in full.

• Hotel room cancellations are handled directly with the hotel, Abode Canterbury, and must be made no later than 14 days before your first night’s stay to avoid any charges. Less than 14 days prior to arrival, a 100% cancellation charge applies

• We strongly recommend you get travel insurance to protect you from any unforeseen issues.

The joys of a heritage city can also be a drawback, as not all locations are accessible.  Our hotel does offer accessible rooms, which are first come, first serve upon request.  The breakfast space, and our meeting spaces are all accessible, as well. The tour bus requires the ability to maneuver two steps.

No food or smoking is allowed on the tour bus. Do not leave your important items unattended on the bus. Luggage and personal effects are carried on or in the bus at the owner’s risk. Neither we nor the coach company are responsible for lost or missing items.

The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle at all times, and as such may remove any passenger whose behaviour prejudices safety or is in breach of the Public Service Vehicle (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990. These regulations set out certain rights and responsibilities on all parties, and full details of these can be obtained from The Company on request.

Any damage to, or soiling of the vehicle, whether willful, malicious or accidental, by a member of a party or group travelling on one of The Company’s vehicles will result in the cost of rectifying the damage will be billed to the person responsible, with a minimum charge of £50.00

By registering for Readers & Writers tour or engaging in any of our Offerings and with members of our community you agree to be bound by the Terms of Service detailed in the menu items below. These Terms apply to all users of our services, including without limitation browsers, vendors, customers, merchants, and/or contributors of content. 

We may update this policy from time to time in order to reflect, for example, changes to our practices or for other operational, legal or regulatory reasons. Changes will be posted here. Any new Offerings or Mentors added to the Collaborative shall also be subject to the Terms of Service. Your continued use of, or access to, the website following any updates constitutes acceptance of those changes.  

By agreeing to these Terms of Service you represent that you are at least the age of majority in your state or province of residence, or that you are the age of majority in your state or province of residence and you have given us your consent to allow any of your minor dependents to use this site.

• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. 

• You may not use our products for any illegal or unauthorized purpose nor may you, in the use of the Service, violate any laws in your jurisdiction (including but not limited to copyright laws). You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit any portion of the Service, use of the Service, or access to the Service or any contact on the website through which the Service is provided, without express written permission by us. 

• You agree to follow all the rules and requirements set out by the venues where we hold our physical workshops and retreats, and agree to pay for any damages incurred by you against their property and any penalties for your actions or behaviors as set out in their own terms of agreement.

• The Readers & Writers Tour prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or any other category protected by law.

A breach or violation of any of the Terms will result in an immediate termination of your participation in the tour.

We believe in creating a safe place of inclusion, diversity, equity and respect for all our participants, student and Instructor alike. Your participation in any offering is governed by all our policies and Terms of Service, including our policy against harassment and bullying. You thereby represent and warrant that your contributions to the Readers & Writers community, your engagement with Instructors and tour guides, and your participation in workshops, courses, and groups, will be respectful, non-harrassing, not discriminatory and supportive to others.  You agree that your contributions and behavior:

• do not violate any applicable law, regulation, or rule, including those intended to protect the health or well-being of minors; to protect against abusive behavior; and to protect civil rights and equity;

• are not harassing, libelous, slanderous, or otherwise objectionable; do not include any offensive comments that are connected to ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual preference, or physical or mental difference or ability.

• do not ridicule, mock, disparage, intimidate, or abuse anyone, or advocate for violence, or incite, encourage, or threaten physical harm against another;

• do not violate the privacy or publicity rights of any third party.

Any act or behavior that violates this policy and may result in, among other things, immediate termination or suspension of your participation in our offerings without refund.

In no case shall The Readers & Writers, our Mentors, or affiliates of any kind be liable for any injury, loss, claim, or any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages of any kind, including, without limitation lost profits, lost revenue, lost savings, loss of data, replacement costs, or any similar damages, whether based in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise, arising from your use of any of the service or any products procured using the service, or for any other claim related in any way to your use of the service or any product, including, but not limited to, any errors or omissions in any content, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of the service or any content (or product) posted, transmitted, or otherwise made available via the service, even if advised of their possibility. Because some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or the limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, in such states or jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless The Readers & Writers Tour, our Instructors, and any and all affiliates, harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, made by any third-party due to or arising out of your breach of these Terms of Service or the documents they incorporate by reference, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third-party.

In the event that any provision of these Terms is determined to be unlawful, void or unenforceable, such provision shall nonetheless be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and the unenforceable portion shall be deemed to be severed from these Terms, such determination shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other remaining provisions.