Writing in Paradise Retreat
Revitalise your creativity – ponder, plot, dream and write
October 21 - 29, 2025
7 writing days / 8 nights
We gather as a group from October 22nd - 28th with villa check-in the day before and checkout the day after.
You can also extend into the Ubud Readers and Writers Festival from October 29 - November 2.
Wednesday October 29 – Sunday November 2, 2025
Immerse yourself in the magical environment of Penestanan, the artists’ area of Ubud, Bali, where, ensconced in a private villa, you can escape daily chores and the demands of everyday life and devote yourself to your writing. You’ll be supported by like-minded creatives and our creative facilitators, Dr Betty O’Neill and Steve Castley.
Acclaimed author, creative writing teacher and professional workshop facilitator
See more here.
Writer, reader, painter, traveller, dreamer, villa manager extraordinaire and Penestanan local
See more here.
Enter a welcoming, safe space for laughter and learning where you can enliven your creativity with innovative tools, techniques and practices and build confidence to play with ideas, deeply engage with your work and open up to new possibilities for your writing.
Testimonial
“The Writing in Paradise retreat was a timely catalyst to reconnect with my project after months of stagnation. Within a day of joining the retreat, I felt my ‘writing mojo’ resurfacing.
How did this happen? I believe it was a mix of committing to attend and have time away from the routine of home and work - just for me; the hospitable and nurturing atmosphere created by Betty and Steve; the beauty and sacredness of the Balinese; the comfortable villa accommodation; proximity to gorgeous cafes for great coffee and writing nooks; quiet time to reflect; the quality of the skills development sessions as well the inspiring company of the fellow writers”
- Annie Stewart, Director & Principal Facilitator/Coach, author of two published books, Sydney (2024)
Dates
7 writing days plus arrival and departure days
Our 2025 retreat begins at 12 noon on Wednesday 22nd October and concludes with a Farewell Dinner on Tuesday 28th October.
Villa check-in is on Tuesday 21st with check-out on Wednesday 29th October 2025.
If you are staying on for the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, (website here) check-out date is Monday 3rd November. You might also like to arrive early to relax and acclimatise or stay on longer and keep writing. Let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you for an extra nightly fee. Your airport transfers are included.
Our wonderful 2024 writers
Who is this retreat for?
Whatever your level of experience or genre, whether writing fiction or non-fiction, whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been writing for years, this writers’ retreat is designed to give you space and supported time to write.
Testimonials
“The Writing in Paradise retreat was a smorgasbord of wonder for me. From the small details, I felt well cared for and could relax immediately. The opening ceremony gave beautiful respect and honour to the traditions of the people of Bali and opened a great space to focus on the work (and pleasure) of writing.
The structure of the retreat was held with gentle commitment by Betty and Steve, and I valued the workshops for the clarity of information and the quality of teaching. There was always something to be learnt, and connection with other participants about the writing as a part of group check-ins and socially over dinner was delightful”
- Katherine Howard (2024)
“The "Writing in Paradise" course was exactly what I needed to transform my travel blog writing into a book worth reading”
- Teresa McCarthy (2024)
The Place
Natural Beauty
Enjoy the beautiful surrounds which help calm and prepare the mind for your creative endeavours
Villas
From the comfortable air- conditioned bedrooms to the lush tropical gardens and pool, the ambience of each villa creates peace and tranquility
Forget the world
A quiet place to develop your work, nourish your mind, body and spirit and make new connections
Testimonial
“Bali was the perfect place to do this writing retreat. A big Thank you”
- Teresa McCarthy (2024)
The Program
Pre-retreat Zoom meeting: Date and time to be advised.
21st October: Arrive in Bali. We’ll meet you at the airport and bring you to your villa. Settle in and join us for dinner at 7pm at Two Sisterz if you arrive in time and feel like it.
22nd October: Have a lazy morning getting your bearings and join us at noon for a buffet lunch and orientation session at Betty’s Villa Exotica. We’ll spend some time getting to know each other, setting our intentions and planning for the week ahead.
Suggested Daily Rhythm
This Writers’ Retreat has been carefully curated to provide you with the enabling conditions for your writing project to flourish by escaping the usual daily demands and nourishing your creative core.
Testimonial
“Our small group had time to write together, to share our writing, to get to know each other, and to retreat to our villa and write or have Balinese massages on-site or explore”
- Moira Nolan (2024)
Extra Activites
Afternoon workshops
Included, but optional, are a series of afternoon writing workshops to develop your writing craft and creativity. Final workshop offerings will be decided based on the needs of the group.
Testimonial
“Betty and Steve made the workshops very informative and interactive. A group of eight people was perfect to give everyone a chance to express their thoughts, share their writing and any concerns they had about their skills and to learn how to progress with their books”
- Teresa McCarthy (2024)
One on one mentoring
Optional daily mentoring sessions are offered. For beginning writers, Steve will listen to your ideas, help you choose a starting point for your story and with you, plan the writing of your memoir or novel. Betty will also be available for a one-hour mentoring session. You can book these in when you arrive.
Testimonial
“I particularly valued Betty’s insights and one to one mentoring which she offered with generosity, skill and wisdom. I feel very blessed to have had this opportunity and made good progress with my long dreamed of book”
- Katherine Howard (2024)
Local area activities (cost not included)
If you fancy a longer break from your writing or are looking for local inspiration, some suggestions include: visit the Ubud food and flower markets, make a woven palm leaf canang sari (offering trays); take a trip to the rice paddy terraces, enjoy a Balinese cooking class or a Cocktail Masterclass. Take a full day out to discover nearby waterfalls, temples, a coffee plantation, the Neka Museum, the House of Masks and Puppets and more; or go for a day’s snorkelling off the coast from Padang Bai to Blue Lagoon.
Accommodation Features
Our two- and three-bedroom villas, each include:
King-sized bed in air-conditioned bedroom with ensuite and walk in robes
Own writing desk, chair and lamp
Large living areas with lounges, TV, cable and a library of books
Ceiling fans in open living areas
Filtered water
Free fast speed wifi throughout the villa
A fully equipped kitchen with gas cooktop, microwave, refrigerator/freezer
Washing machine and drying rack
Pool and outdoor area with seating
Your villa caretaker will make you breakfast each morning, service your room and common areas, clean the pool and tidy the gardens. They will ensure you have everything you need to make your stay comfortable. Individual dietary requirements can be met with notice and discussion before arrival.
See villas here.
This retreat offers the privacy and tranquility to start, continue or finish a creative work inspired by the beautiful surrounds of Bali, with fellow writers and dedicated time.
Cost
(Australian Dollars)
8 nights /7 writing days (plus check-in and check-out days)
Private room and ensuite in two- or three-bedroom villa with shared living, kitchen, outdoor areas and pool
$3850
Optional Ubud Writers and Readers Festival extension, 5 nights’ accommodation with breakfast and 4-day festival pass
+$1050
What’s Included
8 nights’ accommodation and breakfasts (Writing in Paradise Retreat only)
13 nights’ accommodation and breakfasts if you are combining the Writing in Paradise Retreat and the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival
Welcome lunch, Farewell Dinner and evening Cultural Kecak Performance
6 morning creativity sessions, 7 afternoon workshops and 7 afternoon writing debriefs
One on one mentoring sessions
Evening reading soiree
One hour Balinese massage
Wifi connection throughout each villa
Airport transfers
Testimonial
“Steve has made Bali his home and having him as Villa manager and cultural interpreter has been invaluable. The wrap-around services including airport transfers and lifts to the supermarket, festival etc with Steve's drivers and much TLC provided, a big bonus”
- Moira Nolan (2024)
What’s Not Included
Airfares, passport valid for six months from arrival date, and visa fees
Travel & health Insurance (mandatory)
Alcohol
Additional activities, yoga classes, treatments and meals not listed. You will be steps away from great cafes and restaurants or a short car or motorbike ride into Ubud.
Payment
Please pay your non-refundable deposit of $500 to secure your booking.
The balance is payable by 1st September, 2025.
FLIGHTS TO DENPASAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Please book your flight to arrive at Denpasar International airport on the 21st of October.
Fares to Denpasar can vary greatly so we suggest you book ahead or sign up for the various airline sale alerts to get the best fare.
Testimonial
“Thank you, Betty and Steve, this inaugural Writing Retreat in Paradise greatly exceeded my expectations”
- Moira Nolan (2024)
(Australian Dollars)
You can look forward to a world of stimulation and relaxation, the spaciousness of dedicated time for immersion in your own imaginative writing world and the beauty of Bali.
You’ll return refreshed and invigorated, with stories to tell and progress to report.
Come on your own or bring a writing buddy with you.
Beautiful Bali and your story are calling.
On Steve’s PayPal @writingretreat2025 page, click through Send, enter your $500.00 for your deposit for 2025 Writing Retreat and click on Next for payment steps to secure your booking.
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