A Craft-Driven Writing Retreatin Santorini
With Kelly Dwyer, Jonas Saul, and Rania Stone!
Join us October 7 – 13, 2026 • Santorini Island in Greece for seven days, six nights!
A welcoming, craft-driven novel retreat in Santorini—where writers at every stage learn how stories work, guided by a master teacher and a bestselling novelist.
Calling all storytellers! Unplug from the ordinary and immerse yourself in a week of creativity, connection, and craft on the breathtaking island of Santorini. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just beginning to explore the idea of writing a novel, The Novel Deep Dive is designed to meet you where you are and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
We’ve designed a week filled with laughter, connection, supportive instruction, and inspiration against a backdrop of sea and sky.
This retreat is not about pressure or performance. It’s about curiosity, craft, and forward motion.
What Makes This Retreat Different
This retreat is co-taught by two instructors with complementary strengths:
Jonas Saul, a bestselling thriller novelist, brings insight into narrative tension, pacing, and what keeps readers turning pages.
Kelly Dwyer, a literary horror novelist and master teacher with over 30 years of experience, brings a warm, inclusive teaching style focused on structure, character psychology, and helping writers discover what their stories want to become.
Together, they offer a balanced approach to novel-writing—combining commercial storytelling instincts with literary depth—while helping each writer identify what their project needs next.
Who This Retreat Is For:
Writers who have always wanted to try writing a novel
Writers with an idea, outline, or partial draft
Writers returning to fiction after time away
Experienced writers seeking fresh insight or renewed momentum
Curious travelers who want to combine creativity with a meaningful experience in Greece
Whether you arrive with a draft, a notebook, or a long-held dream, you’ll feel welcome, supported, and engaged.
Find Your Novel’s Core Idea: Discover the heart of your story and build from a foundation that excites you—and your reader.
To Outline or Not?: We’ll break down story planning methods so you can find the writing process that works for you.
Build Motivation: Set a writing rhythm that fuels your creativity, whether it’s word counts, goal tracking, or intuitive flow.
Show, Don’t Tell: Learn how to evoke emotion and action with vivid examples and hands-on practice.
Active vs. Passive Voice: We’ll demystify this key technique with practical tips and examples that will immediately sharpen your prose.
Strengthen Your Style: From removing filler words to improving cadence and sentence flow, you’ll learn what makes writing sing.
Mastering Pacing: Understand how to keep readers turning pages—what to speed up, what to slow down, and what to cut.
Create a Powerful Character Arc: Learn how to craft a character arc that will engage readers and help you map your character's transformation and the story's plot.
Write to Reader Psychology: Discover how to deliver emotional satisfaction, surprise, and connection—so your readers stay hooked.
Self-Editing Mastery: Save money and impress agents by tightening your prose with proven techniques and checklists.
Inject Tension: Learn practical tools for adding suspense and urgency, no matter your genre.
Heighten Emotion: Discover ways to amplify feelings on every page so readers care deeply about your characters.
Industry Standards: Understand proper manuscript setup, formatting, and submission etiquette to present yourself as a professional.
Cover Design Tips: Whether self-publishing or traditionally publishing, get insider advice on what sells visually.
Publishing Pathways: Explore the pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional routes—and how to succeed in either.
Query Like a Pro: For those submitting to agents, we’ll demystify the process and share examples that work.
Promotion on a Budget: Learn how to find readers organically—and amplify your reach with affordable, efficient strategies.
Promotion 101 with Author Rania Stone: A beginner-friendly guide to social media marketing, landing pages, funnel building, and essential website strategies to strengthen your online presence.
Ongoing Community: After the retreat, you’ll receive continued support, including video calls to discuss your writing goals and personalized career guidance.
✅ And as your work comes into the world, we’ll promote your book launches across our combined platforms.
Plus: Learn how to do a Greek dance while in Greece for 10 euros per person!
Beyond the Page
In addition to craft sessions, the retreat includes intimate discussions, Ask Me Anything sessions, shared meals, and time to connect with fellow writers in a supportive, collegial atmosphere. Come for the stories—stay for the conversations and connections that last long after the retreat ends.
Santorini as Creative Space
Especially in October, Santorini offers a rare combination of beauty and stillness. Quiet mornings, expansive views, and distance from everyday life create an ideal container for creative focus, reflection, and renewal.
Our retreat, like our setting, is joyful and grounding—rooted in camaraderie, discovery, and shared experience.
What You’ll Leave With
A clearer understanding of how novels work
Tangible progress on your own project—whether that’s a strong beginning or renewed momentum
Greater confidence in your story and your process
Practical tools for continuing the work after you return home
A concrete sense of what comes next
The Novel Deep Dive is about access—to craft, to mentorship, and to forward momentum. Whether you come with a finished draft, a partial manuscript, or a dream you’ve been carrying for years, you’ll leave Santorini ready to keep going.
Each morning begins with a relaxed buffet breakfast, served from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., so you can ease into your day with good food and great company.
Our morning writing sessions run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a short break to recharge. (You’ll find full session details in your personalized itinerary.) These sessions are designed to deepen your craft, spark new ideas, and provide you with practical tools that you can use immediately in your work.
Afternoons are yours. Whether you want to dive into your manuscript, walk the beach, swim, hike, nap, or reflect, you’ll have the freedom to use this time however your creativity requires. We also offer private one-on-one sessions with our guest authors, dedicated to addressing your questions, work, and goals. We gather again around 8:00 p.m. for a delicious group dinner, followed by relaxed and inspiring evenings centered around all things writing: ✨
Readings & peer critiques ✨ Stories of publishing success ✨ Career Q&As and advice ✨ Marketing strategies to find readers without spending a fortune. Whether you’re seeking motivation, feedback, or simply a community that truly understands, the evenings offer a perfect blend of camaraderie and creative momentum.
Excursion #1
Experience the magic of Thira, Santorini’s stunning capital, on a leisurely four-hour walk that reveals why this island captures hearts around the world. Wander along cobblestone lanes that wind between whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, and flower-draped terraces that seem to float above the shimmering caldera. With every turn, breathtaking views unfold—the endless Aegean below, the volcanic cliffs glowing gold in the sunlight, and the rhythm of island life all around you. Along the way, you’ll discover hidden courtyards, artisan boutiques, and cafés where time slows to the sound of the sea. This guided walk isn’t just sightseeing—it’s an intimate encounter with the beauty, history, and spirit of Santorini itself.
Excursions #2
End your Santorini day with an unforgettable sunset walk through Oia, the island’s most iconic village. As the afternoon light softens, wander through narrow marble streets lined with art galleries, blue-domed chapels, and cliffside homes carved into volcanic rock. Your guide will share the village’s rich maritime history and hidden viewpoints while the sky begins its nightly transformation. Then, as the sun dips below the horizon, watch Oia glow in hues of gold, rose, and lavender—an ethereal spectacle that has inspired poets, painters, and travelers for centuries. It’s more than a view; it’s a moment of pure Mediterranean magic you’ll carry with you long after the light fades.
Excursion #3
Akrotiri Excavations Add-On Tour with a Guide! (Cost 45 euros per person)
Step back nearly four thousand years into the Bronze Age as you explore the awe-inspiring Akrotiri excavations—Santorini’s own “Greek Pompeii.” Guided by a local tour guide, you’ll wander through remarkably preserved streets, homes, and frescoes that reveal the sophistication of one of the ancient world’s most advanced civilizations. Beneath the volcanic ash that froze time, you’ll uncover stories of art, trade, and daily life that connect directly to the myths of Atlantis. This is more than a tour—it’s a journey into the origins of creativity and human resilience, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Santorini’s sunlit cliffs and the Aegean’s deep blue shimmer.
Kelly Dwyer Bio
Kelly Dwyer is an award-winning author of three novels, most recently Ghost Mother, published by Union Square & Co. of Hachette Books in 2024, which is now in development as a full-length film. A native Californian, Kelly was educated at Oberlin College and the Iowa Writers' Workshop and now divides her time between Wisconsin and Los Angeles.
After teaching at the University of Iowa and the University of Wisconsin for many years, Kelly now teaches private online classes, leads and co-leads retreats, and enjoys doing developmental editing for writers at all stages of their careers. She loves to help her students and clients achieve their goals and experience success.
Kelly has visited Greece five times, always finding a wealth of beauty, meaning, and inspiration there, and she is excited to return to one of the most beautiful and inspiring places in the world—Santorini—with a group of people as passionate about writing as she is.
Jonas Saul Bio
Jonas Saul is the international bestselling author of the Sarah Roberts Series, with more than two million copies sold, and has published over sixty thrillers. His novels have outranked Stephen King and Dean Koontz on Amazon and have been optioned for television and film by MadRiver Pictures.
A sought-after speaker and teacher, Jonas has spoken at major writing conferences and film festivals worldwide. He is the founder of Imagine Greece Retreats, which hosts annual retreats for writers, screenwriters, and readers on the sunny shores of Greece, where he now resides. His teaching focuses on creating unputdownable tension, writing with emotional depth, and building a sustainable career while navigating today's publishing landscape.
An acclaimed freelance editor, Jonas collaborates with several publishers and provides private editing services to authors worldwide. His editorial work has received glowing testimonials from clients who praise him for helping improve their manuscripts—and their careers—to the next level.
Rania Stone Bio
Rania Stone is an accomplished author renowned for her engaging psychological thrillers, which are packed with unexpected twists. She has written six novels and twelve children’s books, each demonstrating her talent for storytelling across different genres.
As the Greece Coordinator for Imagine Greece Retreats, Rania organizes memorable literary getaways set against the stunning landscapes of Amorgos. Her recent works have gained international recognition, with several novels translated into English and acclaimed for their depth and suspense.
With over twenty years of writing experience, Rania continues to create and inspire from her home in Greece, where her creative spirit flourishes amid the island’s beauty.
Beyond the Craft: A Boutique Partnership. Attendance at an Imagine Greece Retreat opens doors. Imagine Press is our exclusive thriller house, prioritizing quality over volume and limiting our publication schedule to 3–5 select titles per year. We primarily review manuscripts from our Masterclass alumni, ensuring our writers have a direct path from the classroom to a strategic, bestseller-focused publication.
🗓️ Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change. That’s why we offer a full refund for any cancellations made on or before July 1, 2026—three months before the retreat starts.
After this date, all venue payments are final, and we regret that we cannot offer refunds for any reason. Thank you for your understanding. We’re happy to help with any questions you may have.
By registering for and participating in this retreat hosted by Imagine Greece Retreats (IGR), I acknowledge and agree to the following terms:
Assumption of Risk: I understand that my participation in retreat activities—including, but not limited to, yoga, meditation, sightseeing, hiking, and other physical or group activities—carries inherent risks that may result in personal injury, illness, or other unforeseen consequences. I voluntarily assume full responsibility for any such risks, whether known or unknown, and confirm that I am physically and mentally capable of participating.
Release of Liability: I hereby release, waive, and discharge Imagine Greece Retreats (IGR), its organizers, faculty, staff, contractors, and the host venue from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of action whatsoever, including those resulting from negligence, that may arise from or relate to any loss, damage, injury, illness, or inconvenience incurred during my participation in the retreat.
Financial Responsibility: I agree to be solely financially responsible for any medical treatment, transportation, or additional services required as a result of an injury or emergency that may occur while attending the retreat.
Voluntary Participation & Right to Withdraw: I understand that all activities are voluntary, and I may choose not to participate in any activity that I feel may pose a risk to my well-being. I agree to let the retreat staff know of any concerns or discomfort as soon as possible.
Compliance with Safety Guidelines: I agree to follow all written and verbal instructions and safety guidelines provided by IGR and its representatives. I understand that failure to do so may result in my removal from certain activities or the retreat itself, without refund.
Waiver of Claims: By signing below, I expressly waive the right to bring any legal action or claim against IGR, its faculty, staff, or affiliates for any injury, loss, or damage resulting from my participation in the retreat, except in cases of willful misconduct or gross negligence.
I have read and fully understand this waiver of liability and assumption of risk. I acknowledge that by participating in this retreat, I am entering into a binding legal agreement.
A gorgeous room in this seaside hotel
Greek American buffet every day
Buffet dinners every day
Afternoon tour of Thira!
Early evening (sunset) tour of Oia!
Optional guided tour of the Akrotiri Excavations are a 45-euro add-on.
Attendees must find their own way to and from Greece.
Ferry tickets or flights to Santorini are the guests' responsibility.
Once you've arrived on Santorini, please make your way to the Santo Miramare Hotel by bus or taxi for the date the retreat begins on
Any meals or refreshments not listed in the itinerary
All alcohol (even during buffets) can be charged to your room and settled up later.
Please investigate what travel insurance works best for you, if needed.
The hotel must charge the passport holder (the person in the room) a small resilience tax dictated by the Greek government. Only the individual staying in the room can pay this fee upon check out
