In October 2026, a small cohort of writers will gather just outside Oxford for six days of focused writing, rigorous workshops, literary exploration, and unhurried conversation.

This isn't a productivity sprint, but it's also not a casual getaway. This is an intentional residency designed for writers who want to deepen their craft in a place that has long taken words seriously.

Why Oxford

Oxford has shaped generations of thinkers and storytellers. It's the city of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and The Inklings - writers who met regularly to read drafts aloud, challenge one another’s thinking, and refine their stories in community. There's something transformative about writing in a place where stories have mattered for centuries. We'll gather around tables, with manuscripts open, taking one another’s work seriously.

The Rhythm of the Week

Each day will follow a gentle but intentional structure:

Morning
Protected writing time. Silence. Focus.

Late Morning Workshops
High-level sessions designed to deepen your work. We'll focus on exploring voice, structure, stakes, and the emotional spine of your project. These are thoughtful, craft-focused conversations that assume you are serious about your writing.

Afternoons
Open writing time or curated exploration of Oxford — wandering historic streets, sitting in cafés, visiting literary landmarks, letting place inform page.

Evenings
Shared dinners, optional manuscript discussion, fireside conversation, and unhurried connection.

This residency is for:

• Writers actively working on a project (fiction, nonfiction, memoir, essays, academic, poetry — all welcome)

• Writers who want structure without pressure

• Writers ready to clarify what their work is truly about

• Writers who crave both depth and beauty

• Writers willing to be thoughtful participants in a cohort

What this is and what it isn't :

This is:

• A curated, limited cohort (15 writers)

• An immersive international experience

• A balance of literary exploration and serious craft work

• A week designed to move your project forward

This is not:

• A tour

• A vacation package

• A beginners’ writing course

• An annual event

This residency is intentionally rare.

What you'll leave with :

By the end of the week, you will have:

• Significant progress on your project - either in word count, getting over mental blocks, or developing your idea, connecting with your voice, or feeling more equipped to write.

• Greater clarity around your project’s central tension

• Clear next steps for revision

• A deeper sense of creative authority

• Relationships with other serious writers

• The memory of having written in Oxford!!

And perhaps most importantly - you'll l know what it feels like to give your writing the space and respect it deserves.

• Meals - A few meals will be provided and there will be light breakfast items and snacks available. Otherwise, food will be at your own expense.

• Rooms - Because this is a shared residency experience, most bedrooms are shared. A limited number of private rooms are reserved for writers with medical needs, disabilities, chronic illness, autism, anxiety disorders, or other conditions that require private space in order to participate fully. If this applies to you, you may indicate that on your application.

• Transportation - Transportation to and from the airport is not provided. We will be staying outside of Oxford, so if you do not plan to rent a car, you will need to rely on Uber, taxi, or bus transportation when traveling into the city. These costs are not included in the residency fee and will be at your own expense. I will provide guidance and suggestions for transportation options, but participants are responsible for coordinating and covering their own local travel.

• Travel Insurance is strongly recommended

Afternoon

Checkin time will be later in the afternoon.

Take time to unpack, explore the neighborhood, or rest after travel.

Evening

We'll eat a light dinner together, get to know each a little, have a quick orientation and then head to bed.

Morning

Light breakfast and coffee available

Workshop:
Finding the Story You’re Meant to Tell

Writing session

Afternoon

Lunch break

Quiet writing time

Optional walk through Oxford

Evening

Group dinner

Conversation:
The writing life — sustaining creativity over time

**mentorship time blocks will be given ahead of time for scheduling, if you'd like a one-on-one session with Kristen

Morning

Coffee and breakfast

Workshop:
Voice, structure, and shaping a compelling narrative

Extended writing session

Afternoon

Lunch break

Literary walking tour of Oxford

Visit historic sites connected to writers such as:

• C.S. Lewis
• J.R.R. Tolkien
• Dorothy Sayers

Evening

Unscheduled evening for dinner in Oxford

Optional writing time

**mentorship time blocks will be given ahead of time for scheduling, if you'd like a one-on-one session with Kristen

This day is for you. You can stay at the house and write, find a cafe nearby, or take the day as a personal exploration day and explore the city of Oxford.

Evening

Group dinner

Reading night : share excerpts from your work this week

Morning

Breakfast and coffee

Workshop:
Next steps — continuing your writing after the retreat

Writing session

Afternoon

Lunch break

Final writing time

Group conversation: reflections and project intentions

Evening

Closing dinner together

We'll keep in touch. :)