Experimental Writing Retreat Eona 2026
Experimental Writing Retreat 2026
Experiment and expand what writing can be at Eona, Chios, May 2026 26-30th
Join Elspeth Walker - writer and visual artist - for a 5 day Experimental Writing Retreat on the beautiful island of Chios in Greece in May 2026.
This retreat is for anyone keen to give time to their writing whilst playing with what writing can be - exploring writing as an artistic craft whilst allowing yourself rest and thoughtfulness in the beautiful village of Nenita, in the calm home of Eona.
Eona is the home of Descover Artists, an ever growing artist community, residency space and creativity hub. Whilst in the house you will be able to explore the work of those who have stayed before, enjoy the art library, and use the studio space to engage with your work.
The retreat includes a range of workshops, discussion groups, free time to get reconnected and work on your own writing projects. Reading and writing materials will be provided, and over day 3 & 4 we will work for a few hours each day collaboratively so each writer leaves with a unique anthology made during the retreat.
This retreat is for those who enjoy working with others to explore their craft, and those who are seeking a calm place to write. It explores the more experimental side of writing with time to get to know your practice with a community of writers searching for the same.
Daily Routine
Day 1 - Arrival Day - On this day we will ask everyone to make their way to Eona, and will introduce you to Nenita, your home for the next few days, before exploring some playful writing exercises and sharing a communal meal.
Day 2 -4 - Workshop Days - Each morning will start with a slow free writing session over breakfast to warm up our minds for the day. Then we will continue into a writing workshop exploring a new form of writing, before having lunch. In the afternoon there will a communal workshop in the studio or local area, before time to go write, explore, or relax on your own. Each evening there will be a dinner provided.
Every day is individually structured, and you will leave the retreat having explored a variety of ways that writing can be formed, alongside a unique anthology made during your stay.
Workshops include: Writing with Cyanotypes, Oulipo, Writing the Object, Action Poetry Postcards, Writing as Visual Art - Visual Art as Writing, Erasure Poetry, and more in situ workshops responding to space.
Day 5 - Leaving Day - Day five we will have a leaving breakfast to share our reflections on the past few days and say goodbye before you head home. Free use of the studio and space is offered until you leave.
Introducing Eona…
Join the Retreat!
The price includes breakfast each morning, and all dinners, with lunch you have the option of cooking yourself in our lovely kitchen, popping to the local bakery or joining a group meal.
Alongside this full use of the house and studio in free writing time, and one meal out at the local taverna, and time at the local beach.
The cost covers accommodation, the workshops, and the chance to enjoy the calm space of the small Greek village Nenita to engage with your writing!
Eona is a beautiful home, that offers single bed rooms, either shared or solo. These rooms will be curated to be your resting place during your stay.
Shared Single Bed Room - £780 (x6)
Solo Single Bed Room - £890 (x2)
A deposit of £250/£300 is required to confirm your space on the residency, and an invoice to pay the rest will be sent on confirmation. Final payment needs to be sent by April 2026, or your space might be opened to another.
FAQs
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This retreat is open to all who want to expand their writing practice, no prior knowledge is needed, just a passion for writing.
The retreat involves a lot of group work, so is more for those who like to work both communally and on their own in independent time.
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The food will reflect the retreat - we will provide breakfast, dinner and all are invited to our pot luck lunches (although you can go and source your own lunch). Each dish will be lovingly homemade with fine ingredients, and be a mix of traditional Greek dishes and speciality recipes.
Although we will try to ensure that dietary requirements are accounted for, the kitchen is a communal space and we cannot ensure a nut free environment.
Please email: elspethkwalker@gmail.com if you require a dietary assistance during your stay.
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All materials for the workshops will be provided, and basic toiletries, towels and amenities will be available.
During May the island will be warm so we suggest cool clothes, and maybe one warm set of clothes just in case.
There is also a local beach so please feel free to bring a beach towel, water shoes, and swimwear with you.
If you have any medical conditions please ensure you bring enough medication with you, and extra if possible as we will be staying in a semi remote village.
Please feel free to bring extra materials with you, but check your flight or ferry luggage rules before traveling.
We would advice brining extra money with you just in case you for additional food, transport and other amenities.
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Chios is one of Greece’s beautiful islands, and can be accessed via ferry from Athens or Thessaloniki to the main city, or via airplane from Athens.
We can help organise taxi transport from the ferry or airport, costing around €30.
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Unfortunately Eona is not a step free home, and at this moment we cannot provide step free accommodation or wheelchair access. We are working to improve this for the future.
If you require any access requirements please email: elspethkwalker@gmail.com and we will endeavour to ensure you have a great retreat.
Terms and Conditions:
Each retreat is organised with a lot of love and dedication. We invest considerable love, time, and energy into planning our retreats, but we must also make non-recoverable payments in advance to ensure their success.
Deposits are required to confirm your space on the residency and are non-refundable. The remaining fee is due by April 2026 or we reserve the right to offer your room to another.
Prior to the retreat you will be asked to fill in a form with extra details so we can help ensure a great stay. We ask you complete this before, and failure to do so might result in removal from the retreat.
Although we expect it to all run smoothly we suggest getting travel insurance before joining the retreat to ensure you are covered if any flights cancellations or damages occur during your travel.
We reserve the right to remove a guest from the experience if their behaviour is disruptive; no refunds will be issued. We also reserve the right to hold guests responsible for any damages they cause to the house, nature, or belongings in Eona and around Nentita. This a borrowed home for the 5 days and we ask everyone treat it with total respect for both current and future occupants.
Additionally, we reserve the right to change the program, instructors, or team members anytime. Thank you for understanding and respecting our terms and conditions.
