Ladakh Retreat
Best Writing Retreats in India (2026 Edition)
An honest, up-to-date comparison of the best writing retreats in India in 2026 — from Ladakh and Himachal to Goa and the Nilgiris.
July 20, 20268 min read
The Journal
Notes from the desk
Essays on writing craft, dispatches from our Ladakh retreat, and conversations with the authors we publish.
Ladakh Retreat
Why Ladakh Is the Best Setting for a Writers Retreat
Thin air, wide silence, and a sky that goes on forever — why Ladakh does something to a sentence that no other place in India can.
July 20, 20265 min read
Ladakh Retreat
What Happens at a Writing Retreat? A Day-by-Day Look
Never been to a writing retreat? Here's exactly what a day looks like at Parched — from morning craft session to candlelit reading.
July 20, 20266 min read
Ladakh Retreat
What to Pack for a Himalayan Writing Retreat
A packing list for writers heading to the mountains: the gear that keeps your body comfortable so your mind can roam.
July 15, 20264 min read
Ladakh Retreat
Parched: A Writing Retreat in India for the Story That Won't Behave
What happens when you leave your desk for the high desert of Ladakh? A behind-the-scenes look at Parched, our annual retreat for writers.
July 10, 20265 min read
Author Interviews
Dr. Karan Singh and The Temple of Shiva: A Conversation
Dr. Karan Singh's only novel, The Temple of Shiva, is a quiet meditation on faith, friendship, and Kashmir. We spoke with him about writing fiction late in a public life.
July 5, 20266 min read
Publishing
How to Publish Poetry in India: A Practical Guide
From manuscript to printed book: what poets should know about publishing poetry in India today, from formatting to finding the right publisher.
June 30, 20267 min read
Writing Craft
Finding the First Line: On Beginnings That Earn Their Keep
The opening sentence is a contract with the reader. Here's how we help our authors find one worth signing.
June 24, 20264 min read