Parched — A Retreat for Writers & Storytellers

Parched is a six-day writing retreat by Parchment Publications for writers and storytellers. It takes place in Ladakh, India, from 1–6 September 2026.

The retreat is designed as a small, unhurried, craft-led week in the Himalayas: time to write, read, walk in silence, receive mentorship, and return to the page.

Dates and Location

About the Retreat

This is Parchment Publications' first writing retreat, built as the kind of week writers often need: small, honest, spacious, and held together by craft.

It is for writers at any stage, working in any form. Writers may be circling a first book, finishing a manuscript, returning to the page after a long pause, or looking for quiet time and serious attention for their work.

The days follow a gentle rhythm: morning craft sessions, long afternoon writing blocks, evening readings and conversations, and time in the mountain landscape of Ladakh.

What's Included

Stay in the Himalayas

Five nights of comfortable accommodation in a quiet retreat space surrounded by Ladakh's vast landscape.

All Meals Included

Wholesome local meals, tea, and slow mornings designed for thinking, writing, and conversation.

Guided Writing Sessions

Daily craft workshops, structured writing time, and group readings held by writers and editors from the Parchment circle.

One-on-One Mentorship

Personal feedback sessions on the participant's manuscript, voice, and the shape of the work they are trying to make.

Indicative Itinerary

Day 1 — Sept 1: Arrival & Welcome

Settle in, acclimatise, and gather for an opening dinner and introductions under the Ladakhi sky.

Day 2 — Sept 2: Finding the Voice

Morning craft session on voice and intention. Afternoon writing block. Evening reading and discussion.

Day 3 — Sept 3: Structure & Shape

Workshop on form and structure. Guided walk through nearby trails. Long writing block at dusk.

Day 4 — Sept 4: One-on-One Day

Personal mentorship sessions, quiet writing time, and an excursion to a nearby monastery.

Day 5 — Sept 5: Revision & Readings

Workshop on editing your own work. Group readings of new pages in the evening, by candlelight.

Day 6 — Sept 6: Closing & Departure

Closing circle, reflections on the week, and farewell breakfast before departures.

Who It's For

Parched is for writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and memoir. First-time writers and published authors are both welcome. The group is kept small so that every voice has room.

No prior publication is required. Participants need only a serious intention to write and openness to the work of others.

Apply

Seats are limited and applications are reviewed personally.

Application form: Apply via Google Form

Questions can be sent to hello.parchment@gmail.com.

Canonical page: https://parchmentpublications.com/writing-retreat

Plain text version: https://parchmentpublications.com/writing-retreat.txt