First Edition · Dates to Be Announced
Parched
A Retreat for Writers & Storytellers
Six days devoted to writing, led by Sahitya Akademi Awardee K. Jayakumar and author Megha Vishwanath. Craft workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and the kind of quiet that lets new sentences arrive.
Takes a few minutes · We will contact you when dates are confirmed
Parched at a Glance
A quick summary of the writing retreat
- What
- A 6-day writing retreat
- Where
- Location to be announced
- When
- Dates to be announced
- Who leads it
- K. Jayakumar (Sahitya Akademi Awardee) & Megha Vishwanath (author of Unseen)
- Cohort size
- The retreat will proceed once 15 participants are confirmed
- Includes
- Accommodation, all meals, workshops, 1:1 mentorship, guided excursion
- For
- Writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and memoir — all levels
- How to join
- Register your interest through the short Google Form below
About This Writing Retreat
Parched is our first residential writing retreat, built as the kind of week we ourselves have always wanted — a small, unhurried, honest writers retreat in India, held together by craft.
It is for writers at any stage, working on any form. Whether you are circling a first book, finishing a manuscript, or returning to the page after a long pause, this writing retreat is open to you.
Days follow a gentle rhythm: morning craft sessions, long afternoon writing blocks, evening readings and conversations. Beyond the writing room, there is time to step away — and the kind of quiet that lets new sentences arrive.
Your Mentors — Sahitya Akademi Awardee & Published Author
Guided by two writers whose lives have been shaped by language, craft, and the courage to put words on the page.
K. Jayakumar
Sahitya Akademi Awardee · Former Chief Secretary, Kerala
- Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for Pingalakeshini
- Former Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala
- Board member, Travancore Devaswom Board (Sabarimala)
- Poet, translator, and essayist across Malayalam and English
A distinguished writer and public servant, K. Jayakumar brings decades of literary craft and lived wisdom to the cohort. His work spans poetry, prose, and translation.
Megha Vishwanath
Author of Unseen (Zomato) · Currently at Eternal
- Author, Unseen: The Untold Story of Deepinder Goyal & Zomato
- Currently at Eternal (formerly Zomato)
- Former product marketer and journalist
- 6,000+ readers on Instagram (@megha.vishwanath)
Megha mentors writers on shaping narrative, voice, and the long arc of a book — drawing on her years as a journalist, marketer, and non-fiction author.
What's Included in the Writing Retreat
A Comfortable Stay
Five nights of comfortable accommodation in a quiet retreat space chosen to support focused, unhurried work.
All Meals Included
Wholesome local meals, endless 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 your manuscript, your voice, and the shape of the work you're trying to make.
6-Day Retreat Itinerary
An indicative itinerary — the schedule remains gentle and responsive to the cohort.
Day 1
Day 1
Arrival & Welcome
Settle in and gather for an opening dinner and introductions with the cohort.
Day 2
Day 2
Finding the Voice
Morning craft session on voice and intention. Afternoon writing block. Evening reading and discussion.
Day 3
Day 3
Structure & Shape
Workshop on form and structure. Guided walk through nearby trails. Long writing block at dusk.
Day 4
Day 4
One-on-One Day
Personal mentorship sessions, quiet writing time, and a guided local excursion.
Day 5
Day 5
Revision & Readings
Workshop on editing your own work. Group readings of new pages in the evening, by candlelight.
Day 6
Day 6
Closing & Departure
Closing circle, reflections on the week, and farewell breakfast before departures.
Who This Writing Retreat Is For
We keep the group small so that every voice has room. No prior publication is required — only a serious intention to write.
This is for you if
- You are working on something — a first draft, a stalled manuscript, a collection of poems, or a book you keep circling.
- You want honest, specific feedback from mentors who read closely, not general encouragement.
- You write in any form: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or memoir. First-time and published writers are equally welcome.
- You can give the week your full attention — six days away from the usual noise.
This may not be for you if
- You are looking for a sightseeing holiday with writing on the side.
- You want a large conference or a busy festival programme.
- You would rather not share pages or read other writers' work in a group.
- You need guaranteed publication at the end — we mentor the writing, we do not promise a contract.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Writing Retreat
Everything you might want to know before applying to Parched.
Where will the Parched writing retreat be held?
The location for the first edition of Parched is still being finalised. Join the waitlist and we will share the destination and venue details as soon as they are confirmed.
When is the retreat and how long will it run?
Dates for the first edition of Parched will be announced once the cohort is confirmed. The retreat is planned as a six-day, five-night experience. Join the waitlist to be the first to know when dates are confirmed.
Who leads the retreat?
The retreat is mentored by K. Jayakumar — a Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award winner, former Chief Secretary of Kerala, and current board member of the Travancore Devaswom Board (Sabarimala) — and Megha Vishwanath, author of Unseen: The Untold Story of Deepinder Goyal & Zomato and currently a marketing leader at Eternal. Both bring decades of writing and editorial experience.
What is included in the retreat?
The retreat includes five nights of accommodation, all meals and tea, daily craft workshops, long structured writing blocks, one-on-one mentorship sessions on your manuscript, group readings, and a guided local excursion. Travel to and from the retreat is not included.
Do I need to be a published writer to apply?
No. Prior publication is not required. We look for a genuine commitment to your writing — fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or memoir — and openness to the work of others in the cohort. First-time writers and published authors are equally welcome.
When will the next Parched writing retreat take place?
The first edition of Parched has been postponed and new dates are yet to be announced. Join the waitlist to receive the dates as soon as the cohort is confirmed.
How do I join the Parched writing retreat waitlist?
Register your interest through the short Google Form linked on this page. Tell us a little about yourself and your writing, and we will contact you when dates for the first edition are confirmed.
What makes a good writing retreat?
A good writing retreat protects your time, offers serious craft attention, and keeps the cohort intimate enough for meaningful feedback. Parched combines those qualities with mentorship from a Sahitya Akademi Awardee and a published non-fiction author.
What should I pack for a writing retreat?
Bring comfortable clothes, a good water bottle, walking shoes, and a notebook that opens flat. Bring one manuscript rather than every project so you can give it sustained attention. A location-specific packing list will be shared with confirmed participants.
Still have a question? Join the waitlist and we will contact you when dates for the first edition are confirmed.
Comparing options? Read our guide to writing retreats in India.
First Edition · Dates to Be Announced
Join the Parched Waitlist
Join the waitlist to be the first to know when dates are confirmed for the first edition. Tell us a little about you and your writing, and we will get in touch when the cohort is ready.
Questions? Write to us at hello.parchment@gmail.com