A Writing Retreat
with David Rocklin
April 11 - 17, 2027
Bordeaux, France
We’ll Find it together
We will spend three inspiring hours each day writing, inside or poolside. Writers looking to find their voice, start something new or deepen their current work will explore generative exercises, engage in craft talks on making their narratives vivid, and examine how context lies at the heart of character and place – whether in fiction or memoir.
We’ll create a space for your voices and an atmosphere of connection and community. Writers can encounter so many seemingly impossible mountains standing in the way of realizing their dream, but the strength to make your way is already in you.
About David
DAVID ROCKLIN is the author of the novels The Luminist, Foreword award-winning The Night Language,and The Electric Love Song of Fleischl Berger. He is also the author of The Write Formula: 12 Weeks from Concept to Completion, a comprehensive craft book offering guidance, inspiration and practical advice on all aspects of fiction writing, including the generation and expansion of ideas, character and plot structure, setting and POV choices, outlining and revision strategy, and navigating criticism and rejection. David leads writing retreats in France and in the US. His Los Angeles-based reading series, Roar Shack, is one of the city’s longest running and is considered an inclusive hub within the L.A. literary community. www.davidrocklinauthor.com
Books by David
Share a château with eight other writers for a week of creative splendor in the Bordeaux vineyards.
Delicious French meals will be prepared for you daily, infusing you with the joie de vivre of the region.
To maximize your writing time, breakfasts and our chef-prepared lunches are grab and go. In the evening, our chef prepares exquisite sit-down dinners.
In your spare time, enjoy a dip in the pool, hone your writing in cozy corners of the estate, or curl up with a great book in one of the reading rooms.
Activities during your retreat
An optional guided stroll through the château’s vineyard and a private tasting of its wines is offered.
As a group, we’ll tour the Citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and after seeing the fortress, we’ll visit the colorful farmer’s market on the Allée des Soupirs – the Alley of Sighs – and enjoy lunch together at a restaurant.
Accommodations
The château features eleven bedrooms, each with a private, full bathroom.
Amenities include toiletries, blow-dyer, washer/dryer and scent-free detergent, printer, and wifi.
David Rocklin's
Writing Retreat includes:
– 6 nights in an ensuite private room
– freshly prepared French meals
– 15 hours of workshop instruction
– one-hour private critique
– scheduled dining out & activities
– local transportation
– on-site concierge services
– Please note that alcohol is not included
After your application is accepted, a $1500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat.
“What a lovely experience from start to finish. Everything was so well done for us with such consideration for each of us. The view from my room was spectacular!”
– Mercilee Jenkins