A Writing Retreat
with Miranda Cowley Heller
June 14 - 20, 2026
Chamonix, France
LOSING YOUR MIND
Share a chalet with eight other writers for a week of creative splendor in a majestic high-alpine village.
In an intimate and beautiful setting, along with seven others writers, this will be a week dedicated to unlocking your deepest voice by learning tools that help you let go of your “intellectual” writer — embracing your individual creative instincts free from the constraints of what so many of us are taught good writing “should” be. The classes will experiment and generate work across a variety of genres. Each day will include three hours of class where we will experiment with tools, fresh techniques, readings, and writing prompts. Afternoons will be for working on your own material or craft exercises assigned by me wherever you find the most inspiration— whether writing at a desk, a dining table, a local cafe, or sitting looking out at the Mont Blanc.
About Miranda
MIRANDA HELLER grew up in New York City in a literary and artistic family. After graduating from Harvard, she worked as a magazine editor in New York before moving to Los Angeles with her family. She worked at HBO for a decade, where she was Sr. VP and Head of Drama series working on shows including The Sopranos, The Wire, Six Feet Under and Deadwood. Her first novel The Paper Palace debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into 34 languages and sold over 2 million copies worldwide. Her first collection of poetry, What the Deep Water Knows, will be published by Viking Penguin in the U.K. this summer, Zibby Books (USA) July 1, and by Ullstein in Germany in September.
A Week of Creative Splendor
Inside the villa, you’ll be enveloped in a warm and inviting space. Curl up on a cozy couch near the fireplace, or set up your laptop on the mezzanine desk or one of the several tables in and outside of the chalet.
Delicious French meals, prepared daily, infuse the regional joie de vivre
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.
Experience Chamonix
Activities during your retreat include a train ride to the Mer de Glace and optional walk to the ice cave (steep stairs).
After, we’ll enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.
Immerse yourself in alpine grandeur
In your spare time, enjoy a dip in the jacuzzi and sauna, hone your writing with breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc, or walk into Chamonix just a few minutes away on foot.
Accommodations
There are 9 ensuite bedrooms, each with its own unique characteristics.
Amenities include toiletries, blow dryer, washer/dryer, scent-free detergent, robe, and plenty of towels.
What's included:
– 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
“What a lovely experience from start to finish. Everything was so well done for us with such consideration for each of us.”
– Mercilee Jenkins