Join Murphy Writing of Stockton University for an extraordinary week-long writing retreat hosted in the vibrant, historical city of Dundee, Scotland. Designed for writers across all genres and experience levels, this immersive program offers a unique blend of structured craft development, dedicated writing time, and rich cultural exploration. Nestled on the scenic campus of the University of Dundee, participants will find an encouraging and challenging community designed to help you unlock new creative potential and elevate your writing.
Whether you are embarking on a new novel, polishing a poetry manuscript, drafting personal essays, or simply seeking inspiration away from daily routines, this retreat provides the sanctuary and focus required to advance your craft. With the guidance of celebrated author and workshop leader Peter E. Murphy, you will engage in daily generative exercises, explore rich reading packets featuring classic and contemporary writers, and push the boundaries of your imagination.
Transformative Daily Workshops and Feedback Sessions
The core of the retreat revolves around daily morning workshops led by Peter E. Murphy. Each morning session begins with stimulating craft discussions focused on an anthology of poems, stories, and essays curated specifically to spark inventive thinking. Following guided freewriting sessions and unique writing prompts, participants are given dedicated quiet hours to write, invent, and discover.
Throughout the week, participants take part in supportive, small-group feedback sessions three times. These critique circles offer constructive insights from both peers and experienced faculty, ensuring you receive clear and actionable guidance on the work you generate during the retreat or material you bring with you. For those seeking individualized mentorship, optional one-on-one tutorials in prose and poetry are also available to review longer manuscripts and discuss personal literary goals.
Experience the Culture and Heritage of Dundee
Beyond the morning workshops, your afternoons and evenings are your own to structure. Dundee—a historic maritime city with a rich literary and scientific lineage—serves as the perfect backdrop for creative renewal. Wander through the town center, explore the V&A Dundee design museum, stroll along the River Tay, or relax in local cafes that have long inspired storytellers.
Living on the University of Dundee campus offers both convenience and comfort, putting you within walking distance of bustling city life and tranquil coastal views. Evening activities include casual gatherings, open mics, and readings with local Scottish authors, fostering cross-cultural artistic connections and lasting friendships within the literary community.
Accommodations, Community, and Practical Details
All participants reside in comfortable, private single en-suite rooms within campus apartments, allowing for personal privacy alongside communal living. Non-writing guests are also welcome through a dedicated guest package, making it easy to share your Scottish adventure with a partner or friend.
The retreat tuition covers full access to workshops, programmed activities, accommodation, and selected group meals. Designed with an emphasis on warmth, humor, and freedom from academic pretension, Murphy Writing programs welcome beginners and published authors alike. Reconnect with your voice, discover new story arcs, and return home with a notebook full of compelling original work.
Key Event Highlights
Daily generative writing workshops with Peter E.
Murphy, Constructive peer and tutor feedback sessions,
Private en-suite accommodation on campus,
Excursions exploring Scotland’s rich literary history,
Optional one-on-one prose and poetry tutorials
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