Creative Writing with Greg & Kate Mosse

05 to 12 August 2025

"The creative writing experience with Greg and Kate Mosse was outstanding. I have a Masters in CW and I learnt more in one week from Greg than I did in an entire year in university. The final night at Arosmari, with the music concert and Greek feast, was absolutely superb. I was so sorry to leave and will definitely return." Mrs Louisa McDonald

This is a wonderful opportunity for new and more experienced writers to learn from the professionals on a week of creative writing hosted by Greg and Kate Mosse. Crete has long been a source of inspiration for writers and artists thanks to its extraordinary history, epic landscapes and unique culture - the perfect building blocks for storytelling! Join us for expert tuition, guidance and insight into the world of best-selling fiction, and enjoy a blissful week in the beautifully atmospheric surroundings of the Arosmari Village Hotel.


The course

The Creative Writing course is open to all abilities: both novice writers and those looking to complete or edit an established work-in-progress. Partners or friends who are not participating in the course are also welcome to join the events on Tuesday 5 and Monday 11 August. To view prices for accommodation, flights and car hire, please see below.


Creative writing from 05 to 12 August 2025

Tues  6-7:30pm Welcome drinks and introductions followed by an interview with Kate Mosse
Wed  10am-12:30pm A creative workshop about crafting a convincing (and surprising) plot
Thurs  10am-12:30pm Writing dynamic, evolving characters
Fri  10am-12:30pm A varied, imaginative session about dramatic story locations
Sat  10am-12:30pm A revealing workshop about suspense and why readers read on
Sun  10am-12:30pm How to plan a novel, write a synopsis, a blurb and a submission
Mon  7pm Closing speech with Kate Mosse followed by traditional music concert in the garden and farewell meal

Your hosts

Workshops will be conducted by Greg Mosse and all course participants will receive an additional one-to-one tutorial to discuss their particular writing interests or concerns.

About Greg

Greg Mosse is a ‘writer and encourager of writers’, the author of a trilogy of thrillers – ‘The Coming Darkness’ – and a quartet of cosy crime whodunnits – ‘The Maisie Cooper Mysteries’. Founder of the Criterion New Writing script development program in London’s West End, also ran the Southbank Centre Creative Writing School in London and his own MA Creative Writing for the University of Sussex at West Dean College.

Greg’s extensive experience as a teacher of creative writing is matched by his understanding of the world of publishing, where he has worked as an editor and story development consultant for nearly three decades. He also works regularly on creative adaptations for screen and radio.

Reviewing The Coming Darkness, Lee Child writes: ‘Superb - there's an ominous drumbeat throughout, and pace and tension, and a subtle - and scarily plausible - dystopia, and above all there's main character Alex Lamarque, who could be one of the greats. Greg Mosse writes like John Le Carré's hip grandson.’ About 'Murder at Church Lodge - A Maisie Cooper Mystery', best-selling crime novelist Peter James says: 'Fans of Osman are in for a treat.'

About Kate

Kate Mosse is the bestselling author of ten novels & short story collections, including Labyrinth, The Winter Ghosts, The Taxidermist’s Daughter, The Burning Chambers,  and The Ghost Ship. Her books have been translated into 38 languages and published in more than 40 countries. She has also written four works of non-fiction - including the highly-acclaimed memoir An Extra Pair of Hands and Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries: How Women (Also) Built the World - four plays and contributed essays and introductions to classic novels and collections.

A champion of women's creativity, Kate is the Founder Director of the Women's Prize for Fiction and the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, the Founder of the global Women in History campaign and in 2013 was awarded an OBE for her services to literature and women. She is a regular guest on arts shows for radio and television and interviews writers, directors, campaigners and actors at literary and theatre festivals in the UK and beyond. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Professor of Creative Writing & Contemporary Fiction at the University of Chichester and in 2019 was awarded a Fellowship at the Writer's House in Amsterdam.


 

The setting

Arosmari is a peaceful oasis with a profoundly creative heart, set in the traditional village of Vamos in the foothills of the White Mountains. Ten beautifully refurbished 1 and 2-bedroom cottages make up the hotel; all ideal for couples, some suitable for those looking to travel with a writer friend or companion. Non-writing partners are encouraged to share the holiday experience and enjoy the idyllic location, perfect for exploring the charming villages and golden beaches of western Crete and the cosmopolitan city of Chania, with its superb restaurants, colourful markets and spectacular Venetian harbour.

Arosmari Village Hotel

 


To reserve your place for 2025, please call one of our Destination Specialists on 020 8392 5858.