edwina shaw

Some lovely photos by Kylie Burton (Totally Lit Carer’s Fellowship winner)

Is it the magic of the mountains or of writing itself that makes these retreats so special? Another beautiful group of writing folk, at our special feedback and revision retreat, all deep into works in progress.

The big trees and pademelons of TS Retreat Centre welcomed us as we formed small feedback groups to share work and provide helpful critiques. From old hands with published books under their belts to those attempting their first manuscripts, everyone had something unique to offer the group and the world through their stories.

The cold crept in as clouds blanketed the mountain, but luckily everyone had scarves in their party bags to keep them warm, and a roaring fire in the dining hall to sit beside as they wrote. I loved coming into the hall to find several writers all hard at it, working away on their stories, or sitting in cosy corner together sharing feedback or laughs.

The combination of yoga, writing workshops, healing bodywork treatments from our inhouse healer Monique, and delicious, warm, nurturing meals from our chief cookie Gay brought smiles to everyone’s faces. Epiphanies flew in from the heavens, story problems were solved, characters developed and plots revamped. All in the beauty of Springbrook.

On Saturday night, just as we sat down for our pranayama (yogic breathing) and deep relaxation session, the whole area lost power, plunging us into darkness. But this became one of my favourite moments on retreat – a group of us in the dark hall, breathing and softening, touching our creative hearts and the deep well of joy within. Then we strolled back in the moonlight to the dining room to find it lit by a hundred candles, flickering like fairyland.

Then, after the generator was started, came the real fun of readings nights with so many powerful stories shared, a play reading acted out and best of all a singalong, led by our youngest retreater, Eloise ,who’d brought along her guitar and cheeky grin. The fire and the songs kept us warm, and I was filled with happiness as I looked around at the group all singing and smiling. Ah. A very special retreat moment. Luckily the power was restored just in time for our electric blankets to make our beds cosy as we fell asleep in the silence of the forest.

On Sunday after a special movement session by Monique and our publishing pathways workshop, we finished with our traditional collages. Here’s our kindy photos holding up our finished pieces.

Here’s what some retreaters had to say about their retreat:

The relax and Write Retreat really got me back on track ready to complete my story. Making connections with other writers was terrific. So many laughs. Edwina is a great workshop host, with time for each participant.

Robyn Ede

Beginner or seasoned writer, there is something special about sharing time with like-minded people with a passion for writing. The location is amazing, the food superb and the take-away knowledge gained is unsurpassed.

Beverley Young

What a magical weekend – waking to the sound of whipbirds, doing yoga, eating delicious nutritious food, talking to other writers and above all having focused time on a creative project. Absolutely fantastic writing retreat.

Fiona Robertson

Edwina’s Relax and Write Retreat are an absolute gift. They provide space – [physical and mental – to explore our stories while teaching practical information on the structural demands of storytelling. The yoga sessions with Edwina and Monique were deeply restorative, restful and energising. The atmosphere was celebratory, welcoming, thoughtful, open and, a lot of the time, incredibly moving and inspirational. Highly recommend.

Carrolyn Stuart

This was such a wonderful supportive and safe environment for emerging writers to share their work and get honest ,constructive and extremely useful feedback. Thank you, Edwina and your beautiful helpers.

Jeanelle Sutton-Yeomans

If you’d like to come along and join the fun next time, bookings are now open for our Memoir/Life Writing Retreat April 10 – 12, 2026. BOOK HERE.

We’ll be back for another feedback retreat in August 2026. If you’re keen on that, just drop me a line and I’ll book you in!

And if a weekend isn’t long enough, then join me and the wonderful and talented, Kerstin Pilz, next June in Bali in 2026 for our weeklong Blissful Bali Transformational Writing Retreat. With Byron Bay following up in September 19 – 24, 2026 for a very special writing for healing retreat.

Thank you to my treasured retreataholics – and a big warm welcome home to Jill our powerhouse helper, for making these local retreats feel like a happy family gathering, and my undying gratitude to chief cookie Gay Liddington whose compelling and powerful memoir is for sale here on my website – check it out!

Most of all a huge thank you to the wonderful people who come along on these retreats. I am so very grateful for your loving kindness to me, and to each other. I’m astounded by the wealth of talent on show at every retreat and for the joy we find in community with each other.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; it’s the people who come to these retreats that make them so special. Love you guys!

Lots of love to you too,

Edwina xx

Due to popular demand, we are now offering a FOUR NIGHT, FIVE DAY retreat high in the Gold Coast Hinterland at the beautiful and quite magical Theosophical Society Education and Retreat Centre in Springbrook from Thursday 4^th April until Monday 8^th April 2024.

For days now the old Dragon song (vale Marc Hunter) “Take me to the April Sun in Cuba” has been playing non-stop in my head, with a few words changed to take us all to the April Retreat in Springbrook! Who wants to come?! Me! (Dragon will not be joining us!)

Are you desperate for some time out from real life to focus on your writing? Whether you’re just getting started or working on book ten, this retreat is all about YOU and YOUR WRITING PROJECT. Time for you to write. Time for you to relax and just think. Time to daydream, lie on a blanket in the sun and gaze up into the tall trees imagining the next steps of your book, or your life.

Sound like just what the doctor ordered? I know I’m really looking forward to some time out from all the madness and frantic busyness, to focus solely on my new book (just finished the first draft :)). Even better, doing so in a group of women writers all doing the same thing!

I left the Retreat with inspiration for my writing, as well as goals with a clear and achievable action plan. And the best part is I now have the support of 16 new writing buddies!

COURTNEY MASTERS – retreat participant

This retreat is all about WRITING TIME.

We have an initial workshop to help clarify goals for the retreat, making realistic plans about what we’d like to achieve, connecting with others and figuring out which method works best for you. During the days we’ll run a supervised writing room with timed “Pomodoro” style sessions, writing in twenty-minute bursts, followed by five minutes to rest, chat and grab a cup of tea or coffee and some of Gay’s delicious home-baked treats (GF options always available). Or, if you’re a solo writer like me, then every room has its own desk, or you can find a spot in the beautiful gardens and rest your back against one of the giant gums or wander off to the waterfall and write in blissful solitude in nature.

Edwina Shaw’s Writers Retreat at Springbrook was sensational. Working with other experienced writers and learning new ways of doing things as well as new ways to think, is always mind expanding. Then there were the deep dive conversations with other writers and the sacred walk to the waterfall. It was an extraordinary way to learn and grow.

VICKI BENNETT – repeat retreater

We’ll have Q & A sessions after lunch every day where you can ask as many craft-related questions as you like, and every evening we’ll have guided deep breathing and relaxation to help our busy writers’ minds to slow down and relax. After a delicious dinner you’ll have the chance to share your writing with the group. We’ll finish off the retreat with a final workshop, checking on progress and plotting our way forward, setting goals and making plans for our projects, and ourselves, moving forward.

To be held in a space of such love and respect, through both solitude and interacting with other amazing women, was a real blessing. I found Edwina to be enlightening, welcoming and an amazing source of inspiration and knowledge regarding all aspects of writing, including publishing. I came away knowing that I truly have potential and feeling very excited about my writing journey. I want to share my gift with the world, and now I feel like I can. Wow.

KYLIE DEAN – retreat participant

These retreats do more than just get you writing, they provide much needed time out from the world to reassess what you want from your life and nurture your creative self, so that by the time you return to the big smoke, you’ll be feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to shine!

Come along and you will be treated to a memorable, supportive and nurturing space with laughter and creativity aplenty. These retreats offer the perfect balance of relaxing and writing. From the collective energies of the group as a whole to the care-filled little touches that Ed brings, your inner-goddess and writing muse will thank you! A warning though… once you’ve gone on one, you’ll want to come back again and again! Spoken by a true repeat retreater!

BIANCA MILLROY – repeat retreater

PRICE INCLUDES:

4 nights comfortable single accommodation with bathrooms shared between two.

ALL MEALS – healthy homemade organic vegetarian meals, breakfasts, lunches and dinners, plus morning and afternoon teas. (All sensitivities catered for on request)

2 Writing workshops

3 Guided breathing and deep relaxation sessions

4 Q & A sessions

A supervised Pomodoro room to keep you on track,

As much solitary writing time as you like!

Plus: a chance to share your stories on readings nights.

Transport not included.

I have been inspired to work on my writing but also to work on my health. Not only am I motivated but I made so many new friends.

PEG MACLEOD – retreat participant

COST for this special ALL INCLUSIVE 4 NIGHT RETREAT of writing, fun and feasting?

Pay your deposit by February 15 for EARLY BIRD PRICES

UNWAGED/ CONCESSION:

EARLY BIRD $750, Normal $790

WAGED: EARLY BIRD $850, Normal $900

All inclusive!

PAY YOUR DEPOSIT HERE

OR by Direct Deposit PREFERED: CONTACT EDWINA FOR AVAILABILITY AND BANK DETAILS.

If you have more dash than cash but would still LOVE to come, just email Edwina and we’ll work it out.

ALTERNATIVE EXTRAS ALSO AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST:

One on one sessions with Edwina to give direction or advice on your project.

Body work treatments with the deeply knowledgeable and gifted healer, Monique DeGoey of Reconnect BodyWork.

If you’ve been promising yourself some time out for your writing and would love to connect with like-minded writing women in a stunningly beautiful location, far from the madding crowds, then this is the retreat for you!

Come along and be nurtured and supported by a kind and gentle group of women and leave all your worries behind as you immerse yourself in the beautiful natural environment, lovingly cared for by the Yugambeh people for millennia.

GET ALL THE INFO HERE

If you’re looking for more workshops to guide your writing and to get your head around aspects of teh writing craft, then check out all the other retreats available in 2024! Really looking to escape? Join me and my dear friend, the wise and witty Kerstin Pilz author of Loving my Lying Dying Cheating Husband, in Bali for our Relax and Write Your Journey BLISSFUL BALI RETREAT July 11 – 17 2024.