Our Hua Hin retreat last year was so successful, we’re hosting it again this year! You will have the opportunity to attend workshops, have private consultations with several authors, and work on your writing — all while enjoying this beautiful island where Thai royalty spend their summers.

About Our Retreat

We will have two workshops led by award-winning authors: nonfiction led by Thai-American writer & poet Ira Sukrungruang, and fiction & genre fiction co-led by New York writer & editor Chantelle Aimée Osman and AAL co-founder Xu Xi. All workshops require a manuscript submission of a maximum of 5,000 words in your genre. Submission deadline is April 19.

You will also have the opportunity to have private consultations with AAL partners, Robin Hemley and Xu Xi about either your workshop manuscript or another manuscript of a maximum of 2,500 words in any genre. Submission deadline is April 26.

Retreat Schedule

Testimonials

"The first writing retreat I've ever been to was AAL Hua Hin, and I've just signed up again. It's an opportunity to take a break from your usual life to immerse yourself in workshops, discussions, and more importantly, dedicated writing time with those who are equally passionate about the craft. Robin and Xu Xi are veteran writers and educators and this is reflected in the selection and quality of the AAL instructors. Once again, I'm looking forward to a week full of camaraderie and learning, which is my version of writerly fun."

- Rebekah Chan-Kwon, Hong Kong (Hua Hin 2017 Participant)

“I cannot speak highly enough of the energy and commitment demonstrated by the AAL workshop leaders at the recent Hua Hin AAL workshops. I attended Robin's generative prose workshop (creative non-fiction) and as a novice in this area, I was inducted into the world of creative writing. As we wrote and read out our pieces, each of the participants […] listened and reacted with empathetic constructive advice; it has really inspired me to commit to creative writing from hereon. What I hadn't appreciated before I attended this week is how personally therapeutic creative writing can be... This has been both surprising and personally valuable and could only be achieved in the trusting atmosphere of the AAL group I was part of for the week. I'd highly recommend the AAL workshop experience for beginner writers like myself. An added bonus was to have Xu Xi {…] share with us her experiences of getting published. All the evening salons were great and we were even treated to a multimodality creative writing experience that involved the role of Bach in Madeleine's  latest Man Booker shortlisted novel.”

- Jane Lockwood, Hong Kong (Hua Hin 2017 Participant)

To Apply

Please send either a fiction or nonfiction manuscript of between 1,500 to 2,000 words to aalauthors@gmail.com.  There is no charge to apply.  Current and former AAL clients need not apply and may register for the retreat at this link.  (note:  former writing students of Robin Hemley or Xu Xi, please email AAL to waive the application manuscript). 

Please send all applications by 8 April, 2019.

Due to the popularity of our retreats and the limited spots available, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Costs

Fee for the retreat is competitively priced at US$975.  This covers your participation in workshop plus an additional private session with your workshop leader to discuss your workshop piece &/or general questions about writing; ll lectures, talks, panels & salons at the retreat; private sessions with Robin Hemley & /or Xu Xi to get feedback on an additional manuscript or your workshop manuscript & / or general questions about writing.

Current and former AAL clients enjoy a 10% discount (US$877.50).  Accommodation is very reasonably priced for the entire week’s stay at 14,500 Baht (approx. US$435) for a large room or 11,000 Baht (approx. US$330) for a small room, inclusive of breakfast and the welcome and farewell dinners. To book your stay at Ba’an Thai, please contact Jane Lockwood at jane.baanthai@gmail.com or +852 9502 5994.

We understand that you may wish to have a spouse or friend accompany you who will not participate in workshop.  There is a non-participant fee of US$75.  Each participant may register no more than one non-participant at this link. 

About Hua Hin and the Ba’an Thai Villas

Hua Hin is located on Thailand’s southern coast and is where Thai Royalty summers.  It is close to many interesting cultural and natural sights, including waterfalls, temples and vineyards. 

Our retreat will once again be hosted at the Ba’an Thai Villas. The Villas are located on a private soi just a short walk from the beach, and there is a cafe where you will enjoy your daily buffet breakfast (included in the room rate). Each villa has four ensuite bedrooms, and you will have the choice of the larger suite, or a standard smaller room. All villas also have a lovely outdoor porch overlooking the swimming pool and garden — perfect for writing!