A summer to remember in Skyros has begun . . .

Get your sun hat on (or washing up bowl, as is the new trend with this year's Skyros holiday participants), it's time for another summer of giggles galore, forever friendships and inspiration on the beautiful Skyros island, Greece.

At less than two weeks in, we're delighted to have welcomed back so many familiar faces already, in addition to meeting some fantastic new folks for the first time. 

As usual, everyone, whether a Skyros regular or complete newbie, has settled in to their 'home-from-home' in no time at all. Laughter spills across the terrace as Alexia, the yoga teacher, translates a joke in Greek to our fab facilitator Suzanne (pictured right).

Plus the weather is great, the sea is warm, the food is delicious and everyone is super friendly and interesting.

Courses have been a huge success too. Pictured left, the creative writing group with Amanda Smith come to terms with the use of the sentence. Meanwhile one participant from Juliette smith's life coaching course wrote, 'from the moment we entered the room, she generated trust and safety so that I was able to participate fully.'

We really couldn't have asked for a better start to the Greek holiday season, and we're pleased to say that there's even more to come -- Summer has only just begun. . . . Will we be welcoming you to Skyros soon? We hope so!

Decisions made easy. Get the best of both  . . .

Struggling to choose between The Skyros Centre and Atsitsa Bay? Well, from the 28th June to the 18th July you can get the best of both when our two Greek centres combine! You'll sleep in Atsitsa's magical huts, close to the sea; enjoy a melee of courses, including the creative writing and life coaching options, which are usually only available at The Skyros Centre; and gobble scrumptuous, healthy buffets. Tempted? Call us on 01983 86 55 66 for more information.

Above right: Discussions on philosophy, politics and economics are often overheard at the breakfast table alongside a healthy dose of laughter. Start the day happy!

How to book or find out more . . . 

We always have time for you. Get in touch by:
phone: +44 (0)1983 86 55 66

email: office@skyros.com

online chat: www.skyros.com

How to decide which Skyros holiday is best for you ...

Don't let indecisiveness stand in the way of the holiday of a lifetime! Find a Skyros Holiday that is perfect for you ...

Yes, we admit, there is a lot to choose from. It doesn't help (or maybe it does) that all Skyros Greek island holidays offer the chance to wake in the mornings to the lull of the sea, to stretch out in a yoga class, to enjoy sumptuous healthy buffets, to try new activities and meet new friends. They're perfect for solo travellers, couples and groups alike!

But how do you choose which holiday is the holiday for you? First, find the dates and prices that best suit you. Next, comes the more difficult part - you'll need to choose between our two fabulous locations in Greece this summer: Atsitsa Bay and the Skyros Centre. To help out, we've added a couple of short descriptions below that will help you choose your ideal getaway. Alternatively, call us on +44 (0)1983 86 55 66 and we can help tailor a trip to your needs ... 

Ip dip, sky blue - is Atsitsa right for you?
 

As an Atsitsa Bay lover you have an appetite to try new things. Whether it's art, yoga, music, martial arts, abseiling, comedy improvisation, singing, trapeze, personal development or much more - you're game to give it a go. You can think of no place homelier than your rustic hut close to the warm Aegean sea, or a room in the charming Atsitsa Bay house. The mere mention of delicious food makes your belly grumble, and the thought of a vibrant, bursting-with-life community excites you.

If this sounds like you, visit the Atsitsa pages here 

Or is the Skyros Centre your home-from-home?

As a Skyros Centre enthusiast you enjoy a taste of Greek life, meeting like-minded new friends, home comforts with comfortable accommodation, and finding true inspiration on one of our irresistible specialist courses in either creative writing, art or life coaching. ... 

Perhaps personal and professional breakthroughs intrigue you, or you're curious about new ways to live life to the full. Maybe the thought of focused-but-fun creative writing guidance from established authors tickles your fancy. Or it could be that your dream retreat involves putting pencil to paper, paint to palette or lens to landscape in a truly inspirational setting.

If any of these courses sound like fun to you, visit the Skyros Centre pages here Or search by course: Writing; Art; Life Coaching

If there's so much choice, your brain is in a pickle - Try a taster weekend at The Grange by the Sea ...

 

Are you still unsure which Skyros holiday is best for you? Then why not join us at our charming Skyros offshoot for a warm welcome in a peaceful setting. It's the ideal place to get a taste for our holidays before booking your place. Weekend courses run at the Grange by the Sea on the beautiful Isle of Wight, just 2.5 hours from London. Forthcoming courses include Fiction Writing, Comedy Improvisation and Music; Storytelling.

Contact us ... 

The Skyros team are always happy to answer any questions. We'd be delighted to help you choose which holiday is best for you. Get in touch by:

phone: +44 (0)1983 86 55 66

email: office@skyros.com

chatting online: www.skyros.com

Write a great novel... Tell your story... Discover how to make it happen at The Writers' Lab, Greece...

The renowned Skyros Writers' Lab on the Greek island of Skyros is the place to learn the craft of novel writing, scriptwriting, memoire and more under the guidance of distinguished writers. And there's no need to sacrifice your holiday experience, because Skyros offers the perfect environment in which to combine exploration and relaxation with a stunning location and the chance to try something new.

During a selection of friendly, informative and engaging workshops, you will absorb tips and techniques from your experienced tutor, and share the joys and struggles of the creative process with like-minded people. In the afternoons enjoy a splash of Skyrian lifestyle - taste local Greek delicacies, walk on the long sandy beach, swim in the Aegean sea and explore the many bars and tavernas on Skyros island. 

Best of all, you can write, write, write until your heart is content. Emerge from the holiday with works of which to feel proud.

A wide range of in-depth writing courses are available at the Writers' Lab, covering everything from comedy to the first novel. Read on below to find out what's on next this summer 2014...

Writing Comedy - Logan Murray
Sat 7 - Sat 14 Jun 2014

Nurture your sense of humour, develop your comedy technique and uncover your unique comic voice to make people laugh. The group will explore different forms of humour writing and technique to help ignite your inner comic genius, formulate new ideas and to execute these ideas in novel and dynamic ways. You will learn some tricks of the trade and gain a great awareness of a multitude of comic styles.

About Logan Murray
Logan is a working comic, author of Teach Yourself Stand Up Comedy, and a script consultant for BBC. He has run a series of workshops for the Radio 4 Comedy Department and his former students have won major comedy awards, including the Perrier Award and Channel 4's So You Think You're Funny.

A Life Full of Stories - Amanda Smyth
Sat 14 - Fri 27 Jun 2014

Our lives are full of stories; we tell each other stories every day. What makes a great story? How do we find our own unique way of writing it down? While learning to unlock your creative writing life, and immersing yourself in the tantalizing world of words, this course will help you develop a reliable and practical tool kit to produce meaningful works of fiction.

About Amanda Smyth
Her first novel, Black Rock (Serpent’s Tail), won the Prix du Premier Roman Etranger 2010, and was selected for Waterstones New Voices in 2009. It was also chosen for Oprah's Summer Reads 2009. Amanda’s second novel, A Kind of Eden (Serpent’s Tail) was published in July 2013.

Life Writing - Monique Roffey
Sat 5 - Fri 18 Jul 2014

This will be a taster course in writing from life. It will cover a diverse range of subjects such as the form and options available to tell your story, how to craft stories on the page, the ethics of writing about living people, how to write about childhood, and there will be meditations too, involving earth and water. We will write about real life and this might take the form of poetry or prose or creative non fiction

About Monique Roffey:
Monique Roffey's latest novel Archipelago was awarded the OCM BOCAS Prize for Caribbean Literature in April 2013. Her book, White Woman on a Green Bicycle, was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Encore Award. It was hailed as the new wave of fiction from the Caribbean.

The First Novel - Shelley Weiner
Sat 19 - Sat 26 Jul 2014

Have you always believed you had a novel in you, but never had the knowledge or courage to begin? Have you made several attempts and then lost steam? In a course that combines practical advice with discussion, exercises, and sympathetic feedback, Shelley offers guidance on the tools of fiction, the pitfalls faced by new writers, and on how to sustain momentum from start to finish.

About Shelley Weiner
Shelley Weiner's novels include A Sisters Tale, The Last Honeymoon, The Joker, Arnost, and, most recently, The Audacious Mendacity of Lily Green. She is an Advisory Fellow of the Royal Literary Fund and has taught fiction for many institutions as well as the Guardian Masterclasses.

Aspects of Novel Writing - Mez Packer 
Sat 26 Jul - Fri 8 Aug 2014

Whether you are just beginning to organise your ideas or working on your next ‘opus’, this course is aimed at giving you a clear understanding of the technical and creative aspects of novel writing. Along with exercises and inspiration to get you going there will be opportunities to share pieces of your writing in a relaxed and supportive setting. You will  receive constructive feedback on your work.

About Mez Packer
Mez's most recent novel is The Game is Altered. She is also the author of Among Thieves. She has been shortlisted for the People's Book Prize 2010 and won the Coventry Inspiration Award in the same year. She was previously a broadcast journalist with the BBC.

Writing Successful Fiction - Leigh Russell 
Sat 9 Aug - Fri 22 Aug 2014

Learn techniques to engage readers’ interest and keep them turning the pages. Offering plenty of scope for students to develop their own writing skills, the course will consider areas including character, plot, structure, pace and language. Leigh teaches students ranging from bestselling authors to complete beginners and is known for her encouraging teaching methods. Attendees will develop their own writing voice.

About Leigh Russell
Author of the internationally bestselling Geraldine Steel series of psychological crime thrillers, Geraldine is currently writing a spin off series featuring Geraldine's popular colleague Ian Peterson. Her debut, Cut Short, was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association Dagger Award for Best First Novel in 2010.

Screenwriting - Phil Gladwin 
Sat 23 Aug - Sat 30 Aug 2014

This is an exciting glimpse into the world of the professional storyteller. Learn how to create the kind of story that grips an audience, to guide that audience through ever bigger emotional highs and lows, to build to a dramatic climax, and how to leave them desperate for more. Arrive with a blank piece of paper and leave with a dramatic, well thought-through story that will form the basis of an exciting new script.

About Phil Gladwin
Phil's TV credits include The Sarah Jane Adventures, Grange Hill, Holby, Trial & Retribution, The Bill, Casualty, Murder City, Bugs, Red Cap, Crossroads, and Berkeley Square. He has been nominated twice for the Dennis Potter Award for his TV work.

Your Writer's Voice - Crysse Morrison 
Sat 30 Aug - Fri 12 Sep 2014

This course is for any writer, beginner or more experienced, wanting to develop their authentic personal ‘voice’. We’ll look at finding ideas through memory and imagination and use a range of shared exercises to explore techniques such as characterisation, dialogue, description, style and pace. The focus will be on enjoyment – and finding ways to overcome the writer’s inevitable internal critic too.

About Crysse Morrison
Crysse's two novels Frozen Summer and Sleeping in Sand were published by Hodder & Stoughton. She also writes short fiction and has won poetry slams and appeared at festival and theatre venues internationally. Crysse has also had several stage plays performed.

Creating Comedy - Arthur Smith 
Sat 13 - Sat 20 Sep 2014

There are three rules of comedy. Unfortunately no one can remember what they are. In these sessions we shall do our best to recover them and to bring out the funny in every student. Whether you wish to write gags, sitcoms or plays you will find something here to stimulate you. Present a comedy night to the other students that will demonstrate that laughter is the one true metaphysical.

About Arthur Smith
Comedian, writer and broadcaster, Arthur has performed comedy all over the world and has written every form of comedy from stand-up one liners to full length plays and screenplays. His play An Evening with Gary Lineker ran for several years in the West End. He is well known for the BBC show Grumpy Old Men.
...

Morning yoga, twin-share accommodation and half-board meals are included on all the Writers' Lab holidays listed above. All abilities are catered for - arrive with work in progress or an empty page.

More Information ... 

The Writers’ Lab were described as "Number 1 of the World's Best 5 Writing Holidays" The Guardian. Writers such as Rachel Billington, Margaret Drabble, Hanif Kureishi, D M Thomas, Marina Warner as well as the sadly missed late Sue Townsend, to name but a few, have all shared their wisdom and experience at Skyros over the years. 

Can't choose which course is right for you? Get in touch and let Skyros team know what you're working on (or not), so they can help you decide.

Phone: +44 (0)1983 865 566 Email: office@skyros.com
Web: http://www.skyros.com/

A tribute to Sue Townsend ...

– an 'aristocrat of the spirit'
by Dina Glouberman, co-founder of Skyros

Sue Townsend, a great woman, a great writer and a friend of Skyros, sadly passed away 10th April 2014. In her memory, Skyros co-founder Dina Glouberman shares an assortment of impressions from the past twenty years of her friendship with Sue ...

Sue Townsend

I can hardly believe that I am writing this as a kind of obituary. To me, it seems she is still laughing in her kitchen in Leicester. Sue was a great friend of Skyros as well as a friend of mine. She came to Skyros first in 1993, and then every year for 10 years, until ill health made it impossible.

I remember the evening we were sitting in the Skyros office, preparing the second year of the Skyros Writers Lab, and I summoned up the courage to phone the famous Sue Townsend at her home to ask if she would join us. One of our writers must have given me the number.

To my surprise and delight, she agreed instantly to come. Later she told me that she was so surprised about the phone call, because so few people outside the family had the number, that she said Yes because it was always so hard for her to say No to anyone.

Often her inability to say No got her in trouble, but, luckily, that Yes was one she never regretted. She seemed to love everything about the life of Skyros, but most of all, I think, she loved being in a community of people where she was accepted as a human being and a teacher rather than just as a famous writer.

Though of course she was happy that her books were so popular, she was never interested in her fame, nor indeed, in the money she earned from it. She did her best to give her money away, and she systematically ‘de-famoused’ herself, as she called it, by staying out of the public eye so she wouldn’t be easily recognized in the street.

She never moved from her home in Leicester and she would rather sit in a queue at the A&E department than use private medical treatment. As she had a tendency to neglect her health and this was having more and more serious implications, I begged her to get herself a private doctor to call on when she was ill. She humoured me by saying she would, but she never did. It was not her way.

She wouldn’t hesitate to use her fame though to help other people. She was incredibly kind to me, consenting to be interviewed for one of my books, because she knew it would help me, and even writing an Adrian Mole introduction to a new edition of my first book, despite the fact that the publisher didn’t want to pay her for it. She would travel huge distances to give talks if she thought that not doing so would disappoint anyone, and particularly if the audience was of children.

A staunch socialist, she never forgot her roots, and remained a completely unprejudiced person. More than that, she was someone who deeply and naturally cared about everyone. Even in her books about the Royal Family, she managed to describe them humorously but lovingly. She never did cruel satire.

She was so reluctant for anyone to put her on a pedestal or even to feel in awe of her. She would systematically and laughingly tell painful stories about herself, not to get sympathy, but just to let people know that even though she was famous, she too was human. I used to ‘forbid’ her from telling these stories, and we would laugh at my telling one of the greatest storytellers of England to stop telling stories.

As is widely known, Sue’s life was plagued by ill health, all diabetes related. Each time I saw her, something else in her body had failed. Yet, we always managed to find something to laugh about, even when secretly I was incredibly worried about her, and she herself was becoming more and more restricted, and more and more aware of how dangerous her situation was.

For Sue, her beloved husband Colin and her family were everything. They were the centre of her life, and she was the centre of theirs. Colin sold his business so that he could take better care of her.  I never visited her home without at least one member of her family dropping in to see her, and although she was getting more and more disabled, it was always she who saw herself as everyone’s caretaker, never asking for any care herself. When she needed a kidney, the family queued up, each wanting to be allowed to be the one to donate theirs. Her son Sean’s kidney was found compatible and so he became the donor.

I have so many lovely memories of Sue. Right now I am picturing a time we sat in the sun at a table in front of a restaurant in London—Sue, myself and my kids, Ari and Chloe--and she told us about the Adrian Mole book she was writing, despite the fact that it was of course top secret.

I’m remembering also the time that we were walking and chatting in the street. Her eyesight was almost gone, yet, consummate observer that she was, she was the one who steered me around a man taking a photo because she could sense what he was doing from his bent over posture, while I had blithely ignored him.

One day as we sat together at a table in a Skyros bar, I found myself saying ‘You know I love you, Sue, whatever the hell that means’.

The truth is that you couldn’t not love her. She had that wonderful grace of someone who honoured life in all its manifestations, loved both individual people and humanity, and had that warmth, kindness, intelligence and a sense of humour that are simply unforgettable. I honestly can’t think of a negative thing to say about her, except perhaps that she took such good care of everyone else, but not of herself.

The last time I saw her, about 6 weeks ago, she had asked me to find the myth of Pandora to read to her, because she was writing a new book about her own character, Pandora. The article I read her detailed the way that the myth changed with patriarchy, downgrading Pandora from being a great goddess, whose name meant ‘all-giving’, to being a beautiful and silly woman, her name now translated as ‘all-gifted,’ created by the male gods to attract by, and be the ruin of, men. We were both fascinated.

When I read to her about a fifth century amphora where Pandora has her arms raised in an ‘epiphany gesture’, Sue was fascinated and immediately had to learn how to make the epiphany gesture herself. She and I and Colin had dinner together discussing whether Adrian Mole was attractive or not and what kind of character her Pandora was in terms of the myth.

As I reflect on it now, Sue herself was both all-gifted and all-giving. The light and grace of her presence in this world will live on.

By Dina Glouberman

Art Studio Holidays on Skyros - drawing, painting, photography, movie-making & more ...

Develop your artistic skills with Skyros Holidays this summer 2014 at the truly inspirational Art Studio on Skyros island, Greece, and discover new techniques in drawing and painting, still life, mixed media, pastels, sketching, watercolour or even arts and crafts, the art of photography and movie-making.
 
Courses at The Art Studio are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced artists. It provides the perfect opportunity summon your creative muse and be inspired by Skyros island's dramatic landscape and characterful village.
 
After an invigorating morning of yoga, art workshops and delicious Greek meals, there will be plenty of time to relax. Why not saunter through the atmospheric village taking the rich visual feast, inspiration perhaps for the next day's artistic endeavour? Take a dip in the sea, chill on the beach, or while away the afternoon chatting with you new friends in a cafe?

From the spectacular views of turquoise seas and distant mountains to the winding, whitewashed lanes of Skyros village, there is no doubt that this island is an artist's paradise. 

Art holidays run in June, July, August & September 2014. Read on below to discover your perfect course or head straight to the Skyros website here;
 
The Art of Photography - The Photographer's Eye with Kel Portman
Sat 7 - Sat 14 Jun 2014
 This is a course for those interested in the art of photography. Rather than using technical jargon, you will be encouraged to look at ideas to help you take better photographs.  The course includes:

*   Exercises in handling the camera
*   Regular viewing and critique of images
*   Explore the language of photography

The course also includes image construction, design and composition, lighting, selection of colour, illustration and narrative.

Drawing; Painting with Kel Portman
Sat 14 - Fri 27 Jun 2014
 On this course, Kel invites you to see life through the eyes of an artist.

Whatever your level of skill, from non-artist and absolute beginner to expert, you will find that helpful advice and feedback will enable you to discover new techniques and processes in drawing and painting.

Drawing Out of the Box with Cat Bennett
Sat 28 Jun - Sat 5 Jul 2014

 Everyone can draw just as all children do. This course is designed both for those who have not drawn for a while and for practising artists. You will:

*    Engage in exploratory drawing to grow skills
*    Discover new ways of making art
*    Experiment with different materials and a variety of tools

Mixed Media Art with Cat Bennett
Sat 5 - Fri 18 Jul 2014

Cat’s second workshop is an opportunity to explore using different materials and combining them in interesting ways.

*    Try out new approaches in a truly supportive environment
*    Draw in pencil, oil stick, pastel.
*    Paint in watercolour, gouache, acrylic.
*    Make paper collages.

Pastels: Sketch & Paint with Michael Gahagan
Sat 19 - Sat 26 Jul 2014

Add to your holiday experience with relaxing, fun and enjoyable painting and drawing. No experience necessary.

*    Build artistic skills & have fun with colour
*    Express yourself without fear of getting it wrong!
*    Learn how to use colour, tone and texture in painting landscapes, seascapes and still life
*    Exercises and projects to build skills
*    Use natural materials & breathtaking coastal, mountain & village views

Watercolour Painting with Michael Gahagan
Sat 26 Jul - Fri 8 Aug 2014

Master watercolour techniques and explore the creative opportunities that watercolour painting offers both the beginner and the more experienced artist.

*    Try new techniques
*    Combine mediums and use different approaches
*    Develop at your own pace

Still Life Painting with Theresa Sundt
Sat 9 Aug - Fri 22 Aug 2014

Experience the freedom of setting up a still life by choosing the objects and the backdrop you desire. Then capture your still life on paper.

*    Paint with watercolour, crayons or acrylics
*    Benefit from the guidance of this professional artist
*    Capture a bit of Skyros and bring it home with you!

Art in the Landscape with Theresa Sundt
Sat 23 Aug - Sat 30 2014

This is a most creative and entertaining course, making artifacts out of found objects in Skyros nooks and crannies.

*    Make art and crafts from the different findings
*    Use your objet trouvés and build, glue, nail, weave, paint and carve
*    The only thing you need here is your imagination!...

Making Movies with Julian Doyle
Sat 30 Aug - Fri 12 Sep 2014

This course will show you how to put together shots to make anything from a home movie to a Hollywood epic (the same rules apply).

*    Learn simple tricks that will help you get better shots from your camcorder, digital camera or even your mobile phone
*    Introduction in how to write a script for TV or film including layout, structure and pitfalls to avoid
*    Exercises in acting and directing
*    Easy tips on directing actors and performing for theatre and film
*    Actually make a film or two - to be red carpeted on the last night at the Skyros party!

Digital Photography with Julian Doyle
Sat 13 Sep - Sat 20 Sep 2014

Julian Doyle, best known for his work with Monty Python, will share his knowledge and passion for photography. What ever you use - from a complex digital camera to a simple mobile phone - learn some very simple tricks to help you snap better shots. Get answers to typical questions such as:

*    Why do we only get one in thirty pictures of ourselves that look good?
*    Why does my photo of a historic building not capture the majesty of the original?
*    How do I stop the flash making everyone look awful?
*    What do some of the controls on the camera do?

How to Find Out More ...

If you would like more information, the Skyros team would be delighted to talk you through the details and answer any questions:

Call them on: +44 (0)1983 86 55 66
Email them at: office@skyros.com
Or visit the Skyros website at: www.skyros.com