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June 11th to 14th 2026 | Starting at £829
Writing Commercial Romance That Sells
With Nikki Moore (Ella Allbright / Bella Brightside)
What to Expect
An aerial view of our 38 hectare forest farm in rural Barcelona.
A retreat for writers ready to turn love stories into publishable novels.
Why do some love stories linger in readers’ hearts while others quietly disappear, and what makes a romance novel truly commercial?
Join multi-published, award-nominated romance author Nikki Moore (who you may know as Ella Allbright / Bella Brightside) for an immersive, energising retreat designed for writers who are serious about crafting compelling, market-ready romantic fiction.
With over a decade of traditional publishing experience, award nominations, and a flourishing hybrid career, Nikki brings both creative insight and real industry knowledge to our beautiful forest.
Nikki has mentored writers through the Romantic Novelists’ Association, delivered webinars for national writing organisations, and chaired panels at major writing festivals. Not only have her books earned her a loyal readership, but she also understands what makes a story work and what makes it sell.
❋ During this retreat, Nikki will guide you through the elements you will need to understand to truly create a well rounded Romance Novel. Some of the aspects she will look at include:
How to identify and refine your book's unique selling point
How to create believable, emotionally layered characters
How to craft unforgettable meet-cutes and sparkling chemistry
How to overcome narrative obstacles with confidence
How to strengthen structure and plot to ensure your story grips from page one
How to build authentic conflict and escalate the stakes
How to sustain emotional tension that keeps readers turning pages
How to deliver a deeply satisfying, commercially successful ending
Day One - example itinerary
Arrive & Meet
We will collect you from either Barcelona or Girona airport (transfers included at no extra cost) up to 3pm on the first day.
As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get comfortable, and begin connecting with those around us. The journey starts here.
Day Two - example itinerary
Guided writing sessions, shaded picnic and pizza by the pool
Morning workshop with Nikki Moore followed by quiet writing time. Join a forest picnic under the trees, then rest during the warmest hours.
Evening: make authentic wood-fired pizzas together by the pool, enjoy cocktails, wine and good conversation.
Teaching & Picnic
Day Three - example itinerary
Waterfalls & Pens
Inspiration walk, solo writing spots and dinner by the lake
A gentle morning walk to a nearby brook and small waterfall — suitable for all fitness levels.
Late morning: choose a scenic writing location from our suggestions for solo writing time.
After lunch and siesta, visit a mountain lake for guided writing and reflection.
Return for a family-style dinner around the long table.
Day Four - example itinerary
Final reflections and return transfer to Barcelona
Slow breakfast and closing reflections together. Time to share what you’ve written and say goodbye.
Transfers provided for your return to Barcelona or Girona Airport — leave inspired, rested and ready to keep writing.
Farewell
What’s included
✅ Exclusive Retreat
Limited to five guests for a calm, personal experience with time to write, reflect and recharge.
✅ Yurt Retreat Spaces
Sleep in either our rustic farmhouse, or log cabin with soft lighting, fresh bedding and shared bathrooms, the perfect balance of comfort and connection with nature.
✅ All meals and snacks
All meals enjoyed together, with produce from our forest garden and local suppliers.
✅ Evening Drinks
Cocktails by the pool, local wines, beers and soft drinks each evening: all included.
✅ Workshops & Sessions
Daily guided writing sessions in stunning forest locations, quiet writing time and supportive feedback circles.
✅ Airport Transfers
Return transfers from Barcelona Airport on arrival and departure days.
✅ Local Transport
All retreat-related transport during your stay in our vehicle.
✅ Writing Materials
Notebooks, pens, printed prompts and session handouts provided.
✅ Guided Support
Two experienced teachers on hand throughout for guidance, conversation and one-to-ones.
What’s not included
Flights
❌ Flights to and from Barcelona are not included; please arrange your own travel to the airport.
Travel Insurance
❌ Please arrange travel insurance covering cancellation, medical care and emergencies.
The Weather
April – June bring fresh green growth, wildflowers and warm, sunny days. Expect daytime temperatures around 20–26°C, cooling comfortably in the evenings. Rain is rare but possible, usually short and gentle.
July – August are our sunniest and warmest months, with daytime highs of 28–33°C and clear blue skies. Perfect for those who love heat, swimming and long, bright evenings.
September – October are beautifully mellow, with temperatures between 22–27°C, golden light, and cooler nights ideal for fireside writing or stargazing.
We recommend choosing your dates according to your preference: spring and autumn for milder weather and quiet reflection, or summer for warmth, swimming and long evenings outdoors. Whatever the season, the forest offers shade, space and the steady rhythm of nature.
Please note that we provide strong fans for every room, however we are completely off-grid, our electricity comes from the sky via our solar panels, and so we don’t have air conditioning outside of the shared living area. If you struggle with high temperatures, consider avoiding the middle of July to early September.
Book Your Place
No payment is due now, we will confirm your place based upon availability within 24 hours. Once your place is confirmed, we will send a payment link based upon your preferences indicated below. We offer a 5% discount for full payment as well as flexible payment options in which you can split the payments into 3. The final payment will be due 3 weeks prior to the date of the retreat.
Transfers to and from the airport are included, however you are responsible for booking your own flights. You can fly to either Girona, or Barcelona airports. We will contact you to confirm your flight number and time to arrange transfers.
If you have any kind of disability, visible or otherwise, please let us know so that we can ensure we are setup to cater to your comfort. Furthermore, if you have a registered disability, have a blue light card, or you are a key worker such as a teacher, please let us know in your message and we will apply a further 5% discount.