Opening To the Page
Tools for creative writing and living
Women’s Writing Retreat
Oct 8th to 12th, 2025 - Marina Di Ragusa, Sicily
Author and writing coach Anne Boyd of Audacious Women, Creative Lives, alongside feminine anthropologist and founder of Cummari, Michelle Titus, for a transformative four-night writing retreat. We're thrilled to feature special guest Ella Alexander, acclaimed author and journalist, as part of this enriching all-inclusive experience.
This retreat is designed for writers —whether personal, emerging, or professional. Mark your calendar for October 8th to 12th, 2025, and get ready to unlock your creativity in the heart of Sicily. 1 SPACE LEFT!
Opening to the Page
How do we come to the page? Are we too full—of voices, doubt, fears, worries?
Maybe you haven’t yet given your writing a chance. Or maybe you’ve taken a dozen webinars and read armfuls of books about craft, and your head is spinning with advice. Either way, you feel overwhelmed and unsure of what you really have to say to the world.
Yet, underneath everything remains the desire to write. You don’t know where it comes from. You just know that there is something in you that wants out.
Hemingway used to say that when he sat down to write, his goal was to write “one true sentence.” Whatever we may feel about him or his writing, it’s an idea worth embracing. But how do we do it?
How can we approach the page with openness and curiosity? How can we meet the mystery of our minds and souls and bring it up to the page?
This retreat will give you the nurturing space, in the company of other seekers and writers, to find out what’s inside of you and wants to come up to the page. You will go home with tools for creativity to enrich your writing—and your life.
Location
Your stay at a private country boutique hotel with pool near the sea in Ragusa, Sicily will be an enchanting experience that evokes a sense of tranquility, authenticity, and natural beauty.
The combination of the rustic charm of the converted farmhouses designed by award winning local architects into luxury spaces and the stunning coastal surroundings creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
The warmth and hospitality at the family owned hotel contributes to a welcoming and authentic Sicilian stay. You will have the opportunity to savor traditional Sicilian dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients served by a magical Sicilian mamma.
Your retreat will be a harmonious blend of natural beauty, dips in the pool and a deeper connection to yourself.
Your Hosts
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Author & Writing Coach
Anne Boyd was a professor of women’s literature for twenty-three years before she gave up tenure and embarked on her own creative life. She writes the popular Substack newsletter Audacious Women, Creative Lives, where her story of quitting her life went viral and was recommended by Elizabeth Gilbert who said, “You know I love everything about this!” Anne is also the author of three nonfiction books about women writers, two of them published by Norton, and has written for Literary Hub, the Washington Post, and elsewhere. She is completing her Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Manchester and working on her first novel. For more, see her website
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Feminine Anthropologist
Michelle Titus was an international correspondent reporting across the world from Belgium to Australia, Finland to Malaysia, soaking in diverse cultures and perspectives along the way. She later became the founder of three female-led publishing companies. Six years ago, she transitioned to her passion project Cummari, hosting women focused retreats and opening Europe's first travel house for solo female travellers, artists and nomads in Sicily. She is a student of matriarchal anthropology studies with International Academy HAGIA and hosts feminine pilgrimages to ancient feminine sties in Sicily with SheLegends and runs a local women's community, Zingarelle di Sicilia.
Special Workshop Host
Special Workshop Host
Ella Alexander is an author and journalist, having held senior editorial roles at the world’s most famous luxury fashion titles, including Vogue, Glamour and Harper’s Bazaar. Now freelance, Ella remains a contributing editor at Harper’s Bazaar, and is also fashion features director at luxury travel and style website Citizen Femme.
She also writes for Glamour, The Telegraph, The Independent and Conde Nast Traveller, writing about fashion, but also contemporary culture, travel and art. She specialises in telling women’s stories, and recently conceived and co-wrote Zandra Rhodes’ memoir, Iconic: My Life In Fashion In 50 Objects, published by Bantam. more...
Whats Included
This is an all-inclusive retreat
Small group experience with attentive and thoughtful hosts
Four night stay at a private gorgeous boutique, Sicilian family operated hotel with pool (the entire hotel is reserved for our retreat)
All meals are included and lovingly prepared by la Nonna
10 workshops led by Anne, Michelle and/or Ella
Morning walks for beach meditations in Marina di Ragusa
Women's circles with Miche focused on connecting with Sicilian music, goddesses and the land.
Group transfers to/from Catania Int'l Airport to the hotel in Ragusa, Sicily
Expansive grounds for relaxing and writing and there is the possibility to take a walk to the nearby beach
Plenty of eating, relaxing, laughing and writing workshops to open new possibilities within yourself
Sea View Suite - SOLD OUT
Rooms & Rates
Studio Apt. - SOLD OUT
Sea View Room - LAST SPACE
Reserving Your Space
We currently have ONE SPACE LEFT on this retreat.
Rooms types are on a first come first serve basis.
Early booking discounts before March 1st, 2025.
We kindly ask for a 400 euro deposit to hold your space.
Our included transfer leaves from Catania Int'l Airport will leave at 2:30pm on October 8th and will return at 11am on October 12th.
