Prose Clinic for Writers with Amitabha Bagchi
May 20 to May 24
Focus. The workshop will focus on the three basic elements of narrative-based writing (mainly fiction but also narrative non-fiction)–plot, character and setting–with a special focus on how word choice and sentence construction work within these three elements.
Format. Participants will workshop pre-assigned readings as well as each other’s writings. Each workshop will have a specific focus on one of the three elements.
Work to be done prior to the workshop
Writing. Each participant will submit one piece (2500-5000 words) for workshopping. This should be a narrative work (short story, novel chapter, narrative essay) with at least two characters, and some plot development.
Reading. The participants will be expected to read instructor-assigned readings and each other’s workshop pieces prior to coming to the workshop.
Note making. Participants will be expected to make notes on each of their colleagues’ work with respect to the three elements.
This masterclass will be held at the Himalayan Writing Retreat in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. It is rated 5/5 from over 400 google reviews. CN Traveller also covered it in this article.
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Workshop flow
There will be two kinds of workshops:
Reading Workshop based on instructor-assigned readings (RW), Participant Workshop based on participant writing (PW).
In each RW (reading workshop) session, we will discuss one of the 3 basic aspects of fiction as they are brought out by a close reading of pre-assigned pieces of writing. These sessions will be designed to help participants better appreciate how to learn aspects of the craft of fiction through the process of reading and also by discussing and reconciling different points of view about writing.
In each PW (participant workshop) session, we will discuss the work of one of the participants in detail from the point of view of one of the 3 basic aspects of fiction. These sessions will directly help the participants whose work is discussed by giving them peer-feedback that can help them revise their work. These sessions will help the other participants learn how to critique fiction, a skill that will eventually help them critique their own work. We will ensure that each participant receives some feedback for their work during these sessions.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | |
| Session 1 | Intro by AB;RW1: Word choice | RW3: Character | RW4: Setting |
| Session 2 | RW2: Plot | PW3: Character | PW5: Setting |
| Session 3 | PW1: Plot | PW4: Character | PW6: Setting |
| Session 4 | PW2: Plot | Buffer time for overflow from Day 1/Day 2 | Discussion on how to approach revision; wrap-up. |
About the Instructor
Amitabha Bagchi
Amitabha Bagchi is the author of five novels including the DSC Prize winning Half the Night is Gone. His debut, Above Average (2007), was a bestseller. The Householder (2012) was a novel inspired by Amitabha’s reading of Shrilal Shukla, and received critical acclaim. Amitabha’s third novel This Place (2013) was a love-letter to the city of Baltimore in the US. His most recent work is the novel Unknown City which is a sequel to Above Average. Amitabha has also translated the ghazals on Muneer Niazi into English under the title Lost Paradise (Juggernaut, 2022).
Travel & Stay
The Himalayan Writing Retreat is built for writing and learning. We are rated 5-star on Google and Facebook.
Once here, you will be sharing a room with a fellow participant (unless we’ve confirmed a single). All essentials like food, hot water, towels etc. are provided. No hidden costs.
It can snow in winter. Weather can vary and the weather chart of Mukteshwar (12 km from the retreat) is here. A pair of sturdy walking shoes, some rain protection and an extra layer or two are always a good idea.
Our rooms are built to let nature in and inspire you. To see pictures of the rooms click here . To see pictures of the writing spaces click here.
Depending upon where you travel in from, you can reach us by road, train or air. Even if flying or taking a train, the final stretch is a drive, and the last 150 metres is a walk.
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By Road
The retreat is a 370 km/9 hours drive from Delhi. If driving, we recommend you leave early. Note that parking at the retreat is on the road – we do not have any private parking. We have limited driver accommodation, so please check in advance.
Overnight Volvo buses ply between Haldwani and Delhi, the more reliable of which are government operated. You con book those here. Private Volvos and Sleeper buses also ply between Delhi and Haldwani, which you can book on redbus. Make sure you pick a bus with a high (4+) rating.
By Train
There are three trains a day from Delhi to Kathgodam, the nearest train station. Some others also come in from Kolkata, Lucknow and Dehradun. From Delhi, Ranikhet Express is a convenient overnight train both ways, but finding tickets can be difficult.
Most people prefer to take the Kathgodam Shatabdi (Delhi dep: 6.20 AM, Kathgodam Arr: 11.40 AM). A cab from Kathgodam to Satkhol takes about 2.5 hrs / Rs. 2200 (more for a big car). Cabs are often shared by participants.
By Air
There are daily flights from Delhi to Pantnagar. A cab from Pantnagar to Satkhol takes about 3.5 hr / Approx INR 4K.
There are direct flights from Mumbai and Bangalore to Bareilly 3-4 days a week. Satkhol is a 5hr / INR 5.5k cab ride from Bareilly. (More for a big car). Cabs are often shared by participants.
FAQs
1. Why should I choose HWR Workshops?
Personal Attention: We don’t take more than 15 students in a class. You get a lot of personal attention and feedback. No classrooms of 20-30 people or one-way pre-recorded videos here.
Class Quality: For most courses, we filter our participants. You can’t just pay and sign up. We need to see a writing sample (in our application form) to ensure the class is of a uniform standard.
Cost per hour: Our courses are long and intense. As an example, the Creative Writing course is 18000 for 24 contact hours (3 days, 8 hours each day). The cost per hour = 750 / hour. That is comparable to many of the “cheaper” courses.
Quality of faculty: No lightweights here. Many of our faculty are award-winners. All are experts and great teachers. We don’t settle for average.
Feedback scores: Across courses, we are rated 4.5/5, or higher. You can read our reviews HERE.
2. Do I get a certificate of participation?
Yes, certificates are available on request.
3. Any discounts for students / other categories?
At the Himalayan Writing Retreat, we follow a strict No-Discount policy.
4. Is the workshop fee refundable?
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
For Physical Workshops:
- 100% refund (less 5% of total programme fee) on cancellation 40 days or more before the event start date.
- 50% refund if cancellation is between 20-40 days before start date.
- 0% refund if cancellation is less than 20 days before the start date.
For Online Workshops:
- 100% refund (less 5% of total programme fee) on cancellation 15 days or more before the event start date.
- 50% refund if cancellation is between 15 to 7 days before start date.
- 0% refund if cancellation is less than 7 days before the start date.
5. Is the Himalayan Writing Retreat a business or an NGO?
The Himalayan Writing Retreat is a social enterprise. It works closely and actively with two local NGOs in its community work initiatives: Chirag and Alaap. In 2020, HWR raised INR 6.1 Lakhs to support the Chirag School.
Have more questions? Feel free to write to us at info@himalayanwritingretreat.com or connect with us at +91 73035 16665 (call or WhatsApp).
Event Summary
Early Bird Price:
*Price includes 4 nights stay (twin shared), food and learning
*Early bird single INR 57,900 +GST
*Regular price INR 41,900 + GST for a twin shared room after 5th May, 2026
*Regular Single INR 61,900 +GST
*Strict Zero Discount Policy
*Twin shared Suite / room at the Himalayan Writing Retreat
The Himalayan Writing Retreat
Village Satkhol
District Nainital, Uttarakhand 263138
India
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+91 73035 16665
