AMORGOS READING RETREAT DATES: 09 – 15 June 2025
Guest Authors: Robyn Harding, Liz Nugent, Jonas Saul, Chris Colmenero, and Rania Stone!
Join us for our annual Reading Retreat, set for six enchanting nights on the stunning Greek island of Amorgos. We’ve planned an amazing, fun-filled week that will make you never want to leave. Come for the stories, stay for the memories!
Lock your spot in now for a small deposit of 199€
Check out the itinerary for a full briefing of what’s to come!
We will be adding exciting excursions such as swimming in Kalotaritissa, snorkeling, a murder mystery event, and shopping in the historic village of Chora as the retreat date approaches. Stay updated through our Facebook group, Travel to Greece – Read, Write, and Holistic Adventures.
ROBYN HARDING
Robyn Harding is a Canadian crime writer who has written several bestselling novels. Her notable works include: The Drowning Woman, The Perfect Family, The Arrangement, Her Pretty Face, and The Party. She has also written and executive produced an independent film.
LIZ NUGENT
Liz Nugent is a writer of award-winning psychological suspense novels Unravelling Oliver (2014), Lying in Wait (2016), Skin Deep (2018), [Our] Little Cruelties (2020) and Strange Sally Diamond (2023). All five books topped the Irish bestsellers list, and Liz has won multiple literary awards. Some of her books have also been optioned for screen adaptations.
Liz’s books have been translated into 30 languages, and she has also written extensively for radio and television.
Jonas Saul is the bestselling author of the Sarah Roberts Series and has written and published over fifty thrillers. After selling several million books as a self-published author, he signed with his agent. Jonas has often outranked Stephen King and Dean Koontz on Amazon during the past decade.
He’s a literary manager with Imagine Media Group Literary and the editor-in-chief at Imagine Press Inc. Jonas is regularly invited to be a guest speaker, teacher, and workshop presenter at international writing conferences and film festivals worldwide.
He’s an active member of International Thriller Writers Inc.
RANIA STONE
Rania Stone is a seasoned author with a penchant for crafting thrillers laden with twists and strong psychological elements, has penned six gripping novels and twelve captivating children’s books. In addition to her literary endeavors, she serves as the Greece Coordinator at Imagine Greece Retreats, orchestrating enchanting literary escapes nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Amorgos. Renowned for her literary prowess in Greece, Rania’s recent works have garnered international acclaim, with several of her novels translated into English. With over two decades of writing experience, Rania Stone resides in Greece, where her creative spirit continues to flourish
Her new psychological thriller, The Truth is a Lie will be featured at the Readers Retreat.
CHRISTIN COLMENERO
Chris Colmenero From humble beginnings in a tiny town in west Texas, Chris led an interesting life which has culminated in publishing her fourth book. Like many authors, her love for reading inspired a passion for writing. She has the distinct pleasure of interacting with like-minded people.
Additionally, Chris’s profound love for animals is evident in the decades-long journey of rescuing senior dogs with special needs.
Her new thriller, X-Members of the FB Group, will be featured during the retreat.
Further Information:
Reach out to Jonas Saul, our retreat coordinator, for any questions at: jonas@imaginegreeceretreats.com
Our Greek coordinator, Rania Stone, can be reached at rania@imaginegreeceretreats.com for any questions regarding the hotel, the island, or Greece in general.
Check out this website for information on the island of Amorgos: LINK
Watch this Youtube video for stunning views of the island: LINK
NOTE: Please inform us beforehand if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies.
👥 Don’t miss out on exclusive member benefits! Join our Facebook group, “Travel to Greece – Read, Write, and Holistic Adventures,” to connect with fellow adventurers and stay updated about special discounts on select hotels/restaurants before and after the retreat. Also don’t forget to like our Facebook page for all our future retreats. If you are a thriller lover you can join our group: Thriller Book Retreat Group on Facebook or on BookClubs.
AMORGOS READING RETREAT DATES: 23 – 29 June 2025
We’re so excited to present our second annual Reading Retreat on the lovely Greek island of Amorgos featuring JD Barker, Clare Mackintosh, Jonas Saul, Liane Carmen, and Rania Stone scheduled for six nights.
Join us for an unforgettable, fun-packed week you won’t want to miss!
Don’t forget to join our Travel to Greece – Read, Write, and Holistic Adventures Facebook group for updates, engaging with Greek culture, and access to our discount hotel and restaurant list for your pre- and post-retreat stay.
AUTHORS’ BIOS
JD Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACULA and THE FOURTH MONKEY. His latest, BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR, was released on May 13, 2024. He is currently collaborating with James Patterson. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.
With over 2 million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go, which was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and the fastest-selling title by a new crime writer in 2015. It also won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and France’s coveted Prix du Polar in 2016. Four of her thrillers have been selected for WHSmith’s Richard & Judy Book Club, and her books have been translated into forty languages. Her new crime series, featuring Welsh detective DC Ffion Morgan, has been critically acclaimed, with both The Last Party and A Game of Lies hitting the Sunday Times top ten. Her books have spent more than sixty-five weeks in The Sunday Times bestseller lists. In 2024, she published a memoir, I Promise It Won’t Always Hurt Like This.
Jonas Saul is the bestselling author of the Sarah Roberts Series and has written and published over fifty thrillers. After selling several million books as a self-published author, he signed with his agent. Jonas has often outranked Stephen King and Dean Koontz on Amazon during the past decade.
He’s a literary manager with Imagine Media Group Literary and the editor-in-chief at Imagine Press Inc. Jonas is regularly invited to be a guest speaker, teacher, and workshop presenter at international writing conferences and film festivals worldwide.
He’s an active member of International Thriller Writers Inc.
RANIA STONE
Rania Stone is a seasoned author with a penchant for crafting thrillers laden with twists and strong psychological elements, has penned six gripping novels and twelve captivating children’s books. In addition to her literary endeavors, she serves as the Greece Coordinator at Imagine Greece Retreats, orchestrating enchanting literary escapes nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Amorgos. Renowned for her literary prowess in Greece, Rania’s recent works have garnered international acclaim, with several of her novels translated into English. With over two decades of writing experience, Rania Stone resides in Greece, where her creative spirit continues to flourish
Her new psychological thriller, The Truth is a Lie will be featured at the Readers Retreat.
LIANE CARMEN
Liane Carmen is the author of the Investigation Duo Series, Burden of Doubt, and When Wings Flutter. Her goal is to write novels that keep mystery lovers guessing, and if her computer searches ever come into question, she’d be grateful if her readers could vouch for her.
She’s an avid reader and a genealogy buff who’s been known to lose large blocks of time researching her family tree. A true crime addict, she’s thrilled that investigative genetic genealogy is now being used to solve cold cases. She lives in Florida with a houseful of animals and usually a few foster kittens. She can’t resist including a pet in most of her books and readers never have to worry about something happening to the dog (or cat!).
Further Information:
Reach out to Jonas Saul, our retreat coordinator, for any questions at: jonas@imaginegreeceretreats.com
Our Greek coordinator, Rania Stone, can be reached at rania@imaginegreeceretreats.com for any questions regarding the hotel, the island, or Greece in general.
Check out this website for information on the island of Amorgos: LINK
Watch this Youtube video for stunning views of the island: LINK
NOTE: Please inform us beforehand if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies.
👥 Don’t miss out on exclusive member benefits! Join our Facebook group, “Travel to Greece – Read, Write, and Holistic Adventures,” to connect with fellow adventurers and stay updated about special discounts on select hotels/restaurants before and after the retreat. Also don’t forget to like our Facebook page for all our future retreats. If you are a thriller lover you can join our group: Thriller Book Retreat Group on Facebook or on BookClubs.
PAST RETREATS
AMORGOS READING RETREAT DATES: 6 – 12 June 2024
We’re so excited to present our first annual Reading Retreat on the lovely Greek island of Amorgos featuring Mark Edwards, scheduled for six nights.
We have an amazing, fun-packed week for everyone joining us—you won’t want to leave!
Added details are listed below for travel to and from the island and general retreat information.
Please arrive at least one day before the ferry leaves to make sure you’re on time. It’s even better if you can come a few days before the ferry to adjust to the time difference and do several tours of Athens that Imagine Greece Retreats will be offering.
Prior to your arrival
We can provide a short list of hotels and restaurants to offer you a memorable experience while in Greece.
We ask that you arrive in Athens a few days before the first day of the retreat to acclimate to the time difference and deal with jet lag. If a large portion of the group has arrived two days early or more, we will schedule a dinner in Athens and perhaps a tour of the Acropolis (not included in the island retreat fee).
To further enjoy your stay in Greece, for those who can arrive early enough, we are offering the following:
- A visit and tour of the historical Acropolis
- Walking/food tours in the famous Plaka and Monastiraki areas
- Group dinners
Upon your arrival to Amorgos on 6th of June, a hotel van will be waiting to transfer you to Lakki Village
The Retreat Week Summary:
Each morning, we meet for a buffet breakfast between 08:00 – 10:30, then we will have our morning sessions which are detailed below. The afternoons are yours to read, write, walk the beach, swim, hike from one village to another, or take a nap—whatever you like.
We meet for dinner in the early evening, around 8:00 p.m. area, and then spend the evening chatting about books and reading.
Day One: After breakfast , we’re all gathering to enjoy the Readers Retreat opening ceremonies. Mark Edwards will give a short welcoming speech, and the other authors will introduce themselves.
Mark will also do a short Q&A session with all the reader–so bring your questions! Then we break for the afternoon to enjoy the Greek weather, swim in the sea, and read.
Day Two: For the interested attendees, we will be taking people in groups to visit the 11th-century monastery, Hozoviotissa. Then we will tour the village of Chora. After that, we head back to the hotel for lunch, drinks, and more reading. In the evening, Mark Edwards will offer a one-hour talk on a subject of her choice–the writing process, the industry, or something about her books–it’s something that you’ll want to hear!
Day Three: June 9th is a wonderful day of getting your books signed, mingling with the guest authors, and reading.
Note: If extremely large groups wanted to visit the monastery and couldn’t get to it on yesterday’s tour, we will take more people to the monastery on this day.
Day Four: June 10th
A day to yourself to enjoy the pool, the beach, perhaps take a hike, or lounge around and read all day. Mingle with other readers, learn what’s on their to-be-read list, and load up your Kindles or bookshelves.
You’re on vacation–relax and enjoy it!
Day Five: On June 11th, we’ll have a Greek dance lesson during our farewell party/dinner in the evening.
Then our guest authors will take a moment to chat about reading and writing and bid us all a safe journey home.
After The Retreat
The hotel will provide transportation to the port to get on the Blue Star Ferries boat, which will take everyone back to Athens. Once on the boat, you can carry on to other European cities, keep touring, or stay in Athens longer. If you’re leaving for home immediately, please consider that the boat ride back to Athens is approximately eight hours. Be sure to give yourself an extra day before flying out to ensure you arrive on time for your flight.
Note: Jonas will not be returning to Athens on that ferry.
AUTHORS’ BIOS
Mark Edwards
Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers about scary things happening to ordinary people. He has sold more than three million copies of his books and topped the bestseller lists numerous times since his first solo novel was published in 2013.
His novels include The Magpies, Because She Loves Me, Follow You Home, The Devil’s Work, The Lucky Ones, The Retreat, In Her Shadow, Here To Stay, The House Guest, The Hollows, No Place To Run and Keep Her Secret. He has also published two short sequels to The Magpies, A Murder of Magpies and Last of The Magpies, and six books co-authored with Louise Voss.
Many of his books have been translated into foreign languages including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Estonian, Thai, Lithuanian, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish and Russian. In 2019 Mark won The Cat and Mouse Award for Most Elusive Villain at the Dead Good Reader Awards for Last of the Magpies.
Jonas Saul is the bestselling author of the Sarah Roberts Series and has written and published over fifty thrillers. After selling several million books as a self-published author, he signed with his agent. Jonas has often outranked Stephen King and Dean Koontz on Amazon during the past decade.
He’s a literary manager with Imagine Media Group Literary and the editor-in-chief at Imagine Press Inc. Jonas is regularly invited to be a guest speaker, teacher, and workshop presenter at international writing conferences and film festivals worldwide.
He’s an active member of International Thriller Writers Inc.
From humble beginnings in a tiny town in west Texas, Chris led an interesting life which has culminated in publishing her fourth book. Like many authors, her love for reading inspired a passion for writing. As an admin for the world’s largest specific genre Facebook readers group, Psychological Thriller Readers, she has the distinct pleasure of interacting with like-minded people.
Additionally, Chris’s profound love for animals is evident in the decades-long journey of rescuing senior dogs with special needs.
Her new thriller, X-Members of the FB Group, will be featured during the retreat.
Rania Stone
Rania Stone is the author of six novels and twelve children’s books. A well-known author in Greece, Rania recently had several of her novels translated into English. Her recent release, The Soulless, co-written with prolific author Jonas Saul, came out in 2022.
She’s been writing for over two decades and calls Greece her home. Her new psychological thriller, What He Didn’t Know will be featured at the Readers Retreat.
Fees and what they cover, including your hotel room, are as follows:
The fees:
€1,499.00 euros per person – single occupancy (one reader)
€1,299.00 euros per person – double/triple occupancy (two/three readers)
WeTravel.com is handling all payments through their site. A link will be provided to you for the deposit of $500* euros per person to secure your spot. Once paid, you have locked in your spot and hotel room. The rest of the fee can be paid at any time but must be paid in full by May 15, 2024, to lock in the hotel spots.
*If you need to cancel before March 1st, fifty percent of the deposit will be returned to you via WeTravel.com. Or you can opt to commute the full deposit for another retreat in the future. Deposits are non-refundable after March 1st because they will have been forwarded to the hotel.
The Imagine Greece Reading Retreat registration fee includes the following:
Your full hotel stay at Lakki Village —your room is covered! All the rooms have private entrances and private balconies.
- You get attendance to all group discussions, events, and Q&As
- Murder Mystery Event
- Retreat materials, which often include free books
- Greek buffet breakfasts each day
- Buffet lunches each day
- Buffet dinners each evening
- Greek dance night with live music
- Q&A session with guest authors
- A hiking tour from one historic village to another and the monastery
- Attendance at lectures and interactive discussions with guest authors
- Transfers upon arrival and departure on Amorgos (port-hotel-port)
- Free use of yoga Shalas and use of all props.
- Wireless internet in all spaces of the resort
The registration fee does not include the following:
- Flights to/from Greece
- Any stay outside of the retreat hotel on Amorgos included in this agreement
- Any meals or refreshments not listed in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages, refreshments, bottled water
- Tickets for the Acropolis tours and all restaurants in Athens
- Travel insurance
- Ferry tickets
Further Information:
Reach out to Jonas Saul, our retreat coordinator, for any questions at: jonas@imaginegreeceretreats.com
Our Greek coordinator, Rania Stone, can be reached at rania@imaginegreeceretreats.com for any questions regarding the hotel, the island, or Greece in general.
Check out this website for information on the island of Amorgos: LINK
Watch this Youtube video for stunning views of the island: LINK
NOTE: Please inform us beforehand if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies.
👥 Don’t miss out on exclusive member benefits! Join our Facebook group, “Travel to Greece – Read, Write, and Holistic Adventures,” to connect with fellow adventurers and stay updated about special discounts on select hotels/restaurants before and after the retreat. Also don’t forget to like our Facebook page for all our future retreats.
