ABOUT US
Our history
The Writing Grove started as a writing group in Amsterdam in 2018. Each month, writers gathered to review each other's work, provide critical and constructive feedback, and (most importantly) offer support and encouragement. Eventually, we started holding public readings and even sold out a local theatre.
When the pandemic arrived, the group switched online and also started offering courses.
In 2023, we held our first retreat in Italy.
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Groves are places of nourishment, growth and thriving. Exactly the experience we want to provide our students, teachers and partners.
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As the only truly global writing school, we offer courses in fiction, nonfiction, memoir, playwriting, and screenwriting in the US, Italy and the Netherlands and online.
Our mission
We believe that everyone can tell a great story well. All you need are practical examples of great writing, a community to support you and dedication and discipline to push through. That's where we come in. Working with the Writing Grove means learning to claim and maintain creative time and space for yourself. We have a team of experienced, published teachers there to guide you and cheer you on.
We give writers a safe space where they can exercise their imaginations freely without fear of rejection.
Our team
The Writing Grove is a collective of writers, readers, actors, directors, filmmakers and creatives who value respect, authenticity and community. Our teachers are all published authors and experienced in helping students fulfil their creative potential.
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We can't wait to work with you!
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​Teacher
Hanne Blank Boyd
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Dr. Hanne Blank Boyd is the author of numerous nonfiction books including Fat, Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Heterosexuality, and Virgin: The Untouched History.
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She also has a best-selling Substack that includes an 18 part series, Get Your Facts Straight: Research Skills for Writers.
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Hanne teaches our nonfiction courses, including last year's Worldbuilding for Nonfiction and has many years of teaching writing, including at university level.
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Teacher
Maggie Hohlman
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Maggie Holman has more than forty years of teaching experience. She writes speculative fiction, and has published five books including The Wishing Sisters, The Knocking and Save the White Stag.
Her writing has been longlisted at the Mogford Prize and the National Literacy Trust UK, and shortlisted by the Nature of Cities and SaveAs
Writers.
Teacher
Peter William-Jameison
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Peter is an Australian NYC-based actor-playwright-director and founder of the production company Street Kid Collective.
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His many accolades include: best screenplay at the L.A. International Film Festival, semi-finalist at the New York International Screenplay Awards, shortlisting for the Rodney Seaborn Playwrighting and AACT/AFI nominations for his acting.
Italian Experience Expert
Valeria Dell'Atti
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Valeria is the founder of Fluxus, a company for real travellers since 2001. Valeria creates bespoke experience for us in Puglia, helping the students discover local history, authentic traditions and culture of Puglia.
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We're so lucky to have her taking care of us in Italy!
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Founder & Retreat leader
Lloyd Miner
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Lloyd Miner is a published author of fiction and nonfiction in the U.S. and Europe. His theatrical work has been staged in London, New York, and Sydney.
Lloyd helps writers and creatives reclaim their voices and finish the stories that matter to them/
He lives in Italy with his partner Nico and their cat Otis, and is currently working on his debut novel, coming out in 2026. Learn more at lloydminer.com.
Happy Writers
PARTNERSHIPS
We partner with local experts and small businesses as much as possible to provide an authentic experience and participate in the local economy.
