Whimsy

Fiction Writing In The Swirling Hills of Coonoor

Imagine spending a week in a quaint Scottish-style mansion, lounging in the lush gardens, exploring the tea and botanical gardens, and forging lifelong connections with passionate writers from all over India.

Artistic Explorations in the
Safety of Nature

At Bound’s Fiction Writing Retreat, twelve handpicked writers will spend 5 days replenishing their creativity and developing their stories in a serene, quaint hideaway in the Nilgiris.

Develop and polish your novel, short story or screenplay with workshops and personalized guidance from two award-winning mentors: Himanjali Sankar, who has had a long illustrious career in publishing in addition to publishing multiple bestsellers. Prayaag Akbar, whose books have been translated into multiple languages and adapted for screen.
apply now
Download the Brochure

Transformational Experiences with Expert Mentorship

Every aspect of the retreat is carefully designed to help you recharge your social, physical, mental and creative batteries and to reignite your love for writing.

Craft workshops designed and facilitated by professional writers.

Personalised one-on-one mentorship sessions with bestselling authors.

Share strengths with fellow participants in feedback and editing sessions.

Find inspiration in a 19th century Scottish-style mansion.

Ignite your imagination with curated experiences to spark your creativity.

Build life-long relationships with fellow writers.

Craft workshops designed and facilitated by professional writers.

Personalised one-on-one mentorship sessions with bestselling authors.

Share strengths with fellow participants in feedback and editing sessions.

Find inspiration in a 19th century Scottish-style mansion.

Ignite your imagination with curated experiences to spark your creativity.

Build life-long relationships with fellow writers.

apply now
Download the Brochure

The Mentors

Prayaag Akbar
Prayaag Akbar is the author of the novels Mother India (2024) and Leila (2017). Leila won the Crossword Jury Prize and the Tata Literature First Book Award. The novel was translated into Hindi, Marathi and Turkish and is the basis of a popular Netflix series. Prayaag teaches creative writing at Krea University.
Himanjali Sankar
Himanjali has worked in several publishing houses and was formerly Editorial Director at Simon & Schuster India. Her children’s and YA books include The Stupendous Timetelling Superdog and Talking of Muskaan, which were shortlisted for the Crossword Book Award. Mrs C Remembers, her first novel for adults, won her the FICCI Publishing Award for Upcoming Author of the Year in 2018. Her latest novel, The Burnings, was published earlier this year.

The Venue

Wallwood Garden, A 19th century heritage mansion revitalized by Neemrana
  • Stay in a sprawling colonial bungalow with old-world charm
  • Relax and write in the sprawling lawns and gardens
  • Savour authentic Tamil cuisine and immersive food experiences
  • Find inspiration in one of India’s most luxuriant Botanical Gardens, laid out in 1874 with over 1200 species of plants
apply now
Download the Brochure

Books by our Retreat Alumni

SEE FULL LIST

Open to Writers of all Levels and Formats!

Writers of all formats (short stories, poetry, screenwriters, playwrights) and genres (literary fiction, romance, thrillers, sci fi, fantasy, horror) are welcome here. Whether you wish to develop new ideas with a receptive and warm community or crave the opportunity to fine-tune your current work, this retreat is the place for you.

This Fiction Writing Retreat Includes

16 hours of teaching time, 4 hours of feedback sessions

Luxury stay in a boutique heritage villa with outdoor gardens and seating.

Three wholesome meals a day with tea and coffee

Transformative workshops on creation, craft, and publishing 

One-on-one mentoring sessions with seasoned and widely published authors and industry experts

Real time feedback from mentors and peers on your WIPs

Access to Bound’s writing community of 166 past retreat participants, curated by us over the last 5 years 

Brainstorming sessions for collaborative work and quiet time to work on your writing in peace and solitude

Experiential tours and local explorations

Curated goody bag for every writer!

Cost to attend: Rs 85,000

Note: The Program Fee includes everything once you arrive at the villa. So pack your bags, make your travel arrangements. We’ll take care of the rest!
apply now
Download the Brochure

Books by Our Retreat Alumni

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Glimpses From Our Past Retreats

Hear From Our Participants

I have attended two Bound retreats so far, and the experience has been fabulous. Each is better than the other. There is a deep sense of commitment from the organisers and especially the mentors, which is heart-warming, and it encourages us, because in this manner everyone also learns in the process. Even if you are not a writer you will become one because of the energy and the surroundings.
— Usha VenkatramanCo-founder, Mumbai Storytellers Society
— Usha Venkatraman
Loved the company, and the set-up of the retreat. It was organised really well and was a very enriching experience. I also really liked the immersive experiences!
— Anushka MehrotraAward-winning Screenwriter, Mumbai Diaries 26/11
— Anushka Mehrotra
Bound as a retreat is something I want to come back to year after year. A holistic experience that nourished minds, bodies and souls. We, the participants, came away with lifelong bonds, new perspectives, and incredible memories.
— Aparna SanyalAuthor, Instruments of Torture
— Aparna Sanyal
The retreat was a wonderful experience of immersing myself in my writing, getting inspired by not just the mentors but also fellow writers and learning from the workshop sessions. Do I recommend a retreat with Bound? Yes, wholeheartedly.
— Dinesh Kaulgud
— Dinesh Kaulgud
I came back confident about my writing skills and a renewed passion for writing! Thanks to the Bound team and the lovely writing tribe at the retreat for that!
— Hema SubramanianCo-founder, Mumbai Storytellers Society
— Hema Subramanian
Being in the company of other writers, and wonderful mentors really tapped into my imagination and creativity.
— Maryann TaylorCreative Writing Coach and Oxford Alumna
— Maryann Taylor
I came back with something alive. Like a tender little flame that was fed and cared for during my time at the retreat. And I came back with the knowledge of how to care for it.
— Prateek NigamWriter, Coder and South Asia Speaks Fellow 2022
— Prateek Nigam
I believe that (breathing) space is significant while writing and doing things related to writing. I've met some really genuine and honest beings and it wouldn't have happened without your curation and intricate consideration. This retreat has meant a lot.
— Aekta Khubchandani Writer, Poet & Founder, Poetry Plant Project
— Aekta Khubchandani
I had moments of epiphany in each of their sessions—like I was always trying to figure out something and now I finally understood how. The tools, quotes and passages that were provided to us were very valuable. The exercises shared with the participants were the best way to learn.
— Mitra SamalPublished in over 10 literary journals
— Mitra Samal
I have attended two Bound retreats so far, and the experience has been fabulous. Each is better than the other. There is a deep sense of commitment from the organisers and especially the mentors, which is heart-warming, and it encourages us, because in this manner everyone also learns in the process. Even if you are not a writer you will become one because of the energy and the surroundings.
— Usha VenkatramanCo-founder, Mumbai Storytellers Society
— Usha Venkatraman
Loved the company, and the set-up of the retreat. It was organised really well and was a very enriching experience. I also really liked the immersive experiences!
— Anushka MehrotraAward-winning Screenwriter, Mumbai Diaries 26/11
— Anushka Mehrotra
Bound as a retreat is something I want to come back to year after year. A holistic experience that nourished minds, bodies and souls. We, the participants, came away with lifelong bonds, new perspectives, and incredible memories.
— Aparna SanyalAuthor, Instruments of Torture
— Aparna Sanyal
The retreat was a wonderful experience of immersing myself in my writing, getting inspired by not just the mentors but also fellow writers and learning from the workshop sessions. Do I recommend a retreat with Bound? Yes, wholeheartedly.
— Dinesh Kaulgud
— Dinesh Kaulgud
I came back confident about my writing skills and a renewed passion for writing! Thanks to the Bound team and the lovely writing tribe at the retreat for that!
— Hema SubramanianCo-founder, Mumbai Storytellers Society
— Hema Subramanian
Being in the company of other writers, and wonderful mentors really tapped into my imagination and creativity.
— Maryann TaylorCreative Writing Coach and Oxford Alumna
— Maryann Taylor
I came back with something alive. Like a tender little flame that was fed and cared for during my time at the retreat. And I came back with the knowledge of how to care for it.
— Prateek NigamWriter, Coder and South Asia Speaks Fellow 2022
— Prateek Nigam
I believe that (breathing) space is significant while writing and doing things related to writing. I've met some really genuine and honest beings and it wouldn't have happened without your curation and intricate consideration. This retreat has meant a lot.
— Aekta Khubchandani Writer, Poet & Founder, Poetry Plant Project
— Aekta Khubchandani
I had moments of epiphany in each of their sessions—like I was always trying to figure out something and now I finally understood how. The tools, quotes and passages that were provided to us were very valuable. The exercises shared with the participants were the best way to learn.
— Mitra SamalPublished in over 10 literary journals
— Mitra Samal
Mask group (15)

Come find out why over 166 writers have already graduated from the Bound Writer’s Retreat

Apply Now
Download the Brochure
Reach us
Bound – Typeout Media Pvt. Ltd.
301, Nariman Point
Mumbai, 201301
connect@boundindia.com
+ 91 8976501729
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Bound – Typeout Media Pvt. Ltd.
301, Nariman Point
Mumbai, 201301

connect@boundindia.com
+ 91 8976501729
Copyright 2023, Bound India