Über uns
The Reader Berlin is a platform for writers of all nationalities, offering community, networking and author services.
Since 2011, we’ve been hosting creative writing workshops, seminars, literary events, and author get-togethers. Our tutors are award-winning authors and publishing professionals who offer expert insight, advice and encouragement to emerging writers. In the past few years, we’ve worked with hundreds of participants from all over the world, many of whom have gone on to publish work of their own. If you’ve never written a story before, come and have a go. If writing is everything to you, then we’d very much like to meet you too. We take it – but not ourselves – seriously.
Don't forget - to reserve a place on one of our workshops, you need to email hello@thereaderberlin.com, RSVPing on Meet Up is not enough!
Berlin is our home and we’re very much part of the international community of writers here. Writing can be joyous but it is solitary; we aim to bring writers together, to share contacts and build bridges to the publishing industry. Alongside readings and our programme of courses, we offer one-to-one mentoring, manuscript assessment, and editing services. Our tutors have taught in MFA programmes, publish books, write for international publications, and contribute to journals and magazines; their guidance and experience is invaluable.
We work with all kinds of writers – from those just starting out to published authors. Our alumni have won awards, started their own magazines, been published in print and online, gone on to undertake Creative Writing MAs and MFAs, and won publishing deals with major publishing houses.
What started life as a single workshop in the cellar of a Kreuzberg bookshop has evolved to encompass The Berlin Writing Prize, Writing Retreats on the Pelion peninsula in Greece, a series of print anthologies and a writers’ festival. At the heart of what we do is the belief that writers can and should help one another, and that with one another’s support we can become better writers.
Check out the testimonials from our participants here.
Kommende Veranstaltungen
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WRITE YOUR NOVEL II - The Novel in Progress
·OnlineOnline# NOVEL II: THE NOVEL IN PROGRESS
Course tutor: Victoria Gosling
When: Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm Berlin Time / 6-8pm UK time
Date: February 17, 2026
Where: Online
Number of sessions: 10
Maximum participants: 12
Cost: €350
This ten-week course is designed for writers who are already writing a novel (or a collection of connected short stories). Based on the workshop model, the course will also function as masterclass (in which you get to pick the topics) and support group (Hi, my name is Victoria Gosling and I’m a relapsing novelist). In a typical session we will workshop three to four 3000-word submissions and discuss issues arising from our feedback. Victoria will also set aside time to give mini-presentations on elements of novel-writing that have been raised in previous sessions and give insight into the publishing industry. Heavy on encouragement and practice-sharing, the course aims to provide accountability, guidance, support and motivation. Expect individually-tailored homework to help you get you past your roadblocks.
After all the sessions are up, we will take a break (so you can draft more work!) before a follow up course is offered – with priority given to returning participants. The aim – in the long term – is to get you over the finish line!
Over the duration of course, you will have the opportunity to submit three times – please consider whether you will be able to meet this requirement before signing up. Participants are not required to have completed my Novel I course to take part.
Places are limited. Email victoria@thereaderberlin.com to sign up.
VICTORIA GOSLING is a British author. In 2021, her debut novel BEFORE THE RUINS was published by Serpent’s Tail (UK) and Henry Holt (USA). It was a LitHub “Most Anticipated” book of 2021, received a star in Publisher’s Weekly, and was positively reviewed in The New York Times and The New York Review of Books. Her second novel BLISS AND BLUNDER was published by Serpent’s Tail in 2023 and was a Guardian Book of the Day, a TLS Summer Pick and a Grazia Summer Read. It is currently in development for TV. She is the recipient of a Hawthornden Fellowship and was awarded a research stipend by the Berlin Senate. Victoria founded The Reader Berlin in 2011 and has been teaching workshops, mentoring writers, hosting writing retreats and providing manuscript assessments ever since. She has taught for major UK literary festivals and in prisons and will be tutoring for the Arvon Foundation in December 2025. These days, she divides her time between Britain and Germany.
TESTIMONIAL:
“I would not be the writer I am without Victoria Gosling. Her legacy in Berlin, The Reader, is an organisation that has allowed me to take myriad courses in all kinds of writing with the best tutors, while also connecting with an amazing community. I’ve been lucky enough to attend all of The Reader retreats and her feedback has been consistently brilliant - insightful and encouraging, with valuable ‘big picture’ information on the industry as well as a knack for finding what is working in a story, and what needs work. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to both new and established writers alike.” — Dan Ayres
More testimonials here: https://www.victoriagoslingauthor.com/services3 Teilnehmer
WRITE YOUR NOVEL 1
·OnlineOnline***RSVP-ing to this event does not secure your spot!
*** Email victoria@thereaderberlin.com to sign up.***
Course tutor: Victoria Gosling
When: Wednesday evenings, 7-9pm Berlin Time / 6-8pm UK time
Date: February 18, 2026
Where: Online
Number of sessions: 7
Maximum participants: 12
Cost: €275 OR £240
https://www.thereaderberlin.com/writeyournovel1/
If you’ve even considered writing a novel, this is the workshop for you. Over seven weeks, we will be breaking down the process and looking at the different ways of writing a novel. We’ll take a deep dive into plot, structure, characterisation and revision and discuss classic texts from a range of genres, analysing why the authors have chosen to tell their stories the way they have. You’ll develop an outline for your novel and have the chance to pitch your book in our very own “writers room”. You’ll also be invited to submit an opening extract for constructive feedback. Victoria has created this course to share everything that she wished she’d known before starting out. She took the long way round – maybe you don’t have to! You’ll also have an opportunity to ask your questions about the publishing industry and learn how to find representation for your work.
Places are limited. Email victoria@thereaderberlin.com to sign up.
VICTORIA GOSLING is a British author. In 2021, her debut novel BEFORE THE RUINS was published by Serpent’s Tail (UK) and Henry Holt (USA). It was a LitHub “Most Anticipated” book of 2021, received a star in Publisher’s Weekly, and was positively reviewed in The New York Times and The New York Review of Books. Her second novel BLISS AND BLUNDER was published by Serpent’s Tail in 2023 and was a Guardian Book of the Day, a TLS Summer Pick and a Grazia Summer Read. It is currently in development for TV. She is the recipient of a Hawthornden Fellowship and was awarded a research stipend by the Berlin Senate. Victoria founded The Reader Berlin in 2011 and has been teaching workshops, mentoring writers, hosting writing retreats and providing manuscript assessments ever since. She has taught for major UK literary festivals and in prisons and will be tutoring for the Arvon Foundation in December 2025. These days, she divides her time between Britain and Germany. victoriagoslingauthor.com
TESTIMONIAL:
“I would not be the writer I am without Victoria Gosling. Her legacy in Berlin, The Reader, is an organisation that has allowed me to take myriad courses in all kinds of writing with the best tutors, while also connecting with an amazing community. I’ve been lucky enough to attend all of The Reader retreats and her feedback has been consistently brilliant - insightful and encouraging, with valuable ‘big picture’ information on the industry as well as a knack for finding what is working in a story, and what needs work. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to both new and established writers alike.” — Dan Ayres
More testimonials here: https://www.victoriagoslingauthor.com/services3 Teilnehmer
Week 1 - Writing Retreat in Greece
Studios Anna Karra, Vourvourou, Greece, GRJoin two award-winning writers in beautiful Halkidiki for a week of writing heaven!
All the programme information is available over at https://www.inkandsaltretreats.com/2026-retreats/week-one
Up to fifteen writers will join us at Anna Karra Studios for a series of workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and intimate writing sessions. Award-winning authors Jane Flett and Victoria Gosling will take you on a writing bootcamp with five brand new workshops. From generating new stories to digging deep into craft elements, the classes are suitable for beginner and experienced writers alike. Our aim is to get you writing like never before!
Each writer will benefit from two one-to-ones (one with Victoria and one with Jane). Each tutor invites you to submit a text of up to 3000 words for discussion. This is your chance to dig deep and find the right direction for your work, whether your ambitions are to publish a book, commit to a regular practice, or simply find the joy in putting words on a page. And, lest the beach threatens to distract you, our regular Shut Up & Write sessions will be there to help you focus. We’ll also be hosting pre-dinner knowledge-sharing get-togethers, a reading and Q&A with your tutors, and the opportunity for you share your own work in a group setting.
We also programme one free day in which you can rest, explore the surrounding area, or take a boat or kayak over to the stunning Diaporos island.
#### COSTS & BOOKING
With a variety of accommodation options to suit everyone, Anna Karra is a dream destination. The ten studios are set in a stunning garden of olive trees, hammocks, sun beds, shady writing tables, and our very own beach! The garden has a large shaded area where we’ll conduct our workshops by the sea, and a covered space for rainy days. A snack bar is open throughout the day and serves up drinks and light meals for you to purchase.
All apartments have a balcony or terrace facing the bay of Vourvourou, and a fully equipped kitchen. You can see more photos of the accommodation options here.
We offer the choice between a private studio or a shared apartment.
Private studios have a double bedroom, private balcony, and separate kitchen with a small sofa.
Most shared apartments are for two people, and have one double bedroom and a separate kitchen/living room with a double sofa bed. Please note that access to the balcony, toilet and kitchen involve passing through the other room, so it’s not an entirely private space. There is also one large three-person apartment with a double bedroom, twin bedroom, and sofa bed.
Sheets will be changed midweek, making this the ideal day if participants sharing an apartment wish to swap rooms halfway.
Private studio: €1,295, early bird €1,195
Shared apartment: €1,045 early bird €945
Please be aware, we’ve a limited number of places and rooms, all bookable on a first-come-first-served basis.
Our spring early bird offer for weeks one and two runs until February 1st.
#### Included:
Welcome dinner
Breakfast every day
Individual mentoring sessions with Jane and Victoria (one with each tutor per participant, per week)
Five two-hour workshops – all suitable for complete beginners as well as more experienced writers
Various evening events, including a knowledge-sharing session, and a reading for participants to share their work
#### Not Included:
Airfares
Lunch & dinner
Transfers from Thessaloniki airport to Vourvourou
Info at contact@inkandsaltretreats.com1 Teilnehmer
Week 2 - Writing Retreat in Greece
Studios Anna Karra, Vourvourou, Greece, GRJoin two award-winning author in beautiful Halkidiki for a week of writing heaven!
https://www.inkandsaltretreats.com/2026-retreats/weektwo
This is the week where you set your own timetable. Of course, breakfast and one-to-ones* (two per participant, one with Victoria and one with Jane) will be happening at set times, but otherwise you’ll be free to work on your project, explore the countryside, or sit sipping coffee and writing to your own rhythm. Over the course of the retreat, there will be plenty of optional get togethers led by the tutors (1-2 hours each) where you can read from your work, talk about the challenges you’re facing, share resources and tips, or undertake writing exercises. Victoria and Jane will host a session dedicated to navigating the publishing industry and there will also be a group reading and the chance to hear your tutors share their work-in-progress.
A free day is programmed for those wishing to take a day trip to the island, to rest on the beach, or explore the local area.
*before the retreat begins, participants are invited to email a text of up to 3000 words to each tutor to discuss during the mentoring session
#### COSTS & BOOKING
With a variety of accommodation options to suit everyone – Anna Karra is a dream destination. The ten studios are set in a stunning garden of olive trees, hammocks, sun beds, shady writing tables, and our very own beach! The garden has a large shaded area where we’ll conduct our workshops by the sea, and a covered space for rainy days. A snack bar is open throughout the day and serves up drinks and light meals for you to purchase.
All apartments have a balcony or terrace facing the bay of Vourvourou, and a fully equipped kitchen. You can see more photos of the accommodation options here.
We offer the choice between a private studio or a shared apartment.
Private studios have a double bedroom, private balcony, and separate kitchen with a small sofa.
Most shared apartments are for two people, and have one double bedroom and a separate kitchen/living room with a double sofa bed. Please note that access to the balcony, toilet and kitchen involve passing through the other room, so it’s not an entirely private space. There is also one large three-person apartment with a double bedroom, twin bedroom, and sofa bed.
Sheets will be changed midweek, making this the ideal day if participants sharing an apartment wish to swap rooms halfway.
Private studio: €1,145, early bird €1,045
Shared apartment: €895, early bird €795
Please be aware, we’ve a limited number of places and rooms, all bookable on a first-come-first-served basis.
Our spring early bird offer for weeks one and two runs until February 1st.
#### Included:
Welcome dinner
Breakfast every day
Individual mentoring sessions with Jane and Victoria (one with each tutor per participant, per week)
Various optional group events, including a practice-sharing sessions, and a reading for participants to share their work
#### Not Included:
Airfares
Lunch & dinner
Transfers from Thessaloniki airport to Vourvourou
contact@inkandsaltretreats.com1 Teilnehmer
Vergangene Veranstaltungen
547
