BFS Retreat 2025: Creativity in Companionship Gets the Job Done

About a dozen brave souls gathered at Gladstone’s Library over the first weekend in March to bask in the smell of old books and seek inspiration for works in progress. One of those souls was Dan Hanly, and this is his experience. Make sure to read the review of Russell A Smith, too, over here.

When the British Fantasy Society’s annual writing retreat for 2025 was announced last year, I just knew I had to be there. The application was simple, but it was a lottery—they had far more applications than spaces, and so despite applying, I had no idea whether or not I’d be successful…

As I’m sure you’ve guessed by the fact I’m writing this blog post: I got in!

Set in beautiful rural North Wales, Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden is a true gem of the Welsh countryside. Built as a tribute to the memory of a four-time prime minister of the UK and two-time chancellor of the exchequer, William Gladstone, this grand private library was the ideal environment for me to break through the barriers of motivation, and finish the sequel to my debut novel, The Great Leap.

The breathtaking majesty of the building and the so-called ‘Reading Rooms’ were just the fuel I needed to get through the hardest parts of my project. Being surrounded by books from a time where ‘classic literature’ was simply known as ‘literature’, perched on old oak desks, overlooking the library hall, I was finally given the space, freedom and creativity to finish.

Though it wasn’t simply just a trip to a library… The BFS Writing Retreat is a residential retreat, over a long weekend, where we stay at the library, rarely leaving the grounds.

Pictured: Dan hard at work in the library

Talented companionship fuels the creative fire

I can say for certain that one thing set flame to my creativity far more than the environment I was in—my peers, my fellow BFS writers. Surrounded by fourteen of the most welcoming, open, and friendly authors, from many different walks of life, who are at a range of stages in their author journeys, allowed me to feel as though I was able to absorb a breadth of talent from the best the British Fantasy Society had to offer. At first, it was easy to feel as though I didn’t belong, being just a lowly one-time self-published author, but I was immediately disabused of that notion with the warmth of the community.

We met for meals, bouncing ideas off one another, took breaks together, and spurred each other on to reach our goals. Then, when the sun set, and the day’s creative juices ran dry, we met in the warm lounge, by the large log fire, and read our works to the group, refuelling our fires with copious amounts of whiskey, wine and beer. This was not a rowdy, alcohol-fuelled atmosphere; it was calm, gentle, and supportive… with just a sprinkle of the ol’ Dutch courage.

(Pictured: whiskey on the first eve over a game)

Sharing my own work was daunting, but the effusive praise I received gave me a high I’ll be riding for weeks. Not only that, but the praise everyone received for their own stories really supported the idea that every member of the retreat party was there to help as much as possible. The stories others read out ranged from the torture of an angel, the exploration of a haunted cemetery, a rogue ship-AI that was reclaiming its property from its current occupants, a humorous therapy session with a dungeons and dragons party, a cosy ASMR-like morning routine of a troll-turned-internet-streamer, and seemingly everything in between. The talent on show was unimaginable, and despite my own imposter syndrome, I was made to feel as though my story was as good as the others, even if my poor brain was fighting against it.

Sharing our creative works, life stories, friendships, walks in the beautiful North-Wales springtime countryside, hearty meals and even heartier drinks, meant that this weekend is one I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

… and, to top it off, I wrote around 20,000 words, finally finishing the sequel to The Great Leap. You heard it here first, folks. Book 2 of the dark fantasy Children of Inauron series, titled ‘Stone Cold Blood’, releases in late 2025.

Now, I just need to get my editing pants on!

Stone Cold Blood (2025)
Children of Inauron: Book 2
In the aftermath of a tragic accident, exiles: Lawson, Wendy, Piper, and Stokely, in a parallel story to the events of The Great Leap, must survive within the dark, mysterious forest known as the Wildlands. The tortured protagonist, Lawson, battles with his own mind and the threats of the Wildlands, as the guilt and shame he carries begin to take their toll on his mental stability. When Lawson starts seeing threats at every turn, can he be certain they are really there? Or are they simply spectres of his mind, reminding him of his failings and carrying out their bloody punishment for his sins?

The BFS Retreat will return next year; keep an eye out for application details.