in the Shadows

9th – 15th May 2027 | Naxos, Greece

With Bestselling Author M. L. Rio

Reserve your place

A Tragedy Worth Reading Twice

If We Were Villains built its following on a simple, dangerous idea: a company of Shakespeare-obsessed acting students, and a tragedy that plays out on stage and off it. M. L. Rio is joining us for a week shaped around that book and its follow-up, Hot Wax — a rock-and-roll reinvention that proved the first one wasn't a fluke.

Come to Naxos in May — before the crowds, before the heat gets serious –  you can read for hours by the sea and not be interrupted by anything other than church bells, or the odd turtle.

Your Sanctuary

Stella Apartments

A charming, family-run hotel that sits right on the water's edge.

We've chosen a location that asks you to slow down. Plaka Beach offers golden sands, tamarisk trees, and traditional village tavernas where time moves at a different pace.​

  • The Rooms
    Spacious, cool, and private. Every room opens onto a balcony with a sea view.​

  • The Vibe
    This isn't a stiff hotel; it's a home. Start the day with a homemade breakfast. Read by the pool. Swim in the sea. Watch the sunset from your balcony.​

  • The Luxury
    We handle every detail, so all you have to do is turn up and relax.

The Experience

View the full Itinerary

What Happens Here

  • Intimate Access: Live Q&As, craft discussions, and dinner conversations with M.L

  • Book Swap: The White Elephant exchange—bring a book you love, leave with a new favourite.

  • Genre Book Clubs: Deep-dive discussions with fellow readers.

The Good Life

  • Welcome Reception: Drinks and mezés under the vines.

  • Fabulous Dining: Long, lazy group dinners at the best local tavernas, wine included.

  • Total Disconnection: No alarms. No emails. Wake to the sound of the Aegean.

The Culture (Optional)

  • Wander among the ancient Kouros statues.​

  • Tour a traditional Kitron distillery.​

  • Get lost in the winding streets of Chora, then find your way to cocktails and dinner.​

  • Sample olive oils at a local press.

Meet The Powerhouse

M. L. Rio has been an actor, a bookseller, an academic, and a music writer. An avid road-tripper and record collector, when she's not on the hunt for her next big score, she lives in South Philadelphia with the world's best road dog, Marlowe. She holds an MA in Shakespeare studies from King's College London and Shakespeare's Globe and a PhD in English from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her bestselling first novel, If We Were Villains, has been published in 22 countries. Her first novella, Graveyard Shift, was a USA Today and Sunday Times bestseller. Her second novel, Hot Wax, was published by Simon & Schuster in September 2025, and was a USA Today and Indie bestseller.

Secure Your Spot

Solo Occupancy
£1,700

Secure your place with a non-refundable deposit.
Pay the balance 30 days before your retreat begins.

At checkout, pay by card or use Klarna to split the cost into instalments at no extra charge.

Read our full terms and conditions

Fearless Fearless Fearless
Fearless
from £300.00

FEARLESS

A Naxos Creative Reading Retreat

16–22 May 2027 · Stella, Naxos, Greece

Shared Occupancy
£2400 (£1200 pp)

This booking is per place (one bed in a twin room). If you are traveling with a friend and want to share the room together, simply change the quantity to '2' at checkout.

Reserve your place with a non-refundable deposit.
Final payment due 30 days before your retreat.

Pay by card at checkout, or use Klarna to spread the cost interest-free.

Full terms and conditions

Fearless - Shared Occupancy Fearless - Shared Occupancy Fearless - Shared Occupancy
Fearless - Shared Occupancy
from £300.00

FEARLESS

A Naxos Creative Reading Retreat

16–22 May 2027 · Stella, Naxos, Greece

Q: I'm travelling solo. Is that okay?
A: Absolutely. Most guests arrive alone and leave with new friends. You'll be welcomed from arrival, and the group naturally bonds over meals and discussions.

Q: Do I need any special experience?
A: No. These retreats are for readers and writers at all levels. You only need a love of books and curiosity.

Q: Can I pay in instalments?
A: Yes. Pay a deposit to secure your place, then the balance 30 days before the retreat. Klarna allows interest-free instalments at checkout.

Q: What's included?
A: Accommodation, all meals, author sessions, group activities, and cultural outings. Flights are not included.

 Read full FAQs here

A poolside area at a beach resort with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a view of the ocean and clear blue sky in the background.
Aerial view of a resort swimming pool area with lounge chairs and umbrellas, overlooking the beach and ocean in the background.
Aerial view of white Mediterranean-style residential buildings with blue accents, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped gardens, in a coastal area with mountains in the background.
View from a balcony with a wooden table holding a decanter and two wine glasses, overlooking a lush garden with palm trees, flowers, and a playground in the distance.
A wooden table with a slice of watermelon, a red rose, and some green leaves on top, set outdoors with a view of the ocean, palm trees, and a clear blue sky.
Bright modern reception area with white walls, marble flooring, wooden reception desk, potted plants, and large glass doors opening to outdoor greenery.
Stack of pancakes with berry syrup on a white plate, jars of jam in the background, and a potted plant to the side.
A plate of cinnamon rolls topped with powdered sugar in focus, with a blurred background showing a second plate of baked goods and green plants.
Living room with a white bookshelf filled with books, a small desk with a computer, and a coffee station with a water dispenser and coffee makers.
Three glass jars filled with preserved fruit or vegetables on a wooden surface, with a potted plant to the left and a stainless steel food warmer in the background. To the right, small bowls of yogurt or dessert on a white tray.
Shelf of books with titles in German and English, including 'Der Zeitel Meier', 'Der Witwe in der Jugend', and others, arranged vertically.
Breakfast table set outdoors with orange juice, coffee, cereal, toast, and fruit, surrounded by white chairs and greenery.
An outdoor patio with white chairs and tables, enclosed by glass walls and surrounded by lush green plants and trees.
Outdoor patio with white chairs and tables, breakfast items, lush green plants, palm tree, and a view of the blue sky and distant water with a sandy beach in the background.
Assorted tea and coffee packets on a wooden shelf, with a wicker basket and a labeled box in the background.
Breakfast table with plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes, a bowl of yogurt with fruit, a glass of orange juice, and a folded napkin, set outdoors with a blurred green background.
View of a garden with a large palm tree, colorful bushes, and a pathway leading to the ocean in the distance, as seen from a shaded porch.
A lush outdoor garden with various plants, flowering bushes, and trees, featuring a stone pathway, a wooden playhouse with a slide, and a thatched umbrella providing shade over garden furniture on a sunny day.
View of a landscaped backyard with palm trees, green bushes, colorful flowers, a stone pathway, and a small playground structure under a clear blue sky.
A sunny landscape with tall palm trees, white buildings with blue accents, green grass, shrubs, flowering plants, and a playground in a resort or residential area under a bright blue sky.
Outdoor patio with woven hanging chair, black rattan chairs, a stone wall, lush green plants, colorful flowers, and thatched umbrellas under a clear blue sky.
A landscaped garden with stone pathways, colorful flowers, palm trees, and two thatched umbrellas under a clear blue sky.
Outdoor patio with straw thatched umbrellas, wooden benches, stone planters, lush green trees, flowering plants, and a clear blue sky.
a seaside courtyard with a straw beach umbrella, wooden seating with cushions, stone wall, palm trees, and a white building with blue shutters under a clear blue sky
Outdoor patio area with stone flooring, wooden bench with cushions, small table, and a thatched umbrella. In the background, white buildings, tall palm trees, and greenery under a clear blue sky are visible.
View of a poolside lounge area with chairs, tables, and umbrellas on a patio overlooking a swimming pool, white buildings, trees, and a clear blue sky.
Swimming pool with poolside lounge chairs and umbrellas at a resort, white buildings, palm trees, clear blue sky, in a sunny, tropical location.
A swimming pool in front of a modern poolside bar with seating, and thatched umbrellas with chairs and tables on a clear, sunny day.
A hotel room with a white bed, a small nightstand with a vase of flowers, wall art, a chair, an air conditioning unit, an open door leading to a balcony, and a mounted television
Balcony view overlooking an ocean with mountains in the distance. On the balcony, there is a wooden table with two red coffee mugs on a tray, a glass vase with red and orange flowers, and an ashtray. A chair with a gray cushion is partially visible o
Interior of a small apartment room with a bed, a kitchenette, a small refrigerator, a mirror, and a door leading to a bathroom or shower area. The bed has folded towels on it, and the kitchenette has a sink, cabinets, a kettle, and a flower vase.
A clean, bright hotel room with a white bed, two pillows, and folded towels. Blue door and curtain, window with greenery outside, wall-mounted TV, and air conditioning unit.
Two single beds in a bright hotel room with white bedding, a window with blue curtains, a blue door, a wall-mounted TV, an air conditioning unit, and a decorative stone accent wall.
Double bathroom vanity with two white vessel sinks, a wooden-framed mirror, a wall-mounted TV, a blue door, and a small wooden furniture piece with sunglasses, hat, and a tray on top.
Bathroom with a large mirror, two vessel sinks, wall-mounted faucets, a small wooden cabinet with a hat and glasses on top, and a wall-mounted TV on the white wall.
Breakfast table with watermelon slices and two glasses of orange juice, set on an outdoor patio with a scenic view of trees, bushes, and a blue sky.
A bright hotel room with a large bed, view of a balcony with outdoor chairs, and a clear sky visible through the open door.
Two palm trees overlooking a swimming pool and the ocean on a sunny day.

Details

  • ·      A pre-retreat online meeting for all participants—last-minute questions welcome! 

    ·      A goody bag full of Naxos delights.

    ·      Six nights at Stella Apartments.​

    ·      Daily homemade breakfast.​

    ·      Group meals with wine and soft drinks.​ 

    ·      All literary workshops, excursions and events.​

    ·      Airport and ferry transfers on Naxos

    • Visas, flights and ferry tickets — we can help you plan this!

    • Travel insurance (essential).

    • Extra drinks outside of scheduled meals.

  • Fly to Athens, Mykonos, or Santorini, then take a scenic ferry to Naxos. We’ll be waiting at the port or airport to pick you up.

A clear glass with a stem is placed on a white paper table cover with blue printed text. A black six-sided die showing four is beside the glass, and a metallic bucket or container is in the background.
A group of people at a dinner party sitting around a rectangular table outdoors on a patio, raising their glasses for a toast, with dishes and drinks on the table, and a woman standing at the head of the table.
People sitting and chatting at outdoor tables under a large tree on a sunny day.
People sitting at wooden tables and chairs outdoors under yellow shade sails, with trees, plants, and a stone wall in the background.
A person with long red hair reaching for a book on a white bookshelf filled with various books. A decorative vase with greenery and flowers is on top of the bookshelf.
Photograph of a coastal hillside town with white buildings, some with gray or beige accents, overlooking the ocean. Rocks and waves in the foreground.
A woman with red hair and sunglasses on her head is tasting something from a spoon held by another person. She is wearing a red top with a light-colored shirt over it. The person holding the spoon also holds a dark bottle. The scene takes place indoo
White building with blue shutters, outdoor staircase, and a flowering vine with red and pink flowers.
A plate with two slices of cake, a white cup, and a glass vase with pink flowers and green leaves on a wooden table in a room with a bookshelf in the background.
A woman with red hair wearing a purple checkered dress holding a wrapped gift ribboned with red, standing near a table with more wrapped presents, during sunset by a waterfront.
Decorative table with potted plant, glass bowl with pink flowers, three books, a glass of water, and a chair in the background, with sheer curtains and sunlight behind.
A woman with long, curly red hair wearing a blue sleeveless top, sitting outdoors with her arms crossed, looking serious or contemplative.

Stop Waiting for The Right Time

Come.
Read the books.
Meet the authors.
Join us.

Book your place now

Arrive curious. Leave inspired.