INDICA presents the inaugural workshop of Nilgiris Writing Retreat, a unique fiction writing retreat designed for aspiring novelists and new authors. Set in a venue amidst the tranquil hills and verdant tea estates of Coonoor, this intensive workshop is your opportunity to escape the noise and immerse yourself in the craft of storytelling. Led by Nandini Sengupta, an award-winning author and journalist, the retreat is crafted to help you transform a novel idea into a polished manuscript.

This is a space for focused creation and personal breakthrough, where the serene beauty of the Nilgiris serves as the perfect muse for your narrative journey.

Program Curriculum

The two-day immersion will provide a comprehensive guide to the fundamentals of fiction writing, helping you to refine your idea and build a solid foundation for your novel.

Key areas covered will include:

Premise & Genre: Establishing the core idea of your story and understanding its place within a specific genre.
Plotting & Character: Structuring a compelling plot and developing multi-dimensional characters.
Dialogue & Scene Building: Crafting realistic dialogue and creating vivid, impactful scenes.
Writing Sprints: Dedicated time for putting theory into practice, with focused, timed writing sessions.

The Details

Dates: The retreat begins on the afternoon of Friday, November 28th, 2025, and concludes on the afternoon of Sunday, November 30th, 2025.
Venue: Amani Villas, H.No. 6/899M, Bengram Road, TV Nagar, Huligal, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu 643102
Fee: Rs. 36,000 per head.
Inclusions: The fee covers your accommodation and all meals for the duration of the retreat. Workshop materials will be provided on-site. Participants are required to bring their own laptops.
Accommodation: Single Occupancy Accommodation will be provided at Amani Villas.
Audience: This program is suitable for individuals aged 18 and above who are aspiring novelists or newly published authors with a novel idea.
Logistics: Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from the venue

Faculty

The retreat will be led by celebrated author and journalist Nandini Sengupta, recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar.

Cohort size limited to 12 to ensure a focused and intimate experience. Register to secure your spot.

Faculty

Nandini Sengupta

Author and Journalist

Nandini Sengupta is a Pondicherry-based journalist and writer of historical fiction and narrative history. Her acclaimed works include the Bal Sahitya Puraskar-winning The Blue Horse And Other Amazing Animals from Indian History, as well as the bestselling Gupta Empire Trilogy and the widely praised historical biography, Rani Durgawati: The Forgotten Life of a Warrior Queen which has consistently been in the Amazon Top 50 women in history best-seller list since its launch. Nandini is a regular speaker at major Pan India literary festivals, bringing a wealth of experience in building rich worlds and authentic characters. She is published by Hachette, Penguin and Harper Collins. Nandini also teaches Creative Writing

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