David Elliott, author of Bull, a retelling of the story of the Minotaur, will be leading a writing workshop, April 27 – May 2, 2026, on the lovely island of Hydra, Greece. Hydra has long attracted artists, writers, musicians, and others to its stone pathways, charming port-side cafes, and quiet charm.
Percival Everett’s James. Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead. Our own Gregory Maguire’s Wicked. Retellings are having their day, and no source for these contemporary reimaginings is richer than the Greek myths. Think Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles, Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls, Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad.
Morning workshops will practice the techniques writers use when refiguring these classic tales. We’ll ask ourselves, too, what makes a work of fiction memorable. What are the elements of good writing?
Open afternoon allow participants plenty of time to explore both the island and the untraveled landscape of their imaginations. For those who wish it, David will be available for one-hour private conferences. The workshop is open to everyone — the writer-curious as well as those who dream of seeing their names on a bestseller list. Active listeners welcome, too. And don’t be scared: Participants will never be pressured to share their work. The only prerequisites are curiosity, good will, and an open heart. A sense of humor helps, too. Familiarity with David Malouf’s incredible novel, Ransom, will enrich the experience.
About David Elliott
David Elliott is the New York Times Bestselling author of over 35 books for children, including the picture books, And Here’s To You (illustrated by Randy Cecil), Baabwaa and Wooliam (illustrated by Melissa Sweet), and most recently, Boar and Hedgehog (illustrated by Eugene Yelchin). He is also the author of three critically acclaimed YA novels-in-verse: Bull, a retelling of the myth of The Minotaur, which received seven starred reviews; Voices, The Final Hours of Joan of Arc, shortlisted for the American Library in Paris Book Prize; and The Seventh Raven, a retelling of a Grimm’s tale. David was also a founding mentor of Lesley University’s Low Residency Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, where he taught for twenty years.