Join Us for a Crime Writing Retreat in Egypt

Today we’ll fly to Aswan, where the action begins in Agatha Christie’s classic, Death on the Nile. This is your opportunity to get into a writing mood. We’ll be visiting some of the places mentioned in the book, including Philae Temple and Elephantine Island.

We will also enjoy a drink on the terrace of the stunning Old Cataract Hotel where some of the novel’s key scenes take place.

Elephantine Island – On the southern end of the Island you will find the site of ancient Abu, an important ancient trading town.

We will then take a short boat trip to visit Philae Temple. Built to honour the goddess Isis, this was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Construction began around 690 BC, and it was one of the last outposts where the goddess was worshipped.

In the early evening, we will board the traditional sailboat Dahabiya, our home for the next five nights.

The writing retreat begins with course leader Jonathan Whitelaw introducing you to the basics of crime writing.

You’ll explore essential craft questions, such as: What makes a mystery and crime novel? What are the sub-genres of crime? As well as how to choose the components that work for your story. Jonathan also discusses finding your writing voice, a writer’s mentality, and creating the perfect detective (and villain).

Today, Jonathan will dive a little deeper into the crime writing process. Through exercises and group discussions, you’ll start to flesh out your ideas and explore how to nurture ideas for crime and mystery novels.

You will then explore how to start developing those ideas into full-length novels and manuscripts. We’ll close with how to make plots watertight, so only the fiendish and genius can solve your narrative puzzles.

Jonathan will be leading you on a merry chase to get to the bottom of what makes a great crime novel.

You’ll examine the roles red herrings in developing plots and how they keep readers hooked from page one. You’ll also look at the wider crime market and what agents, editors, and publishers are looking for in a successful manuscript.

Jonathan will share some stories, insights, and information about the publishing industry and what is expected from new writers hoping to be on the shelves.

You’ll learn about the ‘writer’s code of conduct’, who, what, where, and when to send work, and how professional writers spend their days. You’ll also take part in a group activity to invent your own crime short story, with a prize for the best efforts.

During the cruise, we will visit Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Esna.

Built to overlook the Nile, the dual design of Kom Ombo Temple is dedicated to Sobek and Horus and is perfectly symmetrical along its main axis.

It is one of the more unusual temples in Egypt. Due to the conflict between Sobek and Horus, the ancient Egyptians felt it necessary to separate their temple spaces within one complex. The temple has two entrances, two courts, two colonnades, two Hypostyle halls and two sanctuaries, one side for each god.

Edfu Temple was built between 237 and 57 BC and is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Egypt. Preserved by desert sand, which filled the place after the pagan cult was banned, the temple is dedicated to Horus, the avenging son of Isis and Osiris. With its roof intact, it is also one of the most atmospheric of ancient buildings.

Dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum, the Temple of Esna contains 24 beautifully decorated pillars with lotus flowers. There are also stunning reliefs showing Ptolemaic and Roman Emperors dressed in Pharaoh costumes, offering sacrifices to the god Khnum.

Cruise itinerary may vary due to sailing times.

Today marks the end of our writing retreat and our arrival in Luxor. Our Agatha Christie pilgrimage continues, as we visit Karnak Temple. This site features in the 1978 Peter Ustinov film of Death on the Nile.

We will lunch at the Winter Palace Hotel, the location of the Death of the Nile 2004 TV episode starring David Suchet. Agatha Christie’s novel Death Comes as the End was also located in this area, Luxor being the location of Thebes, the capital of Ancient Egypt between x and y.

And there’s more to whet your crime-writing appetite. The wonderful, prolific author Elizabeth Peters set many of her books, featuring the archaeologist Amelia Peabody, in Luxor. You’ll also visit the breathtaking Valley of the Kings, where many scenes from the books take place.

We’ll travel onwards to Luxor Temple and the Temple of Hatshepsut, as no visit to Luxor is complete without seeing these astonishing ancient Egyptian temples.

Once we have finished our tour of Luxor you will have several options. We will fly you back to Cairo and on to your flight departing Egypt, or we can transport you to other destinations in Egypt if you wish to extend your holiday. Perhaps a few days chilling at the beach in Hurghada?