Readers & Writers Historical Fiction Tour: World War II Kent, UK with Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein

The Readers & Writers Historical Fiction Tour:  WWII Kent

Canterbury, UK and surrounding areas

October 11 - 17, 2026

Do you write historical fiction— but feel like something’s missing?
Do you love reading historical fiction— but dream of having your own adventure?
Stop daydreaming and join us!

What's this all about?

After decades of writing World War II historical fiction and nonfiction, award-winning authors Elizabeth Wein (Code Name Verity, Warbirds Cycle) and Sherri L. Smith (Flygirl, Pearl), are taking a select group of historical fiction readers and writers on the road— destination: Kent, England!  Join us in the heart of the Dunkirk Evacuation and the Battle of Britain, with accommodation in historic Canterbury and guided tours of Dover and Ramsgate. 

Is this really for both Readers and Writers?

Yes!  Why?  Every writer is a reader, and every reader is a writer's favorite person.  What's more, maybe you write but have a non-writer friend you'd love to travel with. This is the trip for you both!  Or you are a reader, but you're curious about writing.  Why not hang out with our group and see how the stories you love come to life?  Have questions?  Read on!

Why should I join this retreat?

Readers, maybe you've dreamt of adventure and found it in books.  This trip is a chance to bridge those two worlds— your life, and the one you've only read about.  Elizabeth and Sherri are book lovers and world travelers.  Elizabeth's PhD in Folklore, and Sherri's M.A. in the Humanities, never mind their lived experience, will enhance your own.  Plus they know what it's like to just want to disappear into a great book, and can show you the world through bookish eyes.  Doesn't that sound fun?

Writers, this is your chance to work with two award-winning authors who are also MFA faculty.  Sherri and Elizabeth bring 20+ years of practical experience to the table.  Whether you are just at the start of thinking of a project, or elbow-deep in writing historical fiction, nonfiction, or historical fantasy, they can offer you insight and advice on how to research your time period and turn that research into stories and characters that leap off the page.  They can also give you an insider’s look into the publishing world.

The Details

On this five day, six night retreat, we'll gather in Canterbury, in the county of Kent in South East England.  Mornings will be spent on classes for Writers and a silent book club for Readers, led on alternating days by Elizabeth Wein or Sherri L. Smith.

Writing Sessions

This is your chance to learn the secrets of writing engaging historical fiction, from research tips to insight on what you can fake and what you should fact, what makes a story sing— even the mysteries of the publishing world.  Come prepared to write, and bring your questions.  Sherri and Elizabeth each have two decades of writing under their belt, and they’re ready to share what they've learned with you.

Silent Book Club

Have you ever joined a book club, but not enjoyed the books selected?  Have you ever wanted to just curl up with a good book, but not necessarily spend your day all alone?    Then a Silent Book Club is for you!  Choose your own book, and join like-minded readers in a cozy spot we've picked out just for you.  Grab a warm drink, and seat, and read to your heart's content.  You'll be accompanied by either Elizabeth or Sherri on alternating days.  We'll help facilitate quiet conversation and book recommendations at the start or end of club time.  Otherwise it's you in the historical city of Chaucer, living out your bookish dream.

Day Trips in and Around Kent

Afternoons and alternate days will include guided tours around Kent, plus time for exploring, writing, shopping, and a bookstore crawl.  

Planned visits include:

• • The Battle of Britain Museum and Memorial
  • Dover Castle
  • The Ramsgate Tunnels

The Place

Our home base will be Canterbury, UK in the county of Kent.  The destination of Chaucer's pilgrims in renowned Canterbury Tales, Canterbury is home to the famous cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  From there, we'll visit the white cliffs of Dover, and the mysterious underground city in Ramsgate, and various locations significant to World War II.  

Your Instructors

Elizabeth Wein is the author of several young adult novels, including the World War II thriller Code Name Verity, an Edgar Award winner and a #1 New York Times bestseller; Black Dove, White Raven, winner of the Children's Africana Book Award; and most recently, Stateless and the NAACP Image Award-nominated American Wings:  Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky, co-written with Sherri. Her book A Thousand Sisters:  The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II was a finalist for YALSA's Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award.  A dual American-British citizen, Elizabeth lives in Scotland.

Sherri L. Smith is the author of numerous acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books for young people, including the World War II novels Flygirl and The Blossom and the Firefly, as well as the nonfiction books Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen? and the NAACP Image Award-nominated American Wings:  Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky, co-written with Elizabeth.  Sherri holds certificates in Applied Mythology and Enchantivism, a form of activism for introverts and storytellers, from the Pacifica Institute; as well as a certificate in the Art of Fairy Tale Archetypal Analysis from The Assisi Institute of Archetypal Studies.  She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and an insistent cat. 

 What's Included 

• • One welcome dinner and one farewell dinner
  • A walking tour of Canterbury
  • Three mornings of writing instruction for writers
  • Three mornings of Silent Book Club for readers
  • A full day tour of Kent WWII sights in a comfortable tour bus
  • A half-day tour of Ramsgate in a comfortable tour bus
  • Admission fees to tour sites
  • A bookstore crawl through Canterbury
  • Writing time
  • Daily gatherings
  • A final gathering for readings and sharing  

Lodging 

All attendees will spend six nights at our hotel of choice, the ABode Canterbury.  We've secured an excellent group rate with the option of a "Comfortable" or slightly larger "Desirable" room, on a first come, first serve basis.  Both styles are lovely and include: 

• Luxury bed

• Climate control with air conditioning

• Indulgent toiletries

• Bath with shower

• Premium teas, coffee & biscuits

• The usual; safe, iron & ironing board, hairdryer and dressing table/desk

• Unlimited free Wi-Fi

• Continental breakfast (option to upgrade to full English for an additional fee)

• Accessible rooms available upon request on first come, first serve basis.  Contact the hotel directly for more information.

Note:  If you are local to Canterbury, please let us know so we can discuss accommodations.

 What's Not Included

Airfare, travel insurance, meals (except for hotel breakfasts, and welcome and farewell dinner) personal purchases such as laundry, phone calls, etc., and anything not specifically included above.

Additionally, most visitors to the UK are required to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a visa, depending on your nationality, before you travel. ETAs cost £20 GBP. Click here to apply or learn more.‍ ‍Be sure to apply early!

What It Costs

Tuition and Lodging are paid for separately. Tuition includes all six days of activities and events. 

Early Bird Tuition (until May 15):  $2,100 USD

Regular Tuition (after May 15):  $2,500  USD

Lodging:  £576 GPB + applicable tax and fees

HOW TO APPLY

This is a small group tour, so there is a brief application process and a $25 processing fee.  Apply before May 15th to take advantage of our Early Bird pricing!  Visit our website for more details and a link to the application form.  We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and will contact you as soon as possible.