Hello!
What is Black Pens?
Black Pens is a writing retreat for Black womxn and femmes. A combination of enjoyment, learning, community, fellowship and expert-led sessions where we lightly place our feet on the necks of our fellow attendees, and encourage each other to move a little closer to our writing goals. It is for established, aspiring and curious writers across all genres and disciplines.
Black Pens focuses on bringing us together in a safe and relaxing space to encourage creativity, camaraderie and progress.
Learn from expert speakers, benefit from peer feedback, or simply chill out in the beautiful surroundings. You will not regret your Black Pens experience.
It was founded in 2022 by Onyi Nwabineli, an author, tech consultant, and headwrap addict. You can find out more about her here, or can follow her on twitter or Instagram.
Sign up for updates
Be the first to hear about Black Pens 2023 and more exciting news
Black Pens 2023
Summer and Autumn retreats
Summer (full)
The dates for the full-fat (week-long) summer retreat are Monday August 14th – Friday August 18th
Summer (diet)
The dates for the diet (mid-week) summer retreat are Tuesday August 15th – Thursday August 17th
Autumn
The dates for the autumn retreat will be Monday October 23rd – Friday October 27th
Attendee Testimonials
From some of 2022’s Black Pens attendees
The Black Pens retreat went beyond all expectations I had. There are so many highlights but what I really valued about the experience was feeling that our care was at the top of the organisers list. For the first time in a while, I felt encouraged to take a step back and enjoy the moment and make time for myself, whether that meant writing a new scene or swimming in the lake!
Taiwo
2022 Attendee
Thank you so much for providing us all with the air, light and space to rest and write. I felt so glamorous and well cared for in such a warm and loving community. I do my best work when I’m with my people and so I thank you for bringing us all together! I think it was a wonderful way for so many people with such different lives and obligations to come together and feel united as writers.
Rianna
2022 Attendee
Black Pens was truly transformative. I grew in confidence as a writer and was able to connect and share experiences with other like-minded black womxn! The experience gave me more insight into the industry and encouraged and empowered me to strive towards my writing goals. Onyi created the perfect atmosphere to focus on our creative talents and have fun!
Tisha
2022 Attendee
Black Pens at Wasing Estate
2022
2022 Sponsors
Mills & Boon
Sweeping readers off their feet for over 100 years, Mills & Boon is the UK’s #1 publisher of romantic fiction. Publishing over 700 titles a year, a Mills & Boon book is sold every 10 seconds in the UK. Mills & Boon has a romance for every reader, promising a happily-ever-after ending every time. Across every romance genre, from historical to contemporary, rom-com to romantic suspense, our compelling, uplifting romances guarantee an instant escape to fantasy worlds. We are proud to publish over 1,300 authors, including Sunday Times bestseller Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, Naima Simone and Georgia Toffolo’s Meet Me In… series.
Visit the website or follow them on Twitter @MillsandBoon, on Facebook.com/millsandboon or on Instagram.com/millsandboonuk
Harlequin/Graydon House
Harlequin is a leading publisher of popular fiction and nonfiction, and the world’s largest publisher of romantic fiction. Harlequin has something for every romance reader. We publish 11 different romance lines that offer unique and uplifting happily-ever-after romances ranging from sexy to sweet, historical to suspenseful, and more. Alongside our ever-popular romance lines, Harlequin publishes a wide range of editorial, from general and women’s fiction to young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, and more through its seven trade fiction imprints: Carina Press; Mira Books; HQN Books; Graydon House Books; Park Row Books; Hanover Square Press; and Inkyard Press.
Visit Harlequin.com to discover books. Visit WriteforHarlequin.com for aspiring romance writers
ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid is a writing coach, editing software, and grammar checker all in one package. ProWritingAid is the only platform that offers world-class grammar and style checking combined with more in-depth reports to help you strengthen your writing. Our unique combination of suggestions, articles, videos, and quizzes makes writing fun and interactive. ProWritingAid has more integrations than any other software, so you can use it wherever you write.
ProWritingAid’s users come in many flavors, from best-selling authors to indie writers, from professional copy-editors to rookie bloggers, and from business experts to struggling students.
Visit ProWritingAid.com for more information
Become A Sponsor
Black Pens could not be what it is without support from amazing partners and sponsors. Click below to join the team
© Black Pens 2022