Under the dappled sunlight filtering through decades-old Morrocan palm trees, a group of writers gathered around a long table in the Moussafir area beside the pool at Marrakech’s Jnane tamsna estate.
The morning November sun cast a warm glow over the embroidered yellow tablecloth, where notebooks lay open, their covers stamped with Silk Road Slippers, and pens hovered over fresh, lined pages.
All had their heads down, quiet in contemplative thought, as pens unravelled stories they had long carried within them. The 15 participants had come from the US and Canada, the UK, France, Switzerland, Morocco, Turkey, and India, drawn together by a shared desire to give voice to the narratives they had nurtured for years, with the ultimate desire to see their writings published.
First came the writing, then the reading. The power of storytelling was palpable — each reading an unveiling, a revelation that bound the group closer with every shared sentence. Some words sparked laughter, others settled into quiet reflection and some cut so deeply they left the table in stunned silence.
Guiding the group were three figures who knew the weight of a well-told story. Alexandra Pringle, whose editorial hand helped shape the voices of acclaimed writers, Alex von Tunzelmann, whose mastery of history and screenwriting lend her storytelling a sharp, cinematic edge, and Faiza Khan, whose instinct for narrative cuts straight to the heart of a text.
Over the following days, this trio guided the group through the delicate art of shaping, refining, and distilling a story until it rang clear and true — a process that thrived in a setting where quiet magic, stillness, and inspiration worked in harmony.
That setting was Jnane Tamsna, an idyllic sanctuary owned by pioneering hotelier Meryanne Loum Martin. Surrounded by the lush greenery of its paradisiacal gardens — tended by passionate ethnobotanist Gary Martin — participants immersed themselves in a world that nurtured creativity and focus.
But beyond its beauty, the choice of location was deliberate. The Silk Road Slippers team selects each retreat setting with careful intention — not only for its atmosphere but for its accessibility, ensuring that participants can gather without the burden of restrictive visa policies standing in the way of their creative pursuits.
Here, in Marrakech, they would learn to conquer the fear of the blank page, embrace the revision process, and refine their narratives into compelling stories.
Kamila Shamsie headlines workshop
Since November 2023, Silk Road Slippers has invited acclaimed writers to lead participants through an immersive literary experience, offering space for exploration and growth. Each masterclass, lasting around four days, is led by an acclaimed guest writer who brings their unique perspective on the craft of storytelling.
The inaugural retreat set the tone with Booker Prize-winning author Shehan Karunatilaka. Subsequent masterclasses have featured distinguished literary figures, including Nobel Prize-winning novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah and bestselling author Monica Ali, each shaping the programme with their own insights and experiences.
For the November 2024 masterclass, the guest author was Kamila Shamsie, a novelist whose work has transcended borders and languages. Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction for Home Fire, and internationally recognised for Burnt Shadows and A God in Every Stone, Shamsie is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was named one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists in 2013.
In the intimate surroundings of the Jnane Tamsna, Shamsie spoke with disarming honesty about the realities of being a published writer — the rejections, the persistence it demands, and the long road toward making a living from words alone. She encouraged participants to write relentlessly, to push past fear and hesitation.
“Get published,” she said. “Get published for yourself, for the joy of holding your book in your hands. Nothing can beat that moment.”
For Shamsie, character lies at the heart of every novel, shaping its pulse, momentum, and depth. This philosophy came to life one evening as the group clustered around a firepit to listen to Shamsie read Churail, a haunting short story.
After her final words settled into a firelit hush, a conversation unfolded that wove together storytelling traditions from across cultures. Minds quickly drifted to the ubiquitous presence of the supernatural across different cultures — the presence of jinn, churails, and spirits in South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African folklore. The room pulsed as writers exchanged beliefs, myths, and interpretations, merging the real and the imagined.
From manuscript to market
The structured workshops that followed were rigorous. Participants were led into the intricacies of narrative construction, character development, and the art of redrafting. Each was complemented by candid discussions about the publishing industry highlighting especially the trials and pitfalls that a new writer encounters on the journey from manuscript to market.
On the final day in Marrakech, each participant engaged in a dedicated one-hour session with a mentor to discuss their submitted extract and strategise their path to publication. This personalised approach ensured that every writer left with a clear roadmap tailored to their aspirations.
The sense of community cultivated during the retreat extended well beyond the confines of Jnane Tamsna. A dedicated group chat kept participants connected, fostering a space for daily writing prompts, book recommendations, and vibrant discussions about recent publications. The friendships formed in those verdant gardens continued to flourish, and the creative discipline honed during the masterclass became an enduring part of each writer’s routine.
Over a final dinner at Jnane Tamsna, reflections on the journey were shared. When asked whether they found the masterclass useless to their journey in writing, the participants expressed that the retreat had far exceeded their expectations, instilling confidence in their writing endeavours.
One participant highlighted how invaluable the masterclass was in bridging the gap between writers and the publishing world, offering insights into what publishers seek.
Another emphasised that being part of a workshop led by respected industry professionals enhances their credibility as emerging writers. While each had personal takeaways, all concurred: Silk Road Slippers is the masterclass that gets aspiring writers published.
Sarah Khalil is a news editor and journalist at The New Arab. She attended the masterclass as a guest of the Silk Road Slippers team
