🔥 Testimonials

Bimal Raj

"Working with Suma was amazing. She was meticulous in her work. Her exceptional editing skills, combined with persistence and unparalleled patience, elevated my memoir to new heights, into a book I am immensely proud of."

Cdr. Bimal Raj

Author of 'What Next?'

Lisa Clapper

"Suma has this way of sitting with you that brings clarity out into the open. She sees your potential even before you do."

Lisa Clapper

Spoken Word Poet and Author

Andrea Canaan

"Suma is a beloved colleague and trustee of the craft. As an editor, Suma's support of the writer and their writing is that of a teacher, a scholar, and a publisher."

Andrea Canaan

Writing Coach and Therapist

🎯 Who is it for?

📝 Early to mid-stage writers

Those with early drafts of writing that don’t feel quite ready/finished.

✍️ Writers who need structure

Those struggling with establishing a writing process owing to busy schedules, uncertainty, etc.

🚀 What to expect?

👨‍💻 Writing & Environment

  • Craft toolkit
  • The building blocks of a good narrative – from idea to finished piece
  • Formatting before submission for consideration
  • Establishing a customised writing process that suits your personality and work/life demands
  • 1-on-1 mentoring
  • Positive energy: Be motivated by the vibrant and supportive atmosphere at AltSpace.

    • 🧔‍♂️ Retreat structure

    Format: Seminar + writing sprints + workshop

  • Days 1-2: Two instruction hours + two-writing sprints each (45 minutes to 1 hour)
  • Day 3: Instruction hour + one extended writing sprint
  • Day 4-5 – Suma to read through submissions, mark them up with edits/recommendations, followed by workshopping sessions.
  • Day 6 second half – Ending with a celebratory bonfire reading

    • 😎 Mentor

    Suma Nagaraj

    Suma Nagaraj

    Suma Nagaraj is a writer and editor based in Bangalore, India. She has worked as a multimedia journalist and columnist in both digital and print media. She assisted theater director Christine Young on her gender parity movement initiative, Works by Women in San Francisco, while earning her MFA in Creative Writing from University of San Francisco (2014). She was a writer-in-residence at Craigardan (Sep 2024) and a National Geographic fellow in slow journalism (2018). Her short stories have been published in Gardan Journal, The Write Launch, and Half and One. She is AltSpace’s perennial writer-in-residence.

    🥳 How can I be part of this?

    🗓️ When

    6th September(checkin) - 13th September, 2025(checkout)

    📍 Where

    AltSpace, Dharamshala

    💰 How much

    Rs 36k for one person (private room)

    Rs 22k per person, if sharing a room (max 2 people per room)

    Rs 16k per person, if opting for dorm (upto 6 people in the dorm)


    Price is all inclusive (stay, meals, sessions, events and GST)

    📦 What all does it cover

  • Stay in a cozy room in spacious and serene campus of AltSpace
  • Comfy bed, private bathroom, great views of the mountain and sunsets from campus
  • All your food needs are covered. 3 tasty & healthy meals a day. Tea/coffee and snacks also included
  • Complete access to the co-working space with high-speed internet
  • Fun experiences like bonfire, river bath, hiking etc

    • 🙏 Fill the application today

    The Writing Retreat is limited to a maximum of 20 seats. Fill up the application form and our team will connect with you ASAP.
    Please reach out to us on hello@altspaced.com in case you have any queries.