The writer, critic, BBC broadcasters and judge of major awards (including the Orange Prize for Fiction and the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for Literature) is launching a new writers' retreat in the idyllic village of La Giettaz, France - a secluded alpine escape, nestled at the foot of the Col des Aravis and overlooking a spectacular valley.

Writers will be provided with extremely spacious and comfortable apartments, fully-equipped with kingsize beds, TVs, DVD, wifi, and bathrobes and slippers for use in our spa facilities.

For those interested in structured courses, workshops and tutorials will be run in the mornings, leaving afternoons free for writing or exploring the mountains. Writers are also able to schedule one-to-one sessions with Bidisha at this time, and can send us up to 6000 words in advance of the retreat so that she can prepare comments.

The evenings consists of great food and wine and readings from either writers' own work or that of their favourite authors, as well as Q&A sessions about the business of publishing.

Solo, tailor-made retreats are also available, offering the opportunity to focus on larger manuscripts and receive unlimited personal guidance on pitching your work and getting it published.

Transfers to and from Geneva airport, catering, accommodation and use of spa facilities are all included in the price. For more details, including detailed photos of the accommodation and the surrounds as well as prices and dates, please go to:

www.chalet-la-giettaz.com/writers-retreats/