A Space Between
A gathering of women who write
Dear friends,
It’s been a while since I published on Substack (previously under eye spied). But it’s also been a long time since I’ve had the desire to write anything that isn’t for a client or an editorial commission.
For so long, I’ve been searching for meaning and purpose outside of the editorial and brand bubble. As I get older, and mark five years as a freelancer, it often feels like I’m not building towards anything substantial.
Over the past year, I’ve spent more time travelling than ever before – with friends and strangers-turned-friends – working remotely, subletting rooms, and taking chances on life outside of London. For once, I was able to put life ahead of, or in balance with, work.
In that space, I rediscovered the desire to write – not for a client or a commission, but for the yearning to.
From this, grew the seeds of a new … project(?) – the first step in what is a longer-term goal to start an art and writing residency, somewhere permanent.
𝙰 𝚂𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗, a small, nomadic gathering of women who write. The first is happening from 6 – 10 February 2026. If you’ve been feeling stuck in your writing, need time and space to focus while being gently supported by a group of women in the same inquiry, or just looking to fall back in love with the process, 𝙰 𝚂𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 could be for you.
I’ve detailed its premise and key details below, but it’s expanded on my website. Instagram’s algorithm isn’t too kind to me these days, so I hope you’ll forgive this out-of-the-blue email.
If this sounds like you (or feel free to share this with someone you know), you can submit your interest here. I’ll be detailing and expanding on all things 𝙰 𝚂𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 here.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙩?
A small, nomadic gathering of women who write. I’ve designed it to be full of the conditions I believe sustain a creative life: connection to others, proximity to create work together, a safe space to share it, access to nature, and moments of leisure that reset the mind and body.
𝙰 𝚂𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 doesn’t treat productivity as the goal. It’s rooted in the belief that leisure is the basis of culture – that unstructured, or what modern society might call ‘unproductive’, time is not a distraction from creativity, but its condition.
This idea comes from philosopher Josef Pieper, who wrote that leisure isn’t the absence of work – it’s what makes meaningful work possible.
𝙒𝙝𝙤’𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧?
Women who write – however you wish to define that. Which leads to the question: what qualifies as someone who writes?
For myself, and the purposes of the gathering, it’s someone who’s curious and wants to probe, reflect, and explore life through words. You don’t have to be published or writing full-time – just engaged in the act of noticing, thinking, and putting words to it.
If you have an idea for a book, a poem, a play, a film, a song – anything that involves putting words together in the pursuit of meaning, 𝙰 𝚂𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 could be for you.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨?
You won’t be directed, but instead provided with the time and space to write.
Alongside home cooked meals, comfortable accommodation, and moments of leisure surrounded by nature and a small group of women.
Daily writing workshops, writing blocks, and opportunities to share your work in the company of other women will also ground our time.
𝙒𝙝𝙮?
Sociologist Hartmut Rosa describes creativity as something that grows through resonance. In this mutual exchange between people and the world around us, we affect and are affected by others – rather than simply existing alongside them. Ideas shift, energy circulates, and something new emerges.
The cliché of the lonely writer is a self-fulfilling prophecy – one that’s been romanticised for so long it’s easy to mistake isolation for discipline. But creativity doesn’t thrive in a vacuum. It needs resonance – the quiet hum that comes from being near others who are also making, thinking, and wrestling with ideas.
Not necessarily to collaborate, but to coexist; to be witnessed in the act of trying.
𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨
In the countryside of Essaouira, Morocco – a coastal city between desert and sea, known for its creative energy and slower rhythm. It’s here where I’ve spent much of the last 6 months.
Easily reached from Marrakech or via direct flights from the UK and Europe on select days of the week.
If you’re flying from London, direct flights depart from Stansted on Friday and Tuesday (our start and end date for the gathering). At the time of writing, a return flight from London costs £77.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙙?
4 nights’ accommodation in a private villa with peaceful surroundings, a pool, and generous communal spaces designed for rest and focus
All meals prepared by our in-house chef using local, seasonal ingredients
Group transfers to and from Marrakech airport
Two private sunrise yoga sessions at the villa, with mats and props provided
Daily writing workshops, two set writing blocks per day, group readings
Plenty of time and space to write, read, think, rest, or share.
𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙩?
A private double room (single occupancy) is £740
A shared twin (single bed in a two-bed room) is £490
Pricing has been designed to be as cost-efficient and accessible as possible, while still allowing the gathering to be delivered with care, intention, and fair pay for the local businesses making this stay possible.
𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩
As is the nature of the gathering, places are limited (6-8 women max).
Submit your application of interest here.
If you have any questions, DM me (@ashleighkane)
or email me on (hello@ashleighkane.com) for more information.
With warmth,
Ashleigh
