The Magical New Year’s Eve Writing Week
27 Dec – 2 Jan
The Magical New Year’s Eve Writing Week
From 27 December to 2 January, the pages of your book will unfold before you.
Indeed, during those wondrous days between Christmas and the New Year. When the old slowly comes to a standstill, the world seems to pause for a moment, and space is created for something new.
Your book.
Thirteen years ago, Geert Kimpen and Christine Pannebakker launched their first Writing Week. Since then, they have helped countless writers turn a dream, an idea or a half-finished manuscript into a real book.
They’re doing it all again this winter.
At Akoesticum, in the heart of the Veluwe. Surrounded by wintry woods. With a house full of writers, stories, fire, music, depth and everything you need to take your book to the next level.
This time, your book won’t just be a vague resolution.
But a book that is being written.
How do you write the best book you can possibly write?
How do you unleash the story that has been living within you for so long?
How do you find the form, the structure and the voice in which it truly comes to life?
And how do you ensure that your book will not only be written, but will also find its readers?
During this week, you can choose the workshops that make you think: yes, this is exactly what I need.
Discover the formula for the best possible book with Geert.
Learn from Christine how to turn a book into a bestseller.
Write amongst the winter trees around Akoesticum. Discover what music can do to the rhythm of your writing. Learn and laugh to your heart’s content. And during New Year’s Eve, celebrate not only the start of a new year, but also the start of what will be your year as a writer.
‘My greatest source of inspiration: the Writing Week with Geert Kimpen and Christine Pannebakker. What you have made possible this week is etched in my heart. I have felt the passion and love with which you pass on the craft of writing in every fibre of my being.’
– Hannah Cuppen, author of *Liefdesbang*, which has now sold over 150,000 copies
This is finally your moment
There are stories that can be patiently put off for years. And there comes a time when they can no longer be put off. If there is ever a time to take your writing voice seriously, it is now. Because a good book can give voice to what previously had no words.
Whatever is still alive within you now may soon be in the hands of a reader.
Make your dream come true. Enrich your readers.
Welcome to the New Year’s Eve Writing Week
Do you dream of writing your own book?
A memoir or a management book? A historical novel or a nail-biting thriller? A collection of poetry, a family history, a spiritual book or a collection of erotic stories?
Perhaps you’re already writing.
And perhaps there’s just that gut feeling: this is what I want.
Either of these is reason enough for us to welcome you.
This week, bestselling authors Geert Kimpen and Christine Pannebakker will help you discover your book, develop it further, write it and ultimately see it published.
Who is it for?
For anyone who takes their writing aspirations seriously and wants to give themselves something more meaningful than a list of New Year’s resolutions around the turn of the year: now is the time for the book that’s waiting to be written.
For both novice and experienced authors. For fiction and non-fiction. For those who’ve already written a hundred pages and feel that something’s missing. For those who’ve written three chapters and don’t know how to proceed. For those who’ve been mulling over a single sentence, a single image or a single story that just keeps coming back to them.
And for anyone thinking: ‘I don’t want to end this year once again with the thought that I’ll write that book one day.’
Let the old year draw to a close.
My life as a writer is about to begin.
What are we going to do?
We’ll get to work on your idea, your text and your story.
During this winter week, we’ll get to the heart of what you really want to write.
Where does the heart of your book lie? What do you want the reader to experience? What is the promise of your story? What structure does it need? What voice suits it best? And what stands between you and actually writing it?
You and your book are the starting point.
Whilst outside the winter woods lie still and the last light of December fades between the trees, inside we are building something that will last.
Page by page.
Our aim is clear: to ensure that by 2 January, your writing project has come to life. So that you can’t wait to carry on writing.
How?
You will receive a personalised Writing Plan from us in advance.
During this, you’ll assess where you’re at, what you want to write, what challenges you’re facing and what you want to achieve this week.
We’ll read your plan carefully and give you personalised feedback. During the week, you’ll have coaching sessions where we’ll look at your book together. You can ask us anything – about your story, structure, characters, style, doubts, writer’s block and the choices you need to make to move forward.
We also run workshops on the technical, creative and practical aspects of writing.
We’ll work on the blueprint for your book: its structure, plot, characters, synopsis, scenes, form and style.
For non-fiction, we explore what sets a strong non-fiction book apart and how to present ideas, knowledge and theory in a way that keeps the reader engaged.
We’re looking forward to the excitement.
To stages that truly come to life.
On writing intimacy and an erotic scene.
On the question of how to find a publisher and when self-publishing might actually be a good option.
How to bring your book to the world.
How to turn a book into a bestseller.
How to talk about your book during interviews and readings.
And, of course, we’ll also be discussing that one topic every writer has to face sooner or later:
The writer’s greatest secret.
There are also evenings when the life of a writer really comes to life.
A week straddling two years. To bring closure to what lies behind you. To reflect on what truly needs to be written. And to step into the new year with words and encounters that would not exist without you.
‘This week has truly changed my life. You are phenomenal and wonderful; what a great source of inspiration.’
– Michael Niclaus, author of *De druppel*
We have created the Writing Week that we ourselves would have loved to attend back when we were still dreaming of writing our own book.
A week in which you not only learn how to write better, but also discover what your particular book needs to truly come to life.
‘I took part because I love writing, with no particular ambition. The fact that my collection of short stories, *De Buurman*, has come to fruition and is now in the shops – that “spark” came during the writing week. Perhaps the fuse was already there, but you were the ones who lit the fire. A team whose passion has ‘infected’ me. And the same goes for the other participants – one by one, lovely, enthusiastic people. So to anyone who’s in two minds, for whatever reason, don’t hesitate: just do it! Happy and grateful.’
– Leen Van Der Schueren, author of *De Buurman*
Do you feel that this New Year is the time to really make room for your book?
Geert Kimpen
Geert Kimpen made his breakthrough with his novel *The Kabbalist*. This was followed by, amongst others, *The Secret Newton*, *Rachel, or the Mystery of Love* and *The Prince of Filettino* – novels that found a wide audience and were reprinted many times.
Later books, *The Girl Who Appeared on the Bank* and *I, Mary Magdalene*, also found their way to many readers.
He also wrote the workbooks *Turn Your Life into Gold*, *Step by Step from Wish to Reality* and *The Magic of Love*, of which tens of thousands of copies were sold.
Geert has written around twenty plays, several of which have also been staged outside the Netherlands and Belgium. His play *Sirene* has now been running for several seasons at a renowned theatre in Berlin.
He is also the publisher of London Books, featuring bestselling authors such as Robert Bridgeman, Tijn Touber, Maarten Oversier, Patty Harpenau and Sarah Leers.
What does Geert perhaps enjoy doing most of all? Working with an author to uncover the essence of a book. To find that one idea, that structure or that insight that suddenly turns loose pages into a coherent whole.
‘Geert Kimpen organises writers’ weeks of such high quality and humour that I can’t help but take my hat off to him. He is setting in motion a movement in the world of writing just as I envisage it in the world of education. With his boundless enthusiasm, he has completely convinced me that this book had to be written. And he has supported me with its publication.’
– education expert Hilde van Bulck, author of *The Headstrong Frog*
Christine Pannebakker
Christine fell in love with writing when, at the age of twenty-five, she wrote *Who Am I?*. The book became an instant bestseller. Following an article in *Margriet*, fifteen thousand people signed up for her *Who Am I?* days.
This was followed by, amongst others, *Vrouwenpower*, *De week*, *De maagd is terug* and *Trauma, je bent gek als je het niet hebt*. Her books were reprinted time and time again.
As a writing mentor, Christine guides a select group of writers each year in discovering the essence of their book, their own voice and the courage to write the story that is truly their own.
She looks beyond the manuscript itself. What does this book really mean to say? What is the writer still holding back? Which sentence is missing? Which decision is the author still afraid to make? And how can a good manuscript ultimately develop into a book that continues to find readers for years to come?
This is her promise ahead of this Writing Week:
It will make you fall in love with the life of a writer.
‘Christine always has you on the edge of your seat.’
– Happinez
‘Thank you for organising that incredible writing week which has changed my life forever.’
– Peter Platel, author of *Hou van haar*
New Year’s Eve like you’ve never celebrated it before
Your book takes centre stage
What we aim to create during a Writing Week goes beyond simply learning to write better. We want you to discover what your story truly has to say. We want you to be taken seriously as a writer. We want you to have someone by your side who recognises where your manuscript already shines, as well as where you might still be holding back. And that you’re surrounded by other people who understand just how special, wonderful, frustrating and sometimes mad it is to want to write a book.
‘Thank you for being such a huge source of inspiration. Not only in terms of writing, but also in the way you truly see each person with such attention.’
– Charmaine Hulsbosch, author of *Three Widows, a Grave*
New Year’s Eve like you’ve never celebrated it before
No need to rush off anywhere.
No days wasted between yet another Christmas visit and too many oliebollen.
You wake up to the winter stillness of the Veluwe and know exactly why you’re here.
Your book.
During the day, we write, work, reflect, go for walks and delve deeper into our interests.
In the evenings, there’s time for stories, music, conversations and everything that emerges when writers actually spend a few days together.
And somewhere in the middle of that week, something happens that can only happen once a year.
The old year is drawing to a close. The new one is about to begin.
We’ll celebrate that moment together with a special ritual.
You won’t have to wake up on 1 January thinking:
This year, I’m finally going to write my book.
You’ve already got started.
Find your voice in what lies behind you. Write what lies ahead.
We’ll be staying at Akoesticum, the rural training centre for music, dance and theatre, right in the heart of the Veluwe. A place made for people who want to create something. Where musicians rehearse, dancers move, theatre makers explore, and this winter, writers too will have the space to pursue their work.
Outside lie the woods. Inside lie your pages.
Between 27 December and 2 January, there is a period of time that rarely exists in everyday life.
Time to write, discover and get started.
Beyond the resolution. This year, it’s your book.
Practical information
Date: 27 December 2026 to 2 January 2027
Venue: Akoesticum, Veluwe
Supervision: Geert Kimpen, Christine Pannebakker and Zonneke
For that book you’ve finally realised you’re actually going to write.
Practical information about the writing week
27 December 2026 to 2 January 2027
Prices
- At Terra Nova
- 2,299 euros excluding VAT (for a single room with an en-suite shower, subject to availability!)
Early Bird discount until 15 November 2026: 2,099 excluding VAT - 2,049 euros excluding VAT (for a twin room with en-suite shower)
Early Bird discount until 31 May 2026; 1,899 euros excluding VAT
Included
The above prices include: tourist tax, personalised writing guidance through two coaching sessions, two to three writing workshops and/or inspirational sessions each day on the life of a writer after publication, fun events including a New Year’s Eve party, accommodation in a room at Akoesticum), use of all the centre’s facilities (we have exclusively hired Akoesticum for our group), inspiration, wonderful conversations and lots of fun. Full board, which includes: three delicious meals a day, served buffet-style. Free coffee, tea and filtered water available all day. Every evening, participants can enjoy a carefully curated drinks package, including wine, soft drinks or beer.
Not included
Not included: other alcoholic drinks (these can be ordered and paid for at the bar on site), travel to and from Akoesticum (the centre is right next to the station, and there is, of course, ample parking), personal expenses, any excursions you wish to undertake, and travel and cancellation insurance.
* Of course, there is the option to carpool.
It is possible to pay the registration fee in up to three instalments before the start of the Writing Week. If you wish to do so, please contact susanbrown@londonbooks.eu to discuss the options.
There is only room for a limited number of participants. Book quickly to secure your place.
