LIBRARY LIFE

Gladstone's Library, Hawarden

From Dan Kaszeta, author of Toxic

Anyone can hold a self-booked writing retreat at Gladstone's Library, but every year a small number of writers are chosen to become official Writers in Residence. This is a formal programme, of which I am proud and grateful to have been a beneficiary. There are eligibility criteria and an application process.

Each year, traditionally published writers are invited to apply for the residency, which includes a sponsored stay of two to four weeks in one of the Library bedrooms, and it is worth a try.

But if you book a few days to clear some head-space and get some writing done, anyone can benefit from a stay at the Library.

Either way, here are the first five entries in my highly opinionated top 10 guide on how to get the most from Gladstone's Library, in big ways and small.

1. Bring some boots - there is excellent, if muddy, walking to be had in the area. A walk to Ewloe Castle is, in fact, mostly not muddy and takes about an hour each direction. You can, also walk all the way to the walled fleshpots of Chester. I did it, and it took about two and three quarters hours one way.

2. Set some objectives - Give yourself a writing objective for the day. Then give yourself room to enjoy yourself when you hit the objective.

3. Don't mind the bells - You'll get used to the clock chiming after a few days. The idea of sneaking into the church to shove your duvet in the bell will pass.

4. Read something you wouldn't normally read - At the risk of sounding obvious, the place is full of books. I don't know how anyone becomes a good writer without first becoming a good reader.

5. Enjoy the utter whackiness of the old books - There's a book on manure. There are old books on why the world is going to end. There's Unorthodox London which is full of frankly catty highly opinionated remarks about various places of worship in London. They're fascinating.

Part two will come next week. The application period to become a 2026 Writer in Residence will open next year.