The Milford Writing Institute, founded by author Richard C. Morais in 2025, is an international center of excellence for aspiring writers, rooted on the banks of the Upper Delaware River in Pennsylvania but engaged with the wider world. The Institute’s mission is inspired by the Roman philosopher Seneca who observed, “Leisure without learning is death.”

Bearing Seneca’s remark in mind—that we spiritually die if we don’t keep learning as we pursue pleasure—the Institute will offer aspiring authors everywhere highest-quality writing workshops that combine exotic travel and cultural experiences, with a chance to materially improve their writing craft, so that learning and leisure are effortlessly merged to lift the spirit of attendees.

While the Institute’s anchor writing workshop and masterclass retreat will happen every fall in and around the Milford Readers & Writers Festival, it will be followed by other seasonal workshops in different corners of the globe. Watch this space to learn more about these other travel-related writing programs taking shape.

In the meantime, we are pleased to announce The Milford Writing Institute’s inaugural program:

FALL SEASON 2025