Events & Workshops

-- Extended Deadline --

Do you need a little time and space away from the pressures of everyday life to focus on your writing? Join us for our annual Facilitated Retreat; this retreat is perfect for beginner or emerging writers who have never been to a SWG retreat and would like to dive deeply into their writing for a few days.

We are hosting our annual Facilitated Retreat from November 12-15, 2020 at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster, Saskatchewan. At the SWG Facilitated Retreat, a Writer-In-Residence will give an introductory talk on an aspect of writing, provide one hour of one-on-one discussion and feedback on your writing and/or answers to your writing-related questions, and participate in an informal discussion at mealtimes with the other participants. Retreatants will also enjoy undisturbed writing time, provided meals, the inspiration of St. Peter’s Abbey and a reading of each others’ work on November 14. The facilitated retreat is designed as a time for you to focus on the writing you would like to do and to gain encouragement and motivation by interacting with the Writer-In-Residence and your fellow participants.

View St. Peter's Abbey facilities here.

The cost is $300 per person and includes a private room with a bathroom and all meals, as well as access to the Writer-In-Residence as described above.

Please note that the SWG and St. Peter’s Abbey are following provincial health guidelines very carefully to ensure we can provide a safe and enjoyable Facilitated Retreat. This retreat will be held in Lower Severin Hall, which has private rooms and bathrooms for each retreatant, as well as communal space large enough to accommodate social distancing. Meals will be individually served, and masks and social distancing are required for all communal areas. All applicants must be prepared to follow our requirements of wearing masks and social distancing, and provide their own transportation to and from the retreat.

To apply, applicants 19 years and older should submit 10 pages of writing they would like to have evaluated by the Writer-in-Residence, a letter describing their writing experience and why they want to attend the SWG Facilitated Retreat, and a completed application form. Please see our full application guidelines before submitting.

Facilitated Retreat Application Form

Application deadline has been extended to 4:30 pm on October 27, 2020.

Preference will be given to SWG members who have not published a book and who have never attended any of the SWG retreats. This facilitated retreat is primarily a retreat for beginning and emerging writers and priority will be given to these writers. However, if there is space available, we will consider applications from established writers and non-SK residents. A maximum of ten participants will be accepted.

Payment is due upon acceptance to the Facilitated Retreat and may be submitted by cheque, PayPal or credit card (phoned into the SWG office). Non-payment of fees will result in rejection of your application. A non-refundable late fee of $35 will apply to all applications received after the application deadline.

Please contact Program Manager Yolanda Hansen with any questions.

Dave Margoshes will be the Writer in Residence for the Nov 2020 Facilitated Retreat.

Dave Margoshes is a poet and fiction writer who’s been active in the Saskatchewan writing community for over 30 years. He’s appeared six times in Best Canadian Stories and been a Journey Prize finalist. Among his many books are Bix’s Trumpet and Other Stories, which was a Saskatchewan Book Awards Book of the Year, and A Book of Great Worth, named one of Amazon.Ca’s top hundred books for 2012. He’s taught creative writing and led workshops at various locations, and for various age groups, and been both a writer in residence and a mentor several times.