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Do you need a little time and space away from the pressures of everyday life to focus on your writing? Join us for our November 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 November Facilitated Retreat from November 9-12, 2023 at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster, Saskatchewan. At the SWG Facilitated Retreat, our 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 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 Nov 11. 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.
What You Can Expect to Gain at a Facilitated Retreat
The cost is $350 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. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the retreat; carpooling may be available (please inquire).
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.
Application deadline is extended to Tuesday October 17, 2023 (midnight).
Preference will be given to SWG members who have not published a book and who have never attended any 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. A non-refundable late fee of $35 will apply to all applications received after the application deadline.
Eligible retreat applicants may also apply for the Doris Hillis Scholarship, which provides one recipient with full fees for the Facilitated Retreat at St. Peter’s Abbey. The scholarship is for an emerging BIPOC Saskatchewan writer working on poetry or drama. To apply, please fill out this application form in addition to your Facilitated Retreat application form.
Please contact Program Director Yolanda Hansen at programs@skwriter.com or 306-791-7743 with any questions.
Sally Ito will be the Writer in Residence for the November 2023 Facilitated Retreat.
Sally Ito is a writer, translator, and instructor of creative writing at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. She has written four books of poetry, the latest of which is Heart’s Hydrography, published by Turnstone Press in 2022. She has also published a collection of short stories, Floating Shore, a few of which have recently been translated into and published in French She has co-translated the Japanese children’s poetry of Misuzu Kaneko with her aunt, Michiko Tsuboi for the illustrated children’s book, Are You an Echo: The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko. In 2018, Ito published a memoir, The Emperor’s Orphans about her life growing up as a Japanese Canadian on the prairies.
Thursday Evening Talk: INSPIRE CREATE SHARE: The Creative Process, You, and Me
The creative process like anything organic, needs a few key ingredients, and some time and focused energy for an idea or a vision to actually become something. It’s a little like making bread – there’s a bit of yeast for the leavening (inspiration), the addition of the water and flour, then the kneading and shaping (creation), and the baking and eating (sharing). I never used to think about this organic process much until I encountered French filmmaker Agnes Varda who spelled out the process in this precise three-word construction (slightly modified) that I’ve presented here as the title of my talk. Drawing from my memoir, The Emperor’s Orphans, I’m going to talk about what has inspired me to create and share over the years. I hope also to engage you, the writer, to reflect on this process and how it works or has worked for you.
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In proud partnership with:
