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THE
WORKSHOP/RETREAT
Co-founded in 1987 by the late Gary
Provost (author and internationally acclaimed teacher of writing
for publication) and his wife Gail,
the ten-day WRITERS RETREAT WORKSHOP is an intensive learning experience
for small groups of serious-minded writers who are committed to improving
and completing their novels for submission. For those who consider
their writing to be a vital part of their lives, one they wish to
develop as fully as possible, WRW provides the ideal experience.
Visit our
photo page for past WRW events memorable moments.
Stop by this page for more detailed history
of the internationally acclaimed Writers Retreat Workshop and visit Gary's web site for more information on the founder.
June 14 - 23
Villa Maria Retreat and Conference Center
Frontenac, MN
Registration to reserve your space
(limited spaces available)
EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT now available.
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42nd WRW
June 14 - 23, 2013
Plans for the 42nd Writers Retreat Workshop are underway. Early registration is open with a significant discount available until Dec 1, 2012. We're still working to confirm staff for our 2013 workshop (with full announcement arriving Jan 2013), but we can confirm the return of author and popular instructor, Les Edgerton. Also, as always, featuring our core WRW staff and many more TBA.
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Our very special 2012 WRW 25th included our long-time friend writer/instructor Elizabeth Lyon (Manuscript Makeover, Writer's Compass Series), literary agent Meg Ruley (Jane Rotrosen Agency), Flux Publishing acquisitions editor Brian Farrey (also Brian, as author of the YA novel With Or Without You, won the 2012 Minnesota Young People's Literature Award)... and featured our brilliant core WRW staff: editor/author Lorin Oberweger, director Jason Sitzes, co-founder Gail Provost Stockwell and editor/author Brenda Windberg. We also welcomed via Skype sessions our good friends: literary agent Donald Maass, WRW Grad and author Kimberly Frost, WRW Grad and author Jack Getze, WRW Grad and author Christine Goff, and from Australia WRW long-time staff member author Marg McAlister.
Our incredible 2011 WRW featured: Kimberly Frost (WRW grad and acclaimed author of A Southern Witch series), Carolyn Wheat (instructor, mystery author and author of How To Write Killer Fiction), literary agent Lindsay Ribar (Sanford J Greenburger), editor representing Random House, Andrea Robinson, author and instructor Matt Brock, WRW co-founder and author Gail Provost Stockwell, and author, instructor and WRW director Jason Sitzes, and student/staff liaison Darcy Cleaver Maloney.
WRW 2010 included: NYT author Michael Palmer, Daniel Palmer (Delierious), NYT author and WRW Grad Janet Chapman (Wedding the Highlander, Moonlight Warrior), Tor/Forge editor Kristin Sevick, and literary agent Katharine Sands (Sarah Jane Frymann Agency).
WRW 2009 (two sessions) included author Diana Rowland, author Les Edgerton, WRW Grad and authors Jack Getze and Kimberly Frost, literary agents Stephen Barbara (Foundry), lit agent Cricket Freeman (August Lit), lit agent Donald Maass (Maass Agency), author TJ MacGregor, author Will Lavender, author Brett Witter, and WRW Grad and author Barbara Bentley. |
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"If
you have published none of your writing or very little, you can
be certain of this: Somebody like you, somebody new to the writing
game, somebody who is dazzled by hope and uncertainty and a glut
of questions about writing, will get his or her work published in
the coming months. It might as well be you."
--Gary
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What exactly happens at the Writers Retreat Workshop? |
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At
WRW you will find a forum in which to express yourself and your
creativity, your ambitions and fears. You will be made to feel at
home so that nothing stands in the way of your success during the
ten days.
This is a workshop, and you will work.
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WRW
Participants at workshop in Kentucky
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You'll attend
class each morning and be taught WRW's in-depth, step-by-step
course for crafting your novel, of any genre, for publication.
This is not formulaic novel instruction. There is no such formula.
Gary broke down novel structure scene-by-scene, dissected characters,
taught how to choose words with impact, and shared many other
fine details novelists must learn as second nature. Here, at WRW,
we review these stylistic tools over and over throughout the week
until you leave feeling equipped, inspired, and revitalized about
your novel. We don't teach the art-- we teach the craft and instruct
you on how to nurture the artist. Class instruction uses examples from classic to bestsellers of that day. Prior to the workshop you will be given a list of books used and a series of pre-workshop assignments. During the workshop you will be given assignments,
then go back to your private room or one of the various outdoor
spots to write. All work focuses on your novel, so while
you work on your story's structure, our dedicated staff will be
available to brainstorm with you on your plot. In small group
sessions, while learning how to diagnose your own and others'
style strengths and weaknesses, you'll also boost your editing
skills.
Other optional
activities include 7am Early Bird sessions, evening wine and
appetizer Shop Talks (featuring agents, instructors, students,
and authors), Book Signing night, 10pm Night Owl Sessions, and
ample 1-1 opportunities with core and visiting staff. WRW is as
close to a ten-day, 20+ hour workshop as you can get. It's
unparalleled in what it offers. And most of all,
if you want only a nice writing retreat in which you work on your
book and socialize when needed-- it's that as well. The only request
of new participants is that you attend the morning sessions based
on Gary Provost's groundbreaking course-- and you'll want to anyway.
WRW is immersion in the writing world whether you're writing genre,
literary fiction, children's literature, memoirs, short stories,
or any number of creative writing endeavors. That's why top agents
and authors return year after year.
Assisting
you throughout the ten days will be WRW mentors and In-Residence
guests, including authors/agents/editors who will share with you
the truth about today's publishing "business" and --when
they meet with you -- how best to market your novel-in-progress.
Informal
class with agents Matt Bialer and Grace Morgan (with author Jenny
Crusie lurking by the clock.)
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Where and when is the next Writers Retreat Workshop? |
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June 14 - 23
Villa Maria Retreat and Conference Center
Frontenac, MN
Registration to reserve your space
(limited spaces available)
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Do I belong at the Writers Retreat Workshop? |
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The decision to attend the WRW should, of course,
be a considered one. After all, it is an emotional and financial
commitment that you will be making.
Over the years, we've found that the most important prerequisite
for making that decision is the belief that you deserve to be there;
that you deserve to make an investment in your future as a writer.
By signing up, you are proclaiming that your writing is a vital
part of your life, one that you wish to develop as fully as possible.
You'll understand, intuitively, that attending the WRW will mean
you'll be giving the best gift you can to yourself . . . ten glorious
work-and-fun- crammed days of writing and learning. |
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The
key criteria for a successful ten days is to keep an open
mind and have a willingness to expand your horizons. Through
classes, assignments, diagnostic sessions, feedback, guest
speakers, discussion groups, readings, informal gatherings,
movies, and more, you will learn more than you had ever
dreamed was possible.
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What should
I expect from the experience? |
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First of all,
that you'll make dramatic improvements in your writing, editing,
story sense and marketing skills. Also, that you'll meet a group
of people with the same dreams and aspirations. That you'll laugh
a great deal. That you'll be well-fed, nurtured and challenged.
Expect to give yourself wonderful stretches of time to do the work
you are meant to do--write. Expect that you'll be welcomed into
the growing WRW family. Expect that your dreams will be revitalized.
Here are some comments
from some of our recent Writers Retreat Workshop participants.
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Scholarships |
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Robin Hardy Scholarship
Scholarship information for first-time students announced soon.
Gary Provost Scholarship
Congrats to Carol Dougherty, recipient of the 2012 Gary Provost Scholarship.
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I want to sign up. What should I do? |
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First- Feel
free to email us: wrw04@aim.com.
Request any information you need.
Ask
us for student referrals (students, perhaps from your area, we
can put you in contact with).
To participate in the WRITERS RETREAT WORKSHOP, visit our registration page.
Tuition for the 2013 session is as follows (all rooms are first come, first serve):
Tuition for WRW includes all meals (three homemade meals daily and fruit/drinks
available all day), private room, classes, consultations, and
classroom materials; everything but your transportation
costs. Please note rooms are based on a first-come basis
If you would like to make your
full payment, or your deposit (second deposit
of $500 due two months before workshop, and the final payment of $500 due one month before workshop) by mail, send payment along with your name, address, e-mail, phone numbers (daytime,
evening, fax), and a one-page summary of your novel-in-progress.
Our address is:
Writers Retreat Workshop (or just WRW)
PO Box 4236
Louisville KY 40204
Online
registration available
We look forward to sharing ten life-changing days together with you, immersed in the world of your novel and surrounded by those passionate about writing.
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42nd WRW
June 14 - 23, 2013
Villa Maria Retreat and Conference Center
Frontenac, MN
Registration is now OPEN.
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Workshop/Retreat cancellations are subject to a $100 processing fee. If you withdraw after being guaranteed a space, and you have notified us in writing at least two months prior to the beginning of the workshop, you may have your payments refunded or applied to another workshop minus cancellation fees. After that date, ONLY if we are able to fill your space, 60% of your payments will be applied to a future WRW session. If you opt for us to hold your space for a future session and after one year from date of first cancellation you have not attended, no credit is available.
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