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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 website for more information on the founder.
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Marydale
Retreat Center
Erlanger, KY
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38th WRW
August 22 through 30, 2009
REGISTER
NOW
Limited number of spaces!
38th WRW
August 22 through 30, 2009
Guest staff includes Edgar Award Winning author TJ MacGregor
(Running
Time, Category Five, Kill Time,
Pinnacle Books), author/instructor
Les Edgerton (Finding
Your Voice, Hooked, WD Books), NYT Bestseller Will Lavender (Obedience),
WRW Grad Barbara Bentley (A Dance With the Devil), TV writer Julie Thacker-Scully (The Simpsons, The Pitts), literary
agent Donald Maass (Donald Maass Literary Agency) and more
staff TBA
37th
WRW
May 29 through June 7, 2009
(REGISTRATION FULL FOR MAY/JUNE)
Guest staff includes author Diana Rowland (Mark
of the Demon,
Bantam Dell), author/instructor Les Edgerton (Finding
Your Voice, Hooked,
WD Books), WRW Grads and authors Jack Getze (Big
Numbers, Big Money)
and Kimberly Frost (Would-Be
Witch,
Berkley), literary agent Stephen Barbara (Foundy Lit Agency), literary agent Cricket Freeman (August Literary
Agency), and WRW co-founder and author Gail Provost Stockwell.
Both
sessions feature our fabulous WRW Core staff, Jason Sitzes,
Lorin Oberweger, Roman White, and Brenda Windberg.
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WRW
2008 staff included 2007 Agatha Award Winning and best-selling mystery
author Nancy Pickard, and WRW Grad and Rocky Mountain Writer of
Year author Christine Goff, Literary Agent Matt Bialer (Sanford
J. Greenburger Agency), Literary agent Cherry Weiner, author Sheila
Williams, and NYT best-selling author Will Lavender. Plus, a hour-long
phone Q&A session with medical thriller author Michael Palmer,
and as always our amazing core WRW staff, editor-in-residence Lorin Oberweger, Roman
White, and director Jason Sitzes.
Thanks go to author best-selling
author Jennifer Crusie, author Christine Goff (WRW Grad and Rocky Mountain Writer of the Year winner)
, Lauren Mosko (Editor: Writers
Digest Novel and Short Story Writer's Market,) literary agents Meredith
Bernstein (Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency), and Cameron
McClure (Donald Maass Literary Agency),
and the entire WRW crew (Lorin Oberweger, Roman White, and Jason
Sitzes) for an amazing WRW 2007. See comments for this and all WRW
events. |
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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
Provost |
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. 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 opportunites with core and visiting staff. WRW is as
close to a ten-day, 20+ hour workshop as you can get. It's
unparalled 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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First the first time in over a decade, we'll be hosting two WRW workshops in 2009.
Our final 2009 10-day workshop runs August 22 through August 30, 2009.
Marydale Retreat Center in Erlanger, Kentucky, is situated among
dozens of acres of gently rolling hills, overlooking a tranquil
pond. It is also conveniently located only 4 miles from the Greater
Cincinnati International Airport.
We provide students with complimentary shuttle service to and from
the airport. |
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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 a sizable 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
Congrats to Darcy Maloney our 2009 Spring Robin Hardy Scholarship winner.
Congrats to
Maya Sloan, our 2008 Robin Hardy Scholarship winner (now represented by Sandford J Greenburger Agency and soon-to-be published by Pocket Books).
Gary Provost Scholarship
Congrats to Liam Galvin, recipient of
the 2009 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@netscape.net.
Request a brochure, and any information you need.
Ask
us for student referrals (students, perhaps from your area, we
can put you in contact with).
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Tuition for WRW includes all meals (three squares daily and fruit/drinks
available all day), private room, classes, consultations, and
classroom materials; everything but your transportation
costs.To participate in the WRITERS RETREAT WORKSHOP, send your
full payment of $1750, or your deposit of $750 (second deposit
of $500 due two months before workshop, and the final payment of $500 due one month before workshop) 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 and payment available.
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 one month prior to the beginning of the workshop, you may have your payments refunded or applied to another workshop minus cancellation fees. After that date, 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 refund is available.
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