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.

WRW 2011

Saint Josephs Retreat Center
Owensboro, KY


June 17 - 26, 2011


Early Registration is now OPEN.


Limited number of spaces!

40th WRW
June 17 - 26, 2011
GUESTS TO BE ANNOUNCED EARLY 2011

We were thrilled to welcome to WRW 2010:

NYT bestselling thriller author Michael Palmer, (The Last Surgeon, Miracle Cure, Extreme Measures), WRW Grad and NYT bestselling romance novelist Janet Chapman (Wedding the Highlander, Moonlight Warrior), debut novelist Daniel Palmer (Delirious - March 2011), Tor/Forge (Macmillan) editor Kristin Sevick, and literary agent Katharine Sands (Sarah Jane Freymann Lit Agency).

Also, our amazing and talented WRW co-founder Gail Provost Stockwell.
All prepared to work with you, an intimate limited registrant group, during an incredible challenging and inspiring week at the Writers Retreat Workshop.

And our fabulous WRW Core staff, Jason Sitzes, Lorin Oberweger, and Roman White.

Saint Josephs Retreat Center

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.

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.
Visit our online registration to reserve your spot.


Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happens at the Writers Retreat Workshop?
Where and when is the next Writers Retreat Workshop?
Do I belong at the Writers Retreat Workshop?
What should I expect from the experience?
Where can I get more information about the Gary Provost Scholarship?
I want to sign up. What should I do?
"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?
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.

WRW Participants at workshop in Kentucky

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 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.)

 


Where and when is the next Writers Retreat Workshop?


The 40th Writers Retreat Workshop will be held June 17 - 26, 2011.

For the first time we visit the Saint Josephs Retreat Center, a gorgeous private facility we hope to use for years to come.

Nearby airports are the Owensboro airport and the Evansville, IN airport. We provide students with complimentary shuttle service to and from BOTH airports. Owensboro is a 2 hour drive from Nashville, TN and a 2 hour drive from Louisville, KY.



Do I belong at the Writers Retreat Workshop?

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.

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.


What should I expect from the experience?

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.



Scholarships

Robin Hardy Scholarship

Congrats to Alison Marlow (England) our 2010 Robin Hardy Scholarship winner.

Congrats to Darcy Maloney and Marie Radanovich our 2009 Robin Hardy Scholarship winners.
Congrats to Maya Sloan, our 2008 Robin Hardy Scholarship winner (WRW project High Before Homeroom published 2010).

Gary Provost Scholarship

Congrats to Julie Winterling, recipient of the 2010 Gary Provost Scholarship.

I want to sign up. What should I do?

First- Feel free to email us: wrw04@netscape.net. 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 2011 session is as follows (all rooms are first come, first serve):

EARLY REGISTRATION IS OPEN.
SAVE $50 on deposit or $100 in full (discount reflected on registration page)

Returning students private room with bath 1945.00

First-time students private room with bath 1995.00

Returning student private room shared bath 1800.00

First-time student private room shared bath 1850.00

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. Saint Josephs Retreat Center offers a limited number of rooms with private shower and toilet facilites. Please note these are based on a first-come basis. Private rooms are also available with shared shower and separate toilet facilities, each unit is shared by ONLY three other rooms. The private rooms are large with ample writing space.

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-chaging days together with you, immersed in the world of your novel and surrounded by those passionate about writing.

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, 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.

 
  ©2006 Writers Retreat Workshop