Stoking the Fire:
A Winter Weekend Writing Retreat for Women
December 13 - 15, 2024
Winter is a time of rest and renewal. This cozy weekend retreat in the beautiful Beaver Valley, Ontario is designed to fill your creative cup. A typical day will include plenty of unstructured writing time, guided exercises to inspire you, discussions with Alison on various facets of the writing life, and three delicious local meals. To preserve an intimate atmosphere, the retreat is limited to seven participants.
“The location was so beautiful. The schedule was intentional and nourishing. There was a great balance of solitary and social time. The food was delicious. Alie was incredibly supportive—with writing, and also with the emotions around life and writing life that surfaced for many of us.”
- Rebekah B.
Many writing programs are focused on the technical tools needed to write good poetry or prose. This retreat will focus instead on the soft skills needed to weather the ups and downs of the creative life. We will learn to take deep care of ourselves as writers, to nourish the diverse ways we find inspiration, and to draw pleasure from the act of creating itself as well as from the community of writers around us.
The Beaver Valley Lodge is a private 6-bedroom retreat located on the pristine Boyne River outside of Markdale, two hours north of Toronto. Beautifully rustic, it features a hot tub and miles of hiking trails accessible out the back door. Bedrooms are simple and comfortable. Writing workshops will take place on the sun porch overlooking the river, and the big stone fireplace is a perfect place to gather for wine and enlivening conversation in the evenings. Optional day trips include Le Scandinave Spa at Blue Mountain and a hike up Eugenia Falls to see the truly spectacular winter view.
Alison Pick is the author of two poetry collections, one memoir, and three novels. Her 2010 novel Far to Go was nominated for the Man Booker Prize, and has been optioned by House of Film in Toronto. Alison was the winner of the 2002 Bronwen Wallace Award for most promising writer in Canada under the age of 35, and has twice been a fellow at both Yaddo and MacDowell. She has taught at many writing schools including the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Sage Hill Writing Experience, and the Iceland Writers Retreat, and is a long-time faculty member at the Humber School for Writers.
She has also experienced plenty of setbacks over the course of her career, and understands the need to ‘retreat’ as a crucial, regenerative part of a creative life.
RATES
Double occupancy (twin beds): $898
Single occupancy (twin bed): $1098
Single occupancy (queen bed): $1298
Tax will be added for Canadians, in your local provincial rate.
A discount of 5% is available to anyone who pays in full before November 1st. One additional scholarship of 50% tuition is available. Please apply with a short paragraph detailing financial need and the project you wish to work on at the retreat. Preference given to BIPOC writers and single mothers.
All woman-identified and non-binary writers are welcome.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation, daily writing sessions facilitated by Alison, three delicious local meals per day plus snacks.
There is an option to continue mentorship with Alison following the retreat, subject to agreement and negotiation of fees by both parties.
Not included: travel to and from the Beaver Valley Lodge, fees for optional day trips, alcohol (if you would like to enjoy a cocktail at happy hour, please feel free to bring your own!).
CANCELLATION POLICY
Your non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of $250 holds your place in the retreat. The balance of your payment is due by November 15th and is also non-refundable and non-transferable after that date.
QUESTIONS? Please be in touch to book your free discovery call!