Story Circle Network

Writers' Workshops/Conferences/Classes

(See also SCN Member Austin-Area Events)

Know of a writing activity, workshop, or conference? Let us know: send email with as many details as possible to writers@storycircle.org.

May / June / July / August / September / October / November / December

WHEN: Jun 1-6
WHAT: Horseback Writing Adventure
WHERE: Vee Bar Guest Ranch near Laramie, WY

Wild about horses? Crazy about writing?

Come feed both passions during this unique retreat at the beautiful Vee Bar Guest Ranch in Wyoming. For five days, we'll immerse ourselves in the literature and landscape of the horse—riding, reading, writing, grooming, "whispering," and more. Each guest will share the adventure with a horse equal to his or her own level of riding experience (one special horse will be yours for the entire retreat). All levels of writing and riding skill are welcome.

Price: $1275 (includes all meals, lodging, all writing and riding instruction, tack, and your own special horse for the entire 5 days)

Guest Facilitator: Sheri Griffith will be joining us and handling the "horsey" aspects of the retreat (along with the Vee Bar wranglers).

Deposit: $300 deposit due by February 1st, 2008.

All levels of Riding and Writing experience are welcome!

This retreat isn't just about riding horses, AND IT ISN'T JUST FOR WOMEN! It's about developing a deeper understanding of the horse and our relationship with the horse. By learning more about how a horse communicates with the world, we'll develop a deeper awareness of the way we communicate with the world.

DEADLINE TO SIGN-UP IS FEBRUARY 1ST, 2008!

To sign up, simply email Page Lambert with your name and address & mail your deposit to her: Page Lambert, Three Buffalo Draw, Santa Fe NM 87508.

To read more about Page Lambert, see her website. To learn more about the beautiful Vee Bar Guest Ranch, see their website, or call 800-483-3227 for more information.

—12/07/07

WHEN: Jun 14-15 [9am-5pm (optional to 8:30pm), Saturday; 9am-Noon, Sunday]
WHAT: Discovering Ourselves Through the Power and Practice of Story: A Writing from Life Workshop
WHERE: Meeting Room A 504 of Building A, LCRA Dalchau Service Center, 3505 Montopolis Dr, Austin TX

Join us for a weekend of writing, sharing, and discovering how powerful the practice of telling our stories can be. The stories we tell about ourselves make our lives bigger or smaller, more expansive or more limited, depending on our definition and interpretation of the events of our lives—not what literally happens, but what we make of it. As Christina Baldwin notes, we make the world fit into the story we are already carrying. We are the storytellers, the ones who put life into words. Come join our ranks and experience the mix of wisdom, wit and wonder that emerges when women gather to share their stories.

$125 for non-members, $100 for Story Circle members (a box lunch on Saturday is included in the fee)
Deadline for Registration: June 1
For all the details, and the online registration form, see the Workshop webpage.

WHEN: Jun 14-15
WHAT: "Changing the Paradigm from Aging to Sage-ing® ...One Story at a Time" —a Sage-ing Guild national conference
WHERE: Dayton, OH

Judith Helburn will be presenting a session on "Older Women's Legacy Circle: Ways of Reminiscing" at the Sage-ing Guild national conference, June 13-15 in Dayton, OH. For more information, please go to the Sage-ing Guild conference site.

WHEN: Jun 14-28
WHAT: Abroad Writers' Conference
WHERE: Cassis, France

Authors without Borders will be holding our France conference at the Camargo Foundation in CASSIS. The beautiful town of Cassis, France is situated along the Mediterranean Sea in the French Riviera, 30 km southeast of Marseilles. This ancient fishing village dates back to the earliest settlers in France.

Authors:

  • Pulitzer Prize Winner: Robert Olen Butler*
  • National Book Award Finalist: Dan Chaon*
  • Booker Nominee: Michele Roberts & Paul Watkins
  • Booker Judge: Russell Celyn Jones*
  • Commonwealth Writers Prize: Vikram Chandra
  • Nebula & Hugo Award: Kelly Link*
  • Pushcart Prize: Sheila Schwartz*
  • New York Times Best Selling Authors:
    • Gary Ferguson*
    • Alexandra Fuller*
    • Anne LeClaire*
    • Susan Vreeland
    • Rebecca Walker*
*workshop instructors

Literary Agents: Kristen Manges & Renee Zuckerbrot

Workshop: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Memoir, Screenwriting, Poetry and a beginning writing class.

Our group instructors are all MFA graduates with well-received published books and strong teaching backgrounds: Sheila Bender, Marcy Dermansky, Edan Lepucki, Krista Madsen, Russell Rowland, Ana Maria Spagna and Stephanie Stall.

For more info, see the Abroad Writers' Conference website.

—09/24/07

WHEN: Jun 18-21
WHAT: Center for Jounal Therapy's "Journal Conference 2008: The Power of Writing"
WHERE: Sheraton Denver West, 360 Union Blvd, Lakewood CO

This extraordinary event features a faculty of 40 (including workshops by SCN members Charlene Geiss, Jeanne Guy, and Linda Joy Myers), three keynote speakers (Christina Baldwin, Tristine Rainer and Dr. James Pennebaker), and six mix-and-match breakout tracks—therapy, health/wellness, spirituality, wiriting for creative self-discovery, memoir/life story, and writing in community. You can choose all breakout workshops in any one track, or you can choose any combination.

Early registration at preferred rates is good through February 10. After that, rates will increase by about 10%.

See the conference website for more information. There is an easy and convenient on-line registration process; or, if you prefer, you may call toll-free at 888-421-2298 to register.

—01/10/08

WHEN: Jun 20-22
WHAT: 2008 Agents & Editors Conference, hosted by the Writers' League of Texas
WHERE: Sheraton Austin Hotel, Austin TX

The premise of the conference is to pair writer-registrants who have works ready for the marketplace with participating agents for one-on-one "pitch" sessions. In addition, there are numerous panel discussions on hot topics in the publishing industry, an exhibition hall, and cocktail mixers.

Check out last year's conference, which was a sell-out at upwards of 450 people, for a glimpse of what's to come.

The following marketing opportunities are currently available to businesses and individuals. Please email Michael Hoinski if you are interested or have any questions.

  • Sponsorships: prices $1,000-$5,000.
  • Exhibition spaces: Promote your services and wares face-to-face with conference registrants. Price: $300.
  • Program advertising: Choose from display or classified advertising in the conference program. Prices: $49 - $289.
  • Tote-bag insertions: Include marketing materials in tote bags distributed to all conference registrants. Price: $50.

—01/16/08

WHEN: Jun 26-30
WHAT: Writing It Real in Port Townsend Summer Writers' Conference
WHERE: Harborside Inn, Port Townsend WA

Port Townsend is an inspirational place to write and a relaxing place to visit, with its walking trails, waterfront cafes, galleries and bookstores. Come join like-minded individuals in a lovely Victorian seaport when daylight lingers till nearly 10 pm.

Since 1999 our faculty's trademark has been enthusiasm, warmth and genuine down-to-earth instruction. Join instructors Sheila Bender, Meg Files, Jack Heffron and Susan Rich for thorough, small group instruction in writing and publishing memoir, non-fiction, fiction and poetry.

Whether you are experienced or new to writing, have a special project in mind, need a jumpstart or are switching genres, our conference provides the professional guidance you are looking for.

For fees, online registration form and schedule information see our conference page or send an email.

$25 Discount for Story Circle Members

—04/23/08

WHEN: July 20-25
WHAT: "Writing from the Imaginative Storm" for men and women...
WHERE: San Geronimo Hotel, Taos NM

In midsummer, under the majestic cottonwood trees, we will gather to share passion, inspiration, good food, amazing conversation, and creative spontaneity. Two workshops will be held most days, all designed around one central concept: the imaginative storm. Workshops are relevant to writers in all disciplines. Our goal is to open doors in your imagination, to expand your sense of play and exploration, and above all to find your writing's source in joy.

Faculty: James Nave, Allegra Huston, Page Lambert, Leslie Ulman, Gladys Swan, Paul Pascarella

Cost: $995

Registration info / more info on Page Lambert

—03/21/08

WHEN: Aug 8-10
WHAT: "Writing Along the Rim" for men and women in partnership with the Grand Canyon Field Institute
WHERE: spectacular South Rim of the Grand Canyon, AZ

Instructors: Page Lambert and GCFI staff.

Cost: $500

This retreat encourages participants to reflect upon and convey their experiences both verbally and in writing through a series of organic exercises informed by nature. Secluded scenic overlooks provide the backdrop. Light hiking below the rim may be an option if group desires and abilities permit. No writing experience necessary.

Registration info / more info on Page Lambert

—03/21/08

WHEN: Aug 10-12
WHAT: Red River Writing Retreat: A Women's Writing Workshop with Carolyn Blankenship and Leilani Rose
WHERE: Red River NM

Instructors: Carolyn Blankenship and Leilani Rose

1:30pm Sun, August 10-1pm Tue, August 12

Cost: $195 for Story Circle Members, $225 for non-members (Includes workshop and refreshments; does not include lodging, meals, or transportation)

Because we want an intimate retreat with ample time for writing and sharing, we are only able to accept 16 participants.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: July 1, 2008

For more info, see the retreat webpage.

—04/16/08

WHEN: Sep 3-7
WHAT: CREATE YOURSELF ANEW! On this Once-in-a-Lifetime WOMEN'S WRITING AND SCULPTING RIVER TRIP ADVENTURE featuring world renowned Santa Clara Pueblo artist ROXANNE SWENTZELL and her daughter, poet, singer, artist, ROSE SIMPSON.
WHERE: Colorado River, Westwater Canyon UT
WHO: You! and other like-spirited adventurous women (no rafting, writing, or sculpting experience necessary!)

FACILITATOR: Page Lambert, with special guest artists Roxanne and Rose

OUTFITTER: Sheri Griffith Expeditions, Moab, Utah (SGE), more than 34 years of first-class outdoor experience!

COST: $1,299.00 ($300 deposit due by May 1, 2008)

JOURNEY INCLUDES:

  • Personal writing consultations with Page
  • Five unique days with Roxanne and Rose
  • Group craft facilitation time
  • Writing, rafting, hiking, personal time, and socializing
  • Readings under the stars
  • Enough civilization to be comfortable in nature
  • Awesome professional women guides on every raft
  • Tents, sleeping bags, and pads
  • All meals prepared for you, fresh and healthy
  • Writing journals (and river clay!)

HOW TO REGISTER: Email Page Lambert, let her know you would like to sign up, then mail your deposit to her at 3 Buffalo Draw, Santa Fe NM 87508. You may also call Page at 303-842-7360. Once your deposit is received, you will receive a registration packet from SGE.

FOR RIVER TRIP QUESTIONS: Contact Sheri Griffith Expeditions, 800-332-2439, or email her, or go to the the Griffith Expeditions website.

FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CREATIVE FACILITATION: Email Page Lambert, or go to her website.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ROXANNE AND ROSE: see Roxanne's gallery website, Roxanne's website, and Rose's website.

FOR DOWNLOADABLE FLYERS AND ITINERARY: go to Page's website, then scroll down for PDF links.

—02/06/08

WHEN: Sep 24-28
WHAT: Writing from the River's Edge with Page Lambert and The Women's Wilderness Institute
WHERE: Green River, UT

A five-day creative canoeing adventure!

Instructors: Page Lambert and awesome Women's Wilderness Institute river guides!

Cost: $850

Fitness Level: gentle

No previous writing or canoeing experience necessary!

Registration info / more info on Page Lambert

—03/21/08

WHEN: Oct 3-5
WHAT: A Story Circle LifeWriting Retreat with Robin Edgar
WHERE: Wild Acres Retreat, Little Switzerland NC

Join nationally known author and writing workshop facilitator, Robin Edgar, for a weekend life-writing retreat open to any woman who is interested in life-writing, regardless of skill level or experience. Registration is limited to 12 participants. For more info or to register, please contact Robin Edgar at robinedgar@earthlink.net or see Robin's website.

—03/30/08