Fall into Writing Retreat

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR NOVEMBER 24-28 2025

Join us for 5 days and 4 nights of writing bliss and support at the beautiful Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre, located in the idyllic natural landscape of the UBC Research Forest near Maple Ridge.

What will I get out of the retreat?

 The Fall Into Writing Retreat is designed to give writers an opportunity to unplug, get some writing done, learn new skills, feel inspired, and make connections.

The retreat is entirely flexible to the needs of registrants. A quiet writing space is open 24 hours a day. All activities including the workshops and socials are optional.

One-On-One Sessions

Each morning, participants will have an opportunity to sign up for one-on-one coaching sessions with our mentors and guests. In these sessions, we will help you focus your work, strengthen your ideas, and cheer you on towards your success. Participants can sign up for 1 session per day and can pick different mentors or guests each time, or revisit a now-trusted advisor.

Writer in Residence

Christina Myers

Christina Myers is a freelance writer and editor, a former journalist, and the author of Halfway Home: Thoughts from Midlife (House of Anansi, 2024) and The List of Last Chances (Caitlin Press, 2021). She has been the editor of two non-fiction anthologies, the second of which is forthcoming this October, and has been a contributor in more than a dozen other anthologies, along with a number of magazines, newspapers and journals. She was longlisted for the Leacock Medal, shortlisted for the Fred Kerner book prize, and won the 2023 Canadian Book Club Award in the fiction category. She teaches fiction and non-fiction through SFU’s Continuing Studies creative writing department, leads workshops and seminars for a variety of organizations, and does freelance book editing for individual writers and publishers. She is a member of Da’naxda’xw First Nation in BC, grew up all over Canada, and lives on the West Coast with her boisterous family: one spouse, two teenagers, and at present count, four cats. Her next book is working its way through the publishing trenches at the moment, and she’s now working on a variety of new projects. She is represented by Meg Wheeler at Westwood Creative Artists; find her online at www.cmyers.ca and at https://linktr.ee/christinamyers.

 

Special Guest

Jenn Sommersby

Jenn will be on hand to take your pitches! Learn more about Pulp Literature and their acquisitions process at

https://pulpliterature.com/novel-acquisitions/

pulpliterature.com

Register Now

Our Team and Mentors

Tara Avery

Mentor

Writer, Ghost Writer, and Editor. Chair of Editors BC and the Federation of BC Writers

Andrew Chesham

Mentor

Writer, Editor, Publisher, and Educator. Director of the Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University

Laura Farina

mentor

Poet, Picture Book Author, and Acting Director of the Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University

Kim Harbridge

Retreat Coordinator

Writer, Freelance Editor and Programming Architect at the Federation of BC Writers

Christina Myers

Writer in Residence

Cherished BC Author, Editor, and Writing Instructor. Retreat Writer in Residence

Bryan Mortensen

Retreat Cheerleader

Writer, Advocate, and Administrator. Executive Director of the Federation of BC Writers and Retreat Facilitator

Jennifer Sommersby

Special Guest

Author, Editor, and Acquisitions Editor for Pulp Femme/Pulp Literature

Our Itinerary

MON

AFTERNOON

  • Arrival (3:30pm)
  • Tour
  • Free Writing Time
 

Evening

  • Dinner
  • Board Games and Socialization

TUES

MORNING

  • Quiet Writing Time
  • Breakfast
  • Workshop/Session
 

AFTERNOON

  • Lunch
  • One-On-One Sessions
  • Free Writing Time
 

Evening

  • Dinner
  • Free Writing Time

WED

MORNING

  • Quiet Writing Time
  • Breakfast
  • Workshop/Session
 

AFTERNOON

  • Lunch
  • One-On-One Sessions
  • Free Writing Time
 

Evening

  • Dinner
  • Free Writing Time

THURS

MORNING

  • Quiet Writing Time
  • Breakfast
  • Workshop/Session
 

AFTERNOON

  • Lunch
  • One-On-One Sessions
  • Free Writing Time
 

Evening

  • Dinner
  • Open Mic

FRI

MORNING

  • Quiet Writing Time
  • Pack-up Time
  • Breakfast
 

AFTERNOON

  • Lunch
  • Depart (1:00pm)

WHAT IS THE FALL INTO WRITING RETREAT?

The Fall into Writing Retreat is a multi-day event run by the Federation of BC Writers that is open to anyone who wishes to attend! 

What to Expect

The retreat is an opportunity for you to get away from all the distractions of everyday life and work on your project(s). No matter what you are working on, you are welcome. 

The retreat is designed for participants to be as social or private as you wish. The retreat grounds and buildings allow us to spread out significantly across several spaces. There will be ongoing activities, a dedicated quiet writing room, one-on-one coaching, and more.

Writer in Residence

At each retreat, we have a Writer In Residence. We are excited to announce that the one and only Christina Myers is joining us for November!

Getting to Know Each Other

We know going to an event like this can be intimidating. To make it easier, we will be hosting some informal Zoom get-togethers in November. We will offer at least 2 sessions at different times. At these events, our team will go over what to expect, answer questions, and most importantly, allow you to get to know each other in advance.

We have put together an FAQ at the bottom of this page to answer our most common inquiries. If you want to know anything else, we will be glad to answer.

What Does the Retreat Cost?

The second FBCW retreat at Loon Lake Lodge builds on the amazing time we had there in April 2025. We sold out quickly at the last retreat, so book early.

Costs

A deposit of 50% of all fees is payable at the time of booking.

FBCW Member Rates (Remember to enter your discount code at time of checkout.  If you have not received it yet, please email us at hello@bcwriters.ca.)

  • $1499 per person in Double Rooms (booked individually)

  • $2199 per person Private Rooms

Guest Rates

  • $1699 per person in Double Rooms (booked individually)

  • $2399 per person Private Rooms

The Venue

The Rooms

The Dining Hall

Our Itinerary

Specific times will be added as we get closer to the retreat

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What can I expect in my room?

Each room includes a desk and 2 or 3 beds.

Beds are singles. The beds at the venue are very firm. We highly recommend bringing foam pads with you to make your stay more comfortable.

An example of such a product can be found here

Yes. There are two ways to do so.  If you book two individual beds in a double room in the same transactions, we will automatically put you together.  If you book separately, please enter your requested roommate on the registration form. This obviously does not apply to private room registrations.

Bathrooms are shared, but there are plenty of them. There is 1 bathroom for every 2 rooms. There are also additional bathrooms in common areas.

Yes, the venue has good Wi-Fi for internet connections and phones with Wi-Fi calling enabled.

The full schedule is being finalized. Each day will have early morning writing time, breakfast, activities, lunch, free writing time, dinner, and an evening activity or free writing time.

There is no cell service at Loon Lake, but phones can connect to the Wi-Fi.  If your carrier has Wi-Fi calling, enable it and your phone may work normally as long as you are connected to the venue’s internet.

The venue is not wheelchair accessible and may be a challenge for folks with significant mobility challenges. (We tried very hard to avoid this and hope to be able to book different buildings in the future.)

There will be between 28 and 32 people in attendance including presenters and staff.

All meals, non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea are included in your fees. The venue does not include linens, so please bring blankets or sleeping bags and pillows with you. Drink tickets can be purchased for a nominal fee at certain events.

Our reviews from the last retreat survey were incredibly positive and singled out the food as one of the highlights of the retreat. Our last retreat had meals including Turkey Dinner, Glazed Salmon, Lasagna, Waffles with Berries, Pancakes with Lemon Blueberry Compote, Eggs Benedict, and more.

The venue has spectacular food and works hard to accommodate all food needs. On your registration form, there is a place to note allergies and food preferences. Vegan and Gluten-Free meals cost $50 per person extra from the venue. Please advise at time of booking of any dietary needs. The venue has extensive background in preparing meals for large groups and is able to accommodate most requests.

Yes, the water comes right from the pristine lake and the venue has a purification system in place.

No, this event is entirely a choose-your-own adventure week. Our space includes two large rooms, one of which will be dedicated as a quiet writing space at all times. Meals are served in the dining hall at set hours, but other than that, you may use your time at the retreat as you wish.

No, this event is open to all writers from all backgrounds and experience. Though we know many of our participants are working on memoirs, so we have made certain that our guests and team are prepared to provide some guidance.

Please see our refund policy. We recommend that participants get trip cancellation insurance in case a crisis arises. Please confirm with your insurance that the retreat will be covered before purchasing. (The Federation of BC Writers does not endorse any of the below specifically. It is the responsibility of those seeking insurance to check what is covered or not.)

Insurance can be purchased through sites like:

BCAA

RBC

BlueCross

Waypoint

Guests may transfer their registration to another person at no cost until October 31, 2025.

If the individual taking over the registration is not a member, but the initial spot was registered as such, the new registrant will be responsible for the difference.

The individual taking over the registration must contact the federation at hello@bcwriters.ca to make payment arrangements.

The deposit and other fees paid by the initial registrant will be returned by e-transfer thereafter.

Yes, you can pay the full amount at any time.

Yes. If you pay a deposit, your spot is secure. Please be sure to watch for all payment deadlines outlined in the fee structure. Our registration system has the exact amount of beds/rooms available.

Please contact us to discuss at hello@bcwriters.ca.

This is an official Federation of BC Writers event.

Yes. Emergency contact information for the venue will be provided in your welcome package. (The package will be sent out in the fall.)

.