This group is for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour writers. The purpose of this group is that, through writing, critiquing, and discussion we share our work and experiences as a BIPOC writer and person, in today’s society. The expectation is that all participants are actively working on long or short pieces that they are willing to present and receive feedback on. Members do not need to attend every meeting but participation in at least one meeting a month is required.
Max # of participants: 8
Date/time: 2nd Wednesday and 4th Wednesday
Duration: 90 minutes
This Writing Circle will be focused on getting other pairs of eyes on your work. If you are looking for some feedback on your writing, want to get help with plot points you’re stuck on, or just want some great conversation about story and structure, this is the spot for you! This small writing circle will focus on sharing current projects in order to hear others’ thoughts and even some help or guidance. We will focus on short stories and novels, (although poets can join too!) and all genres are welcome.
Max # of participants: 8
Date/time: 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Providing a safe, non-judgmental space for participants to share their original poetry, short stories, performance storytelling, songs and even memoir if they are comfortable. Writing exercises will also be part of our gatherings. Regular attendance is necessary.
Max # of participants: 10
Date and time: 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 pm Pacific
Duration: up to 120 minutes
Come and experience raw writing. Check in with others and see what hearts and voices create in the moment. Bring your ideas for prompts, prepare to discuss process and what arrives on the page when the mind is quiet and the heart and inner voices are free to play. All welcome.
Max # of participants: 8
Date/time: 2nd and 4th Thursday at 11:00 am
Duration: 60-90 minutes
It is so helpful for writers at the start or middle of longer writing projects to have regular ongoing accountability. In our biweekly sessions we will check-in to discuss current status, objectives, challenges and possible solutions, as well as celebrate forward movement.
Max # of participants: 12
Date and time: every other Sunday at 10:30 am Pacific;
Duration: 75 minutes
Description: Come have fun with haiku and other Japanese short forms! Open to newbies through to pros; we can all always learn more from each other. A chance to practice, share, and play some haiku games in a safe, non-judgemental setting.
Max # of participants: open
Date and time: 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm Pacific
Duration: 90 minutes
Do you find your words live in hedgerows, clipped and precise as a Spenserian sonnet or are your stanzas more likely to be rooted in free verse cottage gardens? Maybe you discover your poems along unmarked pathways and new fields? Let’s share where we find the seeds for our poems and together cultivate our poetry through mutual support, generative discussion, and respectful feedback.
Max # of participants: 8
Date/time: 4th Wednesday at 7:00 pm
Duration: 120 minutes
A group for writers who are currently caring for young children (approx 0-4 years). It can be hard to commit to a writing circle when you don’t know if nap time will move, get skipped altogether, or is still going and said napper has pinned you to the couch. This group is intended to meet the needs of its members with flexibility—Come late or leave early if you need to. Come even if you need to be on mute because your toddler is scream-singing in the background or hanging off your neck. No matter what kind of writer you are (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwright), whether you are currently writing or looking to get back to the page, if you are navigating writing and caregiving then you are welcome. This group is a place to set goals, get motivated, and share work (in a non-critique setting). If there is interest, this group may also include writing to prompts.
Max # of participants: 8 (3 spaces available)
Date/time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am Pacific
Duration: 60 minutes
Are you interested in writing and publishing short travel stories? Let’s learn and support each other by sharing tips and resources in this informal group discussion. New and published travel writers welcome.
Max # of participants: 7 with 2 co-hosts
Date and time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am Pacific
Duration: 90 minutes
Open to anyone over 30 identifying as female interested in memoir, poetry, essay, and narrative writing dedicated to writing check-in, motivation, accountability, and critique in a safe space.
Max # of participants: 6
Date/time: 4th Thursday at 11:00 am
Duration: 90 minutes
A monthly meeting focused on the craft and business of travel writing, with opportunities to check in and share how your writing projects are going, solicit advice/recommendations, workshop a short piece, and discuss topics related to travel writing.
Max # of participants: 11
Date/time: 4th Thursday at 2:00 pm Pacific
Duration: 90 minutes
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.
To reserve your spot, hit the register button below, answer a few brief questions, and select either a partial or full payment. a 50% deposit is due at the time of booking. If you select partial payment, the registration system will bill you for 50% of your total and we will send you an invoice for the remainder in the coming days. Please see our Terms and Conditions Page for payment details.
Arrival Day:
2:00 pm Gate Code Active (Forest Gate)
2:00 pm Arrival (Gate)
3:00 pm Tour from (Yew Studio)
3:30 pm Unstructured Settling In and Writing Time (Yew and Arbutus Studios)
5:00 pm Dinner (Bentley Dining Hall)
6:00 pm Break
7:00 pm Welcome Reception with Board Games and Writing Activities (Yew Studio)
Tuesday-Thursday
8:30 am Breakfast (Bentley Dinning Hall)
9:30 am Writing Sprints with Prompts (Yew Studio)
10:30 am Break
11:00 am Workshop or Activity (Yew Studio)
12:30 pm Lunch (Bentley Dinning Hall)
2:00 pm One-On-One Sessions
3:30 pm Free Writing Time
5:30 pm Dinner (Bentley Dinning Hall)
6:30 pm Break
7:00 pm Tuesday: Fireside Chat , Wednesday: Free Writing Time , Thursday: Open Mic (Yew Studio)
Departure Day
9:00 am Breakfast (Bentley Dinning Hall)
10:00 am Packing Time
10:45 am Depart Rooms
11:00 am Free Writing Time (Yew Studio)
1:00 pm Lunch (Bentley Dinning Hall)
2:00 pm Depart
