Description
Retreat to the beach with us for a weekend of reading, writing, and relaxing!
Three generative workshops:
Nonfiction sessions will be led by Vicki Mayk, author of Growing up on the Gridiron, Football, Friendship, and the Tragic Life of Owen Thomas
Poetry sessions will be led by Dawn Leas, author of two chapbooks and one full-length collection (I Know When to Keep Quiet, Take Something When You Go, and A Person Worth Knowing)
- Welcome reception on Friday evening
- Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Free time to read/write/relax on the beach and explore Ocean City
- A closing activity that will allow you to turn some of your words into a charming keepsake craft.
- The opportunity to receive one-on-one feedback on a piece of your writing with either Vicki or Dawn for an additional fee. You’ll submit your work in advance and sit down with one of us during the retreat.
Our group will be able to reserve rooms at a special retreat rate, which includes breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. You will book and pay for your rooms directly with the inn.
Scarborough amenities include a big, beautiful wrap-around porch, a cozy parlor with a gas fireplace, breakfast, and coffee, tea, and some snacks available 24/7. All rooms have private baths and refrigerators.
You have the option of sharing a room at the Inn – and some suites can house three or more, so the cost can be shared. Rooms at the Scarborough are modern and beautiful. You still need to climb stairs – but there are some first-floor rooms available if that is a concern for you. All retreat activities will be on the first floor, either in the parlor or on the porch.
To check out the special rates and to book a room, please click the following link: Scarborough Inn.
Retreat Fee Cancellation Policy:
If you cancel before October 7, 2022, you will lose $100 of the retreat fee.
If you cancel October 7, 2022 or after, you’ll lose 50% of the retreat fee.
Exceptions to this policy will be considered for major documented illness (Covid) or life event, such as a death in the family.
Room Cancellation Policy
Rooms are booked directly with the Scarborough Inn and room cancellations are subject to the Inn’s cancellation policy, which can be reviewed here (scroll down to see it): Scarborough Inn Cancellation Policy
And if you don’t want to click the link, here’s the policy in Innkeeper Sne’s own words:
“I get it. Stuff happens. That’s why reservations are fully refundable 14 days prior to check-in. Reservations canceled between 1 and 14 days of check-in will be credited towards a future stay. To cancel a reservation, please call me at (609) 399-1558. Cancellations received after 3 p.m. the day prior to check-in will not be refunded or credited, and will be charged in full.”
Retreat Schedule
Friday, October 14, 2022
2:00 p.m. Check-in
The Inn’s official check-in time is 4 p.m., but they will try to have our rooms ready by 2 p.m. If your room is not ready, you’ll be able to park, store your bags and enjoy the Inn’s parlor or porch.
3:00-5:00 p.m. Writing and or exploring time
1:1 consultations with Vicki and/or Dawn available during this time.
Dinner on your own.
7:00 p.m. Opening reception
8:30 p.m. Optional group walk on the boardwalk
Saturday, October 15, 2022
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Writing Scavenger Hunt
Participants will be given a list of items to find both inside the Inn and nearby in Ocean City, which will include brief writing, warm-up exercises. Dawn and Vicki will then each introduce writing prompts for their genres to the group. Participants may choose to write either poetry or prose.
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Free time for individual writing, heading to the beach, or exploring Ocean City
1:1 consultations with Vicki and/or Dawn available during this time.
3:00 – 5:30 p.m. Participants will choose either prose (Vicki) or poetry (Dawn).
Memoir In Four Acts
Writers will respond briefly to four prompts. They will then have an opportunity to start a flash memoir or personal essay around a unifying theme using their responses. The theme will be revealed AFTER they write the prompts.
Poem Sewing
The cadralor was created in August 2020 by Christoper Cadra and Lori Howe and consists of five numbered stanzas each with the same number of lines (no more than 10) that on the surface seem unconnected, yet have what Cadra calls “an invisible thread” tying them magically together.
Using the form’s structured lines/sections and enjoying the freedom of exploring disparate experiences, memories, and ideas, we’ll each find our own “invisible thread” to ignite the magic of our cadralores.
Dinner on your own.
8:30 p.m. After dinner, participants can spend the evening writing on their own, socializing on the inn’s front porch or an informal reading in the parlor.
Sunday, October 16, 2022*
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Words into Art
Participants will create a piece of visual art on which they will incorporate words or lines written during the weekend. This session will be led by the owners of Handlaget Design, a locally owned, Ocean City small business specializing in custom-painted furniture and vintage home decor.
11:30 a.m. Lunch
12:15 p.m. Something Borrowed
Participants will share a line/sentence/phrase with a partner which will serve as a jumping off point for writing. You may choose to write poetry or prose (or try both) during this session.
2:00 p.m. Free time and departure whenever you are ready.
*Room check-out is promptly at 12:00 p.m.
Our group has access to B&B through 3 p.m.
Schedule subject to change. A final schedule will be provided the week prior to the retreat.