Conferences & Events

Image: in a black and white photo from what might be a an early motion picture, a young man in street clothes is being forced at sword point to walk the plank of a ship by a burly man in a pirate's costume and an all-woman crew.

Workshopper Beware: Navigating the Risky Waters of Writing Classes and Retreats

Sometimes, for some writers, workshops are magical. But attendees should be prepared for all of it—the magic, the toxic and the just-plain-weird.
Image: Seen from inside the open doors of a room, a carry-on size suitcase with its handle up sits on an outdoor walkway against a backdrop of tropical foliage.

5 Ways to Make a Writing Retreat “Pay Off”

If you’d love to go on a writing retreat but worry about whether the investment will “pay off,” here are five ways to reap rewards.
Image: next to a potted plant and sunny window is a mug of steaming coffee emblazoned with the words "Go get 'em."

The Key Value That Makes Retreats Magical

When hosting a retreat, whatever the subject, providing small, achievable steps lets your participants feel that what they’ve done matters.
Emerging Writers Festival

Jane’s Guide to Getting the Most Out of a Writers Conference

Here's what I've learned over 20 years about making the most of any writers conference, whether you're an attendee or a speaker.
MWW 2017 photo by Gail Werner

A Love Letter to Midwest Writers Workshop (Why It’s Worth Saving)

I have been speaking at the Midwest Writers Workshop in Muncie, Indiana, continuously since 2003. Here's why I keep returning, year after year.
Playa, Summer Lake, Oregon

Writing Retreats: Bringing the Goodness Back Home With You

On the last day of your retreat or on your way back home, pose this question to yourself and take it seriously: How can I take the way I’m feeling home with me?