Early-bird registration is open through Jan. 15 for the 20 spaces available to attend the Whidbey Island Writers Association’s popular Writers Lockdown Retreat set for March 14 to 16 at Coupeville’s Captain Whidbey Inn, along with pre-retreat events offered on Thursday, March 13.
This year’s retreat ist titled “First Write the Book! It’s all in the Craft,”and is an opportunity for writers to work in a safe, congenial and inspiring environment. The three-day experience includes hands-on workshops, informal writing salons with the instructors, a one-on-one manuscript evaluation, and unencumbered time for writing and networking. Led by three notable instructors, Priscilla Long, Jennie Shortridge and Randall Platt, the retreat focuses on discipline, craft, revision and how to take a work to its final stages.
Long is best known for her expertise in style and sentence crafting and for her widely acclaimed book,”The Writer’s Portable Mentor: A Guide to Art, Craft and the Writing Life.”
Novelist Shortridge is the author of five bestselling novels, the latest of which is “Love Water Memory.” She is a founding member of the well-known Seattle 7 consortium of authors, which includes Garth Stein and Erica Bauermeister.
Platt’s versatile writing background includes screenwriting, a humorous western series and award-winning young adult novels.
A “pretreat” workshop, “Everything You Need to Know about Book Publishing,” will be offered at the Inn from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 13 and is open to the general public, as well as retreat participants. Taught by local literary agent Andrea Hurst and editor, Margaret Bendet, the workshop will address the questions foremost in the minds of those who seek publication. To facilitate open discussion, registration will be limited and pre-registration is required at a cost of $50 for general public and $40 for retreat attendees.
Another “pretreat” event open to the general public as well as retreat registrants is the “Last Taste of Freedom Appetizer Buffet” held in Judge Still’s Tavern at the Inn following the workshop at 5:30 to 7 p.m. The buffet is an opportunity to socialize with workshop and retreat instructors, as well as fellow writers. Reservations are required by March 9; buffet is $25 for the public and $15 for retreat participants.
The retreat fee covers meals and lodging, as well as all instructional activities and consults. Registration is limited to 25; early- bird rates are availableuntil Wednesday, Jan.15.
Information and registration for all events are available at the NILA website. Email lockdownretreat@whidbey.com or call 360-331-2038 for more info.
