An independent bookstore and creative writing center in beautiful Port Orford, Oregon.

This workshop asks, How can we, more than ever, write our most important stories, ones that give voice to essential and sometimes overlooked truths (even if writing fiction)? What does it mean to be a queer writer in these strange times we find ourselves inhabiting? 

We will work together to create a safe and stimulating space in which to explore queer writers, queer writing, and queer ideas. From a 1979 interview with James Baldwin in the New York times: “The bottom line is this: You write, knowing that literature is indispensable to the world. The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way a person looks or people look at reality, then you can change it.”

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This retreat was designed to be accessible to writers of all genres and all experience levels. We will look at ways to queer the form in our writing, to write queer truths, and to experiment with voice, style and structure whether you're writing poetry, short stories, memoir, creative-nonfiction, a novel or something else entirely!

Each morning, our focus will be on generative writing. In this time, you will be supported in writing the beginnings of several new pieces, which you can take home post-retreat to continue to develop. You do not need to know what you want to write about, at all! We will read short excerpts from brilliant contemporary authors including Melissa Febos, Justin Torres, Saeed Jones, K.Iver, and other greats, and use creative prompts developed from their writing as inspiration for generating our own timely, new work.

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In the afternoons, we will workshop short pieces (up to 3 typed pages) for each participant. This is not to be feared! We will use a specific structure that highlights the work's strengths through lively discussion. If you've never participated in a writing feedback session before, it is generally helpful, intellectually-stimulating, and fun! You don't need to have any prior experience to participate, but you will need to have 1-3 typed, double spaced pages of previously-written work to send in by December 15, 2025. This can be a poem from 8 years ago, or a short story you're working on now, etc. Up to you! Also, you will be expected to read up to 18 pages of others' writing before the retreat.

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In addition to the writing sessions, dinner is included each night: healthy, vegetarian and locally-sourced! There will also be time set aside (usually mid-day) to explore nearby Ashland or Jacksonville on your own or with a new friend!

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I love doing all that I can to support fellow writers, create a fun and engaging retreat space, and build ongoing writing communities. I am looking forward to meeting and working with all of you, here in beautiful southern Oregon.