New River Writing Retreat

Spring Retreat: April 10-12, 2009

A three-day communal writing workshop nestled in a scenic Blue Ridge Mountain getaway, with an emphasis on preparing a manuscript for professional submission. Facilitated by award-winning author and journalist Scott Nicholson and held at the peaceful Long Hope Retreat grounds in Todd, North Carolina, with campfire, sauna, hot tub, lake, walking trails, and kitchen.

Treat yourself to three relaxing, productive days in the mountains, surrounded by supportive fellow writers and working toward your dream of drafting, polishing, and publishing your novel. Whether you’re drafting the opening chapters or tackling the final revision, you’ll get a fresh perspective on your work and improve your craft under the guidance of a teacher and freelance editor who has the published body of work (and the rejection slips) to back up his advice. This is a participatory, interactive workshop constructed on mutual support and growth. We'll use your work to discuss point of view, characterization, dialogue, structure, plotting, and career planning.

About the host: Scott Nicholson is the author of seven Appalachian thrillers, over 60 short stories, and numerous writing articles. He’s also a freelance editor and has won three North Carolina Press Association Awards. Nicholson studied Creative writing at the University of North Carolina and Appalachian State University. In 1999, he won the international Writers of the Future contest. His first novel “The Red Church” was a Stoker Award finalist and an alternate selection of the Mystery Guild. www.hauntedcomputer.com

SCHEDULE

Friday—noon-4 p.m.—check-in
4 p.m.—Bountiful Beginnings (reading of opening chapters)
6 pm—Dinner
7 pm—Finish reading opening chapters

Saturday—9 a.m.—Character & POV
Noon—lunch
1 p.m—Three-act structure
4 p.m.—Dialogue
6 p.m. dinner
Sauna, hot tub, relaxation

Sunday 9 a.m.—Pitch perfect (agents, query letters, synopsis)
11 a.m.—Brunch
Noon—Career opportunities (Pitfalls, other media, career planning)
1 p.m.—One-on-one meetings with Scott

Cost: $195 (Includes workshops, meals, lodging, and critique of up to 30 pages). $100 for workshops only (Includes critique and Saturday lunch); after Oct. 15, registration increases to $295.

Limited to a maximum of 12 participants; health-oriented meals; sleeping quarters are semi-communal, so bring pajamas. Participants must share at least two chapters (app. 20-30 pages) and one-page synopsis of their work and agree to read the work of the other participants; laptops preferred but not required. For more information or to register by mail, call Scott Nicholson at (828) 264-3612, evenings at (336) 877-2985, or email hauntedcomputer@yahoo.com

REGISTER NOW:

www.hauntedcomputer.com/writingretreat.htm
More on the location: www.longhoperetreat.com

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