RETREATS ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FOR FUTURE DUE TO COVID19, but we continue with virtual one on one Writing Coaching to launch our authors.
August 23-29, 2020
Not only is Victoria a beautiful natural setting at the South most tip of Vancouver Island, it is an incredibly historic, early settlement, the capital city of British Columbia. It also has some of the best dining in the space of a very short walk around the beautiful downtown harbor, which also has great shopping and, of course, British high tea rooms. Victoria is also known for its antiques and its bookstores. Many independent bookstores and publishers thrive here including Munro’s Books started in 1963 by the late husband of the 2013 Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, Alice Munro.
This retreat will encompass both fiction and non-fiction writers and include 4 classes and a reading which will primarily review basic story structure and word play, as well as other aspects of writing basics. As with our other retreats we aim to build a solid support group of writers regardless of their writing level. You also get customized one-on-one writing coaching included. Meanwhile, there will be optional guided and unguided time to explore Victoria, stroll beaches and seawalls one block away, and visit restaurants and shops.
The retreat house is a large renovated comfortable Victorian house, one block off the beach. A peaceful, oasis for creativity and reflection.
This retreat will include a tour of historic Victoria, and another event (high tea or picnic).
As we update this page, please contact vswwriting@gmail.com to learn more, or call 604-706-2388.
What Retreats Include
Cost
Dates
Accommodation
Reserve
Gallery
About the Instructor / Coach
Travel to Victoria, B.C., Vancouver Island
What you need to know to be part of this retreat
What Retreats Include
- 1 Private Bedroom in Retreat House for 6 nights
- 4 Classes with 3 special breakfasts and 1 continental breakfast (vegan/gluten-free options on request)
- 1 High tea or Picnic (incl. transport)
- 1 Writing Coaching Session 1-on-1, Custom for You
- 1 Tour and Restaurant guides for 3 outings (includes transport, does not include cost of restaurants)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (wine not included)
The total cost for above is $1485.
Dates
August 23 – 29, 2020
| Aug-23 | Sunday | Cocktail night… Getting to Know the Group | ||||
| Aug-24 | Monday | Breakie and Class | 8:00 | 9:00 | to 10:30 AM | |
| Aug-25 | Tuesday | Breakie and Class | 8:00 | 9:00 | to 10:30 AM | |
| Aug-26 | Wednesday | Breakie and Class | 8:00 | 9:00 | to 10:30 AM | |
| Aug-27 | Thursday | Breakie and Class | 8:00 | 9:00 | to 10:30 AM | |
| Aug-28 | Friday | Tours & Farewell Dinner | Out for Breakie, Lunch and 7pm Dinner | |||
| Aug-29 | Saturday | High Tea or Picnic and Readings | ||||
Accommodation
The retreat house is a large renovated comfortable Victorian house, one block off the beach at Ross Bay, a backyard conversation circle, resident deer, a block from the beach and lots of quiet living spaces indoors and out and three bathrooms. A peaceful, oasis for creativity and reflection. You will have a private bedroom if you are the first seven to sign up. House is also a short walk to good shopping center with market and your hosts will also drive you there on a initial store run and on occasion. Note: participants from out of town who will need the accommodation included in our retreat (it will be high season in a tourist town), will take priority over those with local accommodation. SEE ACCOMMODATION SLIDES.
Gallery
Reserve
To reserve you must put a deposit of $200 and phone or email us at vswwriting@gmail.com or 604-706-2388.
ONLY $200 CAD deposit to reserve
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Refund policy here.
Travel to Victoria, B.C., Vancouver Island
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is on Vancouver Island. If you are on the Island you can drive or take other transport. If you are on the mainland you can:
- Take a plane to YYJ Victoria International Airport (West Jet, Delta, Alaska, United, Air Canada are the most common airlines used) and we will pick you up for an additional $50 (cabs are $55 – 75 not incl. tips) and take you to the retreat house.
- Drive and take your car on a BC Ferry to the island and drive into Victoria and retreat house.
- Walk-on the BC Ferry and take the excellent bus service (#70) for $2.50 and we will pick up in Victoria, end of line, and take you to the retreat house for $10 or pick you up at the Ferry terminal for $40.
- Drive and take a Port Angeles Coho ferry from Washington State (through customs) and drive to the retreat house (10 minutes away) or if walking on, we will pick up on at the dock and take you to the retreat house for $10
- Take a Harbour Air plane from Vancouver harbour to Victoria harbour and we will pick up on at the dock and take you to the retreat house for $10
- NOTE: you can also check out fast Clipper ferries from Seattle to Victoria but they tend to be quite expensive.
Call us to ask the route we think is easiest and best for you based on where you are coming from, 604-706-2388.
About the Instructor / Coach
Retreats with Kathrin Lake, Writing Coach and Author of Writing with Cold Feet and The A to Zen of Writing and The Happy Hammock.
Kathrin Lake is an author and writing coach with over 20 years experience teaching writing to adults in a way no one else does. Kathrin is an award winning playwright, screenwriter, author, former newspaper editor and has helped hundreds of people write their first books and published works, and helped many more get over their fears and procrastination around writing. You may find her books on Amazon.
What you need to know to be part of this retreat
- You don’t have to be published or be a experienced writer to enjoy or get great value out of this retreat, you just need to be able to participate in groups and want to improve your writing.
- We embrace all genres, fiction and non-fiction as the exercises and class materials work for both.
- You do get more out of the retreat if you have one project you want to work on and we can focus on for the writing coaching.
- You are up for having both a terrific creative experience as well as a fun holiday!
- Please look at our easy Prerequisite Questions that you should be able to say YES to HERE.
Refund of Deposits / Cancellation Policy
Link to our Retreat Refund Policy HERE
VSW: Vancouver & Victoria Schools of Writing 