Writing Retreat

Write with other writers!
Join us for the fifth annual Writing Retreat at Shake Rag Alley, open to writers of all levels. Enrich your talent and prospects in one of three genres:
• Memoir & Personal Essay with Patricia Ann McNair (Retreat Artistic Director)
• Short Story with Christine Rice
• Writing for Young People with Sarah Hammond
These in-depth workshops will challenge you across the three days and are led by award-winning published authors and experienced teachers of writing.
Interwoven around these main workshops will be optional and inspiring creative activities, including:
• Craft Talks and Panel Discussions
• Faculty and Local Author Reading
• Two Participant Open Mics
We look forward to welcoming you to a retreat jam-packed with opportunities to learn, share, network, and write.
Manuscript consultations are available with instructors on a first sign up, first served basis, at a very affordable price.
We are pleased to work in partnership with Hypertext Magazine & Studio, a social justice writing nonprofit organization.
Books by Faculty, Panelists & Presenters
Mining the Story
May 21-23, 2021
Writing Retreat Details & FAQs
Friday, May 21
10 – 10:30 am: Welcome & Faculty Introductions
10:45 – 11:45 am: Panel Discussion: Literary Citizens and Building Community, Sheree L. Greer, Sarah Hammond, Patricia McNair, Shawn Shifflet
Noon: Lunch
1:00 – 4:30 pm: Workshop Groups
- Patricia McNair, Memoir & Essay
- Christine Rice, Short Story
- Sarah Hammond, Writing for Young People
4:30 – 6 pm: Meet & Greet
5:30 – 7 pm: Manuscript Consultations
Free Evening to Explore Mineral Point and/or Write
Saturday, May 22
9 am: Manuscript Consultations
10:00 – 11:00 am: Craft Talk: Writers Dreaming, Shawn Shiflett
11:15 am – 12:15 pm: Professional/Publishing Talk: Confessions of a Literary Magazine Editor, Christine Rice
12:30 – 1:30 pm: Lunch & Participant Open Mic
1:30 – 4:30 pm: Workshop Groups
4:45 – 5:45 pm: Craft Talk: Writing Your Opposite, Eric Charles May
7:30 pm: Faculty and Local Author Reading | open to the public
Sunday, May 23
9:30 am: Manuscript Consultations
10 – 11:00 am: Craft Talk: Magic in Your Pocket (Easy Handmade Books), Philip Hartigan
11:00 am – noon: Craft Talk: Trust Your Voice, Trust Your Reader: Revision as Craft, Sheree L. Greer
12:15 – 1:15 pm: Lunch & Participant Open Mic
1:30 – 4:30 pm: Workshop Groups conclude
4:30 – 5 pm: Closing Remarks & Toast
Writing Retreat participants may sign up for a 25-minute one-on-one manuscript consultation with select faculty members. You may submit one piece no longer than 12 pages.
Saturday, May 22 | 12:30-1:30 pm
Sunday, May 23 | 12:15-1:15 pm
Registered workshop participants are invited to read from their own work. Please limit your selections to under 10 minutes.
Writing Workshops
select only one as they meet simultaneously
-
Memoir & Personal Essay
May 21-23, 2021 Register by:May 10
Patricia McNair
-
Crafting Fiction
May 21-23, 2021 Register by:May 10
Christine Rice
-
Writing for Young People
May 21-23, 2021 Register by:May 10
Sarah Hammond
Only Registered Workshop Participants May Purchase Manuscript Consultations


select only one as opportunities are limited
Friday — 5:30-5:55 pm
-
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Sheree L. Greer -
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Sarah Hammond -
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Patricia McNair -
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Christine Rice -
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Shawn Shiflett
Friday — 6:15-6:40 pm
-
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Sheree L. Greer -
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Sarah Hammond -
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Patricia McNair -
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Christine Rice -
Manuscript Consultation
May 21, 2021 Register by:May 10
Shawn Shiflett
Saturday — 9-9:25 am
-
Manuscript Consultation
May 22, 2021 Register by:May 10
Sheree L. Greer -
Manuscript Consultation
May 22, 2021 Register by:May 10
Sarah Hammond -
Manuscript Consultation
May 22, 2021 Register by:May 10
Patricia McNair -
Manuscript Consultation
May 22, 2021 Register by:May 10
Christine Rice -
Manuscript Consultation
May 22, 2021 Register by:May 10
Shawn Shiflett
Sunday — 9:30-9:55 am
-
Manuscript Consultation
May 23, 2021 Register by:May 10
Sheree L. Greer -
Manuscript Consultation
May 23, 2021 Register by:May 10
Sarah Hammond -
Manuscript Consultation
May 23, 2021 Register by:May 10
Patricia McNair -
Manuscript Consultation
May 23, 2021 Register by:May 10
Christine Rice -
Manuscript Consultation
May 23, 2021 Register by:May 10
Shawn Shiflett


open to all retreat participants at no cost
Friday — 10:45-11:45 am










Literary Citizens &
Building Community
What does it mean to be a good literary citizen and how does one find, or build, a writing community?
Panel Discussion with Patricia McNair, Sheree L. Greer, Sarah Hammond, and Shawn Shiflett.
Saturday
10-11 am
Craft Talk



Writers Dreaming
Shawn Shiflett
Saturday
11:15 am — 12:15 PM
Professional/Publishing Talk


Confessions of a Literary Magazine Editor
Christine Rice
Saturday
11:15 am — 12:15 PM
Craft Talk


Writing Your Opposite
Eric Charles May
Sunday
10-11 am
Craft Talk


Magic in Your Pocket (Easy Handmade Books)
Philip Hartigan
Sunday
11 am — 12 PM
Craft Talk



Trust Your Voice, Trust Your Reader: Revision as Craft
Sheree L. Greer
Saturday
12:30-1:30 Pm
Sunday
12:15-1:15 PM
Participant Open Mic


Sign Up in Person
to read for
10 minutes or less
Campus Map: Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts


Coach House
18 Shake Rag Street
Art Café
Ellery House
restrooms
4 of 33restrooms
5 of 33restrooms
6 of 33Open Air Parking
7 of 33Lind Pavilion Parking
8 of 33Roadside Parking
allowed on Commerce Street
Smejas’ Studio parking
10 of 33Smejas’ Studio
30 Doty Street
Curbside Parking
as indicated
Accessible Parking
with curb cut
Accessible Parking
with curb cut
Alley Stage
15 of 33Cabinet Shop
French Cabin
1830 Log Cabin
Potter’s House
Blacksmith Barn
Federal Spring
21 of 33Monarch Garden
22 of 33Lind Pavilion
411 Commerce Street
two blocks to
High Street & Commerce Street
Restaurants, Shops & Galleries
To Grocery Store
Point Foods
622 Dodge Street
Street Parking with Additional Parking behind Smejas’ Studio
26 of 33The Green
open air park
Stair Steps
between
Cabinet Shop & Lind Pavilion
Stair Steps
to Alley Stage
Stone Bridge
over
Federal Spring
223 Commerce St.
The Sardeson is home to the
Sardeson Pottery Studio,
Roland’s Loft,
and Tuckpoint. 31 of 33
Weaving & Fiber Arts Studio
Cannery Row Arts Incubator
121 Water St.
Footbridge
33 of 33ADA accessible buildings: Lind Pavilion, Coach House, Smejas’ Studio