The Wild Words Writing Retreat

This 5-day retreat provides an ideal space to write in a communal environment with plenty of private spaces, inside and out. Join us for an incredible creative experience that will allow you the time to work on your writing project.

This retreat is open to fiction and non-fiction writers of all levels, but works best for self-motivated writers who are eager to make progress on their work.

The Wild Words Writing Retreat is for you if:

  • You’re ready to start giving your writing the time it truly deserves.
  • You have a great book idea or have already started a manuscript and need time away to make substantial progress.
  • You’re seeking clarity for the book you’ve already written.
  • You are craving a writing community and support.

 

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Dates

April 28 – May 3, 2024
June 9 – 13, 2024
September 22 – 27, 2024

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Sample Itinerary and Writing Schedule:

Day 1:

3:00 – 5:00 pm: Arrive, settle in, explore the property, or get a head start on writing!
5:00 pm: Group dinner (provided), orientation, and introductions. Discuss individual projects, goals, and intentions. Share something you’ve written.

Day 2:

All day free for writing
1:1 morning workshopping sessions with Kym
2:00 – 3:00 pm Optional yin yoga session
3:00 – 4:00 pm: Group session and sharing of a passage from work you admire

Day 3:

All day free for writing
9:30 am – 12:00 pm Optional morning group hike (weather dependent)
1:1 afternoon workshopping sessions 

Day 4:

All day free for writing
1:1 afternoon workshopping sessions
6:00pm: Celebratory potluck dinner and burning ceremony. Read our work, share our experiences of the retreat, and set our intentions as we ease back to the real world.

Day 5:

Goodbyes and check out by noon.

What’s Included:

  • Five days and four nights at a beautiful mountain house on 2.5 acres in Fairplay, Colorado to work on your creative writing project.
  • Community building with other writers and activities to polish and tune your pages, your craft, and your path.
  • Private yoga instructor for our group, guided hike, welcome dinner.
  • One-on-one workshopping sessions with me everyday. We can either meet (brainstorm your story, figure out your twist, nail down your characters, work through your story structure, or talk through marketing/publishing) or I’ll critique your manuscript/query letter – up to 2,000 words per day. 

prices

**Early BIRD RATES, COST GOES UP 12/15/23**

 

Private king room - $800

Private room with a king bed and large space to write – located on the lower level of the house.

Private queen room - $700

Private room with a queen bed and small space to write – located on the main level of the house.

Shared double room - $500

Large room to be shared by two people – located on the lower level of the house. Each roommate gets a bunk bed to themselves.

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Frequently asked Questions

Where is the house?
The house is in Fairplay, Colorado – 2 hours from Denver or Boulder. The house is in a neighborhood, but the properties are well spaced with lots of privacy. Most of the road is paved, but the last mile to the house is on a bumpy dirt road. I recommend a 4-wheel drive if you have one – but if you don’t, just go slow. The driveway is large with plenty of space for everyone to park. Just 8 minutes away is the town of Fairplay, where you’ll find a well stocked grocery store, restaurants, gas station, thrift shops, etc.
Is there good internet and cell service?
Yes! The house has fast broadband internet and good cell service.
Where will I be able to write?

There are many spaces to write inside and all over the property. Desks are in both of the private bedrooms and in the downstairs living area – including a “mobile” desk you can bring anywhere you’d like. Whether you like a more private writing space in your bedroom, curled up on the couch, or at the sunny kitchen table with a mountain view, you’ll find the perfect spot.

How are meals handled?
Dinner is provided for our welcome dinner on Sunday night (I will work around all dietary restrictions/preferences). I provide coffee and tea throughout the week. There’s three ways to brew coffee at the house: drip, pods, or french press. I’ll have whole beans and a grinder, filters, and pods. We also have several tea bag flavors and sugar/sweeteners.

You’ll provide your food for the rest of the week and any other beverages you like. Alcohol is permitted, but I ask that we are moderate in our drinking so we can stay focused on writing productively every day. There is a full-sized kitchen with a fridge/freezer, toaster, microwave, dishwasher, stove, and oven and all the cooking supplies you would need. There’s a BBQ grill on the deck. The kitchen is stocked with salt/pepper, oil/vinegar, cooking spices, and condiments.

What happens during the community sessions with the other participants?
  • On Sunday night, we’ll all share an excerpt of work we’ve written, up to 1,500 words.
  • On Monday after the yoga session, we’ll share an excerpt from a piece that inspires us.
  • On Wednesday night, we’ll share up to 2,000 words of work that we created while at the retreat.
What happens during the workshopping sessions?

I will have optional 45-minute timeslots available on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoon. You can use this time however you want. The options are:

  • Critique/line edits and feedback for your pages, up to 2,000 words per day.
  • Brainstorming sessions to talk through your plot, story, outline, characters, etc. to help you find clarity on whatever you need.
  • Talk through your plan for marketing your book and yourself.
  • Chart out your publishing goals and querying process.
When is payment due?

50% of the cost of the retreat is due at registration. The other 50% is due 90 days prior to the retreat. If the retreat begins in less than 90 days from the date you sign up, payment is due in full.

What is the cancellation policy?

If I cancel the retreat for any reason, you will be refunded in full.

If you cancel:

  • 90+ days prior to the retreat: Full refund
  • 31-90 days prior to the retreat: 50% of cost*
  • There are no refunds within 30 days of the retreat*

*The only exception to this policy is if I am able to fill your spot with a paying participant, I will refund you in full.

Please note that there will be no refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays, injury, or illness. I have designed the cancellation policy to be as compassionate as possible in the case that your plans change. But to protect yourself further, I strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance.

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More Questions?

Contact Kym

What past retreat participants are saying

The whole experience was outstanding. We were spoiled with breathtaking surroundings, an inviting home, a relaxing hot tub, and tons of creative energy. The schedule was very well-planned with just the right balance of activities and writing time. My creativity just flowed! The couple times I did get stuck, Kym helped me get unstuck almost immediately with insightful coaching and brainstorming. The “fears and intentions” ceremony on the last night was probably my favorite moment. And the moose sighting!
I’ve been to a lot of writing retreats and this was by far one of my favorites! Kym was an excellent coach, group leader, and hostess. She created a warm, comfortable environment where writers could come together to openly share our work, along with our hopes, fears, ideas, and intentions. (Not to mention a lot of laughter!)
I went into the retreat with nothing but a loose premise for my second novel. I walked away with 50 solid pages, a clarified vision of my characters and story, a plan to finish, and new friends to hold me accountable. I just wish I’d had something like this when I was working on my first book!
The retreat was composed of a diverse group of writers, all in different stages of our writing journeys and projects. Everyone found momentum and inspiration. Whether you’re a new writer or a veteran, you will find something worthwhile in the Wild Words Writing Retreat. My only advice: GO!
I came into the Wild Words Writing Retreat without clarity and left with a clear direction for my writing. I had completely lost faith in it and hadn’t touched it in five years. With the encouragement and advice of Kym, I was able to fall back in love with my own words and believe in my ability as a writer again. I am now so excited about editing my manuscript and plan to begin querying agents by the end of the year!
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