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A gathering of Christian writers in Minneapolis, MN
Thursday, July 28th—Monday, August 1st, 2011
(begins 5:00 pm Thursday, ends 10:00 am on Monday morning.)
Theme: "Waiting on the Word"
Writer's Weekend has a brand new format for 2011. For writers seeking uninterrupted time to write in a safe and nurturing setting, we offer a design-your-own personal writing retreat. For those who want more community and conversation, we offer groups for fellowship and discussion.
Writing Retreat
In the Personal Writing Retreat, you make your own schedule (except for meal times which are set by the dining hall). You have the luxury of time to work on your novel or memoir or poetry without the constant interruptions of home life. Participate in group activites--or not--as you choose. Need critique or advice? There will be three professional writing mentors available to answer questions and offer opinions--as well as other writers available for informal crit or discussion groups. You may sign up for a half hour appointment with one of the writing mentors for no additional charge.
Group Activities
For non-writing spouses and others who prefer more interaction, we offer group sessions alternating with time for leisure activities like swimming or nature walks. Jump-start your morning with worship led by Pastor Stephen Eyre. Stephen will also lead a Bible Study on Satuday and Sunday mornings. In the afternoons, Fran and Jerry Elsea will conduct a workshop on a novel and the movie based on the book. The writing mentors will lead critique groups, and the staff at Mt. Olivet will host a nature-appreciation event. At night we'll have our usual activities: opening mixer, the open mic coffee house, movie night, and the awards ceremony and campfire. On Monday morning, we'll close with worship and Communion.
Mix It Up!
Feel free to mix and match, combining group activities with quiet writing time as you wish. For advice on how to get the most out of a writing retreat, follow this link.
Early Birds
Come on Wednesday and get a head start on your writing project. The retreat begins officially at dinner on Thursday night, but you may come after lunch on Wednesday and spend an extra night at the retreat center. The cost for the extra day is $91 (double room). The Early Bird day includes dinner on Wednesday night and breakfast and lunch on Thursday.
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Mt. Olivet Retreat Center
Photo by Bill Menter
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Speakers and Workshop Leaders
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Stephen D.
Eyre
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Stephen D. Eyre is a consultant for Church Discipleship Services, which provides guidance, coaching and resources for small groups in churches of all different sizes and denominations. He also serves as Minister of congregational development at Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has written many books and Bible studies, including four LifeGuide Bible Studies for Intervarsity Press.
At Writer's Weekend 2011, Stephen will lead our morning worship services and a Bible study.
Get more information: Check out Stephen's books on the IVP site.
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Fran & Jerry
Elsea
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In a workshop called "You Can't Judge a Book by Its Movie," Fran and Jerry Elsea will discuss how Fannie Flagg's popular 1987 novel, Fried Green Tomatoes, works as a movie. Prospective participants should read the book in preparation for seeing the screen version at the seminar. Informal discussion will also reference other novels made into movies.
Retired Opinion Page editor Jerry Elsea is a founding board member of the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub in Cedar Rapids and a member of the organization's tutoring team for first-graders at an at-risk public school. He has served as writing coach for a young California prison inmate who wants to write cautionary tales for prospective gang members.
Fran Elsea, a Writing Academy charter member, is also a member of a local writer's group, The Writer's Guild. She has participated in the Academy's Writer's eXchange program as part of the Memoir group and is a past editor of the Writing Academy News.
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Nancy E.
James
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The poetry of Nancy Esther James has appeared in Christianity and Literature, Poet Lore, Time of Singing, and The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. She is a recipient of the Lois Henderson Award, presented annually for "a body of outstanding work that embodies Christian principles." She has taught English and creative writing at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania; at Kinjo Gakuin University in Nagoya, Japan, and at Kosin University in Pusan, South Korea.
For 14 years, NancyE has served as editor for The Upper Case, the newsletter of the St. David's Christian Writer's Conference. Until recently she taught a writing workshop at the Passavant Retirement Center in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, and she produced two anthologies of their writings. She is a member of the Squirrel Hill Poetry Society and the Pittsburgh Poetry Society.
NancyE will be available to mentor anyone working on poetry, memoir, or journaling.
Get more information: Read NancyE's poems on the Squirrel Hill site.
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Michele
Huey
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Michele Huey is a conference speaker, teacher, writer, radio personality, and web presence. Michele likes to sift through common everyday experience, in search of nuggets of truth that will inspire her readers and listeners. She currently serves the Writing Academy as a professional reader for our Memoir and Christian Writing courses.
Michele has published two books, compilations of her weekly newspaper column, "Minute Meditations." Her devotional ministry has also expanded into a popular radio program, God, Me and a Cup of Tea. "I desire to make a difference for eternity," says Michele in her personal mission statement, "by challenging others, through my teaching, writing, and speaking, to seek God and develop a practical faith, a deeper commitment, and a closer walk, thereby fulfilling their God-given purpose in life."
Michele is avilable to mentor writers working on a novel or short fiction or anyone with marketing questions.
Get more information: Michele's blog.
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Judyann
Grant
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Judyann Grant, of Mannsville, New York, has over 25 years experience writing for children and adults. In 2009, she won the Dr. Seuss Honor Award for a children's book, Chicken Said, "Cluck", published by HarperCollins. Her photo-essay book, A Day at the Fair, was released in 2010 by Richard C. Owen Publishers. Her essays have appeared in GRAND Magazine and in the anthologies My Teacher Is My Hero, and A Cup of Comfort for Weddings.
Judyann is the author of the Writing Academy's Devotional Writing Series, and she serves as the reader for that course. She regularly writes devotions for the "Pathways to God" publication, and an inspirational "Wit and Wisdom" newspaper column for three secular newspapers.
Judaynn is available to consult with writers working on devotions, spiritual reflections, children's literature, or newspaper writing (inspirational columns, letters to the editor).
Get more information: Chicken Said, "Cluck" on Amazon.com
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Ruth
Otto
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Ruth Otto serves as "cruise director" to keep things running smoothly during Writer's Weekend. She's in charge of our welcome and entertainment, and she serves as a creative consultant for seminar planning. Ruth, a church musician and piano teacher, is the author of an intergenerational curriculum for use in VBS, Bible studies, camps, and retreat settings.
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Special Features of Writer's Weekend
What have you been writing this past year? Bring a manuscript to share with others working in a similar form (poetry, novel chapter, etc.). Share critiques, ideas, and encouragement.
Coffee House: we read from our writing of the past year OR writing we've been doing at the retreat. Coffee House is open mic. Everyone may participate.
Jumpstart your writing day with Morning Worship led by Stephen Eyre.
Movie night: We've laughed and we've cried together while watching and discussing movies--Shadowlands, Chariots of Fire, Finding Forrester or Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptations of novels by our speakers. Jerry Elsea is our host for movie night at the Writing Academy.
Campfire: On Sunday night, we have a party! Think laughter. Bonfire. S'mores. . . . .
2011 Writing Contest
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The Marion Fairman Writing Contest for 2011 reflects our conference theme of "Waiting on the Word."
As we retreat from the world during Writer's Weekend 2011, we will be listening to the Lord as we write. But do you see the double meaning inherent in the words, "Waiting on the Word"? Yes, we as writers are waiting on God for inspiration and revelation. But at the same time, others are waiting to read the words of comfort, encouragement, healing, and nourishment we will write.
Winners will be announced on Sunday night at Writer's Weekend 2011.
For complete rules, click here.
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Location: Mt. Olivet Retreat Center
Marsh Bridge, Photo by Bill Menter
The Mount Olivet Retreat Center, in Farmington, Minnesota (near Minneapolis), is a peaceful, relaxed setting for a writing retreat. In summer, Mt. Olivet has a profusion of flowers, and there are scenic paths for walking or cycling. It is located at 7984 257th Street West, Farmington, MN 55024.
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Click here to view a map and directions to the retreat center.
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Prices for the Writers' Weekend
The registration form for Writer's Weekend 2011 is now available.
- Track One: (Full retreat--double room) $400.00
- Track One: (Full retreat--single room) $440.00
- Track Two: (Two days--double room) $200.00
- Track Two: (Two days--single room) $220.00
- Daily Comuter: (includes lunch, breaks, and dinner) $50 per day
- Early Bird: (Arrive on Wedesday--includes dinner on Wed, breakfast and lunch on Thurs) $91
- Late Fee: (after July 15th) $25
 (Display/print registration form.)
To download Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here.
Can't read pdf files? Click here to display the form in Google Docs.
- Please note: There is a very limited availability of private rooms. Late registrations cannot be guaranteed choice of room.
- Due to limited facilities, it is first come, first served.
- All registrations must be made through the Writing Academy;
the center will not accept individual reservations for this conference.
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After the deadline of July 15th, please contact
our registrar, Nancy Remmert.
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Writing Academy Treasurer
Nancy Remmert
312 St. Louis Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63135-2756
314-522-3718
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Back to the Writing Academy Home Page
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