Retreats
Robert Vaughan and Jonathan Cardew, instructors
Robert Vaughan
Jonathan Cardew
Robert Vaughan is the author of six books, most recently Askew (2022). His work blurs boundaries between genre and form, inviting writers to take creative risks. He’ll guide you in experimenting with hybrid writing and seeing your work from new angles.
Jonathan Cardew is the blog editor for Bending Genres and contributing editor for the Best Microfiction series. His stories appear in Passages North, cream city review, SmokeLong Quarterly, wigleaf, and Longleaf Review, among others. Originally from the UK, he lives in Milwaukee.
Cedar Valley
West Bend, WI
May 16 – 22, 2027
Mabel Dodge
Taos, NM
November 8 – 13, 2027
Multi-Genre Workshops
The shared ideas and differences between prose, poetry, and memoir will be explored during our multi-genre workshops. How can your work sing? Do your poems lack insightful narrative that can heighten the deeper message, enrich their meaning? Are your stories too structured, too flat? Need more tension? Like mixing paint onto a canvas, the backdrop of this Cedar Valley workshop will heighten exploration, and enable us to seek new modes of expression during this truly generative week, with a focus on experimental writing.
The retreat offers a genuinely safe environment in which ideas and work can be shared, and feedback is essential. Each writing day begins with a group discussion on a certain aspect of writing. Presenters Robert Vaughan and Jonathan Cardew will read stories/poems/memoir pieces, and include writing prompts each morning to fuel you to write into the deepest recesses of your being. You will also have the opportunity to have an individual coaching session with Vaughan and Cardew. Also three yummy meals per day will be provided, and coffee/tea is always available.
Cedar Valley, in Wisconsin, and Mabel Dodge Luhan Historic Lodge and Convention Center in Taos, NM are nothing but inspirational.
You will have the opportunity and inspiration to explore the unique challenges that writers face in writing a new piece each day. The retreats are ideal for writers of all levels of experience, from previously published, experienced writers to novice writers who are ready to launch into new terrain, to try out new techniques.
Our retreats are also excellent for writers who long to return to a project, or are currently immersed in a manuscript. Give yourself the incredibly precious gift of a week to write, to meet like-minded artists and writers, and to embrace or discover your own potential against the backdrop of an expansive, gorgeous oasis.
Cancellation Policies
- 30 days prior, full refund.
- 15 days prior, half refund.
If you withdraw from a workshop or retreat within two weeks prior to the start of the workshop or retreat, or if your event has already started and you need to drop, you are ineligible for a refund and you will be required to pay the full course fee.
Ask Robert a Question
Want more info? Use the contact form here to ask Robert Vaughan a question.