Critique Groups
Participants have the option to choose to be part of a small critique group that will meet during the
retreat. There is no additional cost to participate in a critique group. If selected at registration,
participants will be matched with other writers working in the same category of their choice. Each
member of the group will share a piece of writing prior to the retreat and receive submissions from
other members of their group. Critique groups will be provided with guidelines for sharing their work,
including word length, as well as recommendations for providing feedback both in-writing and in-
person. Categories include adult fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children’s. Select your preference during
registration.
retreat. There is no additional cost to participate in a critique group. If selected at registration,
participants will be matched with other writers working in the same category of their choice. Each
member of the group will share a piece of writing prior to the retreat and receive submissions from
other members of their group. Critique groups will be provided with guidelines for sharing their work,
including word length, as well as recommendations for providing feedback both in-writing and in-
person. Categories include adult fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children’s. Select your preference during
registration.
Professional Critiques
Are you looking for feedback on your writing or a specific work in progress? We are providing the option for retreat participants to add-on this service.See details under the profile for each professional writer. Manuscripts are to be submitted directly to each writer by January 20 and notes will be returned in the days leading up to the retreat weekend. Details on submission process and payment will be sent via email after registration.
Karen connelly
Karen Connelly is a writer, educator and therapist in private practice. She has won national and international prizes for her books, which are published in a dozen countries. In her online institute The Courageous Writers’ Academy, she teaches professional editing techniques and trauma-informed self-care, creative motivation, and time management in a supportive communal
environment. Karen is the author of the acclaimed novel The Lizard Cage, which won Britain’s Orange Broadband New Novelist’s Prize and the Governor General Award wining Touch the Dragon. As a psychotherapist, she specializes in trauma, creativity, and giftedness, and often uses the somatic and brain-based psychotherapy called Observed and Experiential Integration (OEI). You can read more about her work at www.thecourageroom.ca.
Karen’s critique will include a full substantive edit of up to 5000 words of fiction or non-fiction or 20 pages of poetry and will provide the writer with solid ideas about editing, expansion, possibility, and
where to improve.
The cost is $180 plus HST.
environment. Karen is the author of the acclaimed novel The Lizard Cage, which won Britain’s Orange Broadband New Novelist’s Prize and the Governor General Award wining Touch the Dragon. As a psychotherapist, she specializes in trauma, creativity, and giftedness, and often uses the somatic and brain-based psychotherapy called Observed and Experiential Integration (OEI). You can read more about her work at www.thecourageroom.ca.
Karen’s critique will include a full substantive edit of up to 5000 words of fiction or non-fiction or 20 pages of poetry and will provide the writer with solid ideas about editing, expansion, possibility, and
where to improve.
The cost is $180 plus HST.
Jean e. Pendziwol
Jean E. Pendziwol is the internationally bestselling and award-winning author of books for both adults
and children including The Lightkeeper's Daughters and Once Upon a Northern Night. Her critique includes written feedback on an excerpt or complete manuscript of no more than 2500 words and can be for either adults or children. Critique will focus on paragraph and line edits for excerpts and substantive edits for complete (ie picture book) manuscripts. A one:one session of 15 minutes at the retreat is included.
The cost is $75 plus HST.
marion agnew
Marion Agnew is the author of acclaimed nonfiction including the essay collection Reverberations: A Daughter’s Meditations on Alzheimer’s. Her essays have been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and the National Magazine Award. Her critique will provide written feedback on 2500 words of non-fiction, either a complete piece or part of a larger work, including substantive suggestions and line edits, taking into account any specific questions or requests from the writer. A one:one session of 15 minutes at the retreat is included.
The cost is $75 plus HST.
The cost is $75 plus HST.
Radiant Yoga with Colleen
Bring your yoga mat and join Colleen Dolce for gentle sessions focused on creativity and mindfulness on Saturday and Sunday. Don’t have a yoga mat? No worries – we got you covered.
More about Radiant Yoga HERE!
More about Radiant Yoga HERE!
With assistance from the following fine folks...
