Your Inspired Path to Publication
June 17th - 24th, 2023
Do you yearn for time and space to devote to your work-in-progress?
Follow the call of your muse.
Come write by the sea this summer in Rockport.
Welcome
For centuries, writers have sought time and space away from the responsibilities of day-to-day life to pursue their creative endeavors. Whether it’s holing up in a room of one’s own or attending a conference with other writers, getting away is essential. The Alchemy of Writing Retreat offers the best of all of these. Along with plenty of time to immerse yourself in the world of your manuscript, our retreat provides a vibrant community where you will receive critique and feedback from two seasoned editors as well as enjoy the camaraderie of other committed writers, some of whom may become lifelong friends.
Together, we will explore the mystery and magic of creativity: how to tune into the muse with steady consistent results and how to identify and eliminate blocks to creativity. There is a place on the space-time continuum where your story already exists in its best completed form. We’ll visit that realm, and you’ll come away feeling inspired and able to write with confidence.
​
Our retreat will combine craft instruction, one-on-one feedback, yoga, meditation, guided visualizations, delicious food, water's edge relaxation, ceremony, ritual and a special evening performance of your work. But, more than just receiving this nourishment while away, we will explore the patterns of energy flow in each of our lives– understanding where the balance breaks down that leaves us feeling drained and how we can integrate more harmonic flow into our writing lives.
There is powerful stillness that comes from being at the water’s edge. To realize dreams requires devotion of time and intention. The rhythm of our days will be marked by time to write in solitude, balanced with communal gatherings that explore how best to nourish your writing life.
The Experience
​
-
One-on-one critiques of up to 30 pages, double-spaced
-
Craft instruction and tailored writing exercises
-
Individualized feedback
-
Time to immerse yourself in your work-in-progress
-
A community of other committed writers
-
Ceremony to support your writing practice
-
An opportunity to perform your work live
-
Fun group activities
-
Yoga for all levels
-
Guided meditation/Shamanic journeys
-
Nightly accommodations
-
All meals
-
Gift bag
-
Sand between your toes
The Place
The Modern Muse Writer’s Retreat takes place in beautiful Rockport, Texas, a bayside beach town forty-five minutes north of Corpus Christi. This quaint locale is known as a haven for artists of all kinds. The Rockport Center for the Arts is the focal point of downtown, which is also filled with restaurants, galleries and artists’ studios.
​
We will be housed in two waterfront properties on Key Allegro. Amenities include a shaded deck overlooking the bay for writing and yoga, access to a swimming pool, kayaks, high-speed wifi, and a golf cart for trips around the island.
The Food
All meals are included in the retreat. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served to the group buffet style with a view of the water.​ Meals will be local and organic whenever possible, with accommodations for dietary preferences and needs. If you decide to venture out for a meal, you will have a wide range of dining options to explore from food trucks and casual cafés to fine dining establishments.
The Hosts
- Founding Coach and Editor -
Bridget Boland, a published writer, editor and coach, holds a certification in shamanic energy healing from The Four Winds and is a Forrest Yoga instructor. Bridget strives to provide a sanctuary for students to explore their emotional, energetic and physical landscapes through writing, breath, movement and energetic processes.
- Fiction Coach and Editor -
Lisa Glasgow is an award-winning writer, a fiction editor and writing coach. Bringing her Master's degree in Comparative Literature together with years of coaching and editing experience, Lisa is passionate about helping other writers hone their craft and mine the best version of their story. Most of Lisa’s clients have gone on to publish their work.
To Apply
To apply, please submit 2500 words of your current work-in-progress along with a cover letter detailing why you would like to join the retreat, what specifically you hope to learn while you are with us and any publishing credits or awards you have earned to date.
​
After reading your writing sample, we will set up a brief phone interview during which we will discuss your writing goals and further explore what you hope to learn while with us.
The deadline to apply is May 19th. In order to provide participants with tailored instruction and one-on-one feedback and critiques of 30 pages (double spaced) of your work-in-progress, The Modern Muse Writing Retreat is limited to eight spots.
​
Submit today by sending your writing sample and cover letter in the body of an email to bridgeteboland@gmail.com
​
After you are accepted, you will receive a registration form and other information via email.
​
The Investment
Prices are all inclusive. (Exceptions include: airfare, transportation to and from the airport, alcohol, add-on services and off-site activities.)
Single Occupancy: $3500 early bird rate. (After April 22 $3700)
Double Occupancy: $2800 per person early bird rate. (After April 22 $3000)
​
​​
-
Rooms will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. Most have private baths but a couple share.
-
If opting to share a room with another participant, please let us know the name of the person with whom you will be sharing.
Arrivals and Departures
Please plan to arrive by 5:30 Saturday, 6/17 for our welcome dinner. If flying, please plan to arrive at the Corpus Christi airport no later than 4:00pm. We will need your flight information ASAP to coordinate a pick-up and drop-off schedule. Cars will be scheduled for departure on Sunday, June 24th. Please select a departure flight from Corpus Christi airport that takes off no earlier than 11:00am. Retreat will close by 9am on Sunday morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Yes. Please let us know your restrictions in advance and we will do our best. We will let you know if we are unable to for some reason.
​
Do I need to bring my own food?
All meals will be provided. Lite snacks will be provided daily. If there is something specific that you enjoy, you may want to bring those items with you.
​
May I pick my roommate?
Yes, please let us know your preferred roommate on your retreat registration form.
What are the bedrooms like?
We have three rooms with King beds, two with queen beds, one with twin beds. Most have private baths but a couple share. Rooms will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis.
​
Is there Wifi/ Cell Service?
There is high speed Wifi available and cellular coverage tends to be good all over Rockport.
​
Can I schedule a private Shamanic Energy Session?
Please mark on your registration form if you would like to schedule a private session. If there are spaces available, you may also be able sign-up in person at the retreat. We will provide more information regarding privates sessions as the time draws nearer.
Instructions for Living a Life:
Pay attention
Be astonished
Tell about it
​
Mary Oliver