Ron Carlson by Tracy Hall

Tutka Bay Writers Retreat with Ron Carlson

2013 RETREAT NOW FULL - CONTACT US TO GO ON WAITLIST

Tutka Bay Lodge (59° 28' N 151° 30' W)
Friday, September 6 through Sunday, September 8, 2013

How do writers move from an experience/event in their lives into fiction? How can you use place to find your story? Join 49 Writers and acclaimed novelist and short story writer Ron Carlson, our 2013 retreat leader, to explore these questions through lecture, discussion, and writing exercises. At this wilderness retreat you will become motivated by the teaching of our visiting author, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow writers from around the state, and draw inspiration from the beauty and tranquility of the natural environment.

Ron Carlson’s most recent novel is The Signal from Viking. His short stories have appeared in Esquire, Harpers, The New Yorker, and other journals, as well as The Best American Short Stories, The O'Henry Prize Series, The Pushcart Prize Anthology, The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction and other anthologies. Ron Carlson Writes a Story, his book on writing, is taught widely. He has been awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, the Cohen Prize at Ploughshares, the McGinnis Award at the Iowa Review, the Aspen Literary Award, and his novel Five Skies was One Book Rhode Island in 2009. Mr. Carlson is Director of the Graduate Program in Fiction at the University of California, Irvine. His book of poems, Room Service, was published by Red Hen in Spring 2012, and his new novel Return to Oakpine will be published this summer. He was born in Logan, Utah.

Your weekend of instruction and inspiration will take place at Tutka Bay Lodge, named by Fodor in 2012 as one of the World’s Top 100 places to stay. Tutka Bay is a remote and rugged fjord characterized by soaring mountains, secluded beaches, old growth forest, and dramatic tidal fluctuations. To get there you fly or drive to the fishing community of Homer on the tip of the Kenai Peninsula (225 miles south of Anchorage) then take a twenty-five minute water taxi ride across Kachemak Bay. On the way you will observe a variety of shore and water birds, and there is always the possibility of sighting sea otters, orcas, humpbacks, and other marine mammals.

Once there you will enjoy the full-service accommodation and renowned cuisine provided by the staff of Within The Wild. Our retreat facility, The Widgeon, is a whimsical crabbing boat dry-docked on a tidal lagoon just a short walk away from your well-appointed cabin.

In addition to the daily instructional sessions with our retreat leader that consider ways in which you can use place to find your story, delving into aspects of style, language, and craft, there will be the opportunity to pursue assignments in the natural setting, to participate in breakout sessions, and to share your work with others.

The schedule allows time for reflection and recreation in the form of beach walks and forest hikes„ Ÿou you can simply relax on the spacious oceanside deck, soak in the outdoor hot tub, or take an invigorating sauna. For an additional fee, you can take advantage of on-site services such as cooking classes, massage and yoga, and guided ocean kayaking and boating.

RETREAT FEES

Retreat fees include instruction, meals, lodging in shared cabins, hot tub, sauna, and self-guided hiking. The weekend AFTER Labor Day, the retreat lasts two days/two nights. Fees and registration for optional activities will be available to registered participants in early August.

The fee for the round-trip Mako's Water Taxi from Homer to Tutka Bay is collected with your registration. Transportation to and from Homer is not included, though we will facilitate opportunities for informal carpooling. Except for the water taxi, fees are non-refundable unless we have a replacement for your slot. If you must cancel, you may substitute a replacement and we will do our best to assist by activating our wait list.

Early Bird Rate (before May 15): $525 members/ $575 non-members
Please check if you are unsure of your membership status. To become a 49 Writers member, click here. 

Private room surcharge: $90 (only three available). Please 

Regular Rate (after May 15): $575 members/$625 non-members

All registration fees include $80 water taxi RT Homer-Tutka Bay Lodge

ACCOMMODATIONS 
Retreat registration is limited to sixteen participants. Accommodations are in shared cabins; view details here. Rooming and cabin requests may be made at the time of registration, but we reserve the right to place participants according to availability. We recommend that couples register early to guarantee a private room. 

This year we are pleased to offer you the option to stay on at the lodge for one additional night after the retreat (Sunday, September 8) at the significantly discounted rate of $300/person, plus tax. If you wish to make arrangements to stay on, please

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
This year our hosts at Tutka Bay Lodge are pleased to offer the following complimentary activities: Hike with guide; half-day kayaking with guide; cooking class; and yoga. Other activities available for a fee are: Tutka Bay boat tour ($25); Halibut Cove/Gull Island boat tour ($100); 60-minute massage ($100); and 90-minute massage ($150).