Red Shoes Writing Retreat on Lake of the Woods will inspire your creative writing in a place where the natural landscape and local culture offer both stimulation and serenity. We’ll gather from September 26-October 2 to write, relax, and explore the art, history, and culture of the Lake of the Woods area in northern Minnesota. Ride a tandem bike, take a boat ride, taste walleye, see toboggans and snowshoes made, tour a CCC camp, hike in the state forest, learn about willow basket-making, painting and sweat lodges from Ojibwe artisans, enjoy local coffee and craft beer, participate in a community storytelling event, and stay in a historic inn or newly constructed hotel. All kinds of writers are welcome. Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, memoir, short stories, essays, humor, or poetry, the craft sessions contain something new for everyone, beginners and experienced alike. 

This is a generative writing retreat where each of the ten workshops will provide you with new lessons on writing craft and challenge you to write something new and original. These workshops will not focus on criticism and you will not be required to share your work or read aloud. Instead, the format is intended to support and encourage you and provide a safe place to take new risks with your writing. 

Each workshop offers instruction, examples from published literature, and an exercise to complete during the session. These workshops are designed to generate new and creative writing and will engage the writer in a form of play that provides a portal to the profound.  

During the retreat, you will have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one private consultation with both a published author and writing coach (Kim Hruba) and a literary agent and developmental editor (Jill Swenson) to receive feedback on your writing, ask questions, and receive publishing advice.

Registration is limited to 10 writers and the price of the retreat is $1500 which is an all-inclusive price, covering your participation, lodging, and meals. Thanks to a Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Cultural Legacy Grant, the registration fee has been reduced to keep access to the arts affordable. The retreat experience is valued at $3000. Please inquire about commuter rates. Transportation to and from Warroad is not included and the responsibility of participants. English proficiency is required and there will not be an on-site ASL interpreter.

Residents of the seven-county service region of the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (Polk, Pennington, Marshall, Kittson, Red Lake, Norman, and Roseau) are encouraged to apply for a Quick Turnaround Grant.

Update (9/12/21): In accordance with Minnesota Health Department guidelines, we request retreat participants provide a Covid-19 negative test result within 72 hours upon arrival and to wear masks during indoor activities.

Please come with your memories, ideas, hopes, and visions. Be prepared to open your mind and heart to find out what you didn’t even know you knew.

“This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.”