Join us for 5 days and 4 nights of writing bliss and support at the beautiful Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre, located in the idyllic natural landscape of the UBC Research Forest near Maple Ridge. Note: Bed linens are not included with the venue, so please bring a sleeping bag and pillow or sheets for a single bed. FAQ and Full Terms and Conditions can be found below. | WHAT IS INCLUDED:
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COSTS: A deposit of 50% of all fees is payable, via e-transfer, at the time of booking. (instructions will be provided on the registration form) EARLY BIRD RATES (if full payment received by December 31, 2024): FBCW Member Rates
Guest Rates
STANDARD RATES (After December 31st, 2024): FBCW Member Rates
Guest Rates
* Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free meals cost $50 per person extra from the venue. Please advise on your registration form of any special needs. |
OUR RETREAT TEAM AND PRESENTERS |
 | TARA AVERY is a writer, editor, and writing coach. After graduating from UBC with a BFA in Theatre, Film, and Creative Writing, she spent many years living abroad — AKA, collecting material for future writing. Tara believes words have the power to unite, entertain, and teach us. Mostly, she's just thrilled she's achieved her childhood dream of working with them for a living. |
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JACQUELINE M MASSEY is a journalist, writer, editor, photographer, and personal historian with extensive experience in publishing. She has worked with a variety of clients on projects ranging from corporate communications to self-published books. Jacqueline has a strong track record supporting nonprofit organizations through financial planning, project management, fundraising and communications, as well as assisting writers achieve their goals. She manages the Write on Bowen Festival of Readers & Writers and serves as Deputy Director for the Federation of BC Writers. She is inspired by and delighted to be in the company of the literary community.
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| BRYAN MORTENSEN is a writer, traveller, and administrator who calls the Comox Valley home. He is the Executive Director of the Federation of British Columbia Writers and has a degree in English from the University of Alberta with a minor in Philosophy. Bryan’s novella, “Ambition” was recently longlisted for the International 3-Day Novel Writing Contest. Nine out of ten of Bryan’s friends describe him as fun and or exhausting. |
| RACHEL DUNSTAN MULLER is an editor, workshop leader, oral storyteller, and the author of four children’s novels—When the Curtain Rises (translated into Swedish and Norwegian), Ten Thumb Sam, The Solstice Cup, and Squeeze—as well as over a hundred essays, articles, and stories for adults. She has produced two podcasts: Hintertales: Stories from the Margins of History, and Sticks and Stones and Stories. With help from a Canada Council for the Arts grant, she recently launched Once Upon a Fiddle, a live production that celebrates the power of art and the human spirit. She has been invited to perform her stories on both coasts and both sides of the border. Find her at https://racheldunstanmuller.com |
| FRANCES PECK worked as an editor, ghostwriter, and instructor of editing and writing for three decades. Then she returned to her childhood preoccupation, creative writing. Her debut novel, The Broken Places, about a major earthquake rocking Vancouver, was a Globe and Mail best book of 2022 and a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. Her second novel, Uncontrolled Flight, about the death of a BC firefighting pilot, made 2023 book-of-the-year lists at 49th Shelf and Consumed by Ink. Frances grew up in Cape Breton, lived in Ottawa, and in 2005 moved to North Vancouver. She is at work on a new novel. |
| KATHERINE WAGNER, also known as KT. KT has a long history of community involvement, including nine years as an elected school trustee, chairing the Mayor's Open Government Task Force, organizing Golden Ears Writers, sitting on various non-profit boards, and advocating tirelessly for literacy education. Currently, she’s president of the FBCW. She holds a certificate from BCIT in public relations and graduated from SFU’s Writers Studio in 2015. Citizen Ink was her op/ed column for the Maple Ridge News. Previously, she penned Education Watch for the Times. |
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GENEVIEVE WYNAND is a freelance editor and writer with work in print, online, and included in public-art displays. Her words have appeared in PRISM international, Grain, Tricycle, and Introvert, Dear, among others. Genevieve’s adventures as a short-from poet have taught her to pack as much life as possible into as few syllables as necessary. She lives tucked up against a rainforest in British Columbia, and has been known to emerge from her writer’s cave when tempted with coffee, books, or her weekly drum lesson. Visit her at genevievewynand.com.
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F.A.Q
What can I expect in my room?
Each room includes a desk and 2 or 3 beds.
What is the bathroom situation like?
Bathrooms are shared, but there are plenty of them. There is 1 bathroom for every 2 rooms. There are also additional bathrooms in common areas.
Is there WiFi?
Yes
What size are the beds?
Beds are singles
Is the venue accessible?
The venue is not wheelchair accessible and may be a challenge for folks with significant mobility challenges. (We tried very hard to avoid this and hope to be able to book different buildings in the future)
Is everything Included?
All meals, non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea are included in your fees. The venue does not include linens, so please bring blankets or sleeping bags and pillows with you. Drink tickets can be purchased for a nominal fee at certain events.
Do I have to attend all workshops and events?
No, this event is entirely a choose-your-own adventure week. Our space includes two large rooms, one of which will be dedicated as a quiet writing space at all times. Meals are served in the dinning hall at set hours, but other than that, you may use your time at the retreat as you wish.
Do I have to be working on a specific type of project or be at a certain level to participate?
No, this event is open to all writers from all backgrounds and experience.
What if I have special dietary needs?
Vegetarian and Gluten Free meals cost $50 per person extra from the venue. Please advise at time of booking of any dietary needs. The venue has extensive background in preparing meals for large groups and are able to accommodate most requests.
What happens if I cannot come?
Please see our refund policy. We recommend that participants get trip cancellation insurance in case a crisis arises.
Can I Transfer my registration to someone else?
Guests may transfer their registration to another person at no cost until February 28, 2025.
If an early bird rate was in effect it will be honoured.
If the individual taking over the registration is not a member, but the initial spot was registered as such, the new registrant will be responsible for the difference.
The individual taking over the registration must contact the federation at jacqueline@bcwriters.ca to make payment arrangements.
The deposit and other fees paid by the initial registrant will be returned by e-transfer thereafter.
Can I pay by credit card?
Yes, but we charge a 3% processing fee for credit cards as events of this size would mean significant fees to the organization.
Can I pay the full amount at time of booking?
Yes, you can pay the full amount at any time.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, but the refund policies apply. To qualify for Early Bird pricing, the full fee needs to be received by December 31st, 2024.
If I pay my deposit, am I guaranteed my spot, even if I have not paid the full fee?
Yes. If you pay a deposit, your spot is secure. Please be sure to watch all payment deadlines outlined in the fee structure.
What if I cannot pay the deposit at time of booking?
Please contact us to discuss.
Why is it cheaper to book double rooms with a roommate?
This scenario requires less administrative work for the Federation, so are pleased to pass along some savings to you.
Is there a full schedule for the event?
The schedule is nearly complete and will be posted shortly
Who is running this event?
This is an official Federation of BC Writers event.
How many people will be at the retreat?
There will be between 20 and 26 people in attendance including presenters and staff.
Terms and Conditions
Refund Policy
50% deposit is due at time of booking.
A full refund of fees paid is available until December 31st, 2024.
A half refund of fees paid is available from January 1st, 2025, until February 28th, 2025.
No refunds are possible after February 28th, 2025.
Any refunds will be issued by e-transfer and may take up to 2 weeks to process.
If the retreat is cancelled by our venue, full refunds will be provided.
Transferring of Registration
Guests may transfer their registration to another person at no cost until February 28, 2025.
If an early bird rate was in effect it will be honoured.
If the individual taking over the registration is not a member, but the initial spot was registered as such, the new registrant will be responsible for the difference.
The individual taking over the registration must contact the federation at jacqueline@bcwriters.ca to make payment arrangements.
The deposit and other fees paid by the initial registrant will be returned by e-transfer thereafter.
Waiver of Liability
The Federation of British Columbia Writers, its members, board, staff, and volunteers are not liable for any loss, injury, or damages from taking part in or attending the Spring Writes Retreat.
Any information presented by speakers and other guests is to be understood as opinion based on experience and not advice. Participants are encouraged to further research information provided.
The Federation of BC Writers recommends trip cancellation insurance from a reputable provider to offset any challenges posed by circumstances beyond the participant's control such as illness or family emergencies.
As the organization booking the event, we are required to pay a deposit and provide information to our venue. Our policies are designed to match the requirement and risk to the organization.
If the retreat is cancelled by our venue, full refunds will be provided.
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| Email us at hello@bcwriters.ca | PO BOX 3503 Courtenay, BC, V9N 6Z8 Registered Charity Number: 127661718 |