Statue in the rain
Open Studio at Crooked Brook

Adirondack Memoir Retreat, October 25 to 28, 2012

Mary BethI am helping my friend Mary Beth Coudal set up at terrific writers retreat in Westport, NY for the end of October. This is going to be a marvellous time, and I hope some of you will consider joining us. The event will be held at Skenewood, a mansion in a secluded spot overlooking Lake Champlain. Mary Beth, whose workshop I enjoyed last summer, is the primary retreat leader, and she has recruited several of us to lead individual sessions.

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It's a great time of year in Westport. The food will be great. Some wonderful people are coming. We'll have yoga first thing in the morning to open us up creatively, and walks around the estate and down by the shore. I am really looking forward to this.

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Here is what Mary Beth has to say about it:

Join Mary Beth Coudal for a three-day writing retreat in the historic Georgian manor house, Skenewood, in Westport, New York, to focus on writing the story of your life from October 25 to 28, 2012. 

Participants will have hours to retreat and write. They can find their spot on the terrace overlooking Lake Champlain, next to a fireplace, or in a window seat. There will also be time to:

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    • start the day with yoga,
    • attend a workshop with a local author,
    • share local farm fresh meals in the grand dining room,
    • kayak Lake Champlain or hike woodland trails, 
    • join an evening dinner party in town, and
    • read from their works in progress at an after-dinner salon.

 When they’re done, participants will have: 

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    • completed a publishable story from their lives, 
    • found a community of writers to support them, and
    • know the next steps to continue their good work.

When: Thursday afternoon, October 25 at 2:30 pm to Sunday afternoon, October 28, 1 pm

This retreat is led by Mary Beth Coudal, who owns and operates the Writers Boot Camp East. Her essays have been published in the New York Times, Salon.com, and Self magazine. She believes in the power of dangerous and authentic writing to transform lives. 

Register at: http://www.bootcamp4writers.com/register/east-coast-fall-writers-weekend/

Dorm in one of the 10 charming bedrooms: $475

Commute from the North Country for all meals and full retreat days, from Thursday night to Sunday morning: $275

Westport is a little more than 4 and a half hours by car from New York City and 6 hours via Amtrak train along the Hudson River, voted one of the country’s most scenic routes. Amtrak leaves NYC around 8 am on Thurs. and leaves Westport around 2 pm on Sunday. Reserve at http://www.amtrak.com. Pick up to and from the train station to the retreat is included.

Westport on Lake Champlain is located 2 hours north of Albany, 40 minutes east of Lake Placid, and 2 hours south of Montreal.

For more information please contact:

Mary Beth Coudal (East Coast/New York City)

(p): 646-678-0832 or (e): [email protected]

To see pictures of the historic manor house, Skenewood, visit: http://www.vrbo.com/382611

To register, go to www.bootcamp4writers.com/register/east-coast-fall-writers-weekend/.