Sonoma County

Writer’s

Retreat

January 3rd to January 8th 2025

Come experience the beauty and bounty of Sonoma County with guest authors Nina Renata Aron, Phyllis Grant, Joanna Hershon and Lizzie Simon on a memoir writer’s retreat for the body, mind, career and soul.

What We’ll Do

We’ll stay in the funky arts neighborhood in Santa Rosa at the stylish design hotel, The Astro. The retreat will kickoff with a nature walk and three course meal at The Spinster Sisters. Then, each morning, writers will enjoy breakfast and write independently followed by daily workshops on essays and memoir. Discussions continue in the afternoon out in nature at some of Sonoma County’s most spectacular spots. Mornings and dinners will be independent - which allows plenty of time for writing and resting, or meeting up with fellow writers to exchange work. You can expect delicious meals, exquisite natural settings and excellent company and conversation — near ideal circumstances for writers doing their best work, free from the distractions of everyday life.

Where You’ll Stay

Located in Santa Rosa, California, in an up-and-coming arts district dubbed “Sonoma County’s next big destination neighborhood” by San Francisco Chronicle, the 34-room Astro Motel is an ambitious and stylish remodel of a 1963 motor lodge with a lush interior garden and smart amenities for cyclists. Featured in Vogue, Architectural Digest and The New York Times, The Astro is a fresh addition to Sonoma County, located on Juilliard Park in walking distance of downtown Santa Rosa. Recently named one of the 50 best restaurants in America by Wine Enthusiast, The Spinster Sisters, now in its 13th year, is located a short walk away on 401 South A Street and serves Sonoma County cuisine.

Guest Teachers Joining Us This Year

Joanna Hershon is the author of five novels, many short stories and personal essays and teaches in the MFA Creative Writing department at Columbia University. "In my class, we’ll explore various craft techniques that I’ve found to be particularly helpful after many years of teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level AND we’ll let loose and have fun in the process.

Nina Renata Aron is a writer, book critic and the author of the acclaimed memoir, Good Morning, Destroyer of Men's Souls. "In my session we'll widen the frame of literary exploration beyond the self in order to answer the question: What else is my memoir about?”

Phyllis Grant is the author of the acclaimed memoir Everything is Under Control. "We're going to work with building a writing ritual and free writing, emphasizing descriptive details and leaning into the universal."

The Logistics

  • Nature walk and three-course welcome dinner at The Spinster Sisters on January 3rd; Five night accommodation at The Astro in Santa Rosa, California; Five on site breakfasts of coffee, granola, yogurt, fruit and pastries; Five writing seminars with Lizzie Simon with catered lunch at The Spinster Sisters; Four afternoon group excursions with transportation and guide .

  • Transportation to Santa Rosa and transportation outside of afternoon excursions; Purchase of all alcoholic beverages (aside from wine tastings); Dinners on January 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

  • No! But space is limited.

Register Today.

Sonoma County Writer's Retreat
$2,500.00
Quantity:
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Testimonials

  • Lizzie created a safe, nurturing cocoon for us. She made sure we were fed, sheltered, and so well cared for that the only thing we needed to think about was writing. I am an introvert and yet being with the writers, sharing our work, talking about significant things, allowing ourselves to be a little vulnerable, giving and getting support — I loved the five days in the presence of these people and wished for more.

    - Tracie Sweeney

  • The 2024 Writers’ Retreat was the most peaceful, introspective, and invigorating week I’ve had so far this year. Lizzie really knows how to hold space for writers. Her insights, experience, and kindness provoked depth and experimentation in my writing. The retreat was intimate and attracted wonderful writers with much to share. And, the food was just ridiculously good!

    - Dawn Zaft

  • Lizzie's Writers' Retreat in the heart of Santa Rosa at the super-chic Astro Motel is the perfect post-holidays mind and spirit cleansing experience for any writer or soon to be writer. The accommodations are restorative, providing a peaceful, meditative sanctuary for the writing inspiration I was seeking. In short, this retreat experience exceeded my expectations and provided me with a new community of wondrous fellow writers.

    - Bill O'Neill

  • Kicking off 2024 with Lizzie at her Sonoma County Retreat set an inspiring tone for my writing year. The circle of mutual trust and curiosity led to some beautiful pieces, many composed during the retreat. I highly recommend this workshop getaway for any writer looking to bathe in Lizzie's magic amidst the bounty of nature, food and wine in Sonoma County.

    - Mimi Lee

  • Lizzie’s Sonoma memoir writing workshop was a blessing. Waking up among the redwoods and the misty Northern California air to get writing was such a gift to connect with self, to kickstart the year with creativity — and among the most supportive, loving people. Every day we met around a beautifully handcrafted communal wooden table at the local restaurant, which was only open to our group at that time of day. I felt so privileged to enjoy this nourishing daily lunch made for us by an award-winning chef while we digested each other’s writing. The afternoons were full of wine tasting, nature, relaxation, and rich conversation. Thanks again Lizzie!

    - Rachel Sampson

  • Great instructor, wonderful setting, fun excursions, fantastic food. What’s not to like? Add a warm supportive community of fellow writers, all at different stages of their writing journeys, and you have a nurturing, safe place to write, share and grow as a writer. Highly recommend it!

    - Pat Northrop