Saturday, March 13, 2010

The Sage Hill Summer Writing Experience

...is bound to be another dandy! If you haven't been to Sage Hill you don't know what you're missing. It's one of the best investments I've made in my writing life. I do remember spending a bit too much time at the dessert table, however.

Sage Hill Summer Writing Experience

July 19-29, 2010 In Saskatchewan’s Qu’appelle Valley

Application Deadline: April 19, 2010

Introduction to Writing Fiction and Poetry—Geared for emerging writers who have demonstrated potential, this workshop provides an introduction to the basics of poetry and fiction, as well as self-editing. Limit of 11 participants. Facilitators: John Lent and Susan Stenson

Fiction Workshop—This course is designed for writers who have published in periodicals and wish to focus on a work in progress. The workshop includes group discussion, writing time and individual critiques with the facilitator. Limit of 6 participants. Facilitator: Terry Jordan

Poetry Workshop—This program is designed for poets who have published in periodicals and wish to focus on a work in progress. The workshop includes group discussions, writing time and individual critiques with the facilitator. Limit of 6 participants. Facilitator: Elizabeth Bachinsky

Fiction Colloquium—With the focus on works in progress, participants can expect individual consultations with the facilitator, as well as writing time and discussions dealing with technical, philosophical and conceptual issues in contemporary fiction. Limit of 5 participants. Facilitator: Catherine Bush

Poetry Colloquium—With the focus on works in progress, participants can expect individual consultations with the facilitator, as well as writing time and discussions dealing with technical, philosophical and conceptual issues in contemporary poetry. Limit of 5 participants. Facilitator: Daphne Marlatt

Non-fiction—This program is designed for writers who have published in periodicals and wish to focus on a work in progress. The workshop includes group discussion, writing time and individual critiques with the facilitator. Limit of 6 participants. Facilitator: Ted Barris

More info here.

13 comments:

Ian LeTourneau said...

It's a funny thing about writing events and dessert tables. In 2005 I attended the Banff Writing Studio. 5 weeks of writing, but 5 weeks of a wonderful, dazzling dessert table. Very dangerous!

Are you going to Sage Hill?

Brenda Schmidt said...

Dangerous is the word! I'd have to work out 5 hours a day for 5 years to wear off 5 straight weeks at a dessert table!

I dunno if I'll apply. Depends where I'm at in April. I have two poetry manuscripts on the go, one that's been sitting for a long while and one that's in the early stages. Another eye just gave the former a brilliant going over that I'm tickled with, so I wouldn't apply for the sake of it. As far as the latter goes, I don't normally look for input on new work until it's many drafts in, so summer would be pushing it. But one never knows with me.

Are you thinking about it?

Ian LeTourneau said...

No, although the program looks great. I actually was accepted into the Banff Studio this spring and have had to back out recently. Plus we're planning a big move back east late summer so timing isn't right. I do really enjoy the colonies and will continue to attend those for sure (desserts aren't as tempting...). I've said this many times, and it's true, I feel a lot more at home in Saskatchewan than I do here in Alberta.

2 poetry mss (is that the plural of ms.?)! Wow.

Any time you need another eye, let me know.

Brenda Schmidt said...

You're moving back east! I didn't know that. Well I hope we end up at the colony on the same week some time soon! Touch wood. And thanks! Will do. Same goes!

Brenda Schmidt said...

Oh, and two manuscripts on the go seems to be par for me. It takes me forever to send a ms out to a publisher. It just sits there. And sits and sits. At least someone has now read it! That's a start. I always have another ms in the oven before I send a ms out. At least so far.

Ian LeTourneau said...

that's awesome Brenda. Do you finish one completely before starting another? Or does the new one begin before the first one is done?

We're flying out at the end of the month to scout our locales. Fredericton and Sackville are at the top of our list.

Brenda Schmidt said...

I dunno if it's awesome. I'd call it haywire. It's just how it seems to go for me. I guess the new one begins before the first one is done if one considers a published book the done point. All I know is that my manuscripts seem to have an incubation period, a period where they just sit. During that time I work on other things. Sometimes I'll submit stuff out of the sitting ms. And eventually I decide maybe I should do something with it. Now that I got some feedback on this one, it's back sitting.

That's exciting! Happy scouting! The end of the month is coming quickly.

Gerald Hill said...

Will be applying for the Marlatt session. Hope to see you there, Brenda.

Brenda Schmidt said...

It would be so cool to be in the same colloquium as you! And it would be great to work with Marlatt. It's sure tempting.

Gerald Hill said...

Last chance for Marlatt.

Brenda Schmidt said...

True.

Pearl said...

I'm wishing and waffling, as per usual for Sage Hill. it's pricy.

Brenda Schmidt said...

Yep. Could get a lot of shingles for that money, and it looks like we need shingles.