The Nook & Cranny Writing Retreat
a weekend exploration of poetry and prose
with award-winning writers Lauren Carter and Ariel Gordon
NOVEMBER 3-5, 2023
B&B ACCOMMODATIONS ARE SOLD OUT BUT WE STILL HAVE COMMUTER SPOTS OR CONTACT ME TO GET ON THE WAITLIST
held at Bell Aura Bed & Breakfast in Carman, MB,
on Treaty 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis.
Join award-winning writers Lauren Carter and Ariel Gordon for a creative and inspiring weekend of community, delicious food, and explorations of the nooks and crannies of your literary imagination at Bell Aura Bed & Breakfast in Carman, Manitoba, only one hour west of Winnipeg.
Write your heart out in workshops focused on poetry and fiction. Chat about words, stories, and writing under the century-old stained glass. Make a tea and grab a hardback gothic novel in the B&B’s cozy library or take a river-side walk before exploring the quaint shops and historic art gallery in Carman’s cute downtown. Want more creative time? Retire to your writing-themed room, notebook in hand.
Share your work (optional!) at our after-supper open mic and celebrate Ariel’s new collaborative poetry collection (written with Brenda Schmidt) before donning a flamboyant hat from the proprietor’s costume collection for our fancy dress karaoke house party.
Held in a setting that fires the imagination, this weekend will be full of creative surprises, imaginative explorations, indulgent meals, and fun. Spots are limited; grab yours today!
About the Facilitators
“The balance of useful instruction, expert advice, and hands-on writing was perfect. Lauren created an inspiring space where I felt safe sharing my work. The feedback I received has given life to my stories.”
Lauren Carter (she/her) is the author of five books. Her latest–short story collection Places Like These–was a Globe & Mail recommended read in Spring 2023. Her last novel This Has Nothing To Do With You won the Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction from the Manitoba Books Awards, when she also received the John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer. Her first novel Swarm appeared on the CBC Canada Read’s longlist. She has also published two poetry collections: Lichen Bright and Following Sea. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and has taught creative writing to students from around the world, including Syria, Qatar, and California, while running writing retreats with other writers, including Wild Writing in the Boreal, held annually in April.
Ariel Gordon (she/her) is a Winnipeg/Treaty 1 territory-based writer, editor, and enthusiast. She is the ringleader of Writes of Spring, a National Poetry Month project with the Winnipeg International Writers Festival that appears in the Winnipeg Free Press. Gordon’s essay “Red River Mudlark” was 2nd place winner of the Kloppenberg Hybrid Grain Contest in Grain Magazine and other work appeared this year in FreeFall, Columba Poetry, Canthius, and Canadian Notes & Queries. Gordon’s third collection of poetry, Siteseeing: Writing nature & climate across the prairies, written in collaboration with Saskatchewan poet Brenda Schmidt and will appear in fall 2023. Her second book of CNF, Fungal, will appear with Wolsak & Wynn in spring 2024.
About Bell Aura Bed & Breakfast
Built in 1898 in the Gothic revival style, this church-turned-bed-and-breakfast is full of art and antiques, not to mention the stained glass originally shipped from Scotland in crates of molasses! Each of the bedrooms is themed for a writer or evocative book–Agatha Christie (formerly Brittania), Hemingway, the Manderley–while the library and living room are full of cloth-bound historic hardbacks and cozy seating. Host Barbara has earned praise for her delicious meals (accommodating all dietary restrictions) which are served in the large dining room, and generous and easy-going hosting. Listed as one of the 23 Most Unique Places to Stay in Manitoba on Road Trip Manitoba, Bell Aura is custom-made for story-making!
All Bell Aura photos by Kaleigh Karlenzig
A wonderful few days spent at Bell Aura. Delicious homemade breakfast made by Barbara, gracious and hospitable hostess. This is a gem of a place for a special weekend, getaway.
Bell Aura is an absolutely stunning heritage property that has been converted to a gorgeous Bed and Breakfast filled with art treasures and fabulous antiques…The attention to detail and special touches to make our night extra special were evident everywhere. Rooms are spacious and comfortable. Full breakfast including home-cooked baking topped off our family getaway.
About the Workshops
Fiction and Freewriting Stream with Lauren
We will write to several historical and interesting objects to see what – and who – emerges, then place our discovered characters into the context of their eras.
Writing is a solitary endeavour. Come and write with others using self-serve prompts. We’ll spend an hour in silent writing and then chat about whatever arises and the writing process.
You’ve discovered characters, themes, and story ideas, so what now? We’ll explore and practice ways to embellish, embroider, expand this early work so you can go home and keep writing!
Poetry Stream with Ariel
About the Itinerary
- 4-6 pm: registration, swag bags, and getting settled
- 6 pm: delicious family-style supper
- 7-10 pm: getting to know one another and beginning to create with introvert-friendly connecting and guided writing exercises
- 8-9 am: breakfast
- 10:00-12 am: Session #1
- 12-2 pm: lunch on your own (or with new friends). Try the Crazy Lady Diner (delicious food and every cookie cutter you ever wanted…). Wander the town, curl up in the library, write some more, or stretch in the large basement yoga studio.
- 2-4 pm: Session #2
- 4-6 pm: free time
- 6 pm: supper
- 7-11 pm: Book launch to celebrate Ariel’s new poetry collection, a collaboration with Sask poet Brenda Schmidt, followed by open mic, and our fancy dress, karaoke after party
- 8-9 am: Light breakfast
- 10-12 pm: Session #3
- 1 pm: Lunch
- 2-3 pm: Raffle with fabulous prizes, feedback, goodbyes
READY TO JOIN US?
Take advantage of our early bird rates, which end Sept 6th..
Single Occupancy: $740 ($760 after Sept 6) — SOLD OUT!
Double Occupancy: $560 ($580 after Sept 6) — SOLD OUT!
Triple Occupancy: $520 ($540 after Sept 6) — SOLD OUT!
Commuter rate (meals/programming only): $400 ($420 after Sept 6) – STAY AT THE NEARBY BLUE CRESCENT HOTEL
Secure your spot by filling in the registration form and paying a deposit of $150 (remainder due October 13th). Want on the waiting list for the B&B? Shoot me a note!
Sleeps Until We Enter the Nook and Crannies!
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