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Write Way Hosts & Schedule

Meet your hosts/instructors

Kelley Armstrong is a career novelist who’s hit pretty much every North American bestseller list and a few foreign ones. She’s won awards, too, but she’s most proud of the fact that she’s been in this business over twenty years and still absolutely loves it. As an instructor, she shares that passion and experience with others. She’s been teaching writing for years—at workshops, seminars and the University of Toronto’s Summer writing school. She has also co-organized many events, including retreats.

Lilith Darville, a USA Today and international bestseller, spins dangerously delicious romance that’ll leave you blushing. From steamy paranormal tales to heart-pounding reverse harems, she’s been writing it all, from magazine articles to textbooks and beyond. These days, you’ll find her in Ontario, balancing life with the memory of her beloved Hubster, their quirky cat, and a passion for mentoring aspiring romance writers. In addition to being a certified event planner with experience organizing conferences, fashion shows, and culinary events, Lilith has thirty years of experience as a college professor, teaching English, business communications, and small business marketing. Her diverse skills blend creativity, organization, and a passion for education.

Draft Schedule

This is what we have tentatively planned, subject to change as we consult with our attendees. The amount of instructor time will not be reduced.

We’ve tried not to overload the schedule with lectures. Instead, we’ve balanced class time with informal workshop/mentoring and even more informal social-time access to the instructors, where you can ask questions or just enjoy some writerly discussion. Everything on the schedule (even the social times) will be for attendees only to ensure they remain writer-focused.
All scheduled classes, workshops and activities are optional. Make this retreat whatever you need it to be. Take every opportunity to learn or take time to focus on writing your book and peek out for a bit of socializing. Mix and match to suit your needs.

Note: all “away” meals/snacks are at the attendee’s discretion and expense. Beverages and snacks served in the coach house are included in the retreat fee. For “wine time” we don’t have a liquor license so it’s BYOB, and we’ll supply snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Those staying in the VanderMarck will find a complimentary bottle of the house wine in their suite, which they can bring.

Sunday June 8

3 PM – VanderMarck check in

4 PM – walk about town – join Kelley and Arlene on a tour of the town’s amenities to help you get situated

6 PM – dinner at a local restaurant

Monday June 9

10 AM – coffee with Kelley (join Kelley on a walk to grab coffee and come back for coffee-time chatter or just arrive at 10:30 for the chatter part)

11 AM – lecture with Kelley (topic to be determined by group)

12 PM – go your own way for lunch

1 PM – workshop/mentoring

3 PM – writing time

5 PM – wine time

6 PM – dinner at a local restaurant

Tuesday June 10

10 AM – coffee with Kelley (join Kelley on a walk to grab coffee and come back for coffee-time chatter or just arrive at 10:30 for the chatter part)

11 AM – lecture with Kelley (topic to be determined by group)

12 PM – go your own way for lunch

1 PM – lecture with Arlene (Revising the Write Way)

2 PM – workshop/mentoring

3 PM – writing time

5 PM – wine time

6 PM – dinner at a local restaurant

Wednesday June 11

10 AM – coffee with Kelley (join Kelley on a walk to grab coffee and come back for coffee-time chatter or just arrive at 10:30 for the chatter part)

11 AM – lecture with Arlene (Marketing the Write Way)

12 PM – go your own way for lunch

1 PM – workshop/mentoring

3 PM – writing time

5 PM – wine time

6 PM – dinner at a local restaurant

Thursday June 12

9AM – coffee with Kelley (join Kelley on a walk to grab coffee and come back for coffee-time chatter or just arrive at 9:30 for the chatter part)

10 AM – farewell Q&A/chat

11:30 – close down for noon check out

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