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The Write Way Escape (Collingwood) Retreat Details

Application form here

Schedule & instructor overview here.

Are you a writer looking to get away and work on your novel? To take time to focus on improving your craft and marketing skills while meeting other writers? Maybe in a waterfront vacation town brimming with coffee shops, tea shops and restaurants, with endless trails and places to walk and think about your book (or talk about it with others.)

The Write Way Escape focuses on novel writing, with an emphasis on genre/commercial fiction. Kelley Armstrong will dive deep into writing craft while Lilith Darville covers editing and marketing.

This is an intermediate to advanced retreat, ideal for writers with a solid foundation in their craft—whether you’ve been writing for years, are actively seeking publication, or are simply looking to sharpen your skills/grow as an author. 

Dates: June 8-12, 2025

Location: The VanderMarck hotel, Collingwood ON.

The retreat will be held in the fully accessible coach house at the VanderMarck hotel, located in the heart of Collingwood (2 hrs north of Toronto)

Size: max 18 attendees

Cost: $850 CDN / $700 USD (includes all classes and group sessions, coffee/tea service, cold drinks & snacks.) There will be two comped passes for writers who otherwise could not attend, and this will be noted on the application form. The comped passes cover the retreat fee only. The comped passes have been allotted.

Rooms & Meals

To make this the most flexible retreat possible (meeting the needs of attendees with special requirements), accommodations and meals are all separate.

The VanderMarck is full, but Collingwood is a vacation town with tons of accommodations options, from hotels to B&Bs to AirB&Bs to camping and you should have no problem finding something to suit.

We will supply non-alcoholic beverages and snacks throughout the day, including a BYOB wine/cocktail hour. Otherwise, meals will also be up to the attendees, but there are endless options within easy walking distance, as well as a full supermarket. We will also be organizing daily group dinner reservations for those who wish to join Kelley and Lilith.

Questions?

Contact Alison at mail@kelleyarmstrong.com

The Fine Print

Payments will be accepted in either CAD or USD and are due within a week of acceptance.

Cancellation Policy:

December 15 – March 31: 50% refund of retreat fee

After April 1: No refunds will be made

Code of Conduct

At The Write Way Escape Retreat, we are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful environment for all attendees. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for any form of discrimination or harassment, whether in person or online.

This includes:

  • Unwelcome or inappropriate behavior, including sexual advances, racist or discriminatory comments, intimidation, stalking, or threats.
  • Discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political views, nationality, disability, or age.

Any participant engaging in such behavior will face immediate action, which may include removal from the retreat without refund.

Our goal is to ensure that everyone feels safe, respected, and free to fully enjoy the retreat experience.

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