Go and Write! Kingsbrae, May 13-20, 2022

We’re so pleased that the kind folks at award-winning Kingsbrae International Residence for Artists (KIRA) have asked us to return to offer another eight-day writing retreat at their facility in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick this spring. (Please note that the May 22-29 retreat has been filled.)
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We are opening this spring retreat to all regions, as per provincial recommendations, but with some additional precautions in place due to the ongoing worldwide pandemic.

NOW’S THE TIME

The spring of the year is a great time to rededicate yourself to your writing, whether you’re new to the craft or an established, professional writer. A week-long retreat, guided by Dr. Gerard Collins, an award-winning professional author and university professor, solidifies your intentions and sends a strong signal about your commitment to yourself and your writing.

The KIRA facilities may as well have been built for our times, considering the current necessity for personal space. The 7,000 square foot historic residence is impeccably-maintained, with only six bedrooms available, each spacious and with its own private bathroom. And steps away from our residence are six freestanding writers’ studios for your exclusive use during your 8-day, 7-night stay.

WRITING MATTERS

Go and Write! Kingsbrae offers you a rare opportunity to leave the rest of the world behind, to sit alone in your own writing studio or bedroom in a large turn-of the century mansion of a huge estate where you can be lost in your own thoughts for hours – even days – and come out with a clearer sense of what it’s all about, what you’ve been through, and where you go from here.

Our participants range from those who’ve just started journalling to those who’ve published extensively, and previous attendees have included playwrights, poets, novelists, television producers, short story and memoir writers, and everything in between.

You can register as an individual or bring another writer to share your room, studio, and costs. This can also be a non-writing guest – there’s plenty to do in the charming, seaside town, named USA Today’s Best Destination in Canada.

All along the waterfront you’ll find shops, pubs, and restaurants with indoor and outdoor dining, and the Algonquin Resort and golf course is just down the road.

We will host private group readings on some evenings throughout the retreat, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your writing with your fellow participants, if you like – without pressure. We will also have two writing workshops, facilitated by Gerard, and each participant will have two one-on-one sessions with Gerard as well, where you’ll have the opportunity to talk with him about your writing projects, goals, and challenges.

You will also be encouraged to share an excerpt of your writing with Gerard in advance of the retreat – he will review this carefully and prepare thoughtful and compassionate feedback in his written commentary, which he will return to you after discussing it during your first one-on-one meeting.

Retreat goers will have free access to the iconic Kingsbrae Garden, and we will enjoy several meals prepared in-house by an award-winning Kingsbrae Garden Café chef. The Café prides itself on its artistically-inspired plates using the freshest garden ingredients and products from all over New Brunswick and their own gardens.

SAFETY MATTERS

We are asking that all retreat participants be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine and booster approved for use in Canada.

Here are other precautions we’re taking:

* Thorough sanitizing of residence and artist studios prior to our arrival, and regular sanitizing of high-touch areas within the residence throughout our stay.
* Low number of participants to allow for easy physical distancing – only six bedrooms available, each with private bathrooms.
* 7,000 sq-ft residence.
* Standalone, individual artist studios for your exclusive use.
* Workshops and one-on-one meeting locations will be flexible depending on the weather, keeping comfort and physical distancing measures in mind.

What’s included:

* 7 nights at the well-maintained and spacious KIRA historic estate, with private bedroom/bathroom
* 2 writing workshops
* 2 individual meetings with writer in residence Dr. Gerard Collins to discuss your work
*Written feedback on a piece of your writing
* 3 group breakfasts
* 3 group lunches
* 3 group suppers
* Meals catered onsite by a chef from the award-winning Kingsbrae Garden Café
* Private standalone writing studio
* Group readings with conversation on several evenings
*A key feature unique to this retreat: fewer participants means more space for you and more time with the writer in residence

Cost:
$2,195 CAD / person (approx. $1,722 US) based on single occupancy – includes tax and gratuities
$1,935 CAD / person (approx. $1,518 US) based on double occupancy – includes tax and gratuities

Visit our website at www.goandwrite.ca for more information and to register, or send us a Facebook message / email gerardcollins@gerardcollins.ca.

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