Story Circle Network: For Women with Stories to Tell

Writers' Workshops/Conferences/Classes
(See also SCN Member Austin-Area Events)

Know of a writing activity, workshop, or conference? Let us know: send email with as many details as possible to writers@storycircle.org.

Ongoing / February / May / June / September /

WHEN: ongoing
WHAT: Page Lambert's Mt. Vernon Writing Sabbaticals: a secluded place to work on your novel, memoir, or poetry
WHERE: in Page's renovated cabin in the mountains west of Denver, CO, surrounded by thousands of acres of protected forest, open space meadows, and hiking trails
A retreat custom-made for YOU and your Writing!
Imagine a secluded place to work on your novel, memoir, or poetry.
Imagine the Colorado mountains just outside your door.
Imagine a private writing coach at your beck and call each day.

Choose from 2, 3, 4 or 5-night retreats
Private writing time to work on your manuscript
One-on-one time working with Page each day
A beautiful Colorado mountain landscape to explore and enjoy

Includes: healthy meals cooked for you at home, elegant meals at Mt. Vernon Country Club; your own bedroom and bath; one-on-one editing and career consultation each day, secluded writing time
Optional: guided hikes, snowshoeing, 1/2-day spa treatment, 1/2-day trip to Tattered Cover Book Store
Contact: Complete details and contact information on Page's website
—01/02/09

WHEN: ongoing
WHAT: Spalding University's four-semester, brief-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
WHERE: Louisville KY
Spalding University's four-semester, brief-residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing combines superb instruction with unparalleled flexibility. At the beginning of each semester, students and faculty work together at a 10-day residency (in Louisville or abroad), after which they return home to correspond one-on-one through an exchange of 5 packets between the student and the faculty mentor for the rest of the semester. Study fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, writing for children and young adults, screenwriting, or playwriting. Request brochure FA35 by email, by phone (800-896-8941, ext 2423), or on our website.
—10/24/08

WHEN: Feb 5 - Mar 26 (Thursdays), 1-2pm
WHAT: Story Circle Network Affiliated Workshop: "Sing to Feel, Write to Heal", facilitated by Lisa Shawley and SCN member Lisa Shirah-Hiers
WHERE: The Senior Activity Center, 2874 Shoal Crest Ave (off 29th and Lamar Blvd) in Austin, TX
COST: Two installments of $40 per month (payable February 1st and March 1st) or $15 per class if paid at the door.
Announcing a new Story Circle Network Affiliated Workshop! "Sing to Feel, Write to Heal" is an 8 week series of workshops for women interested in exploring their creativity, personal growth and healing through a combination of music and writing activities in a safe and supportive environment. Group activities will include singing, instrument playing, listening to recorded music and writing to prompts with an opportunity for sharing. Group members will be encouraged to participate at their own pace and comfort level.
For more information or to register, please call 512-832-0207 or email Lisa. Please write "sing to feel" in the subject line of your email.
About the facilitators:

Lisa Shawley is a Nationally Board Certified Music Therapist with ten years experience working with older adults, Alzheimer's patients and people of all ages with developmental disabilities. She facilitates interactive music programs in many settings (hospitals, nursing homes, retirement homes, adult day centers, hospice facilities, etc.) on her own, with The Charmed Ones. She is the author of an easy to use sing-along songbook called "Come On, Let's Sing." She plays flute and accordion and has just released a CD entitled "Love or Die" with Just Desserts cellist, Michael Shay. To learn more visit The Just Desserts' website.

Lisa Shirah-Hiers earned a Masters Degree in Composition from UT Austin (1992). A former classical radio announcer on Austin's KMFA, she now pursues a double career in writing and music, teaching piano, theory and composition and facilitating writing workshops. She has published numerous articles and is a contributing editor to the Story Circle Journal. Her essay "Spinning Water into Gold" was published in What Wildness is This: Women Write about the Southwest (March 2007, UT Press) and reprinted in Desert Call magazine (September, 2008). She is serves on the Story Circle Network Board of Directors and is a member of the Music Teacher's National Association, the Texas and Austin District Music Teacher Associations and the Writer's League of Texas.

—12/23/08

WHEN: Wednesdays, 10am-noon, Feb 4 - Apr 22, 2009
WHAT: "Write Your Life Story" Workshop, led by Mary Olivia Patiño, M.T.S.
WHERE: The SoL Center, University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell Ave, San Antonio TX 78212-5334 (210-732-9927)
COST: $75 (includes all sessions)
AUDIENCE: Women and Men interested in writing their story
For more information, contact Lucy Burton, SoL Center, or email Mary Patiño, or check Mary's website.
—12/05/08

WHEN: May 24-29
WHAT: Wyoming Literature and Landscape of the Horse Retreat
WHERE: the beautiful Vee Bar Guest Ranch near Laramie, WY
Crazy about Writing? Wild about Horses? Come explore both passions!
Price: $1375.00 (week #1), $1425.00 (week #2), includes lodging and meals, writing and riding instruction, lodging, tack, and your own special horse for the entire 5 days
Facilitators: SHERI GRIFFITH handles the .horsey. aspects of the retreat (along with the fabulous Vee Bar wranglers). PAGE handles the literary aspects and will provide journals.
Deposit: $300.00 due by February 1, 2009. Send to Page Lambert, 26037 Mountain View Rd, Golden CO 80401. Questions, phone Page (303-842-7360).
Deadline to reserve your place: February 1, 2009
Contact: Complete details and contact information on Page's website
—01/02/09

WHEN: May 30-Jun 4
WHAT: Wyoming Literature and Landscape of the Horse Retreat
WHERE: the beautiful Vee Bar Guest Ranch near Laramie WY
Crazy about Writing? Wild about Horses? Come explore both passions!
Price: $1375.00 (week #1), $1425.00 (week #2), includes lodging and meals, writing and riding instruction, lodging, tack, and your own special horse for the entire 5 days
Facilitators: SHERI GRIFFITH handles the .horsey. aspects of the retreat (along with the fabulous Vee Bar wranglers). PAGE handles the literary aspects and will provide journals.
Deposit: $300.00 due by February 1, 2009. Send to Page Lambert, 26037 Mountain View Rd, Golden CO 80401. Questions, phone Page (303-842-7360).
Deadline to reserve your place: February 1, 2009
Contact: Complete details and contact information on Page's website
—01/02/09

WHEN: Aug 31-Sep 5 (six days, five nights)
WHAT: 2009 River Writing and Sculpting Adventure for Women
WHERE: Cataract Canyon in beautiful Canyonlands National Park, UT
Outfitter: The West's premier leader of outdoor adventures, Sheri Griffith Expeditions.
What's Included: All the comforts! Sleeping tents, cushy Paco pads, and sleeping bags, all meals on the river (with abundant fresh foods, snacks, cold beverages, and Dutch-oven desserts), and guided hikes. Page will provide water resistant journals and pouches. Under Roxanne's guidance, we'll gather our sculpting materials from the gifts brought to us by the river and canyon!
Cost: $1,550 plus tax and gratuity (10% discount if you are a repeat client of SGRE)
Optional: $130 scenic flight back from Lake Powell to Moab. You won't want to miss this!
Deposit: $300 deposit needed to hold your space (mail to Page Lambert, 26037 Mountain View Rd, Golden CO 80401). The 2008 trip sold out early!
Leaders: Page Lambert, creative facilitator; sculptor Roxanne Swentzell from the Santa Clara Pueblo, featured guest; and SGRE's amazing women river guides!
Sign up: go to Page's website, or email Page, or phone 303-842-7360.
—01/02/09