Riverside Retreat

The Drag River meanders in Haliburton County from Canning Lake to the north for a few short kilometres south to where it joins the Burnt River. Surrounded by white pine, balsam fir, cedar and birch trees, the area is home to a range of wildlife. And two acres on the Drag River is where author Ruth E. Walker has cottage property that is open to private retreats, May to late September.

Escape to write in The Rustic

The knotty pine ceiling, walls and floors in the open-concept 600 sf building inspired the name. It may be “rustic” but it has a full kitchen (fridge, propane stove, microwave, coffee maker, kettle, dishes and utensils), propane furnace and 3-piece bathroom with a charming clawfoot bathtub. Bed linens and towels are provided.

The large pine harvest table is ideal for spreading out materials while working on projects. An outdoor deck and attached screened gazebo offer lovely views of the river; on cool or rainy days, the screened front porch is a great alternative.

Sleep on the queen-sized memory foam mattress of the comfortable sofa bed; settle into a rocking chair to read, reflect or write.

While there’s no cell phone signal, limited WiFi is available and there’s a landline with a Canada/US-wide calling plan. Library branches in Minden and Haliburton Village have high-speed internet access, as do local coffee shops.

The Workshop bunkie sleeps 2

The Workshop is a charming insulated bunkie with a writing desk, dresser, double bed and 1860s handcrafted single bed. The 15 x 20 foot building is finished in tongue & groove knotty pine with a “workshop themed” décor. Bathroom facilities are located a short walk away in The Rustic but a nicely finished outdoor privy is a nearby option.

Ruth’s personal cottage, The Cozy, is right next door should you have any questions or need assistance. She’ll be “in residence” and working on her own material during the times The Rustic is available for retreats.

Haliburton is Nature’s Work of Art

Haliburton County is home to lakes, rivers and diverse wetlands nestled among forested highlands and meadows and valleys. Walking and hiking trails, ATV and snowmobile trails, parks, campgrounds and towns and villages offer plenty of activities for all four seasons. #MyHaliburtonHighlands

Riverside is 15 minutes from the town of Minden, 25 minutes from Haliburton Village and 75 minutes from Algonquin Park. Two hours from the east end of the GTA, the property is mostly level with a gentle slope to the river. There are three steps up to the front porch of The Rustic and access remains at that level for the interior.

An onsite firepit, BBQ, floating tubes for a lazy river ride, and various outdoor and indoor games are available for use.

Choose a self-directed retreat:

use of The Rustic
- $325/weekend +HST (Friday noon to Sunday 4 p.m.)
- $495/week +HST (Friday noon to Thursday 4 p.m.)
use of The Rustic and The Workshop bunkie
- $475/weekend +HST
- $645/week +HST
additional person $75/weekend & $150/week +HST (maximum 3 people)
$100 deposit in advance serves as a security deposit & is refunded after the end-of-stay inspection

Choose a supported retreat with the following options:

1-hour consultation/feedback sessions $40 +HST (includes reading/review of material)
other supports such as daily writing prompts and/or accountability check-ins, coaching can be negotiated
informal/impromptu visits with Ruth no charge

Send queries to info@writescape.ca. Include preferred dates as some dates are not open for booking.

Registration Spring Thaw 7-day Option

October 15 to October 21 2021

Registration can be done two ways:

Either secure your spot with a non-refundable $250 deposit & pay the balance by September 10
Or pay the full fee now

Don’t forget our two discounts. $30 for members of writing organizations, PLUS $30 for Writescape retreat alumni. Pick the options below that include the discounts you qualify for.

Choose $250 deposit:

$250 non-refundable deposit. (Balance due September 10, 2021 — see below*)

Or pay the full balance now:

$1815 Full Fee no discounts

$1785 Full Fee with $30 Writing Organization discount only [WCDR, TWUC, etc.]

$1755 Full Fee with $30 Writing Organization AND $30 alumni discount

*If you chose a $250 deposit, this balance is due by September 10:

$1565 Balance due; no discounts

$1535 Balance due with Writing Organization $30 only [WCDR, TWUC, etc.]

$1505 Balance due with $30 Writing Organization AND $30 alumni discount

When payment is received, a Writescape representative will contact you by email to confirm your registration. Thank you for registering with Writescape.

If you need further details or have questions, please contact Writescape at info@writescape.ca or write to Writescape, 101 Morningside Drive RR3 Havelock ON K0L 1Z0

Refund and Cancellation Policy

Your deposit is non-refundable, but 50% of your deposit (i.e., $125) may be used for a future Writescape retreat. For cancellations before our full fee deadline— September 10, 2021— all but your deposit is refundable. After our full fee deadline, any refund of the remainder will be at the discretion of Writescape organizers.

We understand that life happens—we wouldn’t be writers if we didn’t. But by the time you have paid your deposit, we have already long been working on making your retreat a fantastic experience, and are committed to the resort. Nonetheless, we will do our best to work things out should you have to cancel.

Any cancellation on our part would have to be the result of a serious problem—nothing short of a natural disaster or epidemic is likely to cancel our retreat. And in 2020, that is exactly what happened: COVID-19. In such a case, a rescheduling acceptable to you would be in order, or a full refund if we are unable to reschedule. We reserve the right to make changes to the program [example: replace a facilitator] at any time.

Registration Spring Thaw 5-day Option

October 15 to October 19, 2021

Registration can be done two ways:

Either secure your spot with a non-refundable $250 deposit & pay the balance by September 10
Or pay the full fee now.

Don’t forget our two discounts. $30 for members of writing organizations, PLUS $30 for Writescape retreat alumni. Pick the options below that include the discounts you qualify for.

Choose $250 deposit:

$250 non-refundable deposit. (Balance due September 10, 2021 — see below*)

Or pay the full balance now:

$1370 Full fee no discounts

$1340 Full Fee with $30 Writing Organization discount only [WCDR, TWUC etc.]

$1310 Full Fee with $30 Writing Organization AND $30 alumni discount

*If you chose a $250 deposit, this balance is due by September 10:

$1120 Balance due; no discounts

$1090 Balance due with Writing Organization $30 only [WCDR, TWUC, etc.

$1060 Balance due with $30 Writing Organization AND $30 alumni discount

When payment is received, a Writescape representative will contact you by email to confirm your registration. Thank you for registering with Writescape.

If you need further details or have questions, please contact Writescape at info@writescape.ca or write to Writescape, 101 Morningside Drive RR3 Havelock ON K0L 1Z0

Refund and Cancellation Policy

Spring Thaw registration

SPRING THAW 2019

CHOOSE a 3-day retreat from April 26 to April 28

OR a 5-day option: 3-day retreat plus 2-day extend-your-pen option April 26 to April 30

To secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit. Go to Section 1

To pay the full amount on registration. Go to Section 2

To pay the balance due by March 30. Go to Section 3

Writing Organization Discounts for members of WCDR, WCSC, WCYR, SOH, etc. Other groups please query.

NOTE: HST is added at the checkout on PayPal

Section 1

$250.00 Deposit 3-day option

$250.00 Deposit 5-day option

Balance due: March 30

Section 2

3-day option April 26 to 28 – full payment

$925.00 Full Fee no discounts

$895.00 Full Fee with Writing Organization discount only [WCDR etc]

$865.00 Full Fee with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

5-day option April 26 to 30 – full payment

$1350.00 Full Fee no discounts

$1320.00 Full Fee with Writing Organization discount

$1290.00 Full Fee with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Section 3

3-day option April 26 to 28 – Balance after deposit paid – Due March 30

$675.00 Balance due no discounts

$645.00 Balance due with Writing Organization discount only [WCDR etc]

$615.00 Balance due with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

5-day option April 26 to 30 – Balance after deposit paid – Due March 30

$1100.00 Balance due no discounts

$1070.00 Balance with Writing Organization discount

$1040.00 Balance with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

MAIL IN REGISTRATION FORM PDF

When payment is received, a Writescape representative will contact you by email to confirm your registration. Thank you for registering with Writescape.

If you need further details or have questions, please contact Writescape at info@writescape.ca or write to

Writescape

101 Morningside Drive

RR3 Havelock ON K0L 1Z0

$1 test

Refund and Cancellation Policy

Your deposit is non-refundable, but 50% of your deposit (i.e., $125) may be used for a future Writescape retreat.

For cancellations before our full fee deadline – MARCH 30, 2019, all but your deposit is refundable.

After our full fee deadline, any refund of the remainder will be at the discretion of Writescape organizers.

For retreats, any cancellation on our part would have to be the result of a serious problem—nothing short of a natural disaster or epidemic is likely to cancel our retreat. In that case, a rescheduling acceptable to you would be in order, or a full refund if we are unable to reschedule. We reserve the right to make changes to the program [example: replace a facilitator] at any time.

Booking Riverside Retreats

We are delighted that you’ve chosen to spend part of your creative journey at Ruth’s cottage property. Please bookmark this page as you will need it to complete payment when you arrive for your retreat. All fees are subject to HST and we use PayPal or through an etransfer to info@writescape.ca

Steps to follow:

secure your booking with $100 (plus $13 HST) security deposit
on your arrival day pay the full fee for your booked retreat
on your departure day, once the end-of-stay inspection is complete and satisfactory, receive your refund of your security deposit

$100+HST Security deposit:

The security deposit is payable in advance and secures your retreat booking. Upon your arrival, the full fee is payable and the security deposit is held until the end-of-stay inspection is complete and satisfactory, at which point it is refunded. NOTE: The security deposit is non-refundable for any cancellations of less than 48-hours notice.

Once your security deposit is received, you will receive a confirmation of your booking, the dates booked, directions to the cottages and any other pertinent information. Payment is due upon arrival for your retreat. There is WiFi at the Riverside Cottages to accommodate online payment.

$325+HST Payment for The Rustic weekend retreat

One weekend at The Rustic

$495+HST Payment for The Rustic week-long retreat

One week at The Rustic

$475+HST Payment for The Rustic & The Workshop weekend retreat

One weekend at The Rustic and The Workshop

$645+HST Payment for the The Rustic & The Workshop week-long retreat

One week at The Rustic and The Workshop

Additional Persons

A maximum of 3 people in total, so no more than 2 additional persons per booking.

$75+HST per person per Weekend

$150+HST per person per Week

We look forward to welcoming you to the Riverside Retreat cottages for your escape to the Haliburton Highlands: Nature’s Work of Art.

Questions? info@writecape.ca

Writescape’s Presenters

Our writing alumni benefit from what these exceptional writing professionals offer: expertise and a passion for words. With them, we explore the art and craft of writing.

Our workshop presenters share their expertise in focused classroom settings

Our retreat guest authors and agents attend select retreats for both structured classes and informal gatherings

Workshop Presenters

Dorothea Helms brings writing magic to all her sessions. Practical hands-on exercises balance with lively discussions and shared laughter when Dorothea delivers her workshops.

Anne MacLachlan knows what social media can do for a writer. From research to promotion, this fantasy writer is tech-savvy and smart.

Freelance journalist and author, Heather M. O’Connor crafts irresistible promotional material as the PR and Marketing Coordinator for Writescape. She loves teaching practical, hands-on workshops.

Frances Peck edits with a passion for the power of words. A true Grammar Guru, Frances will leave no participle dangling. Period.

Author Sue Reynolds nurtures writers’ souls and nudges their pens. Certified in the Amherst Writers & Artists method, she approaches creative writing workshops with an open heart and mind.

Novelist Erin Thomas knows a lot about writing for children. From picture books to YA plots, she’s not kidding around.

Retreat Guest Authors and Agents

Acclaimed by critics, novelist and poet Jonathan Bennett writes his brilliant prose with the eye of a poet and frames his beautiful poetry within the heart of a storyteller.

Bestselling author Susanna Kearsley blends history, romance and paranormal, crossing genres just as she crosses the hearts — and times — of her characters.

Retreat Guest Author Barbara Kyle

Barbara Kyle‘s bestselling historical novels follow the Thornleigh family through generations of rebellion, passion and Tudor-era treachery.

Hilary McMahon is a top Canadian agent, who – between trips to the Frankfurt and London book fairs – always has time to share with writers updates on trends, industry insights and exciting new books.

Award-winning novelist Caroline Pignat inspires and excites writers with rich historical and fast-paced contemporary novels that engage teen readers and adults alike.

Fun may be prolific author Richard Scrimger‘s middle name but he is deadly serious about crafting his many books for children and young adults.

From deadlines to sources of inspiration, journalist, teacher and novelist Bill Swan loves sharing his years of experience and knowledge of the craft of writing.

Glentula – Fall

Glentula, nestled in over five acres of mixed Ontario forest, is the home of Gwynn Scheltema and Don Anderson. “Glentula” means “peaceful woods”. “Glen” meaning “woods” comes from Don’s Scottish heritage. “Tula” is from Gwynn’s roots in Zimbabwe, Africa, and is the Ndebele word for “peace” or “quiet”. Glentula is the perfect place to write.

In the fall, maples provide a colourful backdrop to the gazebo beside the rock garden, the tea stone sunken bench, or a Muskoka chair at the campfire. Take a walk in the crisp fall air, have a swing or just enjoy the heady smells of harvest time.Wander down over the footbridge to Burnt Point Bay on Lake Seymour, part of the Trent River Waterway System, between the locks at Hastings and Healy Falls. At the water’s edge of Glentula, you can enjoy watching the flocks of migrating geese and ducks, explore the river mouth and beaver dam, or just enjoy the quiet lap of lilypads as kingfishers, osprey and heron dive for fish.

Directions to Glentula

From the South West (1½ hours from Oshawa)

Take Hwy. 401 east to Hwy 115. Proceed north on Hwy 115.
After approx 45 minutes, at Peterborough, Hwy 115 becomes Hwy 7. Continue east on Hwy 7 to Havelock (35 mins.).
At Havelock follow map below.

From the East (3 hours from Ottawa)

Take Hwy 417 west to Hwy 7 just west of the Scotiabank Place.
Proceed west on Hwy 7 to Havelock.
At Havelock follow map below.

From the North West (45 mins. from Peterborough)

At Port Perry take Hwy 7A east to Hwy 35.
At Hwy 35 turn south for a kilometre, then east on the continuation of Hwy 7A to Hwy 115.
After approx 15 minutes, at Peterborough, Hwy 115 becomes Hwy 7. Go east to Havelock (35 mins.)
At Havelock follow map below.

From the South East (45 mins from Brighton)

Take Hwy 401 west to Brighton.
Take Regional/County Rd. 30 north to Campbellford
At the lights at the bridge in Campbellford, turn west on Bridge Street (RR 30 cont) to Village of Trent River (15 mins)
At Trent River, follow the map below

map to glentula

Registration for Turning Leaves 2018

Registration for TURNING LEAVES from November 2 to 4, 2018.

Note: Writing Organization Discounts are offered to members of WCDR, WCYR, WCSC, HHWEN, SOH, TWUC, PWAC, MAA and CAA. Other groups please query.

NOTE If you have attended 5 or more Writescape residential retreats, you qualify for a special one-time $100 discount for this retreat. When you register, be sure to note it in the comments so we can adjust your full payment.

To secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit. Go to Section 1
To pay the full amount on registration. Go to Section 2
The balance is due by September 1. Go to Section 3
To register for the day rate. Go to Section 4.

Please note that HST will be calculated at checkout. HST # 821104853RT0001

Section 1

Non-refundable deposit

~~$250.00 Lakeview Room Single Occupancy~~ FULL

$250.00 Landview Room Single Occupancy Deposit

$250.00 Landview Room Double Occupancy Deposit Note: If you have a preferred roommate, please enter the name of your roommate in the comments section on the PayPal screen or email us at info@writescape.ca. If you don’t have a roommate, we will do our best to accommodate you but can’t guarantee double occupancy.

Section 2

Lakeview Room Single Occupancy FULL

~~$895.00 Full Fee Lakeview Room Single Occupancy~~

~~$865.00 Full Fee Lakeview Room with Writing Organization discount [WCDR etc]~~

~~$835.00 Full Fee Lakeview Room with Writing Organization AND alumni discount~~

Landview Room Single Occupancy

$865.00 Full Fee Landview Room Single Occupancy

$835.00 Full Fee Landview Room Single with Writing Organization discount

$805.00 Full Fee Landview Room Single with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Landview Room Double Occupancy

Note: If you have a preferred roommate, please enter the name of your roommate in the comments section on the PayPal screen or email us at info@writescape.ca. If you don’t have a roommate, we will do our best to accommodate you but can’t guarantee double occupancy.

$795.00 Full Fee Landview Room Double Occupancy

$765.00 Full Fee Landview Room Double with Writing Organization discount

$735.00 Full Fee Landview Room Double with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Section 3

Lakeview Room Single Occupancy FULL

$645.00 Balance Lakeview Room Single Occupancy

$615.00 Balance Lakeview Room with Writing Organization discount [WCDR etc]

$585.00 Balance Lakeview Room with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Landview Room Single Occupancy

$615.00 Balance Landview Room Single Occupancy

$585.00 Balance Landview Room Single with Writing Organization discount

$555.00 Balance Landview Room Single with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Landview Room Double Occupancy

$545.00 Balance Landview Room Double Occupancy

$515.00 Balance Landview Room Double with Writing Organization discount

$485.00 Balance Landview Room Double with Writing Organization AND alumni discount

Section 4

Day Rates

(complete weekend program except for breakfasts and accommodations)

$475 Day Rate

$445 Special Day Rate with writing organization discount

PLEASE NOTE: When you hit the “Add to Cart” button, the PayPal order will show up at the top of the column to the right. To be taken to PayPal to finish your purchase, click on the yellow PayPal button. You can use a credit card on the PayPal site – you do not have to have a PayPal account.

MAIL IN REGISTRATION FORM PDF

When payment is received, a Writescape representative will contact you by email to confirm

Blue Pencil Bootcamp

Sorry, registration is now closed.

July 8 to 10, 2016.

with Gwynn Scheltema.

Immerse yourself in three days of workshopping and editing your manuscript. With support from professional editor Gwynn Scheltema, this intensive weekend will help you move forward with your work-in-progress and give you practical, hands-on exercises to apply directly to your manuscript.

All genres welcome; maximum participants: FOUR (4)

What past participants have said:

Bootcamp this weekend was everything I had hoped for and more. Thanks to Gwynn Scheltema for all the guidance and support with my novel. Now I know what to work on in the next few months. Sylvia Chiang.

Your weekend includes:

how to approach a successful self edit
detailed discussion on structure, pacing and character arcs
a private one-on-one evaluation session with Gwynn to discuss your work’s strengths and areas to develop
group workshop critique session of your manuscript
single room accommodations
all meals
all-day snacks and beverage station
all workshop materials

Arrive between 1 and 3 p.m. on Friday, July 8 to settle into your room and explore the grounds. Floyd and Beavis, our two fat cats, will welcome you on arrival. Opening session starts at 3:30 p.m.

The workshop/retreat will be held at Glentula, Gwynn’s lakeside property on Lake Seymour, Havelock. The five-acre wooded property offers winding trails, a lakeside gazebo and many garden nooks. Glentula means “peaceful hollow” and is the perfect spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and concentrate on your writing.

sit-down supper each evening
breakfasts and lunches self-serve from a wide selection of healthy and tasty options
4 single occupancy bedrooms
hot tub to melt away cares
canoe available to explore during down time

Cost including meals and accommodation: $485 plus HST

A $20 discount is available to members of writers’ organizations*
A $20 discount is available for Writescape retreat alumni

*WCDR, WCYR, WCSC, SOH, CAA, PWAC, CAA etc.

APPLICATION and REGISTRATION:

APPLICATION

NOTE: Maximum 4 participants. Deadline for applications is May 31, 2016 submitted to info@writescape.ca

Applications to include:

a one-page synopsis of your book
a cover letter describing what you are looking for from the weekend
a 10- to 20-page excerpt from your manuscript

.Successful applicants will be notified by June 15

REGISTRATION

Once you have been accepted, please register below

STEP ONE: NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT PAYABLE UPON ACCEPTANCE

$125 Non-refundable Deposit

STEP TWO: BALANCE PAYABLE BY JUNE 15

$360 full fee balance less deposit no discounts

$340 full fee balance less deposit with Alumni OR Writing organization* discount

$320 full fee balance less deposit with Alumni AND Writing organization* discount

*WCDR, WCYR, WCSC, SOH, CAA, PWAC, CAA etc.

Gwynn Scheltema is a professional writer and editor, and creative writing teacher who has taught for over 25 years, at community colleges, private colleges, government conferences, retreats and day and evening workshops. She is also an award-winning fiction writer and poet and winner of the Timothy Findley Creative Writing Award. Her stories have placed in the Toronto Star Short Story Contest, the Canadian Authors Association contest, and others. She was a founding fiction editor for Lichen, Arts & Letters Preview for nine years, and her fiction and poetry have been published in Canada and Europe in literary journals, anthologies, and magazines. She currently co-hosts and produces Word on the Hills on Northumberland Radio 89.7FM

Glentula – Directions

Glentula, nestled in five acres of mixed Ontario forest, is the home of Gwynn Scheltema and Don Anderson. Glentula means “peaceful hollow”. “Glen” meaning “valley or hollow” comes from Don’s Scottish heritage. “Tula” is from Gwynn’s roots in Zimbabwe, Africa, based on the Ndebele word for “peace” or “quiet”. Glentula is the perfect place to write.

The front shade garden offers a gazebo beside the rock garden, the tea stone and sunken bench under the maples, or a muskoka chair on the pink granite surround of the camp-fire pit. Wander the garden paths, have a swing or just enjoy the dappled shade beneath the tall trees.

In the back garden. the large deck overlooks a flower edged lawn, a campfire pit and entrance to the magic children’s wood with its surprises, as well as views down over the footbridge to the water of Burnt Point Bay on Lake Seymour.

Lake Seymour is part of the Trent River Waterway System, between the locks at Hastings and Healy Falls. At the water’s edge, sit in the gazebo, lie in the hammock or sunbathe on the dock. Enjoy watching pleasure craft, explore the river mouth and beaver dam, or just enjoy the quiet lap of lilypads as kingfishers, osprey and heron dive for fish. Then wander back to the house through the woodland trails.

Directions to Glentula

For your GPS, enter: 101 Morningside Drive, Havelock

From the South West (1½ hours from Oshawa)

Take Hwy. 401 east to Hwy 115. Proceed north on Hwy 115.
After approx 45 minutes, at Peterborough, Hwy 115 becomes Hwy 7. Continue east on Hwy 7 to Havelock (35 mins.).
At Havelock follow map below.

From the East (3 hours from Ottawa)

Take Hwy 417 west to Hwy 7 just west of the Scotiabank Place.
Proceed west on Hwy 7 to Havelock.
At Havelock follow map below.

From the North West (45 mins. from Peterborough)

At Port Perry take Hwy 7A east to Hwy 35.
At Hwy 35 turn south for a kilometre, then east on the continuation of Hwy 7A to Hwy 115.
After approx 15 minutes, at Peterborough, Hwy 115 becomes Hwy 7. Go east to Havelock (35 mins.)
At Havelock follow map below.

From the South East (45 mins from Brighton)

Take Hwy 401 west to Brighton.
Take Regional/County Rd. 30 north to Campbellford
At the lights at the bridge in Campbellford, turn west on Bridge Street (RR 30 cont) to Village of Trent River (15 mins)
At Trent River, follow the map below

map to glentula