Writing On The Edge, An Elemental Journey 

“When you get off the ferry on Iona, you can’t help feeling a quiet sense of euphoria.  There is something blissful and other-wordly about this tiny island” – Anonymous

“Heaven and Earth are only three feet apart, but in thin places that distance is even shorter.” – Celtic Saying

For writers, seekers, individuals in search of peace and inspiration, Iona draws thousands each year to this place, considered one of the truly “thinly veiled” locations on earth. Eric Weiner, writing for the New York Times said this: “Thin places relax us, yes, but they also transform us — or, more accurately, unmask us. In thin places, we become our more essential selves.” 

Our 5-day retreat will be structured for both individual and group exploration and sharing.

Facilitators Kelly Sage, Rebekah Spivey, and Allison Distler will bring structure and support for a soulful writing group experience in the Conscious Feminine tradition of Women Writing for (a) Change: prompts, readings, read-arounds in small and large group settings. Participants will have ample time to experience the unique magic of the island, both together and alone.

All adult (18+) women, including trans and nonbinary women, are welcome.

Dates: May 12–May 16th 2025.  Plan on arriving on Iona at least 24 hours before the start of the retreat program—no later than Sunday May 11th. The retreat will begin on Monday morning and will conclude Friday evening. 

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Accommodations on Iona: The Retreat location is in the meeting room circle at the Argyll Hotel. Accommodations are the responsibility of the retreat participant: book the accommodations for yourself that you would like while you are at the writing retreat.  Lodging on Iona can book up months in advance; please make arrangements for your lodgings no later than September 2024.  We have a block of rooms booked in this small Argyll hotel for the dates of the retreat, but you are not limited to staying here if your budget or curiosity seek other options.  Iona is small enough that other lodgings will be within 10 minutes walking distance of the Argyll.

Argyll Hotel: https://argyllhoteliona.co.uk/

St. Columba Hotel: www.stcolumba-hotel.co.uk/

Other Accommodations: http://www.welcometoiona.com/visiting-iona/accommodation/

Meals: Retreat participants have enjoyed meals at the Argyll Hotel and we’d hope to share some evening meals there during the retreat (optional). If you book your room at the Argyll, breakfast is included with your booking.  There are alternative eating options and the schedule will be open enough to allow exploration and solo time as needed.  For lunch there are options for self-purchase grab and go style or sit down style on the island.

Travel arrangements: Part of the adventure of the Iona experience is getting there! From the United States, plan on two days travel time including one overnight in Oban, Scotland.  Arrival: Please time your flights to arrive at Glasgow or Edinburgh Airports with enough time to travel by train, bus, ferry, or car via Oban, Mull, and Fionnphort to arrive on Iona and check in by Sunday May 11th.  More details will be provided on overland travel and accommodation, well before the retreat.

Currency and spending money: You would be advised to bring at least $50-$100 US Dollars per day for meals, drinks, etc.—more if you wish to buy local crafts and woolens, or if your appetites extend to the gourmet.  The currency in Scotland is the British Pound. You can change money at Glasgow Airport, which also has an ATM.

Insurance: You are advised to cover yourself with baggage, accident, and trip cancellation insurance. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended to protect you in case of last-minute illness or injury which might cause you to lose your payments.  Travel Guard – www.travelguard.com has been recommended in the past.

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Retreat Tuition: $1,100 US dollars. This tuition covers the Women Writing for (a) Change Retreat Program only.  This covers program fees and program space rental at the Argyll Hotel.  Not included: Airfare, travel to and from Scotland, overland travel in Scotland, lodging and meals.

We accept credit/debit card payments through our website at registration, and will invoice you through Paypal for any balance due.  Alternatively, you may mail a personal check to WWF(a)C Bloomington, PO Box 6657, Bloomington, IN, 47408, USA; please allow 14 days for delivery and processing before the due date.

Retreat payment policy:

A non-refundable deposit of $275, due at registration, holds your place in the retreat.  Please discern your commitment to the trip prior to putting this non-refundable deposit toward your place in the retreat circle.

The balance of your tuition ($825) is due Feb. 1, 2025.  

Note: Any registration with an unpaid deposit or a past-due balance may be “bumped” by a paid registration from the waiting list (any paid deposit will not be refunded).

In the event that this retreat is cancelled by WWf(a)C, all payments and deposits will be refunded.

Withdrawals:

The withdrawal deadline for this retreat is Feb 1, 2025.  To withdraw, contact the Registrar, register@womenwritingbloomington.org.

For a withdrawal before the withdrawal deadline, we will refund the amount paid, minus the $275 deposit.

For a withdrawal after the withdrawal deadline, the amount refunded will be the amount paid, minus the following:

• Deposit ($275)
• Late withdrawal fee ($100)

Emergency relief:

• If you need to withdraw due to an emergency, such as a death in the family or a major illness, and losing the deposit would be a serious hardship for you, please contact the Registrar (register@womenwritingbloomington.org) with an explanation and we will do what we can.