CLEARWATER WRITERS 2023 FALL RESIDENCY–NOV. 2-12: SPACE STILL AVAILABLE
Now in its tenth year, Clearwater Writers is a series of writing programs hosted by Reflections Inn, a quiet, rural travel lodge situated in North Central Idaho on the wild and scenic Clearwater River.
Breaking through is the concept we should all have in mind for 2023. It’s time to rise up with new purpose, to benefit from our resilience, and to unsnap that heavy backpack of old burdens and let it fall to the earth and succumb to the elements. We are new, we are whole, and we are ready for what lies ahead.
To further pay homage to this notion, we are again offering our Fall Residency program for the third year, which has been deemed a complete success by previous attendees. Arriving at the Inn with 10 days stretched in front of us gives us time to relax for a day or so before heading into our work. We encourage you to leave behind your other work, worries, commitments, and family obligations in favor of time to focus on yourself for yourself–think of this as a gift to your future self, to a self renewed. Not everyone is suited to spending 10 days apart from family and daily life, but if you are, we can promise you the transformation that comes when you have plenty of time for contemplation, for listening to your deepest self, and for writing.
This year’s program will be focused on craft as it arises from revision. For the first time in the history of Clearwater Writers, attendees will be submitting manuscripts of 25 pages (or 1-2 chapters from a book-length work) ahead of time, which will then be distributed among the attendees. We will meet for a total of 6 afternoons in class, five of which will be devoted to exploring one of the submissions through the lens of possibility. The final session will be focused on the ABC’s of querying and publication. More information about this will be provided as time draws nearer.
ABOUT CLEARWATER WRITERS: Our host facility sits on the traditional lands of the Nimiipuu. We hope to honor that history by fostering a sense of peace and serenity in our community of writers and to carry the message of peace home with us. Our program was established to provide time and space away from the usual concerns to focus on furthering projects in an inspiring setting. We are dedicated to the notion that we as humans are creative beings and, as such, need significant breaks from technology and from our fast-paced lives into order to be our best selves, to do our best work, and to better serve our communities.
Programs are facilitated and directed by the Inn’s writer-in-residence, Paula Coomer, poet and author of eight books of poetry and prose including Somebody Should Have Scolded the Girl, Jagged Edge of the Sky,Dove Creek, Nurses Who Love English, and Blue Moon Vegetarian. Ms. Coomer’s writing has been nominated for the Pulitzer, the Pushcart, and other national awards. Her work has been recommended by Buzzfeed. With more than 25 years of experience as a teacher of creative writing at the university and community level, Ms. Coomer is also a writing coach, an editor, a regular speaker at regional conferences, and offers creative inspiration and support for all writers, regardless of achievement, genre of focus, or ability.
Features of the 2023 FALL RESIDENCY
10 nights in a scenic wilderness setting along the wild Clearwater River in Idaho’s Rocky Mountain foothills
Beautiful, serene, private accommodations at a deeply discounted rate
Near the confluence of 3 federally-designated Wild and Scenic rivers. Lots of unprecedented scenery to inspire your writing, plus the occasional wolf howl!
A maximum of 5 other writers
Group feedback on up to 25 double-spaced pages of writing (find specific formatting requirements here). This means each person will be reading and commenting on the work of 4 other writers, as well, in preparation for the Residency.
Daily afternoon workshop sessions (days 3-8)
Open mic/salon nights 8 and 9
Individual consults with Ms. Coomer
Deeply discounted room rates (see below)
We do not offer the Wifi password unless you ask for it, so those who prefer may remain off-grid.
No cell signal at the Inn, but Wifi calling is available–of course this means you’ll need to ask for the Wifi password! (The Inn’s business phone is for emergencies only.)
Check-in is at 3 p.m. on the day of your arrival.
Checkout is at 11 a.m. on the day of departure.
We will be honoring CDC protocols for wearing masks and keeping social distance as necessary. We do prefer that attendees be vaccinated and boosted.
Meals and Transportation
Attendees must bring their own meal preparations, or you may choose to check out eating/shopping establishments in the tiny town of Kooskia (Koos-kee), which is 10 miles to west of the Inn. Cooking, cold storage, freezer space, and communal dining space is available to us in 2 well-equipped kitchens.
Compact refrigerators in each room as well as coffee makers and microwaves
Application for Clearwater Writers 2023 Fall Residency and Further Details
To inquire further about the Residency, write to Ms. Coomer at coom1286@hotmail.com. If you prefer, you may leave a message at 509-635-0444, and Ms. Coomer will get back to you.
Otherwise, please indicate your interest by sending a writing sample and personal reference contact information to coom1286@hotmail.com.
If you have been with us for a previous retreat, a writing sample and personal reference are not required; however, you will need to contact Ms. Coomer by email prior to contacting the Inn for reservations.
A phone interview will also be required of first-time applicants.
Cost for the Fall Residency is as follows.
Room rate for one person for 10 nights is a $1000 ($35-50+ per night off the regular rate) night plus 8% tax ($1080).
$540 is due at the time of registration.
Credit cards will be charged an additional $540 at arrival for rooms.
A payment to Ms. Coomer of $300 is also due upon arrival. Please bring cash or check for this payment. Partial scholarships for this portion are available if needed.
Our programs fill up quickly, so please contact us as early as possible.
No refunds/not transferable–we are not able to offer refunds for deposits.
Also, for the first time, Ms. Coomer is offering a one-time manuscript read-through for those with book-length manuscripts. The fee for this is $500 for up to 70,000 words. This is 20% off of Ms. Coomer’s normal rate. If you are interested in this option, please contact Ms. Coomer directly at coom1286@hotmail.com.
