WRITING&& Info Packet

Welcome Writing&& Cohort 1!

Please take the time to review the information in this info packet.

There are mandatory forms with upcoming deadlines, packing lists, information on fun rituals, and directions to our retreat house.

Items to complete asap:

  • Please note completion of the above is mandatory for attendance.

  • Built into the schedule is time to meet in smaller groups to discuss projects you’re working on outside of the retreat. As part of this, you and your peers will read each other’s work and provide thoughts, encouragement, & avenues for expansion.

    If you’d like to join small break-out groups to read and provide feedback on each other’s writing, send your writing sample by May 10 by completing this form.

    (This will be much more informal than typical workshop models, and will be a great chance to learn more about each other’s work, interests, and lines of thought.)

    • This is the final deadline to ensure inclusion in the retreat.

      Please don’t make us chase folks for payment in the week leading up to the retreat! If there are technical difficulties or any issues, get in touch early with us to find a solution. Thank you!

  • We keep each other safe! Please test before arriving at the retreat and send your test results to artistsandand@gmail.com confirming that you tested negative.

    We appreciate if folks observe additional caution leading up to the retreat to keep our cohort safe. More on this below!

A note on food & beverages 

  • Nourishing meals are provided for all workshop participants, except for one self-funded dinner, where we will suggest going to the Gumboot in town or getting take-out from Sharkies fish n’ chips.

  • Coffee and tea are provided for the entire weekend. 

  • There will be a small amount of fridge space available for guests who have highly-specialized diets and have communicated this need to our team beforehand. 

  • There will be some snacks available throughout the retreat for in-between meals. You are also welcome to bring non-perishable snack items to store in your room.

  • Please note that guests cannot bring their own alcohol to our workshops or events. We will have a by-donation bar running at some events, including at the readings and concert. We thank you in advance for respecting this.

Writing&& packing list

  • All-weather clothing - expect rain! Bring layers, a raincoat, cozy sweaters, etc. May is fickle and it could go from thunderstorms to balmy sunshine in moments.

  • An umbrella if that's your thing!

  • Hiking or walking shoes for trail walks and field trips. (PNW tip: label your Blundstones to avoid confusion!).

  • Walking poles if you need help navigating muddy terrain.

  • Yoga mat and work-out clothes for wellness activities, as desired.

  • A swimsuit for the infrared sauna (the retreat house will provide towels but it doesn't hurt to bring an extra).

  • Any personal medications you require. There is the local General Store and a wellness store in town but they only have a handful of products. You are responsible for ensuring you have enough medication, including an epipen for those with severe allergies.

  • Grippy socks or house slippers. The retreat house is a shoes-off space. Bring something cozy to keep your feet warm!

  • Personal shampoos, soaps, conditioners, etc. We do have asthmatic and scent-sensitive folks in the space! Please respectfully minimize fragrances.

  • A headlamp or flashlight to help you navigate outside after dark.

  • A waterbottle and/or travel mug if you want to take beverages on the road! Tap water in Roberts Creek is excellent.

  • Extra bedding should you like to be extra cozy. The beds at our retreat house are allegedly very comfortable, but if you run cold it might be wise to bring a throw blanket.

  • Canadian cash. There will be merch for sale from our performers and books from our teaching artists. There will also be alcoholic and N/A cocktails available by-donation during our concert night.

  • Notebooks and pens will be provided, but of course feel free to bring your favourites, alongside any other personal/non-toxic art supplies.

  • Two pieces of ID for beverage service at restaurants if desired.

  • Comfort items, ritual items, &&&! Your favourite sweater; your beloved oracle deck; a photo of your dog; your binoculars to whale watch on the ferry; poetry collections; cameras; dancing shoes; pet rock; talismans; any tool you use to ground in your self/writing (fidget spinners/stress balls/fave stuffed animal!); &&&.

The book ritual

Bring a beloved book to participate in our book ritual:

  1. Please bring a book of any genre that you are willing to part ways with.

  2. Wrap it to obscure the cover/title with newspaper, parcel paper, wrapping paper – get creative!

  3. On the wrapping or in an attached note, write something you love about the book, what it means to you, and/or a favourite quote. Did this book come into your life at a certain time? Did it shift your perspective, expand your spirit, or catalyze your own writing? (This can be as narrative or abstract as you like.)

  4. On Friday morning, everyone will add their book to a pile. When prompted, everyone will select and open a new book.

    (Please note: this should be something you enjoyed, not a cursed book you're looking to get rid of!)

Small object

As part of Lisbeth’s workshop, you will be invited to bring a small object for a communal altar during the retreat. You will take this item home with you at the close of the retreat. This can also be something you find outside (respectfully) or a mantra on a piece of paper, etc.

Summer camp vibes

  • Pack something fun for the dance party! While there is no dress code ever, the concert + dance party is your chance to whip out any outfit that gives you queer euphoria, makes you feel like dancin’, or just something weird & wild that you’ve been waiting for the perfect Adult Summer Camp moment to wear.

  • Highly encouraged: bright colours, shiny metallics, fun wigs, full suits, whatever gives you queer/gender/general euphoria(!); Gatsby-but-make-it- gay; Cirque-de-Soleil-clown-show realness; homage to your favourite drag performer; Midsommar but just the flower crown part; whatever feels silly and fun and true to you.

A note on Covid Safety

Due to the ongoing risk of Covid-19, we kindly ask that all participants take precautions to keep each other safe leading up to, and during, our time spent together.

  • Please consider masking while travelling to Writing&&, including on public transit, the Amtrak train, BC Ferries, etc!

  • On May 15th, please take a Covid-19 test to ensure you are not bringing Covid to the retreat and write artistsandand@gmail.com confirming that you tested negative. If this proves prohibitive for whatever reason, please let us know. We can bring extra tests for you to take upon arrival, though it is always best to know in advance of sharing space with others.

We have folks from all backgrounds with varying experiences navigating health services, previous Covid infections, etc. Let’s remember that for the duration of the retreat, our well-being is intertwined. Please err on the side of caution in interest of keeping each other healthy!

We will have an air purifier in the space at Writing&& and will bring extra masks, tests, and hand-sanitizer.

Gettin’ excited for the retreat:

    • WRITING&& for the mornings: add a song that feels like a nudge of encouragement or that will give you an energy boost for the day.

    • DANCE&&: for the dance party!

    • As you get ready for Writing&& and travel to the coast we want to get excited with you. If you’re posting on social, tag us at @artistsandand and use the hashtag #writingandand.

  • We are so excited and incredibly lucky to be among such talent this May.

    If you haven’t already, engage with the amazing work of our Teaching Artists. You can order our writers’ books from an array of local bookstores or to your local library. Desirée’s music is available across platforms.

    • Corinne Manning’s website.

      We Had No Rules will change you! As will all of Corinne’s writing+teaching. Ask them about Deeper, Wider!

    • Lisbeth White’s website

      A Most Natural Thing: An Elemental Memoir is hybrid writing at its most inspiring. You can also listen to poems from American Sycamore here. Poetry as Spellcasting by Tamiko Beyer, Destiny Hemphill and Lisbeth White, is another favourite.

    • Desirée Dawson’s website

      Listening to Desirée’s music will uplift and rally you — if you’re not already listening, start here.

Getting to the retreat

Ferry route

The ferry route is Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Sunshine Coast (Langdale).

Reservations must arrive 30-60 mins in advance. Those without reservations should plan to arrive very early and expect a sailing wait.

Our destination: Linwood House in Roberts Creek, BC

We are gathering at Linwood House. The address is:

3144 Linwood Rd,

Roberts Creek, BC

V0N 2W1.

Canada

Parking at Linwood House

There is ample parking outside of the retreat house. Please leave the one paved spot directly in front of the house free for caterers and staff (this will likely be marked with a cone or chair). If you’d like to pull up closer to the house to unload your bags first and then park after, feel free. Please remain on the drive-way (e.g. no parking/driving on the grass). In the case that we have too many cars, some folks will need to park further down the driveway back toward the road.

Public transit to Roberts Creek, BC

Google Maps is your friend here. From Vancouver you take the 257 Express Bus to Horseshoe Bay. The ferry is the last stop and the bus drops you off right outside the walk-on terminal. You can buy your ticket to Langdale via the customer service booths or the self-stand kiosks. From there, you’ll be directed to a waiting room and told when to walk on.

When you arrive in Langdale, you walk off the ferry — there’s really only one way you can go, which is toward the parking lot. You’ll see a bus stop in front of the lot. You can take either the Route 90 Express or Route 1 Local bus. It costs $2 for one trip or $4 for the day and only accepts Canadian change. Ask the driver to let you off in Roberts Creek.

If you are spending time on the coast before arriving at the retreat and travelling by transit, you may also choose to stop in Gibsons first and explore.

*If you are planning to arrive by public transit, consult the Carpooling Spreadsheet and also reach out to Britt to help arrange rides. If we can help pick you up from the ferry we will!

Roberts Creek, Gibsons, and the Coast

There is so much to explore in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay (one of Joni Mitchell’s homes!), and more.

Gibsons recommendations:

  • Persephone Brewing — a community farm, brewery, restaurant, and bookstore! Often has live music and markets.

  • Reasons to Live bookstore — books and records galore.

  • The Sunshine Coast Olive Oil Company - more types of olive oil than you ever knew you wanted/needed.

  • Pebbles Beach, Bonniebrook Beach — it’s all beautiful!

  • Tapworks is great for a lunch with a view.

  • &&& (there are many restaurants and little shops to explore).

Roberts Creek recommendations:

  • Without giving too much away, you can explore so much of this quaint town in a single afternoon. We are big fans of both the Gumboot Restaurant and Gumboot Cafe (yes, two Gumboots!).

  • The Roberts Creek Beach and pier. A great spot to meditate, write, spot marine life, &&&.

  • Cliff Gilker Park. Some of the most beautiful forest trails in all of BC.

  • The Rock & Gem Store (self-explanatory).

  • Roberts Creek Wellbeing - an amazing selection of goods curated by a local who truly cares about the community.

  • Sunday Cider - A fun spot to people watch, sit in the sun, and try some local ciders.

  • The local Roberts Creek library is one of the quaintest town libraries we’ve ever seen. Show them some love!

  • One Tiny Farm. True to name, a tiny farm behind the Gumboot Restaurant with an honour-system produce stall.

  • The General Store. The store recently changed owners but we have it on authority they’re keeping some fan favourites: scoops of ice-cream and assorted candy bags.

And so much more — ask us for places to explore if you’re spending more time on the coast!

Any questions on the above?

Contact us at artistsandand@gmail.com.

We can’t wait to see you soon!