Raw Heart Writing Retreat
apply now
enriching retreat experience
apply now

Welcome

Raw Heart Writers!

community where you feel connected to others on a similar journey

Montana teachers!

Are you looking for something different during this year's teacher conferences?

⁠Join us for a special Raw Heart Writing Retreat – October 17-20, 2024

During the retreat, you can expect to:⁠

  • Meet other exceptional MT teachers
  • Work on your own writing projects (ALL genres welcome!)⁠
  • Talk about the challenges of writing and teaching writing⁠
  • Learn new strategies for prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, workshopping, and publishing
  • Writing from our amazing staff⁠
  • Eat (more than you should) chef-prepared meals⁠
  • Relax in the rooftop jacuzzi⁠
  • Share, laugh, and cry by the fire⁠
  • Stroll around the stunning property⁠
  • Commune with horses, cows, dogs, and wildly interesting humans⁠
  • Take a writing “field trip” to Flathead Lake⁠
  • Earn 24 OPI renewal units, and⁠
  • Make friendships and memories that will last a lifetime!⁠
an experience you can't imagine until you've been in it

Power Through Vulnerability

  • Are you looking for a retreat that offers the right balance of solitude and community, allowing you to focus on your writing while feeling inspired by your surroundings?

 

  • Are you having a hard time carving out uninterrupted time for your writing because of your full-time jobs, family obligations, or other commitments?

 

  • By the way, if you’re worried that you won’t measure up to other participants, fearing you might not be “good enough” or as experienced as others at the retreat, know that this is a common, human fear that even the hosts experience from time to time. Rest assured that there’s no competition in this space, and that we’ve never met writing that wasn’t beautiful when it’s written from the heart. Raw writing–that first kernel of idea–is gorgeous for itself, and so are people who come together with the intention to be genuine with each other. Join us in not allowing fear to snuff out progress towards our dreams!
Writers
Meal together
Writing session in June 2023
June 2024 writers
reach your writing goals

What’s Included:

join us for a transformative writing experience

application process

Step 1 apply
fill out an application

Because this space is about vulnerability and we value your trust, we ask everyone to fill out an application in order to register for the event. You indicate in your application when you are available for an interview.

Step 2 interview
interview

Our goal in the interview is to get to know each other a little and provide space for you to ask questions. We want to understand what you want from the event, what vulnerability and empowerment in a writing community means to you, and ultimately if the retreat seems like a good fit for you and vice versa.

Step 3 accepted
you’re accepted

We will notify you if you're accepted by September 27, 2024. Your nonrefundable $500 deposit is due on September 30th. The remaining amount is due on October 11.

are you ready to apply?

What other Raw Heart writers say about our Retreat

meals we've featured

Feed the body - feed the soul

Slow, intentional meals are an important part of life at our retreat. 

Megan begins preparing meals with utmost care while we’re still writing, and the aromas filling the lodge are tantalizing! We savor each meal together, family style, around the ranch table. Dinner one night will feature Speranza Springs’ own Montana-raised beef, aged to perfection and cooked to order in a cast-iron skillet, complemented by locally-grown grains and vegetables. A variety of fresh dessert options can include hand-picked huckleberries from the Mission Mountains or homegrown blueberries from the ranch.  (We do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions.)
 

We look forward to sharing these meals with you!

Check out dishes we’ve featured in the past. What makes your mouth water the most?

Coming for the food, staying for the writing?

IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE UPCOMING RETREAT

important dates

Applications open Sept 1-22, Interviews happen Sept 6-25 on a first-come-first-served basis. We’ll notify you if you’re accepted by sept 27, and your nonrefundable deposit of $500 is due Sept 30. The remaining registration amount is due by Oct 11.

> Indicate on your application what days you are available for an interview

Horses at Speranza Springs Ranch
Sunrise at Speranza Springs Ranch
Location for Oct 2024

Speranza Springs Ranch

Located just south of Flathead Lake in Western Montana 

Our address isn’t public in order to provide you with the most possible privacy during your stay. 

RETREAT registration fee for Oct 2024

Registration fee

Price includes programming, accommodations, all food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages

  • Price per person $995
  • Double Occupancy (if sharing a bed) $1495
June 2024 Ranch
Dogs

My Bag ()

Remove

Your Cart Is Empty

Shop All Products
0 - Checkout View Bag