Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Storyknife Writers Retreat in Homer, Alaska. If you’re a woman-identified writer who needs to get away from it all to write, I urge you to apply.

Storyknife is the dream project of New York Times bestselling author Dana Stabenow. It’s based on the life-changing experience that Stabenow had at a writing retreat called the Cottages at Hedgebrook. As a result of the chance to do nothing but write, Dana went on to establish – in midlife! – a successful writing career that thus far has spanned three dozen books. (See my article about Stabenow, “Taking a (careful) leap of faith,” to learn more about her general awesomeness.)

Now she’s paying it forward with Storyknife. Women can opt for two- or four-week residencies. Each writer gets her own cabin, and food is provided by an on-site chef. While you’re at Storyknife, your job is to write. Nothing else.

You must be 21 or older and, as noted, woman-identified. A writing sample (published or unpublished) of no more than 10 pages, completed within the past two years, is required. You’ll also need to (briefly!) answer three questions:

• How have you sought to educate yourself as a writer? (Formal education not a prerequisite, but evidence of curiosity and learning in your applicable genre is.)
• What is your experience with publishing your work? (Publishing is not a prerequisite but is considered a goal for writers who attend Storyknife.)
• What project will you pursue while in residency? (Please note that you will be free to work on whatever writing you wish during residency. We simply are interested in what you think you’ll be pursuing.)

 

A place for women writers

 

Residencies take place from April through October. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful setting to be alone with your thoughts: Storyknife is located just outside Homer, and the scenery is stunning.

Note: Although lodging and food are free, residents must pay their own way to Alaska. You can fly into Anchorage and rent a car/find a ride, or you can fly to Anchorage and then to Homer via Ravn Alaska (yep, that’s the way it’s spelled) or Alaska Airlines.

And I’ll make this offer personally: If you are accepted to Storyknife, I will reimburse you via PayPal for the $35 reading fee. 

Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31, 2019. If you’ve got a story to tell and need to clear space in your life to tell it, consider applying for Storyknife. It could change your life.