That’s a great idea! You should do it. Seriously. But you know what? Most of us don’t. Maybe it seems self-indulgent. Maybe because we’re not famous writers we don’t feel like we’ve earned it. I don’t know why but most of us don’t do it. So, if that idea works for you, please do it. It will be an incredible investment in your writing life.

But there is something the Writers Advance offers that going to a hotel on your own can’t. The Writers Advance is a writer retreat with a small group of other writers. You won’t be alone. You’ll be with people who get the struggle. You’ll be able to get feedback on your work. You’ll be able to get one-on-one coaching. And best of all, you’ll be handed a simple structure that can help you keep moving forward, and gentle accountability to spend your time writing.  No hotel room can give you that!

The focus of this weekend is to encourage you to write. The tools we provide are chosen because they work for most writers. The style or genre of writing doesn’t matter at all! We’ve had folks who write non-fiction, essay, literary short story, children’s literature, poetry, self-help, science fiction, epic fantasy, memoir, and family chronicles. Regardless of the kind of work you do, you’ll find a supportive environment, and helpful insight.

Our 2024 venue is the Alton Collins Retreat Center outside of Eagle Creek, Oregon. You can learn more about the retreat center at their website.

Alton Collins is less than an hour or so outside of Portland, about a 45 minute drive from Portland International Airport. Find directions here. The retreat center address is 32867 SE HWY 211, Eagle Creek, Oregon 97022.

This is an all-inclusive retreat. Registration includes your room with a personal bathroom and shower, linens and towels, delicious natural meals made from scratch on-site for every meal, all the coffee, tea, and snacks you need to sustain you. All optional support activities, like Coaching and Circle Sessions, are included.

That’s exciting! Here’s the information you need. Alton Collins is located about a 45-minute drive from Portland International Airport (PDX). It’s easy to get a rental car, cab, Uber, or Lyft at the Airport.

What about carpooling? That’s a possibility. People will be arriving at different times, but everyone will be leaving near the same time, and since some participants are from the Portland area, getting a ride back to the airport should not be a problem. If you are flying in and would prefer to carpool, email me. While we can’t guarantee a ride solution, we’ll see what we can arrange.

Almost any need can be met! Alton Collins Retreat Center takes pride in creating high-quality fresh menus for every meal. During the registration process, you will indicate if you have dietary needs or preferences. Then, about two months before the event, we will contact you for detailed information about your needs and preferences. From this information, the chef curates a menu that will wow and nourish everyone, including vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, acid-free, gluten-free, allergy restricted dietary needs. Not only that, but you can even indicate preferences (I like blueberries! More potatoes, please.), and the chef does her best to make sure people are getting meals they enjoy.

The Writers Advance is designed as a 3-day weekend. You’ll arrive on Thursday before Dinner and stay through Sunday Lunch. However, you can choose a 2-day option, arriving on Friday afternoon. While you’ll have less time to write, this option works well if your schedule can’t accommodate the longer weekend. It’s also a good way to lower the cost.

Alton Collins offers single, double, and triple occupancy rooms. This creates a lower-cost option for participating in the Writers Advance and an option for sharing the weekend with a friend.  In all three configurations, everyone gets their own bed.

Indicate which occupancy you’re selecting in your registration. If you chose more than single occupancy, in the registration survey you’ll be asked to identify your roommate, if you have one in mind. What if you don’t have a roommate? You can still register for double occupancy. If someone else of the same gender registers for double occupancy, you’ll be paired with them. If no one else of the same gender registers for double occupancy, you will not be charged extra for the room.

The Triple-occupancy option is available only by special arrangement. You will be responsible for arranging two roommates who are interested in the event and willing to do triple occupancy. The triple-occupancy room is tight for three people, but workable. It includes two normal twin beds and a very sturdy bunk for the third bed. This bunk is adult-appropriate, accessed by a very sturdy ladder. This room has a private bath to be shared by the three roommates. All three parties must register at the same time. If you are interested in the triple-occupancy option, email us at Marc@TheWritersAdvance.com.

Plans change. Life happens. That’s all understandable. You’re considering registering for an expensive event. Undoubtedly, you want to know what happens if you can’t attend. So, here’s the policy and options.

1. Due to the nature of events like this, your participation fees are non-refundable.

2. If your plans change more than thirty days prior to the event, we can roll your registration forward to a future event. Let us know that your plans have changed as soon as you know. We will lock in your registration for the following year’s Writers Advance and apply all your fees to your account for that event. Note that if the cost of the event increases for the following year, you may have an additional balance due at the time of the event. In that case, you’ll get an email. This change can be made, at no cost, up to 30 days before the event.

3. If your plans change less than thirty days before the event, you have two options. First, we can transfer your registration and balance to someone else. This can be a friend you choose to take your place. Second, you can designate your registration and balance-on-account as a scholarship. We always have a list of worthy authors who would like to come but can’t afford the event, and we’d be happy to invite one of them in your name. You let us know which option you want to go with.

4. What about sickness? If you are unable to attend due to COVID, or another transmissible disease, we can roll your registration forward to a future event at no cost.

5. What if we have to cancel the event? If something happens outside of our control that forces the event to be canceled, we will notify you as soon as possible and give you the option to roll your registration & deposit forward to any future event at the current rate.

This question usually comes up like this: “Wait, I know you! You’re a pastor.” They’ve seen me posting online, or read one of my books, or, in some other way, know that I’m a Christian pastor. So, the question is a reasonable one.

The short answer is no.

The long answer? It can be if you want it to be. Hosting the Writers Advance weekend is a way that I use my gifts and experience to encourage and empower writers. For me, that’s a ministry, but the retreat itself is not designed as a religious retreat, and there is no religious content or programming. The sole aim of the weekend is to help you take tangible steps forward on your writing project.

No. Most of the authors I personally know and work with are Christians, and many of them write for Christians, but the focus of the weekend is to help you–whoever you are–take concrete steps forward in completing your project. The process we use will work for any genre, style, or audience. Past participants have been from a wide variety of backgrounds, writing in diverse styles and genres. The environment is positive and encouraging, and any writer who wants to focus on their writing with our support is welcome.