About this Retreat
Elizabeth Stark, a novelist (Shy Girl: FSG, Seal Press, finalist for the Ferro-Grumely and Lambda Literary Awards) and award-winning filmmaker (producer of Lost in the Middle: Best Feature at Broad Humor 2019 and a Festival Favorite at Cinema Diverse; co-director and co-writer of FtF: Female to Femme and Little Mutinies, distributed by Frameline), co-hosts the podcast Story Makers Show, and co-directs and teaches at Sonoma County Writers Camp and Book Writing World. She earned her MFA from Columbia University, and her work has appeared in The New York Times and The Rumpus.
Ellen Sussman is the New York Times bestselling author of four novels,
A Wedding in Provence,
The Paradise Guest House,
French Lessons, and
On a Night Like This. She is the editor of two critically acclaimed anthologies,
Bad Girls: 26 Writers Misbehave and
Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex. She teaches through Stanford Continuing Studies and in private classes and she is the co-founder and co-director of Sonoma County Writers Camp.
www.ellensussman.com
Details of this retreat
We welcome back renowned authors Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman for another fabulous Sonoma County Writers Camp!
Write a fearless first draft!
How do we discover our story?
In this camp session, we will learn how to trust our inner voices, the rhythms that propel us toward an image, an unexpected action or line of dialogue, a shocking twist in a scene. We will mine our deepest understandings, those big fears, great joys, most human experiences, and we will share recklessly, openly, in the stories we create, whether fiction, narrative nonfiction or memoir. This session will get you onto the page, deep into the story. Take risks in good company, inspired to levels of courage great storytellers must rally to complete that powerful, fearless first draft.
Bonus Add-On
July 26-29, 2026
$1350, open ONLY to Camp Participants
Follow up your camp immersion with three days of writing retreat with Ellen, Elizabeth, seven other writers and YOU. Build on the inspiration you've gained, maintain the focus, and keep writing. Ellen and Elizabeth will be writing, too, with early morning meditative "writing from where you dream," ongoing cafe writing sessions in the later mornings and afternoons, shared meals and walks, and low-key, high positivity evenings of sharing work, chatting about books.
COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require vaccination AND a negative test result from all visitors to Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.
SCHEDULE (Subject to Change):
Wednesday:
3pm Check-in
5pm Welcome Party
6pm Dinner
Thursday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Yoga
6pm Dinner + Ratna Ling Introduction
7:30pm Student Readings
Friday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Hike with Ellen
4pm Master Class with Visiting Author
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Saturday:
630am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Cafe Writing
2pm Meditation with George
4:30pm Industry Panel
6pm Dinner
7:30pm Student Readings
Sunday:
6:30am Meditative Dream Writing
8am Breakfast
9am Writing Workshop
12:15pm Lunch + Closing
1:30pm Checkout
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
"Ratna Ling is beautiful, the accommodations are wonderful, very comfortable. I love the land and the animals and the trees - and the quiet."
"I am grateful that I got to lead a retreat at a place that is so special to me. We had such an amazing group of people. Thank you for all your support."
"I love it here and hope to continue coming for many years. The setting and sacredness of this space are the perfect place to retreat."
"A very beautiful and relaxing place. The cottage was really cozy. The food was wonderful. The staff was so nice."
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
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