EROTIC WRITING RETREAT

Sultry. Smouldering. Scintillating. Sexually explicit writing has existed in print since the early 5th century. Erotica’s present stamina continues with hot new subgenres like romantasy, a deeper mainstream gaze into LGBTQ+ experiences, and fanfiction communities “shipping” their favourite couples. In this full-day retreat, we’ll explore the history and taboos of erotic writing, its common tropes, and examine the work of established authors such as Sappho, e e cummings, Anais Nïn, D.H. Lawrence, Kathy Aker, Miranda July, Melissa Broder, and Russell Smith. We’ll generate drafts of new erotic creative work based on sensual prompts (including food!) and share our steamy scenes, poems, and love letters in a safe, supportive space.

THIS FULL-DAY WRITING RETREAT IS FOR WRITERS WHO

  1. Are interested in learning about and practicing erotic writing. 

  2. Are open to lively, spirited discussions about and/or creating sensual language. 

  3. Are open to engaging with objects, food, film, music and prompts for writing. 

  4. Are curious about the history of erotic writing.

  5. Want to write erotica/sensual poetry/fiction/letters.

  6. Enjoy writing alongside other writers in real-time.

  7. Enjoy sharing their writing with others for real-time reaction.

THIS FULL-DAY WRITING RETREAT IS NOT FOR WRITERS WHO

  • Have experienced sexual trauma, and/or may not be comfortable with this subject matter.

  • Are uncomfortable using sensual language and/or writing sensual scenes/poetry.

HOW IT WORKS

  1. Writers will gather in a creative space and engage in speaking, writing, and sharing.

  2. Each writer will receive a package of goodies to be used during the workshop.

  3. As a group, we’ll curate a list of erotic terms.

  4. We’ll read and discuss erotic/sensual writing–our own and published works of other authors.

  5. We’ll engage in prompt writing through music, film, and food to inspire sensual writing (please let us know if you have any allergies or sensitivities). 

  6. This writing retreat includes a lot of conversation and a lot of writing.

POLICIES & FINE-PRINT

  1. This class could include triggering discussions. Please read our Conduct & Behaviour policy here. 

  2. Please communicate any payment concerns in your registration email. 

  3. Your registration is complete when payment is made and received. Please see Payment Policies here.

COST TRANSPARENCY

The cost of this full-day writing retreat is $175. This cost includes paying the teachers for their teaching time (6 hours each) as well as preparation time for each class lesson (includes research, design, editing, etc.). It also includes the cost of light breakfast and full, catered lunch. Compared to other full-day writing retreats, this cost is on the lower-end.

REGISTER ME!
 

FEEDBACK FORUM – POETRY

This six-week discussion and feedback-style series is meant to support those writers who are looking for community, accountability, and inspired motivation to write poetry. We created this six-week, three-hours-per-week writing group to generate poetry, share poetry, edit poetry and perform poetry in a brave, safe, kind group that offers genuine feedback and gentle accountability. This forum is limited to 6 participants.

WHO IS THIS SERIES FOR?

This series is for writers who:

  1. want to generate new and/or edit previously written poetry

  2. want to be part of an engaging, brave, kind literary community

  3. want to deepen their craft of writing and their eyes and ears for editing poetry

  4. want to learn how to give and receive constructive feedback

  5. want to read their writing out loud into a microphone to practice reading and performance techniques

  6. want to write based on unique, challenging, and exciting writing prompts

WHAT HAPPENS IN EACH SESSION?

Each session will include a discussion on the craft of writing poetry, a writing prompt, and time to write poetry. Then, the remainder of the session will have each poet reading their work and receiving feedback on the piece. Each writer will bring 8 copies of their work to class (if you need printing support, just let us know!).

Every other session will be for reading/performing the previous week’s edited poem. By the end of the six weeks, poets will have at least three new poems that have been drafted and then developed/edited into more polished pieces.

We’ll send a prompt as part of your registration confirmation that can be used to inspire your first shared writing in our first session. Writing prompts for the following week will be given at the end of each class. You will receive a total of six writing prompts.Editorial guidance will also be included. For example: how to edit line breaks, stanzas, use of white space, poetic form adherence, and more.

Also in our initial class, we will set the foundation for what feedback is, and how to give and receive it in brave, safe, kind ways.

Please come to class with one poem, a maximum of 2 pages, single-spaced.

POLICIES & FINE PRINT

  1. This class includes editorial critique, feedback, and discussions. Please read our Conduct & Behaviour policy here. 

  2. Please let us know if you will be unable to make a class. If we edit your poem during a class when you are not there, we will be sure to get the edited version to you. 

  3. Please communicate any payment concerns in your registration email. 

  4. Your registration is complete when payment is made and received. Please see Payment Policies here.

COST TRANSPARENCY

The cost of this six-week writing forum is $275 ($225 early-bird price by February 20, 2026). This cost includes paying the teachers for their teaching time (3 hours x 6 = 18 hours each) as well as preparation time for each session. It also includes the cost of food, beverages, and supplies. Compared to other six-week, in-person creative writing classes this cost is on the lower-end.

SIGN ME UP!