Fall Writing Retreat at Strawflower Farm

Come out to an all day writing retreat at Strawflower Farm. Hosted by Louise Bierig graduate of the University of Iowa‘s Undergraduate Writers’ Workshop. Louise leads the Lansdowne Writers Workshop as well as a workshop for Wallingford Swarthmore Community Classes. In 2021 she became an Amhurst Writers and Artists affiliate, certified to lead workshops in the AWA method. Her short stories and essays have been published in Short Edition, Peregrine Journal, Philadelphia Stories, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. In summer 2021, her short story the Anderson family Moto was published in Toho Publishing’s The Best Short Stories of Philadelphia 2021. Her fiction has won the following awards; 2004; finalist in novel writing contest sponsored by suspect thoughts press; 1997; finalist for the Heekin group foundation writers and education fund; 1992; first prize in Mercyhurst college short fiction contest.

Arrive to the gazebo at 8:30am for breakfast, tea, coffee, and a chance to meet everyone. Starting at 9:00, we will assemble outdoors, with a view of the flower fields, and write on a prompt to warm us up. We will then have a two-hour block of time to work on a longer project of our choice in a variety of outdoor/highly-ventilated spaces. A lunch break in the gazebo will give us another chance to socialize and enjoy delicious seasonal food. After lunch, we will have another two-hour writing block, followed by sharing our progress. During this two-hour block, Louise will offer 15 minute consults on attendee's projects. At 3:30 we'll enjoy some dessert, with another chance to socialize. At 4:00 we'll step into the high tunnels to cut flowers and create our own arrangements. Angora Goats and Peanut Butter Jack the royal palm turkey will be on the farm and happy to greet you!