The Harbor Workshop
Writing retreats, workshops, and classes.
The Harbor Workshop
THE HARBOR WORKSHOP is a six night, five day writing experience at a grand cottage in Harbor Springs, an all-season resort town on a sheltered bay in Lake Michigan. A select group of writers will have the opportunity to generate new work, receive intensive manuscript critique, and participate in daily workshops while spending time on trail hikes, beach walks, trips to world-class local independent bookstores, and talks by the fire. There is plenty to explore in the northern part of Michigan’s lower peninsula, although most writers opt to spend their free time writing at their desks overlooking the water.This exclusive workshop is limited to four writers for a highly personalized experience, and is by invitation or recommendation only.WHEN: March 16-22, 2025. Writers will arrive in Harbor Springs on the afternoon of the 16th and leave no later than noon on the 22nd. There will be one round-trip airport pickup and drop-off at the Traverse City Airport, and we will work to coordinate schedules.COST: $4700 includes the workshop, a private bedroom with bath, all meals (with wine and cocktails), transportation for any additional outings, and limited airport pickup.ACCOMMODATIONS: Harbor Springs is an idyllic waterfront resort community founded in 1880 on Little Traverse Bay. The workshop takes place in a beautifully appointed family cottage beside the lake, and from every bedroom you can hear the tide lapping the shore. All rooms have private baths, fireplaces, small lounging areas, and desks overlooking the water. Writers may choose to connect with other participants in the common areas, or to maintain their solitude in the privacy of their bedrooms to write and reflect. Two rooms share a private “rocking chair porch” and one participant may opt to stay in a separate guest house. (See our Instagram for pictures.)There is a large heated indoor pool and small gym.FORMAT: Each writer will workshop a 5,000-20,000 word manuscript. This may be part of a novel or memoir, a short story, or several pieces from a story collection.Manuscripts should be submitted to Katherine and the rest of the participants by February 15.Mornings, Katherine will lead a 2-3 hour craft talk and workshop, with every writer receiving constructive feedback from Katherine and their peers. We will critique one manuscript each day, with the final day reserved for reading and evaluating short rewrites and new work generated throughout the week.TRAVEL: The closest airport is Pellston (PLN), a half hour away from the cottage. This is the most convenient airport should you choose to rent a car. However, Traverse City (TVC) has more flights and is accessible from more major cities. We will do one airport pickup & drop-off from Traverse City in the early afternoon on March 16 and the morning of the 22nd. There are taxis, shuttles, and rental car options from both airports. (A third option is to drive from Detroit [4.5 hours] or Chicago [5.5 hours]. This may be a good idea for those planning to rent a car anyway – there are some nice routes and beautiful places to see along the lake.)CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellation before November 30, the full fee will be refunded. After November 30, we will refund your full fee provided your spot can be filled by someone on the wait list. After February 15, we cannot issue refunds.
The 11 Week Zoom Workshop
The November Zoom Workshop is SOLD OUT. Please apply to be placed on the waiting list. The next Zoom Workshop will begin in March.THE ZOOM WORKSHOP is a live workshop that takes place Monday evenings at 5pm Pacific time (8pm Eastern) for 11 weeks beginning November 18 and ending February 10 (with a two week hiatus from Christmas through New Years). Writers will workshop up to 15,000 words, generate new work through weekly exercises, and have the time together face to face to develop a community. At the end of the workshop, each writer will schedule an individual 15 minute meeting with Katherine to discuss next steps.The workshop is limited to 10 writers and is open by invitation or application.WHEN: November 18, 2024 - February 10, 2025. 11 Monday evenings from 5-7pm Pacific.COST: $550FORMAT: This is a two hour zoom workshop. The first hour is lecture, conversation, and exercises. The second hour is devoted to critiquing student manuscripts. At the end of the class, each student will meet with Katherine for a 15 minute phone consultation to discuss next steps.CANCELLATION POLICY: A full refund will be issued if canceling before October 15. After October 15, full refund will be issued when cancelling until November 10, provided your spot can be filled from the waiting list. No refunds can be issued after November 10.
The Bi-Monthly Novel Workshop
The October workshop is SOLD OUT. The next session will begin in December. Please apply to be placed on the waiting list.BI MONTHLY NOVEL WORKSHOP: An intensive bi-monthy novel workshop (on zoom). Novelists meet for two hours on Saturday mornings one month, take one month off to reflect and revise, and continue on Saturday mornings the following month. One month on, one month off. Writers may opt in and opt out, month by month, as is comfortable for them. There is no more than a monthly obligation, and novelists already enrolled must give up their spot for a space to open. There is room for only four writers at a time, and each week is devoted to one writer’s manuscript. This program is intended to be flexible enough to work on a novel for months or for years, and to come back to a group that is both familiar and new, providing feedback from peers who already know what your work is trying to do and peers who have a fresh perspective.The workshop is limited to four writers per month and is open by invitation or application.WHEN: October 5, 12, 19, 26 (plus an optional intro meeting on Saturday, September 28) at 10am Pacific.COST: $500/monthFORMAT: Writers will submit 10,000 words for critique. Workshops will meet on Zoom for two hours, once a week, for four weeks. Each week will begin with brief exercises and conversation on process directly tailored to fit needs of specific projects or problems. The second hour of each workshop will be devoted to one student manuscript a week. There will be a month hiatus (this will allow for revisions and continued writing), and the workshop will pick up again the following month. Writers may choose to continue with the course or sit out a few months and come back. Writers already enrolled in the workshop will be given priority for a space in the next cycle. This format provides flexibility for the months and often years it takes to complete a novel, so that writers may take more time if needed to work on a manuscript and then return to a familiar group.CANCELLATION POLICY: After enrollment, refunds are provided only if a waitlisted applicant can take your place.