Troublesome Creek Writers Retreats are a time for folks to gather in community with each other, spend time in conversation with a respected and published facilitator, and work independently on their respective writing projects.
Unlike a workshop where there are formal classes, discussion, and critique of pieces, these retreats are loosely structured so that attendees can focus on the goals they have and use the time as they need. The facilitator will offer one or two sessions on craft or the writing process, but they are optional. The facilitator will also be available for individual discussions with writers about their work and writing goals.Earlier this month, poet Danni Quintos and novelist Wesley Browne served as facilitators of our fall session. Dozens of participants gathered on campus to take part in these sessions and enjoy the serenity of Hindman during the changing of the seasons.
For spring, we are thrilled to announce two facilitators offering retreats on two separate weekends: Silas House on March 22-24 and Robert Gipe on April 19-21.
Silas House is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including his most recent, Lark Ascending, which was a Booklist Editors’ Choice and is the winner of the 2023 Southern Book Prize and the 2023 Nautilus Book Award. In 2022 he was the recipient of the Duggins Prize, the largest award for an LGBTQ writer in the nation. The same year he was named Appalachian of the Year in a nationwide poll. In 2023 he was inducted as the Poet Laureate of Kentucky for 2023-2025.
Robert Gipe won the 2015 Weatherford Award for outstanding Appalachian novel for his first novel Trampoline. His second and third novels, Weedeater and Pop were published in 2018 and 2021. The trilogy won the Judy Gaines Young Book Award. From 1997 to 2018, Gipe directed the Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College Appalachian Program and is founding producer of the Higher Ground community performance series. He has served as a script consultant for the Hulu series Dopesick and a producer on the feature film The Evening Hour. .
Space is limited with each facilitator, so register soon! Click here to register for the weekend with Silas House and here for the weekend with Robert Gipe.
