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The second annual retreat is rooted in the student-centered immersive writing approach of Hedgebrook and will feature a keynote address by award-winning writer Karen Joy Fowler.
The keynote address by Fowler is also free and open to the public.
The author of seven novels and three short story collections, Fowler's most recent novel "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves" was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and was the winner of the 2014 PEN/Faulkner Award and the California Book Award for Fiction. Her book, "The Jane Austen Book Club," spent 13 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and was a New York Times Notable Book.
Hedgebrook is a 28-year-old nonprofit dedicated to supporting women and non-binary writers across a broad spectrum, including age, citizenship status, current place of residence, nationality, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and economic resources and professional experience. More than 50 percent of Hedgebrook's alumnae are women of color, and come from all over the world and all walks of life.
"Hedgebrook is thrilled to bring the radical hospitality we practice at our retreat on Whidbey Island in Washington to SMC's extraordinary MFA program and writing community," said Hedgebrook Executive Director Amy Wheeler "There is such good synergy in our shared vision to create space for women to come together, in solitude and community, to write, think, engage in big ideas and work together in the movement for equal voice in the cultural conversation for women."
Saint Mary's MFA Creative Writing Program Manager Sara Mumolo said the Bridging retreat reflects a mission match between Hedgebrook and the graduate program. "We felt a deep connection between Hedgebrook's philosophy of putting radical kindness first and women writing for change within our own social justice tradition, which is unique to our MFA program."
During the retreat, attendees can participate in workshop sessions on developing artist statements and press kits; exploring story, plot, and character development, and flash nonfiction; and gain important insights into applying for writing residencies. Participants work with celebrated authors and receive important feedback on their work from other Bay Area women writers and Hedgebrook alumnae, who include Saint Mary's MFA Creative Writing Program faculty and graduates.
The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Hagerty Lounge at De La Salle Hall. Fowler's keynote address will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Soda Center on the campus.
Cost for the day's program is $130 and includes choice of one of four writing workshops, happy hour reception (non-alcoholic options available), three meals with evening cake and coffee (vegan and gluten-free options available), and networking opportunities with Bay Area women writers groups. Limited partial scholarships are available.
For more details about the Bridging: A One-Day Hedgebrook Writing Retreat collaboration between Hedgebrook and the Saint Mary's MFA Creative Writing Program, contact Bridging coordinator Joanne Furio at 415-686-8695 or by email at jf14@stmarys-ca.edu. Learn more about the retreat online at stmarys-ca.edu/hedgebrookretreat. - Peggy Spear
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA