Join us for a five-night retreat, exploring the
creativity, craft, and art of "good writing"
led by Euginia Kim, author of the award-winning novels The Calligrapher's Daughter and The Kinship of Secrets
WHERE
ZigBone Farm Retreat, just one hour from the
DC/Baltimore areas, in Maryland's scenic Catoctin Mtns.
WHEN
Sept. 7-12, 2025
WHAT
What makes a book, story, essay, or memoir “good?” For both emerging and experienced writers of fiction, essays, and/or memoirs, this five-day intensive—and inspiring—writing retreat will explore key elements of writing craft as hands-on tools to elevate the art and authenticity in your work. We will examine excerpts from contemporary literature to enrich our knowledge of these five interconnected subjects in creative writing:
Setting—era, physical space and all it contains
Character—point of view, objective vs. obstacles, dialogue, image, history, stakes
Narrative—diction, description, comparisons, voice, tone, pacing, pitfalls
Form, plot, and structure
The practice of art
To strengthen confidence in your creativity, Eugenia will conduct daily mini- and extended exercises to help you integrate good craft into your writing, and allow you to experiment with different approaches to your story or essay. We will study both “how-to” and exemplary fiction and nonfiction readings to deepen these lessons. By the end of the retreat, you will have reexamined and revised existing writing as well as created new writing to share with the group. A one-on-one consultation with the instructor is included, as are a number of group writing activities.
Peace-filled surroundings, hearty and healthy food and drink, and the company of fellow writers will underscore the importance of being part of a writing community, which can bolster confidence and become a balm for the necessary isolation of creative writing. We will also provide resources for where to mingle with writers of all stripes in the DMV and online, and for sending work out for publication.
Price ranges from $1800 to $2400, depending on accommodations (see below)
TWO DISCOUNTS!
EARLY BIRD:
Sign up by April 30 and we'll take $100 off your booking price
WRITER'S CENTER MEMBERS
in good standing receive an additional $75 discount
creativity, craft, and art of "good writing"
led by Euginia Kim, author of the award-winning novels The Calligrapher's Daughter and The Kinship of Secrets
WHERE
ZigBone Farm Retreat, just one hour from the
DC/Baltimore areas, in Maryland's scenic Catoctin Mtns.
WHEN
Sept. 7-12, 2025
WHAT
What makes a book, story, essay, or memoir “good?” For both emerging and experienced writers of fiction, essays, and/or memoirs, this five-day intensive—and inspiring—writing retreat will explore key elements of writing craft as hands-on tools to elevate the art and authenticity in your work. We will examine excerpts from contemporary literature to enrich our knowledge of these five interconnected subjects in creative writing:
Setting—era, physical space and all it contains
Character—point of view, objective vs. obstacles, dialogue, image, history, stakes
Narrative—diction, description, comparisons, voice, tone, pacing, pitfalls
Form, plot, and structure
The practice of art
To strengthen confidence in your creativity, Eugenia will conduct daily mini- and extended exercises to help you integrate good craft into your writing, and allow you to experiment with different approaches to your story or essay. We will study both “how-to” and exemplary fiction and nonfiction readings to deepen these lessons. By the end of the retreat, you will have reexamined and revised existing writing as well as created new writing to share with the group. A one-on-one consultation with the instructor is included, as are a number of group writing activities.
Peace-filled surroundings, hearty and healthy food and drink, and the company of fellow writers will underscore the importance of being part of a writing community, which can bolster confidence and become a balm for the necessary isolation of creative writing. We will also provide resources for where to mingle with writers of all stripes in the DMV and online, and for sending work out for publication.
Price ranges from $1800 to $2400, depending on accommodations (see below)
TWO DISCOUNTS!
EARLY BIRD:
Sign up by April 30 and we'll take $100 off your booking price
WRITER'S CENTER MEMBERS
in good standing receive an additional $75 discount
Tentative Schedule
Sunday
4-5pm: Arrival
5:30pm: Welcome reception on the terrace and dinner
Monday-Thursday
8am-9am: Breakfast
9am-11am: Craft Session
11am-4pm: Lunch and Free Writing Time (optional walks on the property and in nearby parks)
4pm-6pm: Writing Exercises for Inspiration
6:30pm-7:30pm: Communal Farm Dinner
7:30pm-10pm: Optional Evening Readings (last two nights of the retreat)
Friday:
11am Departure: Wrap-Up Exercise & Debrief
Sunday
4-5pm: Arrival
5:30pm: Welcome reception on the terrace and dinner
Monday-Thursday
8am-9am: Breakfast
9am-11am: Craft Session
11am-4pm: Lunch and Free Writing Time (optional walks on the property and in nearby parks)
4pm-6pm: Writing Exercises for Inspiration
6:30pm-7:30pm: Communal Farm Dinner
7:30pm-10pm: Optional Evening Readings (last two nights of the retreat)
Friday:
11am Departure: Wrap-Up Exercise & Debrief
About Eugenia:
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Eugenia Kim’s debut novel, The Calligrapher’s Daughter, won the Borders Original Voices Award, was shortlisted for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, was a Washington Post Best Historical Novel and Critic’s Pick, and a #3 bestseller on Amazon UK. Her second novel, The Kinship of Secrets, was a Library Reads best book and in their Hall of Fame, a Booklist featured book and audio best book, and an Amazon Best Book of the Month/Literature and Fiction. Several of her short fictions and essays have appeared in journals and anthologies. She is a three-time Washington DC, Council on the Arts and Humanities Fellowship recipient, and received fellowships at Yaddo, Hedgebrook, MacDowell, Millay, Oxbow, and elsewhere. A highly rated professor in fiction and nonfiction at Fairfield University’s low-residency MFA Creative Writing Program, she is the current Board Chair of The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
www.eugenia-kim.com |
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What Eugenia's Students Say:
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"Easily one of the most challenging and fulfilling workshops I’ve had. Eugenia comes each day with a mixture of craft pedagogy, illustrative texts, and exercises. It made for a full, rich experience that I really felt benefitted my writing."
—Stuart "I was astounded at how she showed such breadth and depth of knowledge. Wow. In a few words, Eugenia was insightful, intuitive, deep, funny, cohesive, responsive, kind, stern, tough, compassionate, and professional." —MaryAnn |
"Eugenia is wildly knowledgeable and experienced… and offers constructive feedback. She has a dear love of teaching."
—Allie "Eugenia’s outlines and exercises are some of the most effective learning moments I’ve had. They were relevant and necessary, and I know I learned a lot in four days. Honestly, this workshop was amazing and well planned. Eugenia is extremely dedicated, smart, and a real teacher." —Nicole |
"She is inspiring, warm, approachable, smart, smart, smart, and she radiated something I can only identify as joyfulness—and, she is funny. This is a rare quality, and a wonderful gift to bestow upon the struggling writer. With great tact and compassion, she addressed a significant flaw in my piece for workshop. She went far beyond the “compliment sandwich” but with tact and authority. I will strive toward what she believes I can achieve."
—Pat |
"A flawless workshop. Eugenia is an exceptional teacher. She has an uncanny ability to bring out the best in her students, both in writing and discussion."
—Barb "It was the quality and caliber I expected—rich in content and full of rigor. Eugenia’s passion for writing and language contributed to her thoughtful and detailed facilitation style. She was personable and easy to talk to. She is a reflective and analytical person—great traits for a workshop leader." —Lona |
Scenes from a ZigBone Writing Retreat:
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Rooms & Pricing
The Springhouse (private, en suite): $2400. Stand-alone English-style cottage with deck with meadow views, timber-beamed, cathedral ceilings, roomy bathroom with walk-in shower, writing alcove. Just steps from the ZigBone Lodge.
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The Log Cabin Room (private, en suite): $2400. Spacious room in original log cabin portion of ZigBone Lodge, with full, moroccan-tiled bathroom.
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The Parlor (private w/ private bathroom): $2400. Queen bed in very spacious room with sitting area and French doors opening onto a large stone, wisteria-covered terrace with meadow views.
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Private Rooms/Shared Bathrooms (six available): $2100. Spacious private rooms in ZigBone Lodge, moroccan-tiled bathrooms shared with one-two other people. Either sinks in room or shower in separate room from toilet and sink. $300/person discount for sharing a room (four rooms have beds that can be made into single beds).
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