Not to worry! There are multiple transit options available and we can help with carpooling and transfers in the area. Visit our contact page for details!

It depends! Our retreats tend to focus on either Nonfiction and memoir OR fiction. Many of our writers straddle multiple genres. If you’re not sure if this is the right fit, let’s talk!

Nope! You can have a manuscript that isn’t quite there yet, pages you’ve been working on, or an idea and the will to get started.

You DON’T need a degree in writing (or anything else!).

You DON’T need previous publication credits.

Five or six participants max. Jennifer and her co-facilitator will stay nearby, at Jennifer’s family cottage.

Our instructors will be available during the retreat for 1:1s.

In addition, each participant will have the opportunity for a one-hour call with Jennifer before our week together, and a 90-minute follow-up call after the retreat, once the participant has had time to let all our group work settle in.

It’s strongly suggested to attend all the classes offered because they are structured to build your knowledge base.

However, we are human, and it’s a busy week. If you are feeling over-stimulated, need some down time, or just got on a roll and want to keep writing, that’s okay too.

Not unless you choose to. This retreat is designed to give you professional support from the facilitators, and ensure you have time to work on your own material rather than critiquing the work of your fellow participants. That said, we will talk about how to critique and edit others’ work for those of you who are involved in writing groups or hope to be in the future.

There is one bedroom and two bathrooms on the ground level that can be accessed without any stairs, but there is a short walk from the parking area over gravel and flagstone with three steps. The dock is accessed down a flight of about 75 stairs, though you can drive to a sandy beach at Deerhurst.

All cleaning products, soaps and detergents are scent-free.

We will do our best to work with retreaters to accommodate their needs so they feel comfortable and safe while with us.

Though wine, beer, and alcohol may make an appearance during the week, nonalcoholic options will always be available and this is not meant to be a boozy week or atmosphere. Being sensitive to the fact that we might have people in recovery with us, we’ll be encouraging participants to be responsible about—and with—their alcohol intake.

No smoking is allowed except in designated areas.

We are in the process of applying for funding from the Canada Council for the Arts to subsidize the fee for everyone.

In the meantime, the retreat is eligible for funding with programs such as the Canada Council for the Arts “Artistic Creation” grant, or the BC Arts Council “Individual Arts Grants: Creative Writers” grant.

We are happy to provide letters of acceptance for any writer who wishes to apply for grants.

We have a strict cancellation policy in place for this destination workshop because our catering deposit and all group expenses are due at the same time as your full tuition. Our vendors have no-refund policies, so we must follow suit. Refunds will not be offered unless we can find another participant to take your place. Refunds will not be given if you must leave the retreat while it’s underway, but we will certainly make efforts to help you participate virtually if you do have to leave before the retreat has ended.

We reserve the right to cancel the retreat in the event of civil unrest, natural disaster or Act of God. In the event of cancellation of the retreat in its entirety, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid. You agree to release Oak Bay Coaching & Consulting and its agents and/or representatives from any liability, including consequential expenses you may have incurred in planning to attend.

Yes! You are welcome to return for another retreat experience. We curate the workshops based on participant interests and needs, so each retreat is slightly different