UPDATE: OUR RETREAT IS NOW SOLD OUT! PLEASE EMAIL US AT CHIPPEWAVALLEYWRITERSGUILD@GMAIL.COM TO BE PLACED ON THE WAITLIST.
Hotel rooms, record players, and writers—oh my! The Oxbow Writer’s Retreat is returning for its fifth year. Attendees will check into The Oxbow Hotel, a local treasure, at 8:45 am on Saturday, January 18, and check out at 11 am on Sunday, January 19. It’s the perfect weekend away to recharge with your writer best friends!
If you’re looking for Eau Claire’s finest boutique hotel, look no further than the Oxbow. Whether you’re writing with the rest of the group in its event spaces, or attempting to wind down that chugging creative engine in your room, the area around you will be drenched with style and local flair. The venue is also famous for having record players in its rooms and an extensive vinyl library in its lobby—the writing of you and your peers won’t be the only delight at this retreat!
Novelist Christina Clancy is this year’s writer-in-residence. Her short stories and essays have been featured everywhere from The New York Times to The Washington Post. She has two novels under her belt, and a third on its way, coming in February, 2025. And on top of her impressive credentials as a writer, she has also hosted the Oxbow Retreat before! Christina Clancy knows what she’s doing.
“We're thrilled to partner with The Oxbow Hotel and Christina Clancy,” says host B.J. Hollars. “We have the perfect venue for the perfect writer to ensure an ideal retreat.”
There are many wonderful things to experience this time at the Oxbow! Here are a few events from the schedule: writing exercises with writer-in-residence Christina Clancy, optional mini-group workshops, and jazz and fellowship at The Lakely, The Oxbow Hotel’s stylish cocktail lounge on Saturday night. Find out more about the schedule here.
The food will be delicious, as well: included in the price of your ticket are two scrumptious meals from Forage, the local commercial kitchen and friend to the Guild.
Signing up for this retreat is a two step process! Be sure to complete both steps, or you will not have signed up!
Step 1: Click here to reserve your spot by purchasing your $105 weekend ticket.
Step 2: Pick up the phone and call The Oxbow Hotel (715-839-0601) and ask them to sign you up for The Oxbow Writer’s Retreat. Room prices range from $115.00-149.00 (plus fees). The promo code is: WRITERS. Room upgrades available. Need to come into town early? Ask about the special writers' rate for Friday night lodging.
Please note that our retreats are non-refundable. An organization of our size is unable to absorb costs associated with cancellations. However, with sufficient notice, we will do our best to fill your slot, and if successful, we’ll gladly refund your payment.
This cost includes Saturday night lodging, breakfast, lunch, fruit, cookies, muffins, coffee, a drink ticket, and mini-group workshops, as well as all of the craft talks and instruction. Room upgrades available. Need to come into town early? Ask about the special writers' rate for Friday night lodging.