In late December 2016, a contest opened up to win free tuition to the 2017 Writers Who Run Retreat. It ran for 5 weeks. Over 400 people entered the contest. Awesome! And the winner is...

TERESA USTANIK

Congratulations! Check your email for your special discount code. Can't wait to meet you!

If you didn't win, you can still participate in this amazing experience of writing and running with like-minded individuals who share the same passions as you. 

This year, there will be a boat tour on historic Fontana Lake. And a pre-race kickoff party. And the S'mores will be here waiting for you, too.

Kumbaya, my friend. 

Here is a list of our frequently asked questions - updated for the 2017 retreat.

A few questions asked and answered:

1. Yes, there is on-site laundry.
2. Yes, we are able to make dietary accommodations. 
3. Yes, the retreat moved from August 2016 to JUNE in 2017.
4. Yes, you will receive two critiques while there, in a small group of 5 attendees to 1 faculty. It can be for 2 chapters of a longer work, or 2 separate manuscripts of a shorter length. We are currently considering adding an option to allow for 1-on-1 critiques with faculty.
5. Yes, there are private single rooms available, but they are limited in number.
6. Yes, there is a shuttle service from the CHARLOTTE (CLT) airport (leaving at 3:30 PM on Monday June 19 and returning on Saturday June 24 at 4:30 PM).
7. No, the faculty is not all female. We have male speaker(s) also.
8. Yes, lodging is included. Food is included. The race is included.
9. The cost is $1499 for a shared double room.

More questions answered:

What do I need to bring?

• pens, pencils, paper, journal, notebook, laptop, flash drive, etc.
• your novel, so you can finish it or continue working on it
• a copy of your first two chapters (for taking notes during roundtable critiques)
• or two shorter manuscripts (i.e. picture books, etc.)
• running shoes and running clothes
• casual clothing, swimsuit, and toiletries
• bug spray, sunscreen, bandaids
• an open mind and a willingness to learn

What is the deadline to get registered?

• Friday March 10, 2017 is the last day you can sign up to attend the 2017 retreat.

Is this retreat for a specific genre or a specific type of writer?

• We focus on a love for running and writing. Writers and runners at all levels are welcome!
• You may be a beginner type of runner and an advanced writer, or you might be an advanced runner while you're a beginning writer, or anywhere in between!
• You may write for children (picture books, middle grade, young adult), or you may write for adults. The staff is well-rounded.
• Fantasy, historical, science fiction, suspense thrillers, mysteries, romance... It doesn't matter. Bring it!

Is there a shuttle?

• Yes! We will depart from the CHARLOTTE (CLT) airport at 3:30 PM on Monday June 19th. The cost is included in the retreat tuition.
• There are also rental cars available from the airport, if you prefer to spend extra money and keep your eyes on the road.

I don't normally run a lot. What do I need to know to be prepared?

• If you can walk for 2 hours, you can finish the race.
• If you are running 2-4 days a week, you will be fine. Aim for 30 minutes during the week and an hour on the weekend. Or you could aim for distance instead of time. Run 2-4 miles during the week, and 5-6 miles on the weekend. Either way is good.
• Don't buy a brand new pair of shoes just before a race. You might end up with blisters. But if you don't have ANY running shoes, then go to a running specialty store and get their opinion.

What should I start doing now to be ready?

• Finish your first two chapters and email it to us by Sunday April 30th at midnight.
• Run.

How do I submit my first two chapters?

• Up to 4,000 words total.
• Deadline to submit is Sunday April 30 at midnight. These need to be submitted ahead of time so we can get them to your group and to the faculty members.
• Send to authorcwild @ gmail . com (without the spaces)
• Subject line: WWR Retreat: First 2 chapters by YOUR NAME 
• Standard manuscript formatting.

What is standard manuscript formatting?

• Double spaced
• 12-point font
• Times New Roman
• Use a header with last name, title of ms, and page number
• Don't number first page
• Start each new chapter on a separate page
• Type chapter title in ALL CAPS
• Use a 5-space tab for all paragraphs
• Name and contact information at top left-hand corner of first page
• Word count for each chapter at upper right-hand corner

How will the roundtable groups work? If I write picture books, will I be placed in a group of writers who write adult fiction?

• Every effort will be made to group like categories and genres together. 
• One or two faculty members will be designated to focus on picture book mss, depending on the number of attendees who register for picture books.
• Middle Grade (MG) and Young Adult (YA) may be grouped together.
• Adult novelists will be grouped together, and maybe drilled down further into genres.

I've never critiqued someone else's writing before. How do I give a good critique?

• With a 1:5 faculty-to-attendee ratio, you'll have 4 other attendees in your group.
• As you read the other 4 manuscripts that you will receive in May, either print them out and handwrite your notes on the mss, or open in Word and type comments in that way, and then print to bring with you.
• This is not meant to be a line-by-line editing session.
• Writers will want to know what is working well, and what is confusing.
• You may circle things and put a smiley face or a checkmark beside things you like. You might underline things you find confusing and put a question mark beside it. It's up to you.
• During the Roundtable Critique sessions, give positive feedback first, followed by constructive criticism that could make the ms better, and finish up with more positive feedback. Look to your faculty member to be the facilitator. I highly recommend setting a timer so each participant receives equal time from the faculty member.

​Writers Who Run Race to NC for World's First Ever Retreat of its Kind
 
Writers will be racing to Fontana Dam, NC on August 3, 2016 to attend the world's only writing retreat that also incorporates running a race as part of the agenda. Space is limited to 32 participants who think of themselves as writers and runners (or walkers). The culminating event of the 5-day, 4-night writing retreat is a 10k trail race on Sunday August 7 through the Nantahala National Forest of the Great Smoky Mountains. The race is limited to 250 participants and is also open to walkers.
 
The Writers Who Run (or Walk) Retreat combines the best of both worlds all in one trip, saving you time and money. One website visitor commented, "What an awesome concept. I cannot believe I've found this. It's like Goldilocks discovering just the right bed! Writing retreats are sedentary. Running retreats are exhausting. But this one sounds just right!"
 
The retreat promises to be rejuvenating, educational, productive, and social. The 10k trail race isn't just a race. It's an inspirational journey including some of the most popular racing elements that attract runners: adventure, costumes, charity, and bling!
 

• Rejuvenating: Write, run, and relax
• Educational: Hone your writing craft
• Productive: Time to work on your novel 
• Social: Connect with other writers and runners
• Adventurous: 62-foot bridge and 2.5 miles of narrow trails
• Thematic: Dress up as a book character
• Charitable: Donate a children's book for literacy 
• Braggable: Awesome finisher medal

 
Writers Who Run was founded by Christie Wright Wild, a writer who realized that the only time she ever traveled was to go to a writing event or a running event. There's finally a solution where you can do both in the same trip! 

J.J. Hensley had to cancel due to extenuating circumstances with his career as a Secret Service agent. We were all so excited to meet you, but wish you well on your newest adventure in life. May God bless you and keep you and your family safe.

Alex Lidell, author of YA fantasy novel, The Cadet of Tildor, has graciously agreed to join us. By day, she is a paramedic. By night, she rides horses through the landscape of her fantasy worlds. 

No matter what you write, Alex will inspire you as she shares the insight she has learned on her own personal journey to publication.