Cortes Island Archives - Shaena Lambert

Announcing the dates of the 2027 writing retreat, Tapping the Stream!

July 2–8, at Hollyhock Retreat Centre on Cortes Island

*Rainbow Eyes, a writer and land defender of Fairy Creek, drums and sings the Woman Warrior song*

Last year’s retreat was a remarkable gathering of writers, some emerging, some multiply published. Poets, memoirists, fantasy writers, short story writers! They brought varied and exciting manuscripts to work on during the week of intensive writing, community building, swimming, kayaking, and forest walking.

Several of the writers in attendance during the Summer 2026 session

Here are some photographs from this past summer, and a link to an article in Cortes Currents, from writer and participant Roy Hale. Please note: participation in limited to 18 writers. An early bird special is available if you register early. Link coming soon!

“A profoundly deep and provocative week. What magic! Shaena and Betsy, deepest regards, and thanks for your wisdom, warmth, and the intuitive way you held the week. I will carry the connection with the participants and the beautiful work of this program with me into my work like a secret (sacred) joy.”

—Vicki McLeod

Announcing the dates of the 2027 writing retreat, Tapping the Stream!Administrator2026-10-30T02:45:36-07:00

Tapping the Stream open for registration

Last year’s writing retreat, Tapping the Stream, at the lush, restorative and deeply creative space Hollyhock, on Cortes Island, was a huge success. Here are some photos of the 7-day retreat, where writers write deeply into their works-in-progress — often making huge creative leaps — host a salon, talk deeply about craft, nurture their creativity and build community. All while letting their hair down, paddling in the bioluminescence, and spending time in the garden. Poets, memoirists, visual artists and musicians (if engaged in a writing project), and novelists. I co-host this annual retreat with renowned teacher and writer Betsy Warland, winner of the Vancouver City arts award and founding artistic director of SFU’s Writers’ Studio.

2024’s Tapping the Stream is now open for registration. It will take place June 21-28. See photos from last year’s edition below, then follow this link to find out more and/or to register.

Tapping the Stream open for registrationShaena Lambert2024-02-03T15:01:24-08:00

Looking forward to 2023…

Recently got word that The Walrus will publish my new short story, “Antonius Snorp” in 2023. “Antonius Snorp” was one of those stories that just landed one morning – and which I wrote quickly (for me), though the editing went on for months.

Editing 101. January 25^th, 7:00-8:30 pm PT. By Zoom. Danielle Geller, Cadence Mandybura and I will give mini-lectures and then have a rousing conversation on various aspects of editing. There will be a Q and A. We’ll explore substantive editing, line editing, copy editing, proofing.

Fernie Reading Series – BOOKED! So delighted to be part of Fernie, BC’s, reading series, where from 7:00 to 8:30 renowned author Angie Abdou and I will talk about writing, publishing, my most recent novel, Petra, and what is coming next from both her and me. Hope you can join us. I’ve read so much about Fernie in Angie’s fascinating memoirs.

Tapping the Stream – May 21-28 at Hollyhock on Cortes Island. This is a unique seven-day retreat that allows writers to work in a sustained way on their manuscript-in-progress, free from interruption, but meeting regularly with other writers by fireside, to discuss craft, publishing, and other key aspects of the writing life. I am co-facilitating with Betsy Warland, who created the Writers’ Studio at SFU and the Vancouver Manuscript Intensive, and won the mayor’s arts award for literary excellence.

Looking forward to 2023…Shaena Lambert2023-05-21T07:21:50-07:00

Tapping the Stream, May 2022

Amazing writers, rich conversations, bonfires, swims and hot tubs, and deep and passionate discussions about fiction and character. Old work got burnt and new plans got planned. What a cornucopia. Sign up for the 2023 event here.

Tapping the Stream, May 2022Shaena Lambert2023-05-21T07:21:51-07:00