Soulful Writer’s Retreat for Women

Ignite Your Creative Spark and Write from the Wisdom Within

Wisdom Tree graphic for the Soulful Writer's Retreat, a women's writing retreat in Ontario, featuring the words "Where Words Take Root" and "For women who long to write."

2027: CHOOSE YOUR RETREAT!

🌿  June 14—17, 2027
🌿  August 23—26, 2027

Looking for a women’s writing retreat in Ontario where you can step away from daily life, reconnect with your writing, and make meaningful progress on your writing?

The Soulful Writer’s Retreat is a four-day, small-group experience on the shores of Lake Huron that combines Conscious Writing, guided sessions, quiet reflection, and uninterrupted time to write in a supportive community of just five women.

Whether you’re just beginning your writing journey or you’re an experienced author ready to deepen your craft, you’ll find the inspiration, encouragement, and space to honour your story and write with purpose and presence.

“The Wisdom Tree isn’t one you’ll find in my backyard – it’s the tree you meet in stillness. In our meditation, it rises beside a crystal pool, with a place perfectly carved for you to sit and write. It’s not just a tree – it’s a sanctuary for your story.”

“What if the words you’re looking for are already waiting inside you – buried in the quiet, hidden below the surface, ready to rise beside the Wisdom Tree?

Writers Retreat

Set against the backdrop of natural beauty – sandy beaches, peaceful woods, and a tranquil stream – this retreat invites you to unplug, reconnect with your creativity, and write with purpose. Picture the world’s most breathtaking sunsets and a supportive group of kindred spirits, all contributing to an environment designed to inspire and ignite your imagination.

Who It’s For
The Soulful Writer’s Retreat is designed for women at all stages of their writing journey. Whether you’re crafting your first words or an experienced author seeking to explore new creative depths, this retreat will help you explore your unique voice, strengthen your craft, and grow in confidence as a writer.

Over four days, we’ll come together to write, learn, explore, and share. To maintain an intimate and personalized experience, I limit the group to a maximum of five participants, ensuring a supportive, deeply connected space for growth and reflection.

What You’ll Experience & Learn
The retreat focuses on the Conscious Writing process, a technique that taps into your intuitive flow and connects you with the heart of your writing. This empowers you to write from your soul and bring fresh direction to your projects. Many participants have come to the retreat with one idea and left with an entirely new perspective on their writing journey.

You’ll also explore practical writing techniques through guided lessons, creative exercises, and personalized feedback designed to help you strengthen your writing and discover more about yourself as a writer.

It’s amazing when like-minded women come together for a shared experience such as this. I am grateful for the balance between teachings, guidance, and the freedom to discover my own path. The conscious writing experience made me feel more grounded, allowing my thoughts and writing to flow. This retreat accelerated my growth exponentially. I truly felt reconnected to myself, nature, and all that I needed.

This retreat is for the story you haven’t yet told – and the part of you that’s ready to tell it.

A Day at the Retreat
Each day begins with a Conscious Writing meditation and meaningful group discussions in a sacred space of connection and insight. You’ll explore new writing techniques, respond to creative prompts, and enjoy uninterrupted time to write – by the pool, along the woodland trails, or on our private beach overlooking the shores of Lake Huron.

There’s also time to simply be. Journal. Relax in nature. Share stories around the campfire. Watch the sunset over Lake Huron. Enjoy delicious meals that nourish both creativity and the soul. Throughout the retreat, you’ll deepen your writing, uncover fresh insights, and discover new ways to craft authentic stories that resonate with readers.

Soulful Writers Retreat

Your Soulful Writer’s Retreat includes everything you need to feel inspired, supported, and free to write:

Writers Retreat Group
  • 3 nights accommodation at my private residence on the shores of Lake Huron in St. Joseph, Ontario.
  • Delicious, nourishing meals and snacks: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and wine with dinner each night.
  • Daily guided writing sessions with practical lessons, creative exercises, and personal insights.
  • Individual writing assignments with personalized feedback to help strengthen your work.
  • Personal free time for journaling, writing, or enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
  • Time to walk along the beach and through the woodland trails for reflection and inspiration.

Why You Should Join
This retreat is not just about writing; it’s about rediscovering the joy and freedom in your creative process. It’s about getting in touch with the stories inside you and learning how to express them from the heart. You’ll leave not only with new stories to tell but also with a deeper understanding of your writing path and renewed inspiration.

Ready to write from the heart?
Join us at the Soulful Writer’s Retreat and discover how the Conscious Writing process helps you move beyond overthinking and self-doubt. Write with greater clarity, authenticity, and confidence as you uncover the stories that are waiting to be told – your way, in your own voice.

Retreat Venue

Soulful Writer’s Retreat venue in St. Joseph, Ontario

Early Writer’s Rate

Reserve your place at the Soulful Writer’s Retreat by March 31, 2027, and enjoy special early writer’s pricing. It’s my way of honouring your commitment to your creative journey.

Take it as a sign – it’s time to give yourself the space, stillness, and inspiration you’ve been longing for.

Secure Your Space

A deposit of $500.00 + HST will secure your space. Choose your preferred date and accommodation (see options below). The balance will be payable by March 31, 2027.

All prices are quoted in Canadian dollars + 13% HST.

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Choose Your Space

Private Room – Queen Bed

$1797.00

Early Writer’s Rate: $1597.00

August Retreat – RESERVED

Choose Your Retreat

Private Room – Double Bed

$1797.00

Early Writer’s Rate: $1597.00

August Retreat – RESERVED

Choose Your Retreat

Shared Room (Lower Bunks)

$1597.00
Early Writer’s Rate: $1397.00

Choose Your Retreat

Non-Residential

Perfect if you live nearby or prefer to stay at a local inn.
We’re just minutes from the charming Hessenland Inn, with Bayfield and Grand Bend only 10 minutes away – giving you a peaceful place to stay and an easy return to the retreat each morning.

$1397.00
Early Writer’s Rate: $1197.00

Choose Your Retreat

 CREATE YOUR OWN RETREAT!
When the timing doesn’t align, the invitation still stands. Create your own retreat with a group of 4–5 women who want a private, soulful writing experience. As the organizer, you’ll also receive a special thank-you rate.
Let’s talk…

Dietary Restrictions: Please let me know when you register if you have any dietary restrictions or medical food needs.

Cancellation Policy:
If you have to cancel your booking for any reason, there is a staged refund policy as follows:
  • 60 days or more before the retreat: Your $500 deposit is non-refundable. Any additional amount paid will be refunded.
  • 31 – 59 days before the retreat: 50% of your total retreat fee is non-refundable.
  • 30 days or less before the retreat: Your full retreat fee is non-refundable.

Words from our Soulful Writers…

Janet Frood

This was a great first writing retreat where I could learn about principles and techniques of the craft of writing. Susan is a gifted guide and generous host. It was both reflective and energizing.

Janet Frood

Horizon Leadership, London, ON

Paula Dearing

Susan’s retreat is special. She opens up her beautiful home to us to experience a soulful retreat while advancing our writing skills. Her program and handouts were very professional and prompted creativity in our writing journey. She is also a very warm and welcoming person… The calmness and pacing was perfect.

Paula Dearing, Seaforth, ON

Janis Stewart

This is the first feedback that I have ever had on my writing that has been helpful… You gave me constructive and helpful direction… The Soulful Writer’s Retreat for Women changed my mindset and provided me with creative direction, enabling my writing to grow through the writing process. It has awakened a new energy and I want to go home and put my new-found skills into my writing… Thank you, Susan, for your guided direction, meaningful exercises and always your helpful feedback and encouragement.

Janis Stewart, Mitchell, ON

Linda Fletcher

I’ve attended over six retreats, and each has provided wonderful relaxation, camaraderie, nutrition for body and soul, and time dedicated to working on my writing with valuable, constructive feedback.

Sue has designed the writing exercises to make us consciously experience what is in our reach—physically and metaphorically.

These retreats are something I do just for me.

Linda Fletcher
Cambridge, Ontario

Petra Remy

A Beautiful, Transformative Retreat for the Soul and the Writer Within

The Soulful Writer’s Retreat for Women was truly transformative. Susan creates a safe, inspiring space where creativity flows naturally. Her beautiful home, nourishing food, peaceful-natural setting, and the morning swims all added to the magic.

With her wisdom, personal attention, and thoughtful resources, I felt seen, supported, and encouraged. The intimate group setting gave us the opportunity to receive meaningful feedback and grow as writers.

I left the retreat with a renewed confidence in my voice and a deeper belief in my writing journey. This is the perfect experience for anyone looking to reconnect with their creativity or take that next brave step into their writing soul.

Petra Remy
Remy Investment Group, Edmonton, AB
Carol Trickett

My writing and experience as an author have only begun, but Sue has been a major influence and inspiration in my journey. The welcoming hug on the front step when I arrived made me feel that I was where I needed to be. The guided meditations were a new experience and have focused my mind, allowing the writing to flow. My favourite session was about the five senses, and it made a noticeable difference to me in the following writing assignment. The peaceful setting, accommodations, belly-filling meals, friendships, and retreat content were all 5-star!

Carol Trickett
London, ON
Sylvia Plester-Silk

Attending my annual writer’s retreat with Sue has been informative, nurturing, and rejuvenating. She magically blends lessons, writing time, and connection in an experience that feeds the author within and your soul. Attending her retreat has been a profound experience. I now see myself as an author who can be published, not only self-published. I have confidence in my writing as a result of the responses others have to my stories. It’s opened an entirely new world for me – I don’t just write non-fiction anymore. I also see myself as a short story writer. The decision to attend next year’s retreat was only a blink of a thought – it was absolutely, 100% I wouldn’t miss it!

Sylvia Plester-Silk
On Purpose Transformation, Guelph, ON
Linda Verde

I went to the Soulful Writer’s Retreat [again] expecting an experience that would delight, inspire, educate, and also nurture my soul. I got that and more. I especially enjoyed the content of the lessons. All were very helpful and gave me lots to consider as I write. This was my third Soulful Writer’s Retreat, and the content continues to be new and relevant. I was inspired again this year as I have been with each of the past experiences. I recommend this retreat for anyone who wants to write with true authenticity.

–2024

Linda Verde
Linda Verde Editing, Sarnia, ON
Linda Fletcher

Nature – Food – Calmness – Writing – Camaraderie – Fun

What more could you ask for? ?

Give yourself a gift of “me time” at Sue’s. It will be a terrific initiation to becoming a writer. There were so many lovely aspects to the retreat – yummy food (meals, snacks, and desserts) … various cozy, outdoor writing spaces where nature inspires your creativity … witness relaxing beach sunsets … Sue’s brain exercises that release your imagination … oracle card readings for musing … and some yoga-like movements to shake out the cobwebs.

Even if you don’t keep writing after, the writer’s bug will infest your body, mind, and soul. That’s how it was for me. Inspired, I recently expanded one of the brain exercises and submitted it to CBC’s Short Story contest and am now attempting to write a novel during Nanowrimo month.

Linda Fletcher
Cambridge, Ontario
Rebecca Loach

Sue’s Soulful Writer’s Retreat was the perfect mix of structured creative writing exercises, exploration with Conscious Writing techniques, soulful sharing with the group, and fun! Every moment of the event was well thought out, with plenty of free time each morning and afternoon for us to continue our personal writing projects or enjoy some quiet time relaxing. The environment was set perfectly to support our projects and also to create connections between the participants. I went to the Retreat hoping to get a bit more structure for writing my book, but instead came away with a whole new perspective on my writing and how to tap into the Soulful Writer within. I feel much more confident and inspired about writing than I ever imagined possible.  I also came away feeling well-fed (the food was amazing!) and have made a whole new group of friends. I would recommend this event to anyone who is looking to tap into their creative writing in a more conscious and soulful way.

Rebecca Loach
Angels' Voice, Waterloo, Ontario
Gayle Russell

The Retreat was an amazing experience, which helped me find a way to circumvent my brain injury, and be able to write again. I spoke to my mom and asked what she thought about my revising dad’s script ‘Heirlooms,’ with a joint author note. She was delighted that was a possibility and it is now slated as a project for 2018! Making new friends and having the opportunity to share freely with them, was a true blessing, too. Thanks again for such a magical experience! You’re an awesome Soulful Writer and Teacher. I so appreciate your wisdom and gifts.

Gayle Russell,
Essential Therapies, London, Ontario
Kim Elsdon

Radiant sun, puffy clouds, skies the colour of bluebells, gentle breezes, the air filled with lilac. Breathe deep fresh oxygen, listen to soul songs of birds, view the stately lavender gladiolus and blazing sunsets. Feel comforted by the light touch of winged angels all around, with the tranquil fall of water surrounded by tender shoots of growth. Never having to give thought to preparing the next feast for it was there before you as if by magic. Inspiration sprung into the mind as the stories unfolded, guidance was soft yet powerful, given with love from a truly spiritual woman.

The experience will last a lifetime; for now, I can help others feel, see, smell, and touch life from afar.

 Thanks to those who encouraged me on the first steps of an exciting new journey.

Kim Elsdon
London, Ontario
Kristen Steeper

The Retreat was even more than I expected. There was great value in seeing each of the parts come together. I would recommend this to anyone who is seriously considering writing.

Kristen Steeper
London, Ontario