Okoboji Writers Retreat returns for fourth year

For four days in September, a popular Iowa tourist destination a gathering of writers, literary agents and songwriter-musicians will converge for the fourth annual Okoboji Writers’ (and Songwriters’) Retreat.

This year’s retreat will again be held on Sept. 22-25, at Lakeside Labs, the 147-acre rustic setting on Miller’s Bay, West Okoboji Lake.

Event Producer Julie Gammack of Des Moines and Spirit Lake said this year’s event will likely even eclipse last year’s retreat in enrolling people striving to be better writers and a faculty gathering to help them. Gammack is a former Des Moines Register columnist and WHO radio talk show host. She is also the founder of the Iowa Writers Collaborative. She organized the first Okoboji Writers Retreat in 2021 as the nation struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s event is expected to be more than double the size of the inaugural retreat.

“Our watchwords then, and still are, is that there’s a story in everyone,” Gammack said. “This year, while we still believe that, we’ve broadened the offering to include songwriting. We added that particular songwriting track because I think there’s a song in them for many past participants or newcomers. Regardless, enrollment fees are the same as last year, and participants are welcome to attend songwriting sessions at no additional charge.”

As a result, she said, the lineup of guest resources has grown to more than 50 writing and songwriting professionals whose mission is to help folks learn or just get better at expressing themselves through spoken, written, or musical words.

The faculty includes best-selling fiction and nonfiction authors, award-winning writers, musicians, playwrights, children’s book authors, university professors, skilled memoir coaches, noted editors, investigative journalists, opinion writers, environmentalists and well-known musicians, to name some of the topics.

Gammack said, “Despite a wonderful lineup of resources, folks who may never have published a word or recorded a note should be encouraged to attend. “Over half of our attendees annually are people who just want to learn how to get started. Others come to get help with that affliction known as ‘writer’s block.'”

Gammack said one key to the curriculum is that the student-teacher ratio is usually 5 or 10 to 1.

“We have a few panel sessions, but for the most part, our faculty has plenty of time for individual coaching and small group sessions,” she said.

Gammack cited that after-event surveys have indicated that a very high percentage of persons who have attended one or more of the past retreats are repeat enrollees for the 2024 event. Lasting relationships have been developed, she said.

“We are delighted to welcome our alums back for 2024,” Gammack said. “We are filling up fast again. If you’ve been holding back, I urge you to reserve your spot now.”

Visit the website to learn more and enroll.