New Hampshire Memoir Retreats

MOTHERS AND OTHERS May 8-11, 2025

with an extended workshop day on May 12

and

LETTING THE LIGHT IN: A WOMEN’S WEEKEND OF MEMOIR September 4-7

with an extended workshop day on September 8.

If you’ve been wanting to write, but you’re not sure how to begin – or maybe you’ve been working on your writing for a while, but feel the need for some guidance and support—here comes a great way to reach your writing goals.

Join New York Times best-selling writer Joyce Maynard—author of three memoirs, twelve novels and more essays than she chooses to count in the beautiful town of Greenfield, New Hampshire.

The retreat promises an opportunity to share your story, in a diverse community of women of all ages who share your passion. You’ll experience the tough, but loving guidance of a writer with more than thirty years experience teaching memoir and instilling the tools of honest, powerful writing.

It’s likely that some tears will be shed over your memoir-writing weekend. It’s guaranteed there will be laughter, sisterhood, inspiration and discovery. Also, fun.

A look at our weekend together…

We’ll meet up at 4 pm (May 8 for Mothers and Others, and September 4 for Letting the Light in) at The Barbara C Harris Conference Center in Greenfield, New Hampshire for drinks, appetizers, and a chance to get to know each other, followed by dinner.  After, we’ll gather around the firepit, weather permitting, for a preview of our time together.

Then comes two days of intense work with Joyce—craft talks interspersed with short writing assignments, followed by an opportunity for those who choose to share what they’ve written, and lots of time for discussion, questions about the writing process, and tools that will serve you well on your writing journey.

Thursday night dinner, Friday, Saturday and Sunday breakfasts and Friday and Saturday lunches will take place at The Barbara Harris Conference Center.  We will have dinner on Friday and Saturday at two different local restaurants.  (Cost of dinners out is NOT covered in your retreat tuition, but all else is.)

Evenings, we’ll gather for readings from members of the group who choose to share their work. One of the best things about any workshop Joyce hosts is that you’re likely to discover friends who share your passion for writing.  Long after the retreat is over, many stay in touch and continue to share their work.

Sunday morning, we’ll meet for a final morning session after breakfast, in which Joyce will talk about the realities of publishing , and address the question likely to be on the mind of every writer of memoir:  “How can I write honestly about my life without hurting the people I love—and people I don’t love, but don’t want to hurt?”

Joyce will finish the workshop by talking you through the process of how she writes a short personal essay.

In advance of the workshop, Joyce will ask any participants who choose to submit a short piece of personal nonfiction/ memoir—or excerpt from a longer piece of work.  This is NOT required.

Though she will not be workshopping each writer’s work, as she does in her weeklong workshops, over the course of our time together she WILL draw on selections from these submissions.

Those who would like more in-depth work with Joyce may apply to participate in an additional day—Sunday afternoon, May 11, through lunchtime on May 12.  This add-on session will be available to just eight writers, who will submit a longer personal nonfiction manuscript (up to 2500 words) to be workshopped in the smaller group setting. 

Those attending the add-on day will stay on at the Barbara Harris Center for an additional night, and will have dinner on May 11 and breakfast on May 12 at Joyce’s home, down the road from the Barbara Harris Center.

Once you’ve been accepted to the workshop , Joyce’s Right Hand Woman, Gina Alligood, will send everyone information about getting to to the Barbara Harris Center.  For those who fly, the nearest airport is Manchester, NH, but Boston is also an option. If you are staying the fourth day, you will be sending your writing sample to Gina. She’ll explain the details at registration.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Mothers and Others

May 4-7, 2025 (3 day)

Shared Cabins - Adult Friendly Cabins at Barbara C Harris Conference Center

- two people to a room with a private bathroom. Cost. $1830

Private Lodge Rooms - St. John’s Lodge at Barbara C Harris Conference Center

- private room with a private bathroom Cost $2065

May 4-8, 2025 (4 day)

Shared Cabins - Adult Friendly Cabins at Barbara C Harris Conference Center

- two people to a room with a private bathroom. Cost $2850

Letting the Light In: A Women’s Weekend of Memoir

September 8-11, 2025 (3 day)

Shared Lodge Rooms - St. John’s Lodge at Barbara C Harris Conference Center

-with two people to a room with a private bathroom Cost $1830

Private Lodge Rooms - St. John’s Lodge at Barbara C Harris Conference Center

- private room with a private bathroom Cost $2065

September 8-12, 2025 (4 day)

Private Lodge Rooms - St. John’s Lodge at Barbara C Harris Conference Center

- private room with a private bathroom. Cost $3110

All Inclusive Costs - lodging, meals (excluding Friday, Saturday, and Sunday dinners), and lessons with Joyce.

Note on housing: The Barbara C Harris Conference Center is cozy, clean and charming. (Think of this as summer camp for grownups).

How to apply for the 3 day or 4 day retreat.

Send an email to Gina Alligood expressing your interest, or questions, and please be sure to specify the weekend, and if you are interested in joining the add-on workshop day. No writing sample is required for participation in three day Mothers and Others or Letting the Light In, but Joyce would like to see a writing sample, or read a short (1000 word) writing sample for admission to the smaller, add-on workshop .

How to get to the retreat if you are flying.

AIRPORTS:

BOSTON, MA

Approximately 1 hour 45 minute drive

MANCHESTER, NH

Approximately 50 minute drive

Let Gina know if you need a suggestion for transportation from the airport.