Crotched Mountain Memoir Retreat
Blue Bear Inn
A Three Day Memoir Workshop For Women
September 7-10, 2026
Questions? Email Megan — lifebythelakewithjoyce@gmail.com
Please note that this workshop is open only to women.
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 Francestown, New Hampshire.
“To share our stories is not only a worthwhile endeavor for the storyteller, but for those who hear our stories and feel less alone because of it.”
- Joyce Maynard
A LOOK AT OUR WEEK TOGETHER…
For the first time ever, we're hosting our writing group at the 200-year-old Blue Bear Inn in the picturesque town of Francestown, New Hampshire, overlooking Crotched Mountain. The Inn is surrounded by fields, farmland, lakes, and woods. We've chosen the first week of September to host the retreat because it is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit New Hampshire. The leaves will be just starting to turn, but the days are still warm enough for a swim in the Blue Bear pool or a sunset walk down a country road with no more mosquitos!
We'll meet at 4 pm on Monday, September 7th, for drinks, appetizers, and a chance to get acquainted, followed by dinner at the Blue Bear tavern. After dinner, you can gather around the fire, take in the starry sky, or retire to your charmingly decorated rooms (some private, some with shared bathrooms) to rest up for two and a half inspiring days of writing mentorship, and writing. The workshop will begin right after breakfast the next morning.
Joyce will address several aspects of the writing process, including finding your story, locating the point of entry, creating a story arc and a landing place, tone, language, dialogue, and editing your work. She'll also cover the pain (and joy) of cutting your writing down. Most importantly, we’ll discuss the sheer power of honest, authentic writing and the importance for every writer of giving herself permission to tell her story, including the hard parts.
Writers in this group will not be asked to submit work in advance. Instead, Joyce will lead writing exercises and offer story prompts throughout the workshop. You’ll want to bring your laptop for short writing assignments and the opportunity to share what you've written with the group. As always, writers are asked to recognize the sacred trust of full confidentiality.
We'll share most of our meals at the Blue Bear Inn, but we will venture out to a nearby Mexican restaurant one evening for a change of pace – and some great margaritas. After dinner, the group will gather again so every writer can share her work with the group.
The workshop will conclude on Thursday morning with questions and discussion along with a few final words from Joyce about the unique challenges of writing about people in our lives. Afterward, everyone is invited to Joyce’s summer lake house in Bennington, NH, a fifteen-minute drive from the inn, for a swim, a sauna, or a chance to relax on the porch and visit one more time before heading home, as part of a new community of friends who share an understanding of what it means to tell our stories.
We're limiting participation in our September memoir retreat to 28 writers. For those who would like more in depth work on a manuscript, Joyce is offering an add-on day for nine writers who would like the opportunity to workshop a manuscript of up to 2500 words. Participation in the add-on day will include a simple dinner at Joyce’s house on Thursday evening, an additional night at the Blue Bear Inn, and a day of work at Joyce’s house in Bennington, NH, the next day. The add-on day will conclude by 5 pm on Friday, September 12th. If you are interested in attending the extra day, please send a thousand word excerpt for Joyce to review to lifebythelakewithjoyce@gmail.com
If you’re driving, you can leave your car at the Blue Bear Inn. For those flying in: Logan Airport in Boston is approximately an hour and a half away. Manchester, NH, Airport is 45 minutes away. From there, you can rent a car, or we can direct you to a shuttle service. Our retreat manager, Megan Woolsey, may also be able to connect you with others flying in around the same time with whom you can share transportation.
One more thing: Your workshop may only last a few days, but participants in past groups tell us repeatedly, the bonds formed among the writers in Joyce’s memoir groups often continue long after our time together ends. You’ll take home not only a whole new set of writing tools but also a community of sister writers to share your work with. Many of these communities continue to talk, exchange work, and host their own writing retreats together for years to come. We hope you'll find that kind of sisterhood this September. We're betting you will.
MY Home in New Hampshire
View of my lake house where we will have our final party and where the smaller group will continue to meet the next day.
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.
ACCOMmODATION DETAILS
Blue Bear Inn
How to apply
Send an email to Joyce’s Right Hand Woman, Megan Woolsey expressing your interest, or questions.
Interested in a retreat open to women and men?! Check out Life By the Lake.
This 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.
“What would write if you weren’t afraid?”
Crotched Mountain Memoir Retreat Accommodations
September 7-10, 2026 (3 days)
Please visit https://bluebearinn.com/rooms/ to choose the room you would like to book. First come, first served.
Cost from $2,295 to $2,495, depending on the room
February 10th-11th extra night manuscript workshop: $1100
TRAVEL
For those who drive the address to Blue Bear Inn is 534 Mountain Road Francestown, NH 03043.
Phone: 603-808-0174
For those who fly, the nearest airport is Manchester, NH, but Boston is also an option.
AIRPORTS:
BOSTON, MA
Approximately 1 hour 45 minute drive; you might want to rent a car.
MANCHESTER, NH
Approximately 50 minute drive, there are shuttle services available from the airport to the conference center. Ed Sweeney at (603) 554-0506 is one.
Let Megan know if you are flying, and she can connect guests who may want to share a car or shuttle service.
I’ve never met a woman who didn’t have a story. I feel honored every time I get to her to tell it. What’s yours?
- Joyce