WRITE BY THE LAKE
Coming Soon! Registration for the 2027 Memoir Retreats in Guatemala
March 7-14, 2027
March 13-20, 2027
March 19-26, 2027
Questions? Email Gina — writewithjoycemaynard@gmail.com
The 2027 Lake Atitlan Write by the Lake workshop is held at Joyce’s home and retreat center, Casa Paloma, where you’ll be staying in a lovely shared or private room or casita with private bathroom, every one overlooking the lake and the volcano, most with balcony or private garden. Focusing on the art of memoir and personal narrative, Joyce promises to deliver not only guidance in the art and craft of writing memoir, but also the healing to be found when a group of strong, adventuresome women come together to reconnect with nature and share the stories of their lives.
Each writer will be asked to apply with a sample piece under 1000 words or a letter describing your goals for your memoir.
Later you will submit a draft of a short piece of personal narrative (NOT FICTION), no more than 2500 words long, though shorter is fine, to work on with Joyce during the retreat. Those who prefer may submit a letter instead, telling about the story they hope to tell, but have not yet written. However: it’s not a problem, arriving without a manuscript, so long as you’ve submitted that letter.
As always when she teaches, Joyce will be offering close, detailed guidance for each writer, informed by more than fifty years of her own writing and publishing life, and a quarter century of teaching. She’ll work with each writer both in the writing circle with the group and in a private one-on-one conference, , as well as offering daily craft talks and evening readings around the fire.
This is an all-inclusive retreat which begins with your arrival at the Guatemala City airport, where we will have a taxi waiting to take you a little less than an hour away to the small, beautiful and historical city of Antigua. Here you'll meet the rest of your group for drinks and a fabulous dinner and boutique hotel stay, with a member of our Casa Paloma team there to greet you and answer questions. The following day you’ll have a free morning to explore Antigua. A little after noon, the group will board a shuttle for a roughly three and a half hour ride over the mountains to Lake Atitlan, where a boat will be waiting to bring you to Joyce’s dock. She’ll be there to welcome you, with a pitcher of margaritas (with or without alcohol) close at hand.
WRITE BY THE LAKE ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive in Guatemala City. A car will be waiting outside the airport to bring you to your first hotel for one night in the beautiful and historic city of Antigua.
Day 2 - Breakfast at your boutique hotel, followed by a morning to explore Antigua. Antigua is fun, safe and easy to explore. Via shuttle and boat, you will arrive at Casa Paloma in the afternoon of Day 2. Miguel and Mateo and Francisco will bring your bags to your room. Drinks and appetizers, followed by a tour of Casa Paloma, and a great welcome dinner of pizza from our wood fired oven, followed by an orientation session from Joyce.
Day 3 - Day 7 - Every morning the sauna will be hot by 6:15 am. You might want to start your day with a sauna and a swim, or a little kayaking. There will be coffee and tea in the kitchen from 6:30 am on. Yoga on the deck at 7:00 am. Whiteboards will be set up so you can sign up for your private conference with Joyce, massage, and excursions, and a slot in nightly readings by the fire. Breakfast will be in the garden, where one of our local team will tell us about what day it is in the Mayan Calendar or schedule updates from Joyce. You may have private conferences or personal writing time.
Throughout the week there will be optional excursions including an early morning hike to see the sun rise over all five volcanoes, cacao ceremony led by our chef, Rosa, a visit to a local apiary and cacao operation, artist’s studio, women’s weaving collective, and great shopping, a traditional Mayan Shamanic ceremony, and more.
Day 8 - Your packed and labeled bags will be transported from your room to the boat by 5:15 am for a 6 am boat that will bring you to the shuttle in Panajachel, and from there to the airport. We will provide fruit and bread for your trip and coffee/tea for the morning.
*Please note this is a rough schedule. We are likely to make changes over the course of the week.
What’s Included
One night stay in lovely boutique hotel in Antigua and dinner
Wi-Fi and airport transportation
Yoga on the platform with professional instruction
One private professional one-hour lakeside massage
Workshopping sessions, roughly 30 minutes each with a break for snack. Joyce will be addressing each writer’s work in two separate sessions.
Craft talk with Joyce with appetizers and drinks for those who choose.
Three healthy and extraordinary meals a day prepared fresh and served by our private chef, Rosa Navichoc Chac - vegetarian/gluten/dairy free options are available
Healthy homemade snacks, coffee, tea, and filtered water are available to all guests throughout the duration of your stay
Evening readings of your writing
Daily sauna access
Swimming and water activities including paddle boards and kayaks
If you have reviewed the itinerary and FAQs and would like to move forward with next steps, please continue to the form below.
Accomodations
Rooms are reserved on a first come, first served basis.
Before making your final decision, please go to Casa Paloma and carefully read the room description and click through the gallery of pictures. You want to be aware of each room's unique features.
Tuk Tuk ~ 2 guests $4,095 each
Pajaro ~ 2 guests $4,195 each
Estrella ~ 1 guest $5,395
At Home in the World ~ 1 guest $4,995
Piedra ~ 1 guest $4,595
Azul ~ 1 guest $4,695
Count the Ways ~ 1 guest $4,795
Casa Una Two ~ 1 guest $4,895
Casa Una One ~ 2 guests (2 beds) $4,450 each
The Bird Nest ~ 1 guest $5,545
Celeste~ 1 guest $5645 This is a brand new deluxe casita right on the shore of Lake Atitlan (pictures coming) with easy access to the main house and yoga platform and beautiful outdoor space.
*Cancellation policy: Full refund (minus $500 admin fee) if cancellation is 10 week prior to retreat start date.
*The Writers’ Intensive will follow the same general format of Write By the Lake, with less group workshopping and more designated private writing time to focus on your work. This retreat is open to men and women and is an additional day. Joyce will be available throughout the week for guidance and one-on-one discussion.
testimonials
“Those days with Joyce in Guatemala to dig into my story and to explore the structure of a memoir changed me as a person and a writer. The knowledge I gained equals an MFA (or two) in creative writing.” Mary B, Texas
“Each unique feature of this workshop, taken alone, is worth going back for: the creative boost to your writing, the truly divine food, and Joyce Maynard, who you really must see in action to believe.” Elizabeth H, Florida
“Great Writers who are great teachers are rare. Joyce possesses the talent to do both.” Priscilla B, New Hampshire
“When you think you’re not ready is the best time to attend a workshop offered by Joyce Maynard. Our time together was transformative to finding my voice and story.” Jude S, Maine
“Write by the Lake gave me the clarity and confidence I needed to write my memoir. The setting alone is magical and transformative - but when combined with the teaching and support from other writers, the experience is truly life-changing.” Gina B, Pennsylvania