November 7–13, 2027 | North Adams, Massachusetts
Story Parlor is proud to host a week-long personal writing retreat with founder Erin Hallagan Clare and acclaimed writer, editor, and poet Sebastian Matthews.
Set in the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts, this immersive retreat invites writers to step away from the pace and demands of everyday life and make space for their own work.
Held at the FreshGrass Institute at Porches Inn at MASS MoCA, the retreat will blend sustained writing time with workshops, creative explorations, one-on-one consultations, conversation, and community. Our focus is personal narrative: the stories we carry, the ways we make meaning from experience, and the creative possibilities that emerge when we look at our lives from new angles.
Throughout the week, participants will have dedicated time to work on a project of their choosing alongside a series of workshops led by Erin and Sebastian. We'll explore life themes, ekphrastic practice, photography and the visual arts, intuition and improvisation, archetypes, revision and iteration, and the sometimes surprising process of discovering what a piece wants to become.
There will also be plenty of room for wandering, conversation, reflection, and rest. Participants will have opportunities to experience MASS MoCA, one of the largest centers for contemporary visual art in the United States, and to explore North Adams and the surrounding Berkshires.
This is a retreat for writers at any stage who want dedicated time and generous creative company to deepen their relationship with their work.
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!
SIGN UP TO BE FIRST ON OUR NOTIFICATION LIST for when enrollment opens.
The Retreat Includes
Six nights of lodging at Porches Inn at MASS MoCA
Most meals throughout the week, including catered meals and several dinners out
Daily writing time and opportunities for independent work
A series of workshops with Erin Hallagan Clare and Sebastian Matthews
One-on-one consultations with the retreat leaders
Small-group story circles and participant readings
Creative exercises and conversations about the writing life and creative practice
Opportunities to visit and engage with MASS MoCA
Time to explore North Adams and the Berkshires
What You'll Need to Arrange
Transportation to and from North Adams is the responsibility of each participant. Participants are welcome to make their own travel arrangements according to their needs and schedules. We will provide more detailed information about getting to Porches Inn, local transportation, and nearby airports and train stations as the retreat approaches.
The retreat fee does not include transportation, personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, or meals specifically designated as independent/on-your-own meals.
-
A writing retreat offers something that can be difficult to create at home: uninterrupted time to listen for what is emerging.
For one week, we'll step away from the usual rhythms of daily life and settle into the FreshGrass Institute at Porches Inn at MASS MoCA, surrounded by the art, landscape, and creative energy of the Berkshires.
The setting becomes part of the work. Our days will move between writing, workshops, conversation, art, wandering, and rest—with plenty of space to follow what your own work is asking of you.
You don't need a finished manuscript or even a clearly defined project. Bring a book in progress, a collection of fragments, a story you've been carrying, or simply a desire to begin.
-
Our days will balance morning writing time, workshops and creative explorations, individual consultations, and unstructured time to rest, wander, and follow your own work. Evenings will offer shared meals, conversation, and opportunities to gather as a group.
Sunday | Arrive + Gather
Settle in, share a welcome dinner, and begin the week with stories and introductions.Monday | Life Themes + Looking Closely
Explore the themes beneath your work, write, and spend time with the art at MASS MoCA.Tuesday | Ekphrasis + Intuition
Write in conversation with art, make space for individual work, and explore intuition and improvisation.Wednesday | Writing + Revision
A spacious day for writing, and exploring iteration, experimentation, and revision.Thursday | Seeing + Creative Exploration
Work with photography and visual art, return to MASS MoCA, and enjoy an evening out together.Friday | What Comes Next
Explore archetype and creative transition, dig into craft and creative sustainability, and gather for a celebratory participant reading.Saturday | Depart
Share a final breakfast before heading home—or lingering a little longer in the Berkshires.A more detailed itinerary, including workshop descriptions, meal details, and practical information, will be provided to participants shortly before the retreat. The schedule is intentionally designed with some flexibility to allow us to respond to the group and the creative process as the week unfolds.
-
This is an immersive residential retreat, and participants are expected to attend the full retreat from arrival on Sunday, November 7 through departure on Saturday, November 13.
Your retreat fee includes six nights of lodging, most meals, workshops, creative programming, and one-on-one consultation time with the retreat leaders. Transportation to and from North Adams is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
The retreat is designed for writers of all experience levels. You do not need to have a completed manuscript or a specific project in progress to participate. You are welcome to bring whatever you're currently working on—or simply the desire to make space for your writing.
Because we are creating a small, intimate group, enrollment is limited.
MEET The facilitators
Questions? Reach out: erin@storyparloravl.com.