Raziye Shadmehry: The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback

(November 13, 9:00 am-10:00 am)

Razi Shadmehry is an Iranian-American writer from Atlanta, GA. She holds an MFA from Northern Arizona University and is a lecturer of English at the College of Coastal Georgia. She teaches composition, literature, and creative writing. Her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and can be read in The Cincinnati Review, Gulf Coast, Split Lip, and elsewhere.

The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback

Once our writing has come to life in front of readers, it begins to take shape. That's why the creative writing workshop and critique groups are where the work truly begins. If conducted well, the workshop is a writer's laboratory, playground, and focus group. Of course, this all begins with the art of giving (and receiving) strong feedback. In this discussion, participants will learn how to be a thoughtful reader who feels confident giving clear and honest feedback for fiction, essays, and poems. We'll discuss why it's important to separate personal reading taste from the goals of the work in question and how bias can cloud our feedback. We'll also discuss how to balance getting the feedback you need as an author with being a gracious feedback recipient. Finally, participants will learn how to effectively apply workshop feedback to our writing.

Madeline Martin: Digging Deeper for Reader Connection

(November 14, 9:00 am-10:00 am)

Madeline Martin is a New York Times, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly, and international bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance with books that have been translated into over twenty-five different languages. She lives in sunny Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions), two incredibly spoiled cats and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. She is a die-hard history lover who will happily lose herself in research any day. When she's not writing, researching or “moming,” you can find her spending time with her family at Disney or sneaking a couple spoonfuls of Nutella while laughing over cat videos. She also loves research and travel, attributing her fascination with history to having spent most of her childhood as an Army brat in Germany. 

Digging Deeper for Reader Connection

Make your readers connect with your characters on a deep level. Go beyond genre and even Goal-Motivation-Conflict to create characters with genuine dialogue who will lodge themselves in your readers’ hearts and minds and make your story unforgettable.

Writing/Critiquing/Learning Activities:

Writing Prompt Selections on November 12, 5:00 pm-6:00 pm

Following the networking with hors d'oeuvres and icebreaker activity that will open the retreat, participants will brainstorm and select the writing prompts they will be working on during the November 14 afternoon session.

Critiquing/Writing/Q&A Options on November 13, 3:30 pm-6:00 pm

Over snacks and beverages, participants can network and talk shop until 4:00 pm, and then you will have the choice of the following options and can move between these pods for the next two hours:

• Apply Razi Shadmehry's morning feedback lessons to a critique session with fellow participants writing in similar genres (each participant will bring up to 8 copies of a 5-page writing sample of their choice and have 15 minutes to read and receive feedback about their work).
• Free writing time to focus on the participant's work-in-progress.
• No-holds-barred Q&A  on the craft and business of writing with Atlanta Writers Club retreat leaders and instructor and 40-year travel industry veteran Cheryl Hargrove, author of several nonfiction books, including Authentic America: 250 Distinctly American Places to Explore. Cheryl is best-know as the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s first Director of Heritage Tourism.

Writing and Sharing Using Chosen Prompts on November 14, 3:30 pm-5:00 pm

Over snacks and beverages, participants can network and talk shop until 4:00 pm, and then you can follow the prompts chosen on November 12 to write creatively in class, with the opportunity to share what you come up with.

Open Mic on November 14, 5:00 pm-6:00 pm

To close out the retreat, you are invited to share your work with a 5-minute reading. This powerful exercise has encouraged participants from past retreats to publish their writing and create videos of their presentation. Please share your creativity and heart and inspire others! 

Suggested Lodging Options

Ocean Inn & Suites - Across the street from AW Jones Heritage Center - an easy stroll! Limited room block available. To claim a room, call (912) 634-2122 and provide group code "SSI Literary Guild" to receive a rate of $149/night (does not include taxes and fees). Note that this property is completing renovations and might change its name for a fresh launch. You can also email the front desk at [email protected] or email Erica Mooney, Area Director of Sales, at [email protected] (you can also call Erica from Monday to Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM Eastern, at 912-319-6024)

Home2Suites by Hilton (book before October 12 to get the $170/night special rate for four nights)

Hotel Simone

The Inn By Sea Island

Hampton Inn

Saint Simons Inn by the Lighthouse

Best Western Plus St. Simons

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

Sea Palms Resort

Village Inn and Pub

Queens Court Inn

Strachan Carriage House

Vrbo Vacation Rentals

Airbnb Vacation Rentals

Lilmar Properties