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FOR MUCH MORE INFO about Joyce's Lake Atitlan workshops (how to get there, what to bring, how workshops will be run), email Joyce and she'll send you the complete Lake Atitlan Information Package (by email).
NEW Want to experience this escape for yourself? You can rent Joyce's house.
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MARK
YOUR 2009 CALENDARS
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Join us for a week (or two) of inspirational instruction and quiet time to work, in one of the most beautiful places on the planet...
Bios:
So once again this coming winter, I’ll be hosting the workshop. I promise to offer the same level of careful attention to your work that my workshops have been known for, with sessions going on throughout the day, and readings at night, and the best possible faculty of fellow professionals to work with you. The lake will be just as beautiful and swimmable as it ever was, the volcanoes just as dramatic, the food just as healthy and fresh and delicious. But I’ve made some changes too, that will make the week an even better experience, I think. First off, you’ll have three different weeks to choose from, depending on your interest, timing, and the direction of your work. On February 7-15, I’m offering a master class, taught by myself alone, though there is a possibility that a guest writer may join us during the week. I'll be filling you in on the details in the months to come.
The master class will be limited to twelve students, and will meet in the beautiful little Mayan village where I make my home in Guatemala, San Marcos La Laguna, on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Where, in the past, the San Marcos workshop students were housed in a variety of hotels around the town, I’ve chosen this time to host the group in somewhat quieter and more upscale accommodations (with more reliable hot water in the showers and a more peaceful writing environment). The new location will be about a fifteen-minute walk from the village itself, where we will be more able to gather easily, with fewer distractions -- though some of our gatherings will be held nearby, at my home. As always, I’ll be working with the group every day to talk about your writing -- workshopping individual manuscripts in a way I fully expect to be helpful to every member of the group, as well as addressing issues of craft, structure, point of view, voice, and much more. A part of each day will be reserved for your own private writing time, and because that’s a priority for this workshop, your accommodations will all be set up with the requirements of a good writing space in mind. And every room will have easy access to the lake, for those who want to swim every day, as I do.
In addition to our daily three-hour workshop session, we’ll meet for meals every day (though of course, any time you feel a need to break from the group, you’ll be able to walk into town -- an easy and beautiful walk, or a quick ride by tuk-tuk, and do your own thing). We’ll gather again every evening for drinks and dinner and readings of your work, as well as informal socializing and talk about our writing. Those who wish may elect to have a private conference with me, for an additional fee -- though you’ll be hearing a great deal from me over the course of the week one way or another, with plenty of personal attention for everyone. The February workshop also includes one night (February 7) at a lovely little colonial hotel we’ve chosen in Antigua, as well as dinner together in Antigua on your first night, breakfast the next morning, and a little shopping or exploring time in that very beautiful town before you make your trip on to the lake to begin your workshop experience.
To attend this workshop, I ask that you submit a short sample of your writing to me -- no more than 1000 words, by email, with a short letter telling me about where you stand as a writer. I won’t be judging anyone here by whether or not she or he has published work or attended an M.F.A. program, but I do want to make sure that the group I put together here will be one whose goals and concerns are compatible. If you’re a total novice, the March workshops -- where both experienced writers and those very new to the craft are sure to be in attendance -- will probably be the best choice for you. When the workshop date gets closer, you'll be asked to formally submit a manuscript -- up to 3000 words in length -- to be workshopped. You can find out the details in the What You Need to Know packet (more on that below). Cost of the February workshop includes all housing (in Antigua as well as San Marcos), all meals in San Marcos -- prepared by a wonderful chef -- as well as dinner and breakfast in Antigua, transportation by luxury bus to the lake, and boat ride to San Marcos, daily three-hour workshop with me, wine, appetizers, saunas, guided hikes and excursions for those who choose to take them, kayaking, a final night gala Valentine’s Day party at my house, and transportation back to the airport on February 15. Rooms will be assigned on a first come first served basis, with the assurance that every student’s room will have a private bath and lake view, and a beautiful writing space. In addition to 9 luxury rooms, we will be offering a few simpler rooms a short distance from our main meeting area -- possibly with shared bathroom, though still clean and pleasant, with lake view -- to make it possible for a student with limited resources to attend.
Now
for the March workshops...
At the March workshops, I’ll be joined by several other writers, who will be teaching with me. I’m happy to tell you that two writers I love -- not only as writers, but as generous and inspiring teachers, and as friends -- are coming back to work with me again: Robert Baush (focusing on fiction) and Ann Hood (who will move between the worlds of fiction and nonfiction). New to the workshop this year -- but a teacher of vast experience, well known in the New York area through her long association with the The Writers’ Voice as well as her own writing, is Mindy Lewis, who will be working on personal narrative and creative nonfiction. Both Ann and I will be teaching for both weeks of the March workshop. As things stand now, Mindy will join us for the first week, Bob for the second. Depending on the number of students who decide to join us, there may also be an additional writer brought in for one of the weeks. I’ll keep you informed about that. Some things will be the same here. I”ll still be teaching every day, both workshopping individual manuscripts as well as talking with you about craft. Bob, Ann and Mindy will also be running a workshop every day. As you may know, if you’ve attended one of the Lake Atitlan Workshops in the past, one of the things that distinguishes the program I offer at the lake is that you will be free to attend as many sessions as you choose, over the course of the day -- not only with the writer you’ve selected to mentor you and workshop your piece, but with the others as well. Sessions will be scheduled in such away as to make it possible for you to attend as many as three workshops a day, if you’re up for that.
Because the March groups will be larger, I’ll be hosting them not in the village of San Marcos, where I am normally based when at the lake, but in another lovely and fascinating town across the lake, Santiago Atitlan. Our group will be housed at the Posada Santiago. We’ll also be having our meals at the Posada Santiago, though -- as with the San Marcos workshop -- you’ll always be free to walk into the village or hop on a boat to another town, any time you choose to explore beyond the posada. As with the San Marcos workshop, we’ll have readings of student work and discussions every evening, as well as optional excursions (including, among other things, a visit to the shrine of Machimon, the patron saint of the village -- saint of drinking, smoking and womanizing -- where the traditional gift to leave is a cigar or a bottle of hooch). Santiago also has a good-sized market where you can have a really good time shopping for local crafts, if you choose.
If you want to divide your time between attending workshop sessions and doing your own writing, you’ll be able to do that, but another way to approach this week will be with the idea of taking in as much instruction and guidance as possible, and saving the writing for after. (Either back at home, or by extending your stay for a second week, as space permits.) For the March workshops, we’re offering a range of housing options at different prices. You’ll be able to study all the available rooms by going to the Posada Santiago website. Although I’m guessing the majority of the writers attending will choose to have a room or bungalow to themselves, I also want to encourage you to consider coming with a friend (or a non-participating partner or spouse). Many of the bungalows are very roomy, and could certainly accommodate two or even three people. The March workshops do not include a night in Antigua, though my right hand woman, Dita Zakova -- who lives at the lake fulltime and handles all of the logistical aspects of the workshop -- will be happy to suggest a hotel for you and can send you a short information sheet with all you need to know to make the easy, forty-five minute cab ride from the Guatemala City airport. We’ll pick you up in Antigua, at your hotel.
Cost of the March workshop -- with transportation to the lake from Antigua, all meals, excursions, wine, evening activities and all workshop sessions -- is $2095. The cost of your accommodation -- added on to the baseline cost of the worshop -- will be calculated as follows:
If you’re interested in combining a week of workshop attendance with a week of writing time, combined with the ongoing support of being part of a writing community, write to Dita Zakova for details.
A few final words here: There’s an abundance of great writing workshops being offered these days, but I think this one’s unique. Our terrific faculty is partly accountable for that (and by all means take a look at the testimonials from former workshop participants to hear more on that score). The other thing I have learned, from hosting writing workshops at this somewhat unconventional destination, is that it attracts a terrific group of writers. Over the years, I’ve worked with students aged 22 to 84 -- experienced writers and novices, from all over the U.S. and Canada as well as English speakers from Central America. They share one quality: a sense of adventure. It makes for a great group to hang out with. And I’m proud to tell you, a number of students had such a good experience they have returned to the workshop more than once. The other utterly unique aspect of the workshop is the lake itself -- a spot the writer Aldous Huxley described as “the most beautiful place on earth,” and you’ll see why when you come. I’ve also found it to be a uniquely inspiring spot. Years of accomplishing some of my own best writing at Lake Atitlan taught me a powerful lesson: namely, the value to be had from leaving one’s familiar circumstances (even one’s own country, and family, friends, car, cable television) and landing in a place where life is, by comparison, very simple. Coming to the lake, you may discover parts of yourself you didn’t know were there, or ones too long dormant. I’ve heard many say they slept better at the lake than they had in years. I always go home feeling younger, and better.
But as much as I hope you will come to know and love the food and the lake, and your bungalows, and the Guatemalan countryside, and Mayan culture, and the markets, the point here is, first of all, your writing. As some of you know, in addition to maintaining my own writing career, it is an ongoing love of mine, and privilege, to help other writers at all stages of their writing lives in telling their stories. That includes those of you who may not have written anything for years, or ever, outside of school. If you’re nervous or shy or insecure about this, you won’t be the first one to express those feelings. So I’ll just say (knowing that Bob and Ann and Mindy would agree): The only thing a person needs, as a prerequisite for working with any one of us is the desire to explore his or her story, and a willingness to learn and grow as a writer. I can promise you’ll return home (to the so-called “real world” ) a better writer than you were, when you left. For those of you who would like a more detailed description of the workshop, (and I mean very detailed) I’m happy to send you my What You Need to Know packet, with information both about traveling to Guatemala -- booking flights, weather (perfect -- warm but not hot and humid; no bugs, no need for shots), what to bring -- and about the workshop process itself. Email me to request the packet, or if you have questions not covered in the packet once you’ve read it. For questions about travel and logistics, dietary or health concerns, or life in Guatemala, email Dita. If you decide to attend one of the two March workshops: Take a look at the accommodations at Posada Santiago. Email Dita with your first, second and third choice room requests. Rooms will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. We will take care of reserving your room.
In the months ahead, those who register for the workshop will receive a series of updates and letters from me -- about the trip ahead, your manuscript, and how best to prepare. If you’re in one of the two March groups, you’ll be asked to let us know which writer you would like to have workshopping your writing. Every participant in my the workshop will be asked to send us hard copy of a work of personal narrative or fiction -- an essay or chapter from a longer work, up to 3000 words in length. (You’ll be getting my letter later, about not stressing out too much over the manuscript submission process.) We ask that you get us your manuscript by a month before we meet, and that you distribute your work to the rest of the group as well, by email, at the same time. The information packet will fill you in on booking flights to Guatemala. (And for all of you who may have concerns about safety, I’ll just say now that while parts of Guatemala have a deservedly sketchy reputation, Lake Atitlan is definitely not one of them. I feel safer in the village of San Marcos, and in Santiago, than I do, almost anyplace on earth. We take great care of all our students. To secure your place, send half of the cost of your tuition to: Joyce Maynard, 500 Edgewood Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941 Be sure to specify which workshop you plan to attend, and send an email to both Joyce and Dita to let us know you’ve sent your deposit. It helps a lot if you remember to write WORKSHOP on the outside of the envelope.
February workshoppers: Once you’ve mailed your deposit, email Dita to request a room assignment. First come first served (but we promise, all the rooms are lovely). March workhsoppers: You do not need to include payment for the housing portion of your bill. We will reserve your room for you. You can pay for it by check or credit card the week of the workshop. Payment is refundable, less a $100 administration fee, up until three months before commencement of workshop, 50% refundable up to six weeks before the workshop, non refundable after that. Final installment due six weeks before the workshop you plan to attend. We ask that you respect the timetable of payment to secure your place in the workshop and avoid additional bookkeeping costs and headaches for all.
I’d
love to see you there.
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Finally,
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to 
