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The 2025 Sitka Writers Retreat

May 29 - June 2, 2025
featuring Amy Butcher & Brendan Jones

Join award-winning authors Amy Butcher and Brendan Jones for an intimate writing retreat on the picturesque island of Sitka, Alaska to deepen your writing while exploring and experiencing a culturally rich community set against one of the world's last remaining pristine temperate rainforests.
Limited spots available.

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About

In this intimate, all-inclusive retreat, you and a small group of writers will enjoy intensive fiction and nonfiction workshops aimed at generating new content and conceptualizing larger works through master classes, craft talks, in-class writing exercises, and readings. World-class chefs Edith Johnson and Renee Trafton will help cater meals, while Sitka Fine Arts—hosted on the grounds of the historic Sheldon Jackson College—will provide additional food and lodging. Spend your mornings in intensive workshops and craft classes and your afternoons writing or taking pre-arranged excursions. This retreat includes guided hikes through the Tongass National Rainforest, a soak at Goddard natural hot springs, a trip to see rehabilitated bald eagles up close at the Sitka Raptor Center, a sunset boat cruise, and many additional once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Sitka, AK by air

Dip-net salmon fishing in Sitka, AK

Sitka, AK

View from Harbor Mountain in Sitka, AK

Tongass National Forest in Sitka, AK

View of Mt. Edgecumbe in Sitka, AK

Tongass National Forest in Sitka, AK

Grilled salmon in Sitka, AK

Tongass National Forest in Sitka, AK

Describe your image

Describe your image

Describe your image

Describe your image

Salmonberries in Sitka, AK

Sitka, AK

All-you-can-eat crab feast in Sitka, AK

Sitka, AK

View from Harbor Moutain in Sitka, AK

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Sitka, Alaska

Located between the forest-covered mountains of the Tongass National Forest—North America's largest temperate rainforest—and the pristine Pacific, Sitka is a dynamic Alaskan island town of 8,000 people and countless Alaska brown bears, eagles, sea otters, humpback whales, orcas, ravens, sea lions, puffins, and countless other wildlife. 

Cultural Immersion

The island of Sitka, or “Sheet'ka Kwaan,” shares a rich history as one of many villages the Tlingit people established along Alaskan’s southeastern panhandle. Guests ourselves on Tlingit Aáni, Tongass Mist writing instructors Brendan Jones and Amy Butcher consider it a privilege to live, work, and write in this incredible place, and as part of this retreat, you’ll be introduced to indigenous Tlingit history, language, and art through visits to historical and cultural sites.

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What To Expect

01

3 Days of Intimate Writing Instruction

Award-winning writers Amy Butcher and Brendan Jones have been teaching creative writing individually for several decades and together in Sitka for over a decade. Between them, they've published four books and hundreds of articles, essays, and stories. Over the course of the retreat, they'll offer master craft classes, guided generative writing exercises, and one-on-one conferences with participants.

03

Alaskan Tastes & Daily Meals

We’ll gather for daily lunches at the Sitka Fine Arts Campus Cafe—hosted on the grounds of the historic Sheldon Jackson College—while sampling local flavors from world-class chefs Edith Johnson and Renee Trafton for breakfast and lunch.

05

02

Guided Wilderness Excursions

This 3-day retreat includes guided hikes through the Tongass National Rainforest, a soak at Goddard natural hot springs, a trip to the Sitka Raptor Center, a sunset boat cruise, and many additional once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan opportunities. Bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, and vehicles are also available for participants to use for individual exploration. 

04

On-Site Lodging

Participants are invited to choose between economical, on-site rooms just steps from our writing classrooms on the beautiful Sitka Fine Arts Campus or to rent cozy, private rooms in furnished downtown homes and live-aboard boats. Regardless of which you choose, all lodging is walking distance from campus classrooms, where we’ll host daily classes, craft talks, writing conferences, and readings.

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Central Location

24/7 Support

Our retreat is centrally located and just blocks from the heart of Sitka’s downtown, which features numerous restaurants, shops, a small grocery store, and dozens of cultural and historical sites. Enjoy fireside conversations with retreat writers on campus or venture out to enjoy local bars and art events. Our campus also resides against the Sitka National Historical Park, or "Totem Park," which features numerous carved totems and breathtaking scenic views of the Tongass National Forest, mountains, and ocean.

Tongass Mist Writing Retreat was founded in 2019 and has coordinated countless writing retreats and classes throughout southeastern Alaskan. Our team is passionate about this community and ensuring you have the most invigorating, immersive writing retreat within it. We love Sitka, and we're committed to doing everything in our power to ensure you love it, too!

Meet Your Writing Instructors

Amy and Brendan have been teaching creative writing individually for several decades and together in Sitka for over a decade. They know the community and are eager to share their favorite trails, sites, and experiences with you. Whether it be dinner on the porch at Ludvig’s, warm carrot cake at the Backdoor Café, or the off-the-menu S'mores Calzone at Campfire Pizza, Brendan and Amy will make sure you get the local’s experience and enjoy Sitka as its residents do. Trips include a boat trip to Goddard Hot Springs, wildlife sightseeing tours for whales, bears, and otters, and the opportunity to cold-plunge or enjoy grilled salmon on the beach of a nearby island.

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Learn More & Register

Learn more about the Sitka Writing Retreat and secure your spot today

Get In Touch

Retreat Dates:

Thursday, May 29, 2025 (arrive & welcome gathering)
Friday, May 30, 2025 (classes and excursions)
Saturday, May 31, 2025 (classes and excursions)
Sunday, June 1, 2025 (classes and excursions)
Monday, June 2, 2025 (depart)

Address:

Contact:

110 College Dr
Sitka, AK 99835

Ruth Underhill, Retreat Coordinator

tongassmistwritingretreat@gmail.com

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