Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat for you?
Whether you’re a beginning or experienced writer, we believe that answer is ‘yes.’ We believe there is a story in everyone. Let award-winning journalists, columnists, authors, storytellers, and agents help you tell yours!
Still have questions?
Here are some of our most frequently asked ones below.
- What are the dates?
- Where will the retreat be held?
- I don’t think of myself as a writer. Will I feel out of place?
- What are the closest airports?
- What is the cost?
- Are meals included?
- Are scholarships available?
- Who will be speaking and conducting workshops?
- Is this primarily for professional writers?
- Is there something for professional writers?
- What workshop topics will be presented?
- What differentiates OWR from typical writing conferences?
- What are housing options?
- Where do I sign up?
There will be an informal hot dog roast on the campus of Lakeside Labs, on Sunday, September 22, the night before the retreat officially begins. This is put on by volunteers who attended the retreat last year. Bring something to share. Hot dogs are provided. The retreat starts Monday, September 23, 2024.
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory on West Lake, Okoboji, Iowa.
Not at all. About half of the participants are just like you. The other half are experienced writers, and many have been published. This retreat is designed for all skill levels.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Omaha, Nebraska. Des Moines, Iowa.
Early Bird discount is available now through December 31, 2023. Registration after January 15, 2024, is $795.
Lunch is provided on Monday and Tuesday. For an additional fee, there will be an optional dinner on Monday night.
To be announced.
No! The goal is to encourage attendees to learn and get started. Almost everyone is a writer. Some are paid, but most are not. (Yes, this is a repeat of question 3, but it is the most frequently asked question).
Yes. We will have distinguished and award-winning editors, authors, literary agents, and columnists who will share their Best Practices. Literary agents and publishers are eager to meet with our participants.
Memoir, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Storytelling, Manuscript submission, Poetry, Screenwriting, Writing Plays, How to query an agent/publisher, Getting Started, Opinion, Digging Deep with Research, Romance, Children’s books, and Songwriting. Speakers are invited not only because they are successful, award-winning, and prestigious writers, but they also must be excellent teachers. Participants will meet with panels on the topics above, in addition to small group workshops.
Culture. We are intentional about diversity and inclusion, from the selection of speakers to offering needs-based scholarships. The result is each participant enriches the experience for the group.
The Arrowwood Conference Center offers a group discount for OWR attendees.