Welcome to the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat!
NOTE: The website is currently being updated. Everything works but the design is changing. Updates should be complete by Monday, 11/20/23. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Julie Gammack, producer
The Great Lakes of Okoboji, Iowa
OWR IV WILL BE HELD SEPTEMBER 22-25, 2024!
SAVE MY PLACE! $100 DEPOSIT (OWR I, II and III were sold out)
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $695 IF ENROLLED BY DECEMBER 31, 2023
Enrollment fee after September 1, 2024: $895
If you can’t commit yet, but want to be informed of updates: Fill out this form.
Many OWR favorite speakers will be returning (memoir, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, storytelling, column-writing, flash fiction, spoken word, poetry, research and more). Here is a partial list of new speakers for OWR IV:
Abena Sankofa Imhotel, children’s book author and inspirational speaker.
Zach Koepp, writer, director and film producer, now on Hollywoods ‘watch list.’
Jane Olson, non-fiction author and humanitarian
Justin Roberts, GRAMMY Nominee has helped define the modern family music scene, and is the author of four picture books for Putnam.
Becky Smith, a filmmaker/film educator who writes + directs feature films, documentaries, television series and pilots.
Workshops for OWR IV – under construction, check back often.
There is a story in everyone. Let award-winning journalists, columnists, authors, storytellers, and agents help you tell yours.
Weather permitting, a sunset cruise around West Lake Okoboji will be on Tuesday evening.
The Okoboji Writers’ Retreat is designed so participants can meet in small group sessions to maximize value of the time well spent.
Julie’s memo to speakers.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Learning is fun! Join a diverse, smart, funny group..
About The Organizer
Julie Gammack has produced writers’ retreats in Iowa, the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia, Whidbey Island, Washington, and Vail, Colorado.
Gammack is a former Des Moines Register columnist, WHO-AM radio talk radio host, Vistage business coach, and current columnist via Substack.
Julie Gammack’s Potluck column is a popular feature in Iowa.
Gammack founded the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative in July of 2022 and has 42 columnists currently.
About the Retreat
The annual Okoboji Writers’ Retreat, founded in 2021, is open to all skill levels. Columnist Julie Gammack is the producer. Over 30 faculty resources will be on hand to work with participants in small-group settings. Whether you come to find out how to get started or land a book deal, this retreat is a welcoming and impactful event for all.
It has sold out each year.