WRITING RETREATS with STORYSTUDIO
Put your responsibilities on hold for a while as you join us on one of our many writing retreats. We’re pleased to once again partner with Ragdale, as well as various other organizations, to provide time, space, and inspiration for your writing. Our instructors and locations will change year to year, and we’re excited to continue to grow our offerings.
RAGDALE
For over 100 years, Ragdale has provided the time and space for artists and writers to delve deeply into creative endeavors, and today it has a tangible energy that feeds your work from the moment you arrive.
“One of the unique features of Ragdale is its unbroken continuity as a center for art and creativity. It has been, without interruption, the home of artists.”
– Arthur Miller, in the Introduction to Ragdale: A History and Guide by Alice Hayes and Susan Moon.
Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, Ragdale has a spectacular setting that offers the best of nature and architecture. We are honored to partner with Ragdale to offer writers a place to retreat and workshop.
In 2023, we’re pleased to offer 4 retreat dates:
February 20-25 (5 nights)
April 21-23 (2 nights)
June 16-18 (2 nights)
December 4-9 (5 nights)





UPCOMING RAGDALE RETREAT DATES
(click each date for more options)
Special Week-Long Master Workshop: February 20-25, 2023 (SOLD OUT!)
As part of Ragdale’s new series of Master Workshops, StoryStudio is proud to offer a week-long experience, led by Vu Tran and two guest lecturers, to be announced. Spots for the retreat are first come, first served, limited to 10 attendees. Click below for different rooms and prices. Details on the theme (“Seeing Character: On the Page, in the World, and in the Mirror“) can be found on each room page.
Weekend One: April 21-23, 2023 (1 LEFT!)
Ragdale and StoryStudio Chicago are pleased to announce our first weekend retreat of the year this spring, April 21-23, with author Gayle Brandeis. Spots for the retreat are first come, first served. Click below for different rooms and prices. Details on the theme (“Creativity and Momentum”) can be found on each room page.
Weekend Two: June 16-18, 2023
Ragdale and StoryStudio Chicago are pleased to announce the second writing retreat of the year, June 16-18, with author Michael Zapata. Spots for the retreat are first come, first served. Registration coming March 15. Click below for different rooms and prices. Details on the theme (“Listen, Slow Down, and Make a Mess”) can be found on each room page.
Special Week-Long Master Workshop: December 4-9, 2023
As part of Ragdale’s new series of Master Workshops, StoryStudio is proud to offer a week-long experience, TBD on the leader author. Spots for the retreat are first come, first served, limited to 10 attendees. Registration coming Spring 2023.
If I could return to Ragdale for another StoryStudio retreat tomorrow, I would! It was the perfect combination of craft talks, writing time, prompts, community, student readings, time to wander the prairie, time to WRITE…
Margaret G
THANK YOU for one of the most special, productive, joyous, cozy writing experiences of my life.
Sunshine B.
Chef Linda was absolutely incredible. The grounds, facilities, and access to nature trails were amazing. The new Shearer studio exceeded expectations.
Debbie L.
I loved that there was a LOT of independent time. How wonderful and freeing to let go of looking at the clock and just paying attention to my body and what I needed/felt in the moment.
Julie L.






DO YOU HAVE A COTTAGE, FARM, BEAUTIFUL CASTLE YOU’D LIKE TO OFFER UP FOR A RETREAT LOCATION? WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTNER WITH US FOR A RETREAT?
EMAIL OUR DIRECTOR OF SIGNATURE PROGRAMS, SARA CUTAIA: SARA@STORYSTUDIOCHICAGO.ORG