Okoboji Writers' Retreat

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day everyone. Our special offer ends today. We look forward to spending quality time with you all this fall and answering any questions you might have at www.okobojiwritersretreat.com.

🚨Cool gift alert! Now through Mother’s Day, get a FREE second OWSR tuition when you book an all-inclusive package. Click here to reserve your spot: https://l.ead.me/owsrbogo

05/07/2026

Tag a friend you’d like to see at this year’s retreat. Great offer now through Mother’s Day.

🚨Cool gift alert! Now through Mother’s Day, get a FREE second OWSR tuition when you book an all-inclusive package. Click here to reserve your spot: https://l.ead.me/owsrbogo

05/04/2026

Thank you to the DSM Book Festival and Beaverdale Books for hosting our vibrant group of panelists yesterday. We look forward to new faces joining our retreat this fall. If you have any questions please visit our site in the comments and reach out. We’re excited to hear from you.

05/02/2026

🚨Cool gift alert! Now through Mother’s Day, get a FREE second OWSR tuition when you book an all-inclusive package. Click here to reserve your spot: https://l.ead.me/owsrbogo

04/27/2026

Congrats Mick Polich! We’re thrilled to have you join us for the Okoboji Writers’ & Songwriters’ Retreat this September 27-30. Thanks to the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association we’ve got FOUR more scholarships to award. See below for more details and sign up soon.

04/15/2026

...a veteran broadcast journalist moves to Substack

04/10/2026

Welcome to this amazing, musician

...and a dose of humor, personal essays, and music

04/10/2026

See who’s coming to the retreat - five literary agents:

….what four literary agents said to our readers

01/15/2026

We held the first Okoboji Mastery Circle last night, and it was a big hit! Thanks to author and teacher Kali White VanBaale Author for launching the series.

Our instructor in February will be Peter Hedges.

Peter Hedges is an American novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and film director known for his deeply human storytelling that often explores family dynamics and emotional truths. He gained early recognition when his first novel, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, was adapted into a celebrated 1993 film for which he wrote the screenplay, helping launch the career of Leonardo DiCaprio. Hedges received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for About a Boy and has written and directed films such as Pieces of April, Dan in Real Life, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, and Ben Is Back. In addition to his work in film, he has published novels and plays and continues to be a respected voice in both literature and cinema.

There’s still time to join the OMC.