INSTRUCTORS
OUR INSTRUCTORS COVER A RANGE OF GENRES AND EXPERIENCES. IN ADDITION
TO LECTURES, EACH INSTRUCTOR WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN CRITIQUE
SESSIONS, OFFICE HOURS, AND SOCIAL TIME WITH THE PARTICIPANTS.
***EDIT JUNE 16: WE ARE ALL SOLD OUT AT THE MOMENT, BUT OFTEN HAVE
PEOPLE DROP OUT. PLEASE USE THE "CONTACT ORGANIZER" BUTTON AT THE
BOTTOM TO ASK TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST, OR EMAIL
WRITINGEXCUSESEVENTS@GMAIL.COM!***
The 2021 Writing Excuses Masterclass and Retreat will be held from
September 19 through September 27th on Royal Caribbean's Independence
of the Seas cruise ship.
The masterclass will be a smaller event than our typical cruises, and
the beginning of a new event structure for 2022: multiple smaller
events, each with a deep focus on a particular aspect of the writing
craft. This new format has been in the works for a while, and this
year, as the US begins its recovery from the pandemic, seems like the
perfect opportunity to start. For those who prefer our large-group
experiences, dont worry--we will be having a large cruise in fall
2022. Stay tuned for more!
This September, were thrilled to have DAN WELLS leading a MASTERCLASS
FOCUSED ON PLOT AND STRUCTURE. Hell teach a class on each non-port
day, with each class building on the previous ones in a curriculum far
more detailed and advanced than we've ever been able to offer before.
MARY ROBINETTE KOWAL and DONGWON SONG will host breakout sessions,
office hours, and other group social events.
In keeping with the MASTERCLASS FORMAT, the cruise will be capped at
42 TOTAL STUDENTS. While the WXR cruise experience will include
classes, breakouts, office hours, dinners, game nights, and
socializing, there will be NO PRE-CRUISE HOTEL PROGRAMMING and NO
FAMILY-SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING. Were also asking that all students and
their guests be FULLY VACCINATED. Were excited to bring together a
smaller group a la the earliest years of the Writing Excuses Retreats
and kick off this new format aboard a ship that many of us know and
love.
The base price for WXR 2021 covers the eight-day cruise, including all
classes, writing exercises, small-group breakout sessions, one-on-one
office hours, and writing time. This includes double-occupancy lodging
and meals aboard ship and a cruise to three different Caribbean
destinations. While we will not have pre-conference programming, an
optional hotel stay is available for those who would like to arrive
the evening before the cruise and transfer to the cruise with the WXR
group.
Sea, Ship, and Writing... what more do you want?
FAQ
Q: What does "double-occupancy" mean?
A: It means that the price is for half of a room. You'll have a
roommate. This can be a friend that you arrange to room with ahead of
time, it can be a family member, or it can be another Writing Excuses
attendee. If you don't have a roommate, we will have an opportunity to
match together before the cruise.
Q: Can I get a private room?
A: Yes, choose the appropriate Add-on at checkout.
Q. What if I don't have a passport yet?
A. All guests must have a valid passport to cruise. If you do not have
one yet but are ordering one, you may put "Passport on order" in the
passport field. By doing so, you acknowledge that it is your
responsibility to acquire a passport before cruising and that you
cannot board the ship without one. Writing Excuses is in no way
responsible if your passport does not arrive before cruise time.
Q. What if Im not vaccinated yet?
A. All participants in WXR 2021 must be fully vaccinated at the time
they arrive on the ship, with their final vaccination shot having been
completed two weeks prior to embarkation. If you book the cruise in
the hopes of being vaccinated and then are not, standard refund and
cancellation dates apply. If the final refund date has passed, you
will not be able to be refunded.
Q. What will the cruise be like this year? What kind of requirements
will the ship have for on-board COVID-related safety?
A. While final COVID regulations for Royal Caribbean have not yet been
released, the current guidance from the CDC for cruise ships is that
vaccinated passengers can go without masks in their cabins and in
outdoor areas (including outdoor dining) throughout the ship - we
expect that vaccinated passengers will be able to do additional
activities onboard the ship without a mask by the time of sailing in
line with the recently updated CDC guidance. As full protocols become
available, we will send them to all registered guests.
Royal Caribbean has been doing a lot of work to help everyone be as
safe as possible - you can read more about the safety and health
protocols at the Healthy Sail Center here
[https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center].
Q. What does the optional hotel include?
A. When you include the hotel add-on in your ticket purchase, well
include you in our hotel block at the Houston Marriott for the night
of Sep 18th. This will include a double-occupancy room (youll have a
roommate), breakfast the next morning, and the transfer from the hotel
to the ship.
Q. Which airport should I fly into?
A. If you opt for the optional pre-cruise hotel night, Houston Hobby
Airport is the closest to our hotel, while George Bush
Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is a 30-40 min cab ride away. Please
keep that in mind as you book your flights.
There are Add-ons available for transfer to the ship from the airport,
but your flight must come in by noon Central on Sep 19 2021, and
depart Houston no earlier than 1pm on Sep 27th.
Q. When I'm booking my flight, when should I arrive and depart?
A: All flights should arrive in Houston by Noon Central on Sep 19,
2021, and depart Houston no earlier than 1pm on Sep 27th. Once you
have your flight information, please send it to Lisa Harding, our
cruise director: Lisa@seaconferences.com
Q: Can young children attend?
A: WXR's policy is for attendees to be vaccinated. Since children aged
11 and younger cannot currently be vaccinated for COVID-19, they will
not be able to attend this years Masterclass and Retreat. We apologize
for the inconvenience.
Q: What level of writing expertise should I have attained prior to
attending?
A: "Level of expertise" is far less important than your desire to
improve. While this is a masterclass, the lectures are structured to
be accessible and useful for new writers with a passion for learning,
and to be challenging and rewarding for seasoned professionals looking
for refinement, or additional perspectives.
Q. Will you have a scholarship again this year?
A. Yes and no - we are thrilled to welcome our scholarship winners
from our canceled 2020 cruise with us in 2021. We will offer new
scholarships for our cruise in 2022 - look for further announcements
and details in the months to come.
Q: How big is the ship?
A: The Independence of the Seas holds over 4000 guests, of which we'll
be a small percentage. The Writing Excuses Retreat has its own
dedicated spaces, ours alone 24 hours a day, for classes, writing
time, impromptu discussions, or other activities (like, say, games
with Dan). We'll also have our own area of the dining room, and the
guests will rotate tables each night to sit with different
instructors. While the ship is large, it will be similar to being at a
convention in a very nice hotel. You'll know your people, you'll know
where to find them, and you'll have places to hide from all the scary
non-writer people.
Q: How big is the event?
A: This year, we are capping students at 42. As mentioned above, the
instructors will be hosting different attendees at dinner each night
and participating in other activities in order to make ourselves
accessible to each and every one of the attendees.
Q. Are there any additional fees?
A: The price of your cruise includes:
The Writing Excuses workshops and seminars (For workshop attendees.
Instructor availability subject to change)
* WiFi
* Ship accommodations
* Ocean transportation
* Gratuities
* Most meals onboard (To be clear, it is possible to have all of your
meals in venues that are covered.)
* Some beverages onboard
* Most entertainment onboard
The following services are not included in the cruise price:
* Dining in Specialty Restaurants such as Portofino
* Dining in Johnny Rockets (Where applicable)
* Spa and Salon services
* Golf Simulator
* Gambling (Including Bingo)
* Art Auction
* Any purchases made in the gift shops onboard
* Shore excursions
* Photographs
* Video Arcade
* Medical Services
* Transfers (Unless guest has purchased an air/sea package)
* Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
* Ship to Shore Telephone calls
* Alcoholic Beverages
* Non-Alcoholic Beverages (excluding water, lemonade and iced tea)
ITINERARY
* September 18 - Houston, Texas - Optional pre-cruise hotel night
* September 19 - Galveston, TX - Arrival to the ship, boarding,
masterclass, and writing time
* September 20 - At Sea - Masterclass and writing time
* September 21 - Cozumel, Mexico
* September 22 - Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico
* September 23 - Roatan, Honduras
* September 24 - Belize City, Belize
* September 25 - At Sea - Masterclass, lightning readings, and
writing time
* September 26 - At Sea - Masterclass, writing time, and farewell
party
* September 27 - Return to port in Galveston and depart
HARASSMENT POLICY
Writing Excuses is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference
experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and
expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body
size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of
conference participants in any form. Conference participants violating
these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without
a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.
Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender,
gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability,
physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, sexual images in
public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing
photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other
events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual
attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are
expected to comply immediately.
Instructors, staff, volunteers, and family members are also subject to
the anti-harassment policy.
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the conference
organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including
warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund.
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed,
or have any other concerns, please contact any member of conference
staff immediately.
Conference staff will be happy to help participants contact ship
security, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing
harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value
your attendance.
We expect participants to follow these rules at all conference venues
and conference-related social vents.
CLASSES & ACTIVITIES
THE MASTERCLASS: Dan Wells masterclass on plot & structure will
include 5 teaching sessions that include lecture, writing exercises,
and time for Q&A. Dan will also be available throughout the cruise for
one-on-one office hours and at dinner for more informal conversation
and connection.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS: Participants will be able to sign up for a limited
number of breakout sessions, critique groups, or one-on-one
discussions with our support instructors Mary Robinette Kowal and
DongWon Song. There is no additional charge for these, but we may not
be able to accommodate everyone with their first choice. The breakout
sessions typically include:
* 6-MEMBER CRITIQUE GROUPS: Members will submit novel or short-story
excerpts up to 3000 words for critique by the group as well as one of
the instructors. (Please note that this means you are committing to
critique the stories of the other group members.)
* UNLOCKING SESSIONS: These small group sessions are places to
brainstorm with a group about your writing project or process.
Unlocking sessions in the past have included discussion on everything
from how to make time to write to the intricacies of a specific magic
system.
"OFFICE HOURS": Each morning, instructors are available for individual
drop-in sessions to cover those questions that come up mid-cruise.
This is excellent for some one on one time with the instructors!
FAMILY PROGRAMMING: No specific family programming will be offered
during the 2021 Masterclass cruise, but family members are welcome to
join the group and are invited to all social activities outside of the
lectures and breakout sessions.
FAMILY RATES
There are plenty of things to do on the cruise ship besides attending
the Writing Excuses Masterclass and Retreat. If you'd like to bring a
significant other or family member above 11 years old, there are
discounted tickets available. And if the family member is between the
ages of 12 and 17, and has an interest in writing, they can pay that
reduced price and still attend the seminars with you. If you want to
bring more than three family members, we'll put you in touch with Lisa
Harding, our cruise manager, who can help you with pricing and any
other arrangements.
A QUICK NOTE: If you are registering for yourself and a non-writer
family member, that is two separate tickets. Your ticket should be the
normal cost, and your family member should get the matching "Family
Rate" berth.
DAN WELLS [https://thedanwells.com/] is the New York Times bestselling
author of the post-apocalyptic teen series PARTIALS, the middle grade
ZERO CHRONICLES, the supernatural thriller series I AM NOT A SERIAL
KILLER, and more. He cohosts the Hugo-winning podcast Writing Excuses,
and edited the anthology ALTERED PERCEPTIONS to raise awareness of
mental illness. Dan lives in Utah with his wife, 6 children, and more
than 450 boardgames.
DONGWON SONG [http://www.dongwonsong.com/about] is an agent at Howard
Morhaim Literary Agency representing science fiction and fantasy for
adults, young adult, and middle grade readers as well as select
non-fiction. They were formerly an editor at Orbit, a product manager
for an ebook startup, and has taught at institutions including
Portland State University and New York University.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
All WRITING EXCUSES SEMINAR ATTENDEES MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR
OLDER. Children from the ages of 12 to 17 may attend if accompanied by
a parent or legal guardian. All participants must be vaccinated - at
this time, this limits participation to people age 12 and over.
All attendees, attendee guests, and accompanied minors must also have
a VALID PASSPORT. Getting onto the ship? You need a passport!
All participants in WXR 2021 must be FULLY VACCINATED at the time they
arrive on the ship, with their final vaccination shot having been
completed by SEP 5, two weeks before embarkation.
MARY ROBINETTE KOWAL [https://maryrobinettekowal.com/] is the author
of The Glamourist Histories series, Ghost Talkers, and the Lady
Astronaut series. Shes the President of SFWA, part of the
award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding
Award for Best New Writer, four Hugo awards, the Nebula and Locus
awards. Her stories appear in Asimovs, Uncanny, and several Years Best
anthologies. Mary Robinette, a professional puppeteer, also performs
as a voice actor (SAG/AFTRA), recording fiction for authors including
Seanan McGuire, Cory Doctorow, and John Scalzi. She lives in Nashville
with her husband Rob and over a dozen manual typewriters.
ACCESSIBILITY
The access policy of Writing Excuses follows the Social Model of
Disability. This regards barriers to the full participation of
disabled people as the fault of society (and more immediately we as
the organizers), not the 'fault' of the person with a disability. We
further reject any negative value placed on a person because of their
disability, or indeed on their disability. Disability isn't good or
bad, it just is. Please respect our disabled members by engaging in
neither negative stereotyping (eg 'If I was you I'd kill myself' or
'I'd rather be dead than in a wheelchair) nor false pity ("I'll pray
for you to be cured') - many disabled people do not want to be cured
and regard their disability is a fundamental part of their identity.
Additionally, please note that person-first language ("person with
disability") is not the universally preferred form of address for
disabled people. Many prefer the Social Model and 'disabled person'.
Please treat the appropriate form of address for disabled people as
you would treat preferred pronoun usage, by asking for their preferred
form of address and using it.
We picked Royal Caribbean because their ships are designed to
accommodate all of our guests, including people with mobility,
hearing, and visual disabilities. Read more about the accommodations
that are available on Royal Caribbean.
[http://www.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/accessibleseas/home.do]
In addition, when you fill out the registration form, please let the
WX staff know about any accommodations you require.
REFUND POLICY
* Full refund until June 22nd (we are waving our usual refund fee
because of Covid-19)
* 50% refund until July 7th
* 25% refund until July 21th
* No refunds after August 20th
Instructors subject to change
culture
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