Okoboji Writers' Retreat

01/13/2025

Join the 2025 OWR Retreat - Early, Early Bird Enrollment ends January 15!

Experience the exclusive premiere of "PIEOWA: A PIECE OF AMERICA," a powerful documentary by OWR speaker Beth Howard, with an original score by OWR's Chad Elliott. Dive into the behind-the-scenes magic of documentary filmmaking and gain invaluable insights on creating, funding, and producing your film.

But that's just the beginning! Whether your dream is to:

Start a memoir, book, essay, poem, or bestseller,
Write a song, column, comedy act, play, or children's book,
OWR is the perfect environment to ignite inspiration and turn ideas into reality.

No goal yet? No problem! Come for inspiration.

Early Bird enrollment ends January 15 –

Transform your aspirations into action.

Share this link with a friend and come together!

Enroll Now for Early, Early Bird Discount (https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML94YF9SETJFH/checkout/RJKERZNYYKLUPZ2K7LMHRSXK)

Click here for an update from The Okoboji Writers' & Songwriters' Retreat SALE!

01/12/2025

The Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters Retreat is returning to the Iowa Great Lakes, September 28–October 1, 2025! With over 50 speakers covering a wide range of topics and genres—memoir, playwriting, screenwriting, filmmaking, poetry, publishing, and more—the retreat offers something for writers of all levels.

For more information, or to register, got to www.okobojiwritersretreat.com

At Northwest Bank, we proudly support Okoboji Writers' Retreat as part of our commitment to fostering local talent. If you’re passionate about writing, don’t miss this transformative experience filled with creativity, inspiration, and lasting connections.

Member FDIC

12/27/2024

Early Bird Discount ends soon

The Early Bird enrollment fee for the 2025 retreat ends soon. The cost is just $695 until January 15 - a $200 discount offered only to those who have previously attended.

You may send the link to someone you think might be interested, however. Fun fact: the #1 reason someone enrolls in the Okoboji Writers' and Songwriters' Retreat for the first time is because they heard it from an attendee.

What's new

We are adding two speakers on memoir who come highly recommended, as well as a stand-up comedian who left her job in journalism to follow this dream. Of course, our OWR favorite teachers will be on hand, too, and we will include songwriting again this year. Also, filmmaking will be expanded.

Concert & Auction

Following the sunset cruise, there will be a live concert in the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park on Tuesday night. AND, there will be an auction that night to raise funds for Lakeside Labs to defray OWR costs and boost the OWR scholarship fund. The enrollment fee for many writers' conferences with this expertise ranges from $3,500 - $5,000. However, we are committed to keeping the cost affordable and providing some scholarships for journalists and emerging writers.
The regular enrollment fee of $895 is relatively low, and we can keep this cost affordable in the future thanks to the auction and the number of volunteers who pitch in throughout the event.
The auction will allow you to bid on a vacation at a waterfront condo near Puerta Villarta or cruise the Chesapeake Bay on a 40 trawler and spend the night at anchor in Annapolis Harbor. Donations include pottery, artwork, a manuscript review by an agent, books signed by the author, house concerts, and an autographed baseball by Hank Aaron. Rekha Basu will prepare an Indian dinner for four at home,
We are just getting started! Let me know if you want to donate something for the silent or live auction! [email protected] or have ideas for speakers an topics.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT FORM (https://square.link/u/DoFKCHyX) . ENROLL NOW.

Julie Gammack

P.S. Steve Semken of Ice Cube Press is interested in publishing a group of essays about experiences from OWR. If you have an idea for consideration, send it our way for consideration. The goal is to have this published by the retreat next September 28-October : https://forms.gle/SZuaVVVC3aeq4kp16

Click here for an update from The Okoboji Writers' & Songwriters' Retreat SALE!

12/03/2024

You get first dibs

Catch the Early Bird discount while you can! This is the lowest price for

Okoboji Writers' & Songwriters' Retreat V.
September 26 - October 1, 2025.
Save $200, and save your place.
This year, we've added memoir resources, literary agents, fiction writers, songwriters, and comedy writers!
90% of participants surveyed said they would return for OWR V, so here's your chance to do so. We are extending this sale offer to thank you for joining our community.
Ends January 15, 2025.

Click here for an update from The Okoboji Writers' & Songwriters' Retreat SALE!

08/23/2024

Justin Roberts didn't set out to be a children's musician, but his tunes and inventive lyrics brought him success and national attention.

08/12/2024

08/11/2024

Songwriter Jason Walsmith performing in Okoboji for the Blue Water Festival! Art Cullen and Jones rattled some cages on a panel talking about the dire condition of water quality.
Okoboji Writers’ Retreat faculty all!

07/25/2024

We have a full month of shows this September, but we're also looking forward to being speakers at the Okoboji Writer’s Retreat in Okoboji, IA!

The retreat will take place from September 22-25. There will be writers of all sorts, including songwriters, presenting and workshopping with attendees. It'll be an amazing time, so we hope you'll join in on the fun!

For more information: https://okobojiwritersretreat.com/

For a "friend of Weary Ramblers" discount rate: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML94YF9SETJFH/checkout/FXNLPMRZCBZOAARZM4QALZGN

📸 Natural Expression Photography

06/14/2024

Wow. So many incredible people are signed up for OWR IV!
And it’s heartwarming to know how many are coming who attended the first one in 2021.
The single best way people find out about the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat is by word-of-mouth. Tell a friend, please.

06/14/2024

Check out the the story on KTIV last night:

Okoboji Writers' Retreat announces information about its 2024 event this fall.

03/07/2024

To attendees: You are invited to tell us the topics, speakers, and activities most important to you as a participant.

Memoir? Fiction? Nonfiction? Songwriting? Getting started? Publishing? more....

The Okoboji Writers' and Songwriters' Retreat (OWR IV)

September 22-25, 2024
Participant Survey

Click here for event details from Your input matters. Can you answer a couple of questions? Okoboji Writers' and Songwriters' Retreat Survey !

02/10/2024

New speakers!

https://okobojiwritersretreat.com/all-speakers/

UNBELIEVABLE EXPERTISE!

New speakers on memoir, fiction, opinion, mystery, TV, film script writing, and publishing. PLUS, songwriting -- with 12 professional musicians!
Make great new friends and long-lasting connections. Get started on new projects.
Most hear about OWR from a friend. Will you be their Valentine and share this email?
Your nudge will let them know you think they belong.
New this year: Songwriter performance at the Lakes Art Center!
Also, favorite workshops and sunset lake cruises are returning.
Take advantage of the Early Discount, ending July 15.

Click here for an update from Okoboji Writers' and Songwriters' Retreat News!

01/23/2024

Welcome to our new members!
The event to be held September 22-25 will include your favorite speakers from past years, plus television and film script writers, a new mystery author, four memoir coaches, and 12 songwriters!

Check out the website:

Julie Gammack Productions

01/22/2024

We’re excited to help promote the 2024 Okoboji Writers Retreat and its newest addition, the Okoboji Songwriters Retreat. This event will be held at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and the Presbyterian Camp at Lakeshore Center, which is adjacent to Lakeside Laboratory on West Lake, Okoboji, Iowa. Please, share this information with your family and friends. Thanks!

To learn more about the event: https://okobojiwritersretreat.com/

The annual Okoboji Writers’ Retreat, September 22-25, will now feature workshops for songwriters on topics ranging from ‘Storytelling through Song,’ ‘Nashville Bound,’ ‘’Collaboration,’ and ‘The Business of Being a Musician.’

This event was started in 2021 by former Des Moines columnist Julie Gammack and has become a popular attraction, filling hotels and restaurants in mid-September, and resulting in multiple stories being written about the Lakes area.

The addition of the segment for songwriters in the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat underscores the integration of music in storytelling, and as champions of musicians, we want to help spread the word that this opportunity is available.

All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to professionals. Some scholarships to the retreat are available.

Musicians/Songwriters scheduled to conduct workshops:

• Justin Roberts - justinrobertsmusic.com
• Jason Walsmith - jasonwalsmithstoryteller.com
• Chad Elliott - chadelliott.net
• Kathryn Severing Fox - kathrynseveringfox.com
• Sydney Lett - sydneylett.com
• Jara Johnson - ourstage.com/profile/jarajohnson
• Dartanyan Brown - dartanyan.com
• Paul Micich - paulmicich.com
• Kevin Brooks - R Kevin Brooks
• Carol Montag - carolmontag.com

This is an exciting professional development opportunity for songwriters. Stay tuned for more information about a community event we hope to sponsor in conjunction with the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat.

01/19/2024

I am overwhelmed by the LOVE that I have received the last few days. Byron's is not just my business, it is my passion. It is my dream I didn't know I had. I have formed a committee to Save Our Byron's, SOB. Keep watching my page for updates.
I have cried more from the outpouring than from the bad news.
I will keep you informed as I become informed.
Again, thanks to all who have reached out and please keep that feeling going.
Always remember, LIVE music only happens once, you have to BE there.

PEACE

01/09/2024

We are adding 11 speakers who will hold workshops on the art and business of songwriting. We are taking over the lodge and chapel on the Presbyterian church camp next to Lakeside Labs., which will be ideal. There are rooms big enough to hold panels with 40 participants, and two smaller rooms each with a fireplace and a piano. It seems to be designed for our purpose!

Below is a picture of the open room on the main floor. On the ground floor are other great meeting room spots.

This is all coming together.

Tell your friends!

Have you checked out the speakers list lately?
https://okobojiwritersretreat.com/all-speakers/