The Burgeon
Writing Retreat
February 23-26, 2024
Immerse yourself in inspiration, revive your creative self, & experience deep rejuvenation in the heart of Portland.
The Experience
Join us for this urban retreat in Portland, a haven for artists and storytellers, for 4 days of writing from the grit in your soul and magic of your imagination.
This retreat is a lived experience in the art of noticing and feeling—the way a woman across the street kisses a friend as they depart, the bend of evergreens from the wind across the Willamette River; the warmth of elation in your chest when swept by creative flow.
It is a gift of valuing your writing, bold laughter until your sides hurt, meditation that takes you deep within and heals, food and vulnerability across a community table that fill the soul, and freedom from daily life to stir your imagination and capture it in words.
Ample time to write, freedom to explore
At the heart of our retreat is the belief that time is your greatest ally in the creative process. You’ll have uninterrupted moments to travel deeper into your work, whether you're penning chapters of a novel, refining a collection of poems, or using this space to journal and reflect.
Find moody corners of dim window light and leather for deep exploration and mining the soul of your story within our location at KEX. Walk to the first cafe that calls your creative heart (there are tons with their own unique vibe to suit yours). Ride the streetcar and people-watch, noting new quirks or conversations for your characters, poems and prose. Walk to the bridge and decompress by the river, leaving it all on the page.
Experience the freedom to explore your thoughts without interruption, allowing your imagination to flourish and your creativity to take flight.
Your stay
The 2024 Burgeon Retreat is being held at KEX in Portland, OR.
KEX is a design-focused social hotel, that began in Reykjavik, Iceland, and is now open in Portland's Inner Southeast; walking distance from great restaurants, bars, stores, and coffee shops. Kex features private and shared rooms, an all-day restaurant, and sauna.
What’s included:
✦ Arrival gift bag
✦ Trimet pass
✦ Access to workshops
✦ Morning meditation
✦ Ample private writing time
✦ Writing prompt guidebook
✦ Optional 1:1 sessions with hosts
✦ Access to the amenities and shared spaces (including the onsite sauna)
✦ An assortment of snacks and refreshments
✦ Field trip to Powell’s
✦ Group dinner on Saturday night
✦ Open mic night
✦ Pajama party
Writing workshops
We invite you to explore the essential elements that breathe life into your writing, meet your creative subconscious, and unearth the raw emotions that infuse authenticity into your writing.
Our workshops are crafted to empower you to navigate the intricacies of your narrative, providing a supportive space where creativity abounds and stories unfold with unparalleled depth and resonance. Here the art of storytelling is both an exploration and a revelation.
Our workshops:
Raw Material: Getting Back To The Heart, Bones, And Guts Of Your Story
Confession: Confronting the Shit That Haunts You
Connect with the rawest, realest parts of you and your story
Discover and cultivate your authentic voice
Build courage to explore the hidden, the deep, the taboo
Discover unconventional methods of writing a gripping narrative
Remain true to your vision and unique writing experience
Retreat Experience
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Arrive and settle in at 3 pm, followed by a delightful dinner at 6 pm to welcome you to the retreat.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Begin the day with a morning meditation led by Tiffany Clarke Harrison, followed by personal writing time. Dive into the craft with Tiffany Clarke Harrison in the "Raw Material" workshop before an inspiring field trip to Powell's Books. Enjoy a catered group dinner, followed by an open mic session.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Start the day with breakfast, a calming morning meditation, and dedicated personal writing time. After lunch, immerse yourself in further writing exploration. In the evening, join Tiffany Grimes for the "Confession" workshop, followed by a cozy Collages & Cocktails Pajama Party.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Wrap up your retreat with a leisurely breakfast and checkout at 11 am, bidding farewell to a weekend filled with creativity and connection.
Meet your retreat hosts
Expect a harmonious blend of expertise, encouragement, and a touch of literary magic as these Tiffanys co-create an environment where your stories can unfold. Tiffany Clarke Harrison and Tiffany Grimes are here to nurture your creativity, foster connections, and guide you on a path of self-discovery through the written word.
TIFFANY CLARKE HARRISON (she/her) writes about your feelings. The ones that feel good, the ones that don’t, and definitely the ones you don’t want anyone to know. Writing novels has always been the goal, and Blue Hour is her debut. She graduated from Salisbury University with a BA in English, Creative Writing concentration, and holds an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from Queens University of Charlotte. Writing is a whole-body experience, and her intuitive writing process has helped shape the raw honesty of her stories, and the stories of other authors she’s coached. Tiffany lives with her husband and two children in North Carolina.
PRAISE FOR BLUE HOUR:
Barack Obama 2023 Summer Reading Selection
Vulture, A Best Book of the Year
Ms., A Most Anticipated Title of the Year
One of Electric Literature's Books by Women of Color to Read This Year
A Debutiful Most Anticipated Book of the Year
Zibby's Mag, A Most Anticipated Book of 2023
Goodreads, A Buzziest Debut Novel of the Year
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-Plant mom & mom to two teenagers
-Personality type: INFP; Enneagram 4w5; Human design: Generator
-Astrology: Sun: Libra, Moon: Aries, Rising: Sagittarius
-Favorite hobbies: running and record collecting
-Favorite caffeinated beverage: Dirty chai
-Favorite non-caffeinated beverage: Water
-Favorite genre to write: Literary fiction
-Guilty pleasure: Trader Joe’s Mini Gingerbread People
TIFFANY GRIMES (she/they) is a writer, book coach, and author web designer whose mission is to amplify marginalized voices through unflinching and inclusive book coaching and design.
Tiffany is the founder of Burgeon Design and Editorial and hosts “The Art of Self-Editing,” a free writing community, “Revision Alchemy,” an online editing course for fiction and memoir writers, and “The Burgeon Mastermind,” a six-month writing collective.
She earned her BA from Flagler College in English Literature with minors in psychology and creative writing and her MFA from Hamline University in writing for children and young adults. Her writing has been published in Meat for Tea: The Valley Review, Microfiction Monday Magazine, The Fiction Pool, Ruminate Magazine, Feels Blind Literary, and Herstry. She currently lives in Salem, OR with her cats.
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-Cat parent to Jackson and Sybil
-Personality Type: INFP; Enneagram: 2w3; Human design: Generator
-Astrology: Sun: Libra, Moon: Sagittarius, Rising: Sagittarius
-Favorite hobbies: Hiking and traveling
-Favorite caffeinated beverage: Chai latte
-Favorite non-caffeinated beverage: Grape Olipop
-Favorite genre to write: Speculative fiction/magical realism
-Guilty pleasure: Watching terrible movies & tv shows that usually get cancelled after a season or two
Frequently Asked Questions
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There will be no more than 21 people total (as we have reserved 21 beds). This includes those of us running the retreat, so the retreat will feel intimate and we will be able to get to know each other.
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Everyone is welcome here! All genres and forms, and all skill levels. This is a generative writing retreat focused on inspiring you and rejuvenating you.
I’ll be reaching out ahead of time with a questionnaire so that I can curate our content to meet the needs of everyone present.
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Yes, we are able to break up the payments. However, the full payment will be due by January 15th, 2024.
Please email tiffany@burgeondesignandeditorial.com for payment options.
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KEX is a boutique hotel with only 26 guestrooms, and we’ve reserved half of them!
I stayed here about a year ago and found it to be the most aesthetic and cozy space and just knew I had to host a retreat here. Staff is incredibly nice and accommodating, and there is an onsite restaurant and bar (Pacific Standard) as well as a sauna in the basement.
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KEX is located at the corner of NE MLK and NE Couch St, at 100 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland OR 97232.
Both ride share options and public transportation are easy and great options from PDX (Portland International Airport).
FROM PDX AIRPORT
Take the MAX Red Line toward City Center. Get off at the Convention Center stop. From there, you can either get on the #6 bus toward Portland City Center at NE MLK & Holladay and go two stops to NE MLK & Burnside, or walk 0.4 miles south on MLK. KEX is located at the NE corner of MLK and Couch St.
FROM UNION STATION
Walk south on 6th Ave to Burnside. Take the #12 bus toward Parkrose Transit Center. Get off at E Burnside & NE Grand, and walk 1 block west on Burnside and one block north on MLK.
FROM I-5 N
Take exit 302A for NE Weidler St toward Rose Quarter/Broadway. Keep right at the fork and merge onto NE Weidler St. Turn right onto NE MLK Jr Blvd. KEX is located on the left, at the corner of NE MLK and Couch.
FROM I-5 S
Take exit 302A toward Moda Center/City Center. Turn left on Weidler Ave, then turn right on NE MLK Jr Blvd. KEX is located on the left, at the corner of NE MLK and Couch.
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Yes! As someone with a gluten allergy, it’s so important to me to make sure everyone’s allergies are accounted for. I’ll be sending a questionnaire to receive some basic information and will ask about food preferences and allergies!
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KEX has a restaurant and bar in the lobby (Pacific Standard), and there are so many great restaurants within easy walking/public transit distance. I’ll be curating a list of places I love and recommend at different price points prior to the retreat as well.
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We hope! At this time we do not have any other retreats planned.
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You can email me directly tiffany@burgeondesignandeditorial.com with any questions, and I’ll be happy to answer them for you.
Details
Arrival February 23 - Departure February 26
$1,250 + room selection
This reserves your place in this restorative retreat, including all inspiring and generative workshops, access to the venue, and all excursions.
This includes:
Access to workshops
Morning meditation
Access to the amenities and shared spaces (including the onsite sauna)
An assortment of snacks and refreshments
Open mic night
Optional 1:1s with retreat hosts
Field trip to Powell’s
Arrival gift bag
Trimet pass
Group dinner on Saturday night
Ample writing time
Payment plans are available.
Please note that aside from snacks and our Saturday night group dinner, meals are not included.
Transportation to hotel is not included–however public transit is seamless and easy to navigate. There is no hotel parking, but hotel staff has recommendations for nearby parking garages.
Room options vary from shared bunk rooms to single deluxe rooms to accommodate various price points.
Deluxe King Ensuite
DETAILS
The Deluxe King Ensuite is a single room option for those who want a comfortable and private space during our retreat.
The Deluxe King room invokes a sense of well-worn comfort and relaxation. An en suite room with a single king bed and living area is meticulously designed with a unique blend of vintage furnishings and modern amenities, including hanging closet storage, and mini-fridge & freezer.
This room includes:
Ensuite full bathroom
Mini-fridge
Closet
Work desk
King bed
Wifi
There are two Deluxe Ensuites available at $625 USD each (total, for a three night stay).
Standard King Ensuite (ADA Available)
DETAILS
The Standard King Ensuite is a single room option for those who want a comfortable and private space during our retreat.
This room features a single king bed designed with repurposed headboards from vintage fireplace mantels and a writing desk. This room has a private bathroom located ensuite, with an option for an accessible shower and ADA amenities.
This room includes:
Ensuite full bathroom
Mini-fridge
Closet
Work desk
King bed
Wifi
ADA option (one ADA room available)
There is one ADA King Ensuite available at $595 for a three night stay and one Standard King Ensuite available at $595 (total, for a three night stay).
Standard Queen Ensuite
DETAILS
The Queen Ensuite is a single room option for those who want a private space during our retreat.
This room features a single queen bed uniquely designed with repurposed headboards from vintage fireplace mantels and a small desk. This room has a private bathroom located ensuite, with a stand-up tiled shower.
This room includes:
Ensuite full bathroom
Sitting area
Work desk
Wifi
There are five Standard Queen Ensuites available at $535 USD per person (total, for a three night stay).
Double Queen Shared Bathroom
DETAILS
The Queen Shared Bathroom is a shared room option for those who are comfortable getting cozy with your fellow retreaters.
Just down the hall and throughout the building are multiple shared, individual locking bathrooms, each with its own shower.
This room includes:
Sitting area
Work desk
Wifi
There is one Queen-Shared Bathroom available at $315 USD per person (total, for a three night stay).
4-Bunk Hostel Room
DETAILS
The Bunk Rooms are reserved for just our retreat guests, so you will not be sharing with anyone outside of our retreat.
Each bunk is equipped with canvas privacy curtains and in-bunk storage, electrical outlet, reading light, and large drawers to securely store belongings. Just down the hall and throughout the building are multiple shared, individual locking bathrooms, each with its own shower.
This room includes:
Drawer to store personal belongings
Communal table and chairs in room
Personal lighting & electrical outlet per bunk
Seating area outside room in hallway
There are two 4-Bunk rooms (8 beds) available at $150 USD per person (total, for a three night stay).
Past retreats
The 2023 Burgeon Writing Retreat was held at the Highlights Foundation in rural Pennsylvania in May of 2023.
From left to right: Beck, Aliya, Zoë, Kear, Janet, Narjis, Tashi, Christine, and Tiffany
From left to right: Janet, Christine, Kear, Tashi, Aliya, Narjis, Beck, Tiffany, and Zoë.
Feedback for the 2023 Burgeon Writing Retreat
“The in-person retreat was truly a gift. Being together, conducting workshops, writing, hiking - it was divine.”
-Christine Letizia
“Amazing! The workshops were amazing. Shadow self, tarot cards, s’mores, the accommodations, walks, poetry out of stones, meeting everyone (!!), meeting you Tiffany, the gifts were lovely! Use the tea brewer/filter almost every day!”
-Zoë Malcolm
“The retreat was an incredible success! Tiffany did a fantastic job leading the retreat and she provided a safe space for all of us to be vulnerable. Even exploring the trails have helped me gain inspiration for my future projects.”
-Tashi Saheb-Ettaba
“The retreat was, in a word, magical. I expected the beautiful setting, the stellar atmosphere, and the truly helpful workshops… but the genuine comfort grown from learning together for 5 months in the mastermind prior to attending? It’s hard to put words on the simple ability to show your soul to a group of people who you know will handle it with care. The retreat was beautiful in every way, and I already want to go again!!”
-Kear Simmons
“I had the most wonderful time connecting with the Burgeon team as well as the other writers. I loved the workshops that explored who we were and how we can apply that to our writing, the yoga/guided meditation, the 1:1 with Tiffany, the time to have deeper conversations with other writers, the reading/sharing session, and of course THE FOOD. I didn't write as much as I thought I would because I chose to use some of the time allocated for writing to rest. Regardless, everything I learned -- about the industry and myself -- is going to help me with my novel and career going forward and I'm so excited to apply my newfound knowledge!”
-Narjis Zahra
“I greatly appreciated having my own space to return back to at the end of the day to decompress. The food was overall really good and I liked that there were drinks and snacks available during the day too. While I didn't get quite as much writing done as I would have liked because I wanted to socialize, I loved that there were multiple opportunities throughout the day to sneak away to write or explore the property. The communal workshops and activities were also really well done. I loved that we waited to dig deeper until we were all together in person, and the balance between bonding/socialization and learning/coaching opportunities were well done too! Overall, I found it to be a really wonderful experience where I was able to recharge my battery.”
-Aliya Bree Hall