The SRL Hemingway Writers Retreat in Key West!

Join SRL for the Hemingway Writers Retreat in Key West, Florida!

February 17–20, 2017 (Reserve below, or call 678-661-7080 to reserve by phone)

Who says you have to be cold and miserable during February? Instead, spend a long weekend in Key West, Florida, with like-minded writers, poets and creative people at a writers retreat hosted by best-selling author and humor columnist Hollis Gillespie. We’ll put you up in a gorgeous Key West townhouse, serve mimosas every morning and conduct writing and publishing workshops throughout day.

That’s right, the price includes breakfasts, happy hours and a celebratory dinner! Each morning we’ll commune on the lush tropical patio over fresh orange juice, champagne and croissants to discuss the creative process, targeting your genre (memoir, novel, young-adult, cookbook, etc.), manuscript formatting and the latest in publishing and literary-agent acquisition.  In the afternoons you are free to walk in Hemingway’s footsteps, imbibe at his notoriously favorite hooch holes, and bask in the famous Key Wet sunshine. Return after sunset for a wine tasting and appetizers! Sunday’s meal will be prepared and served on the premises. Keep reading for more information on rates and accommodations.

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The Hemingway Suite (sleeps up to 4): Sold!

Lovely upstairs apartment with a queen bed, full kitchen, bath with shower and living room with full sleeper sofa. The living room features a large flat screen TV/DVD player and has French doors opening onto a deck with teak furniture and table. Sleeps 4. Rate for entire retreat, 4 days/3 nights, daily writing, daily breakfasts, daily wine tastings, gourmet Sunday dinner: $1150 per person based double occupancy (3rd/4th person stipend, $500 per person)

Click HERE to reserve The Hemingway Suite sold
Rate for entire retreat, 4 days/3 nights, daily writing, daily breakfasts, daily wine tastings, gourmet Sunday Dinner: $1150 per person based double occupancy (3rd/4th person stipend, $500 per person) all taxes and fees are included! (Does not include travel to/from and/or within Key West.)

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The Sun Also Rises Suite (sleeps 2): Available!

 Downstairs unit with 2 twin beds, full bath with shower, mini kitchen with under-the-counter fridge, microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker, blender, TV/DVD, and a wall unit a/c. Sleeps 2.. Rate for entire retreat, 4 days/3 nights, daily writing, daily breakfasts, daily wine tastings, gourmet Sunday Dinner: $950 per person based double occupancy.

Rate for entire retreat, 4 days/3 nights, daily writing, daily breakfasts, daily wine tastings, gourmet meals: $950 per person based on double occupancy all taxes and fees are included!(Does not include travel to/from and/or within Key West.)  CLICK HERE to reserve this suite!
Or call 678-661-7080 to reserve by phone.

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The Old Man and The Sea Cottage (sleeps 2): Available!

A queen bed, private bath and French doors opening onto the central courtyard. The kitchen has a full fridge, microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker, blender, TV/DVD and wall unit A/C. Sleeps 2. Rate for entire retreat, 4 days/3 nights, daily writing, daily breakfasts, daily wine tastings, gourmet Sunday dinner: $1250 per person based double occupancy

Click HERE to reserve this cottage
Rate for entire retreat, 4 days/3 nights, daily writing, daily breakfasts, daily wine tastings, gourmet celebratory Sunday dinner: $1250 per person based double occupancy all taxes and fees are included! (Does not include travel to/from and/or within Key West). CLICK HERE to reserve the “Old Man and the Sea” Cottage!
Or call 678-661-7080 to reserve by phone.

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 The Poppa Cottage (sleeps 4): Sold!

Located at the rear of the courtyard and features sweet smelling natural cedar walls. At the entrance is a beautiful mosaic tiled wall. This cottage has a full bed, double pull-out futon, kitchen with a full fridge, microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker, blender, flat screen TV/DVD, small sitting area/dining table. The bath includes a shower. Sleeps 4.
Click HERE to reserve this cottage. sold

Rate for entire retreat, 4 days/3 nights, daily writing, daily breakfasts, daily wine tastings, gourmet Sunday dinner: $1250 per person based double occupancy (3rd/4th person, $500 stipend per person) all taxes and fees are included!(Does not include travel to/from and/or within Key West.) Or call 678-661-7080 to reserve by phone.

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About the host:

 Hollis Gillespie is an award-winning humor and travel columnist, and her column appears every month on Atlanta magazine’s back page. She is also a best-selling author, NPR commentator, professional speaker, and guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (“A very funny lady,” says Leno.) Her work has been optioned by Sony Pictures and Paramount, and she has collaborated with Hollywood hard hitters like Mitch Hurwitz, the creator of Arrested Development, Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, producers of Two and a Half Men, Amy Palladino, creator of Gilmore Girls, Bill Haber (Rizzoli and Isles) and Sheri Elwood (Call Me Fitz). (George Clooney has also kissed her twice. Twice!) Hollis herself has been featured on scores of TV shows and news programs and runs Shocking Real Life Learning Center, the largest writing school in Atlanta, which offers workshops on book writing, blogging and social media. Her first novel, titled The Unaccompanied Minor, was released to much acclaim in 2014. Her second novel, We Will be Crashing Shortly, is due out in 2015. These days she gets most of her exercise running to catch flights.
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Shocking Real Life success stories:

Christal’s book is now available

 

Christal Presley, author of 30 Days with my Father, became a best-seller after taking this workshop. She’s been featured on NPR, Atlanta Journal Constitution and others news outlets. Click here to see her on Fox News.

“[Hollis Gillespie’s] writing class is where my life was TOTALLY and COMPLETELY changed forever!”
Christal Presley

 

Lisa Baron’s book is now available

Lisa Baron, author of Life of the Party; a Political Press Tart Tells All, became an Amazon best-seller after taking this class. Recently she sold her film rights to NBC! Click here to see her feature in Atlantamagazine.

“I had two things working for me that I believe made the difference: determination and Hollis Gillespie’s kick-ass work shop! The workshop gave me the confidence I needed to continue following my dream of becoming a published author. She was key to helping me fine tune my proposal and her personal involvement in my journey has been invaluable.” Lisa Baron

Rachael Brownell on the Today Show

Rachael Brownell, author of Mommy Doesn’t Drink Here Anymore, became a best-selling author after taking this class. She has been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America and NPR

“I wanted to THANK YOU, Hollis, for your workshop. It played a crucial role in being able to complete and submit a successful book proposal.”Rachael Brownell

This is a retreat for people serious about publishing a book (which is not to say you have to take yourself too seriously) — that said, (seriously) we are not in the business of hyping pipe dreams. The last thing we want to put you through is a litany of anemic sessions in which people sit around and bloviate about the difficulties of getting a book deal. The Shocking Real-Life Writer Retreats are active workshops devoted to your book, your idea for your book, formatting your book, writing your book, getting an agent for your book, selling your book to a publisher. If you have an idea for a book — and especially if you have been sitting on your idea for a book — you owe it to yourself to enroll in a Shocking Real life writers retreat.