Speculative memoirs employ fantasies, metaphors, dreams, and myths to illuminate the writer's inner life. These elements can help capture and refine complex emotional states. Come explore the power of the imagination to elicit—and herald—transformation. You'll learn techniques to add speculative elements to your work and bring it into life's liminal spaces. Come ready to write.

You will have time to enjoy the pool and Mariandale's lovely sixty-one acres of land overlooking the Hudson River. You will stay in a private, air-conditioned guest room with shared bathrooms. All meals are included. The retreat begins with dinner on Friday, you may arrive as early as 3pm on Friday and enjoy the pool before the writing begins. We end with lunch on Sunday.

Date & Time: Friday, July 12 at 3pm through Sunday, July 14, 2024 at 1pm

Fee: $285 (all inclusive)

Presenter: Lorraine Ash

Read more about Lorraine Ash and the award-winning book, Corona City: Voices From an Epicenter, that originated in a writing retreat at Mariandale in April 2020.

About the Presenter:

Lorraine Ash works as a book editor and author coach specializing in all forms of autobiographical writing. She has penned two memoirs, Life Touches Life: A Mother's Story of Stillbirth and Healing and Self and Soul: On Creating a Meaningful Life. Most recently, she edited the award-winning Corona City: Voices from an Epicenter, an anthology of first-person writings that chronicles life in New Jersey and New York when these two states were the nation's first COVID-19 epicenter. Lorraine studied at Fordham University and California State University, Long Beach. She lives in New Jersey.