SOLD OUT - Sandia Starforgers Writers Retreat and Workshop - SOLD OUT

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2025 Instructional Theme: WORLDBUILDING

Critique, Classes, Camaraderie

May 2-5, 2025
Albuquerque, NM

Become an even more confident writer and talented worldbuilder. Generate an immersive environment, culture, magic system, and more for your current science fiction, fantasy, horror, or other speculative fiction work in progress.

Sandia = the beautiful 10,600 ft mountain presiding over Albuquerque.
Starforger = you, a wonderful speculative fiction writer and creator of worlds.

Our instructors and critiquers include:

• New York Times bestselling and Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award winning author, Rebecca Roanhorse
  
• Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award winning author, Mary Robinette Kowal
• Hugo Award winning editorial director at Erewhon Books, Diana M. Pho
• Vice President of Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, Kate McKean (virtual guest)
  
• NM-AZ Book Awards winning author and Artemesia Books publisher, Geoff Habiger
  
• NM-AZ Book Awards winning author and Book Pipeline finalist, Marie Parks

When you register, you can expect:

• Small-group critique session, in which you may submit up to 5,000 words. You will also offer critique to the other members of your small group. Critique will focus on big-picture suggestions regarding characterization, tone, clarity, pacing, etc. (not line edits). Please note: Your critiquer preference is not guaranteed.
• Instructional classes on topics like worldbuilding, plotting and pacing, character development, etc. Classes are geared towards speculative fiction writers.
• Re-critique session with your small critique group after you've had a chance to make revisions, so you can gauge your progress. Alternatively, you may submit your query letter or pitch.
• Pitch session with industry pros to practice pitching in a safe environment.
  
• Worldbuilding workshop to collaboratively build a complex, immersive world from scratch.
• Intimate group of no more than 20 writers, so you can get individualized interactions with the on-site instructors and meet attendees.
• Opportunity to write and revise in a supportive, peaceful setting.
  
• Chances to network with your fellow writers. Community is everything when it comes to your writing career.
• Delicious meals every day! All meals + snacks are included.

2025 is our second Sandia Starforgers Writers Workshop and Retreat. When you enroll, you help make future events possible.

Sandia Starforgers is for you if...

• You're a sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or other speculative fiction writer at any point in your career. We are open to writers for any age group, but please note that the experience of our instructors is mostly in adult speculative fiction. We all can become more effective storytellers and worldbuilders. Leveling up your writing is a lifelong process.
• You are willing to gracefully give and receive thoughtful critique with a spirit of learning, kindness, and curiosity.
• You want to learn more about writing, so you can advance your career and become a more engaging storyteller.
• You are interested in publishing your writing (including major publishers, small presses, magazines/anthologies, and self publishing).
• You crave genuine community and connection with other writers.
• You believe writing doesn't have to be competitive, but instead we can all support one another in this field.
• You desire for writing to be more inclusive, and you celebrate diverse voices sharing their stories.

Instructors

Rebecca Roanhorse (she/her) is a New York Times bestselling and Nebula, Hugo, and Locus Award-winning speculative fiction writer. She has published multiple award-winning short stories and novels, including two novels in The Sixth World Series, Star Wars: Resistance Reborn, Race to the Sun for the Rick Riordan imprint, and the epic fantasy trilogy Between Earth and Sky. She has also written for Marvel Comics and games (Echo, She-Hulk, Werewolf By Night, MoonKnight, and Chee’ilth) and for television, including FX’s A Murder at the End of the World, and the Marvel series Echo for Disney+. She has had her own work optioned by Amazon Studios, Netflix, and AMC Studios. She lives in Northern New Mexico with her husband, daughter, and pup. She drinks a lot of black coffee.

Mary Robinette (she/her) is the author of The Spare Man, The Glamourist Histories series, Ghost Talkers, and the Lady Astronaut Universe. She is 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 Asimov’s, Uncanny, and several Year’s 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 Colorado with her husband Rob.

Diana M. Pho is a queer Vietnamese-American independent scholar, playwright, and Hugo Award-winning fiction editor. She has over a decade of experience in traditional, Big Five publishing, including Tor Books, Tor.com Publishing, and the Science Fiction Book Club. Presently, she is now Editorial Director at Erewhon Books, acquiring and editing genre-bending and game-changing fiction. Books she has edited have won the Thriller Award, the American Library Association’s Alex Award, the Nebula Award, and a Kirkus Best Book of the Year Selection. Diana herself is a two-time finalist for the Ignyte Award, a finalist for the Locus Award, and a Hugo Award recipient for Best Editor, Long-Form.

Kate McKean (she/her) is a literary agent at the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency in Brooklyn, New York. She earned her MA in fiction writing at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her work has appeared in Poets & Writers, Electric Literature, Catapult, and elsewhere. Her first book, Write Through It: An Insider’s Guide to Publishing and the Creative Life will be published by Simon Acumen in 2025, followed by a picture book to be published by Sourcebooks in 2026. She will attend Sandia Starforgers virtually.

Geoff Habiger (he/him) is an author and the creator of Artemesia Publishing. Geoff grew up in Manhattan...Kansas, not New York. (That's the Little Apple, not the Big Apple, for those of you playing along at home.) His co-author (Coy Kissee) co-created the company Tangent Games in 2004, through which they've published card games and supplements, adventures, and rule books for role-playing games. Geoff is a senior partner in the publishing company, Artemesia Publishing, and co-author of fantasy series, including the Constable Inspector Lunaria Adventures and the Saul Imbierowicz Trilogy. He lives in New Mexico with his wife, son, and two cats.

Marie Parks (she/her) is an LGBTQIA+ fantasy author exploring themes like social justice, the environment, and found families. Her debut novel, Unrelenting, was co-written with Jessi Honard and published by Not a Pipe Publishing in 2022. It won the 2022 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards LGBTQ title, and was a finalist in two other categories. In addition, it was a finalist in the 2020 Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category. Marie was also a finalist for the 2021 Futurescapes Award for Most Promising New Author for her unpublished manuscript, Flightless. Marie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she loves to camp, hike, play board games, and eat green chile.

Venue Information

The venue is a historic farm 20 minutes from the ABQ airport. The property includes bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and communal areas, as well as a number of outdoor areas. Amenities include hot tub, climate control, gardens and patios, smart TVs, high-speed wifi, on-site parking, washer/dryer, hair dryer, clothes iron, and a basketball half court.

The venue and the City of Albuquerque are located on the homelands of the Tiwa Pueblo people. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn and gather on this land. Sandia Starforgers will make a donation to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center upon the conclusion of the event.

Ticket and Pricing Information

OFF-SITE LODGING TICKET OPTION: The in-person attendance with off-site lodging option is ideal for writers who live locally, will stay with a friend, or wish to make their own lodging arrangement. Your ticket includes all of the "you can expect" bullet points above. It does not include breakfast on Tuesday morning.

• On-Site Attendance without Lodging: $1,700. Lodging is not included; you will make your own lodging arrangement. You may still enjoy the other full in-person benefits of the event's programming and activities, including meals as described in the paragraph above.

ON-SITE LODGING TICKET OPTIONS: SOLD OUT. For attendees who purchase a ticket that allows them to sleep on-site at the event, your included lodging and meals will include the evening of Friday, May 2 through the morning of Tuesday, May 6. 2025. Your ticket includes all of the "you can expect" bullet points above.

The property has limited queen/king size beds and a larger number of double beds; if you want to share a bed with your roommate, specify this ASAP after you enroll through our information form.

You will be responsible for getting to the event venue on the afternoon/evening of May 2 and arranging your own departure from the venue on the morning of May 6.

• On-Site Attendance with On-Site Double Occupancy Lodging: $2,300 for shared bathroom, $2,500 for private bathroom. You will have a roommate.
  
• On-Site Attendance with On-Site Single Occupancy Lodging: $2,800 for shared bathroom, $3,000 for private bathroom. You will not have a roommate.

These prices allow us to:

• Provide 10 meals + daily snacks
• Rent a venue with the accessibility, space, quiet, and inspiration for a successful event.
• Pay all instructors and staff for their time.
• Bring supplies to make our experience productive.

Scholarship Information

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE PASSED ON NOVEMBER 30, 2024. Please sign up for emails for future scholarship opportunities.

We are offering one scholarship to a New Mexico writer with financial need; this will be a scholarship for an Event Attendance with Off-Site Lodging ticket. The scholarship recipient will be granted admission to the event at no cost. They will be responsible for their transportation and lodging.

Refund Policy

Full refund (less a processing fee of 4%) through November 30, 2024.

50% refund (less a processing fee of 4%) through December 31, 2024.

25% refund (less a processing fee of 4%) through January 31, 2025.

No refunds may be issued starting February 1, 2025, as final payment for our vendors is due at this time.

Additional Policies and Disclaimers

Our attendance policy and rules:

• All attendees must be 21+ years old as of May 2, 2025.
• No smoking or vaping is allowed anywhere on the property.
• No firearms, knives, or other weapons are allowed anywhere on the property.
• Only registered ticket holders may attend the event. No unregistered family members or friends are allowed at the event.
• Do not record any classes or share any handouts/materials you receive through or at the event. We will be recording some aspects of the event for personal use only.
• Film/photo release: You give Sandia Starforgers photo, video, and audio release to use photos, videos, and audio recordings that may include you, your voice, and your likeness in future marketing materials.

Covid-19 and illness policy:

• All attendees must be fully vaccinated per the CDC's definition.
• All attendees must sign an affidavit upon check-in confirming they have taken a Covid-19 test on May 1 or 2, 2025 and received a negative result. (Rapid self-test is sufficient.)
• We are mask-positive in our communications, but we are not requiring masks at the event.
• We will not have medical experts or supplies on hand. If you are ill, seek the care of a medical professional.
• No refunds may be given as a result of illness, injury, or any other reason, February 1, 2025 or later.
• If you are ill with a contagious illness, we may take steps to quarantine you. Recordings of some classes may be made available to you.
• You commit to washing your hands regularly during the event.
• You accept the inherent risk of this in-person event that you might get sick as a result of attending.

Accessibility information:

• The event will take place in a building with no steps other than door thresholds/curbs.
• Walk-in showers (low curb) can be available upon advanced request, for on-site lodging ticket holders.
• AI-generated captions for live classes can be provided upon advanced request.
• Speakers during classes will be outfitted with personal amplification devices.
• We will make every effort to accommodate your dietary needs and allergies. Please provide advanced notice.
• You will be invited to share your accessibility/dietary requests and requirements upon registration via a form, so we can make every effort to accommodate your needs.
• Albuquerque is situated "at elevation," located at 5,400 feet above sea level. This can cause elevation sickness and adverse reactions in some people.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion information:

We actively seek to ensure every attendee, instructor, staff member, and vendor—regardless of gender identity, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, ability, education level, body type, or any other factor—feels valued, respected, and heard.

We acknowledge that systematic disenfranchisement, oppression, and discrimination of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities occur, and we must always be vigilant to not perpetuate any of these. It is everyone's responsibility to contribute to actively dismantling them. We are unafraid to be held accountable and promise to correct any missteps with tangible action. We commit to supporting vendors and businesses owned by marginalized communities whenever possible and/or that strive to create equality.

Also, we are offering one scholarship for this event for a New Mexico writer with financial need (see above).

Anti-harassment policy:

Our goal is to offer a peaceful, respectful workshop experience, regardless of attendees' gender identity, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, ability, education level, body type, or any other factor. We have a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any attendee. All attendees are subject to this policy. If any attendee violates this policy, conference organizers may take any action deemed necessary at their sole discretion including, and up to, expulsion from the event without refund and refusal to re-admit the offender to any future events.

We define harassment as offensive verbal comments related to another person in attendance, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of events, sexual images in public spaces, inappropriate and/or nonconsensual physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

If you are concerned about harassment, contact event staff immediately. We will take all necessary steps to help attendees feel safe.

Disclaimers:

We can't be held responsible for your outcomes from this event. We make no guarantees that you will have a particular level of success with your writing, be matched with your preferred critiquer, or any other outcome, now or in the future.

This event offers an opportunity to receive small-group critique on your work, network with other writers, attend classes, and practice pitching your story. How you use the time is your choice, and your participation in any or all of the events is not mandatory; you may choose to spend the event writing quietly in your room, if desired.

Please email marie@marieparks.com with any questions. Thanks for your interest!

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