It’s a full week. On a cruise ship. With writers.

And you’re invited.

Step away from the daily grind for the annual Writing Excuses cruise. During the 8-day event you’ll hone your craft, connect with fellow writers, and make progress on your latest projects.

…and you’ll do it while sailing down the stunning Mexican coast, making stops at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.

Relaxation, learning, and writing — the perfect combination!

Expand Your Writing Horizons

Each year, writers gather from around the world to:

• Learn from industry professionals about a variety of topics specific to the craft and business of writing.

• Participate in small-group sessions for critique, brainstorming, and opportunities to move your project forward.

• Connect with fellow writers, building your network of peers and making writing a less solitary experience.

• Make tangible progress on your work in progress, through both formal and informal writing sessions.

• Refill your creative meter through quiet self-care time, cruise excursions, and good conversation.

A “Choose Your Own Adventure” Style Retreat

Our goal is to create the writing event you need. This means you choose from a wide range of activities, all of which are optional to attend. Want to hit up every single class? Go for it. Prefer to stare at the ocean while typing up your next novel? Perfect.

In terms of programming, here’s what you can expect to see:

Group Classes

Throughout the week there will be 5-6 writer classes focused on a single topic, giving you new tools for your writer toolbox. Past classes have included:

• How to Craft a Compelling Pitch

• Using Voice to Guide Your Story

• Emergency Worldbuilding

This year will focus on the topic of Story Refinement. Whether you’re revising a full manuscript, reworking a character arc, or trying to make sure your words pack a punch, we’ll dig into how you can make your stories leave a lasting impression.

NEW: Guided Writing Sessions

New this year, we’re offering a second track that runs alongside the group classes. One of the instructors will provide a structured setting where you can make measurable progress towards your writing (or revising, or plotting) goals.

Breakout Sessions

Connect with one instructor and a small group of peers for more personalized feedback. Breakout sessions include:

• Critique Session: Members will submit a selection for group critique. This may be a novel excerpt, short story, or query letter.
• Unlocking Session: Unsure how to find time to write? Looking to hammer out your magic system? Unlocking sessions are formal brainstorming sessions where you get to “unlock” something that you’ve been stuck on.

1:1 Office Hours

Dig deeper into current blocks, ask for clarity over a class topic, or explore a new idea through a 1:1 session with instructors. These drop-in appointments are available throughout the retreat.

Lightning Readings

Public readings are a part of life as an author, but many writers don’t have the chance to practice. Lightning readings are an opportunity for you to read a 2-minute reading segment to a rapt audience who’s ready to cheer you on!

Social Events & Self-Care Time

We have plenty of additional activities planned, from costume karaoke and nightly dinners to informal writing sessions.

Meet Your Instructors

This year, the cruise will be spearheaded by DongWon Song and Mary Robinette Kowal, two of the Writing Excuses podcast hosts. Additional instructors may be added as we get closer to the event!

DongWon Song

DongWon Song is an agent at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency representing science fiction and fantasy for adults, young adult, and middle grade readers as well as select non-fiction. They were formerly an editor at Orbit, a product manager for an ebook startup, and taught at institutions including Portland State University and New York University. DongWon is Korean-American, trans, and nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. Visit their website here.

Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette Kowal 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 Nashville with her husband Rob and over a dozen manual typewriters. Visit her website here.

Event Itinerary

Scholarship Opportunities

We have two different scholarship types. One for those in financial need (the “Out of Excuses” Scholarship), and one for writers of color.

To find out more about the scholarships and how to apply visit our scholarship page here.

The Nitty-Gritty: FAQs

Now that you’re excited (if you’re still reading, we hope you’re excited), here are the most common questions that come up for those deciding if event is right for them.

Do I need to be a professional writer?

Absolutely not. In the world of writing, we’re all on the same path; some of us are just further along. Whether you’re getting started as a novice writer or an experienced professional who has scaled their fair share of writing mountains, this retreat has something for you.

Are there attendance requirements, then?

We do have some requirements, although none have to do with your writing experience.

• Seminar attendees must be 18 years of age or older or, if 12-17, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

• Children 11 and under are welcome aboard, but cannot attend Writing Excuses seminars. Child care and age-appropriate curriculum is available through Royal Caribbean's youth program.

• All attendees, attendee guests, and accompanied minors must have a valid passport and be vaccinated for COVID-19.

• All attendees, attendee guests, and accompanied minors must be willing to take a COVID test within 48 hours of departure.

I’m an introvert. This sounds like fun, but will it be too much?

We know social recharging is necessary, and none of the events we host are mandatory. In fact, we encourage you to take some time away to rest and refill your battery when you need to.

What does my Writer Ticket include?

The base writer retreat ticket covers eight days of writing and connecting, including:

• Hotel Night: 1 night at a hotel near LAX prior to boarding the ship.

• Bus Transfer: Round-trip bus transfer from the hotel to the ship on boarding day, and the ship to the airport on disembarkation day.

• 7-Day Cruise: This includes lodging, meals, ship gratuities, and ship programming.

• Internet: 1 shipboard internet package, allowing you to connect one device at a time while on board (you can switch between devices).

• Classes: Access to all seminar classes and guided writing sessions.

• Breakout Session: 1 (optional) small-group breakout session, either a critique or an unlocking.

• Writing Time: Built in informal writing and self-care time.

Can my significant other/family member/spouse attend?

Significant others or family members may join the cruise at a discounted rate. The Family Ticket includes:

• Hotel Night: 1 night at a hotel near LAX prior to boarding the ship.

• Bus Transfer: Round-trip bus transfer from the hotel to the ship on boarding day, and the ship to the airport on disembarkation day.

• 7-Day Cruise: This includes lodging, meals, ship gratuities, and ship programming.

• Internet: 1 shipboard internet package, allowing you to connect one device at a time while on board (you can switch between devices).

Family attendees may not attend writer seminars or breakout sessions, although specific family programming may be provided.

What kind of rooms are available on the cruise?

There are three room types:

• Interior Room: An inside cabin with no window or view outside.

• Oceanview Room: An exterior cabin with a window to the outside.

• Balcony Room: An exterior cabin with a balcony, equipped with a table and two chairs.

In addition, you can choose either double or single occupancy.

• Double Occupancy: The rate is per-person and you will have a roommate. You can either choose your roommate when you buy your ticket or one will be assigned to you. Note: If a family member is attending then you should choose a double occupancy ticket as you will be sharing a room with your family member.

• Single Occupancy: The rate is per room and you will have your own room.

All staterooms include: Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, sitting area with sofa, full private bathroom, vanity area with hair-dryer, closed-circuit TV, radio, and phone. Cabin sizes range between 160 - 198 sq ft.

What do I need to know about making travel arrangements?

ARRIVAL IN LA

We recommend flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). If you choose to drive or take another route in,  you may need to make separate arrangements for parking.

Once you arrive at LAX, you can use the hotel’s shuttle service to make your way to the hotel.

If you fly into another LA-area airport, you will need to make separate arrangements to get to the hotel.

BUS TRANSFER TO CRUISE SHIP AND LAX

All tickets include roundtrip transfer from the hotel to the ship dock, and from the ship dock at the end of the cruise to the airport (LAX).

HOTEL NIGHT

Included in your ticket is one night at a hotel in Los Angeles, CA for the night before the Cruise (September 18th). This night is included regardless of whether you are staying at the hotel or not.

The hotel is available for double occupancy or single occupancy. If you choose double occupancy, the price is per person in the room and you will have a roommate. If you choose single occupancy, you will have your own room.

ADDITIONAL HOTEL NIGHT ADD-ON

If you wish to spend an additional night at the hotel on the front end of the trip, you may purchase an additional night for September 18th. This will also include breakfast and WiFi.

I have more questions! How do I get in contact with you?

You can message us at contact@writingexcusesretreat.com.

Additional Policies

COVID Policy

Writing Excuses acknowledges that we cannot negate all risks associated with in-person group events. However, these are the steps we will take to mitigate that risk:

• You will be required to confirm that you are fully vaccinated, and that you took the antigen test within 1 day of boarding the ship, that the test was not expired, and that your result was negative.

• We will require attendees and staff to wear KN94, KN95, or equivalent masks in the conference rooms of the hotel and cruise ship at all times (unless actively instructing at the front of the class or if an accommodation has been made), and we will be mask-positive in all our communications. We may require masking in additional spaces.

• We will provide KN95 masks to all attendees at no charge.

• We will make hand sanitizer and antimicrobial wipes available to attendees.

• We will provide a clear plan of action for anyone who begins showing symptoms, or who tests positive.

• All classes will be recorded, and will be made available to those who fall ill, as well as to those who are healthy. Accessibility practices like these are good for everyone!

• We will continue to adjust our plans based on current conditions, CDC guidelines, and Royal Caribbean requirements.

Accessibility Policy

The access policy of Writing Excuses follows the Social Model of Disability. This regards barriers to the full participation of disabled people as the fault of society (and more immediately we as the organizers), not the 'fault' of the person with a disability. We further reject any negative value placed on a person because of their disability, or indeed on their disability. Disability isn't good or bad, it just is. Please respect our disabled members by engaging in neither negative stereotyping (eg 'If I was you I'd kill myself' or 'I'd rather be dead than in a wheelchair) nor pity ("I'll pray for you to be cured') - many disabled people do not want to be cured and regard their disability as a fundamental part of their identity.

Additionally, please note that person-first language ("person with disability") is not the universally preferred form of address for disabled people. Many prefer the Social Model and 'disabled person'. Please treat the appropriate form of address for disabled people as you would treat preferred pronoun usage, by asking for their preferred form of address and using it.

We picked Royal Caribbean because their ships are designed to accommodate all of our guests, including people with mobility, hearing, and visual disabilities. When you fill out the registration form, please let the WX staff know about any accommodations you require as there is limited availability on board ship.

Harassment Policy

Writing Excuses is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Instructors, staff, volunteers, and family members are also subject to the anti-harassment policy.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact any member of conference staff immediately.

Conference staff will be happy to help participants contact ship security, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your attendance.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all conference venues and conference-related social events.

Refund Policy

Refunds do not include the booking fee or transaction fees charged by Stripe or PayPal. Refund dates are based on Royal Caribbean payment deadlines.

• 100% refund if canceled before May 28th

• 75% refund if canceled before June 16th

• 50% refund if canceled before July 1st

• 25% refund if canceled before July 15th

• No refund after July 15th

You’re out of excuses… now come write with us.