Join award-winning authors Brendan Jones and Amy Butcher from May 29th through June 2nd, 2025, in Sitka, Alaska to deepen your writing and experience one of the world's last remaining pristine temperate rainforests. 

You can visit our main retreat website at www.amyebutcher.com/sitkawritersretreat

In this all-inclusive retreat, you will be one of 12 writers engaged in creating content in intensive fiction and non-fiction classes. World-class chefs Edith Johnson and Renee Trafton will help cater meals, while Sitka Fine Arts will provide addition food and lodging. Alaska hot springs, raptor centers, sunset boat cruises and nature walks will all be included. 

While visiting Sheet'ka Kwaan (Sitka) you will be introduced to indigenous Tlingit history and ways of life through conversations with respected Tlingit elders in our community. Tongass Mist Writing, Brendan Jones and Amy Butcher count it a privilege to live, work and share this incredible place as guests ourselves on Tlingit Aáni. 

Spend mornings in intensive workshops, and afternoons writing or taking pre-arranged excursions. Explore this dynamic island town of 8,000 people, located in North America's largest temperate rainforest. Sitka is home to Alaska brown bears, eagles, sea otters, orcas, humpback whales, ravens, puffins, sea lions and many more creatures. Live on the edge of the crown jewel of the forest system, the Tongass, and experience firsthand "the lungs of North America." 

At night enjoy your private and cozy lodgings in downtown homes or in campus housing. All lodging choices are just a few minutes' stroll from classes on campus (1/8 mile). We gather for meals at the Sitka Fine Arts Campus Cafe, or take a short walk to downtown Sitka fine dining and cafes. 

Walk just one or two blocks to Sitka's historic sights, cafes and shops. You can also reach Sitka National Historic Park, most often referred to as "Totem Park," in just a few minutes by foot. Bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, and vehicles will be made available to writers for individual trips. 

GENERAL SCHEDULE

Mornings: Breakfast Followed by 2.5 Hour Workshop with Brendan Jones or Amy Butcher 

Afternoons:  Lunch Followed by Wilderness Excursions and Solo Writing Time

Evenings: Fireside Chats after Dinner

ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS

Together, Amy and Brendan have been teaching in Sitka for over a decade. They know the community, and are eager to share their favorite haunts with you. Whether it be dinner on the porch at Ludvigs, or fresh scones at the Backdoor Cafe, or the off-the-menu S'Mores Calzone at Campfire pizza, they will make sure you get a local experience in town. This will include a boat trip to Goddard Hot Springs, a salmon bake on a nearby island, and wildlife sightseeing tours for whales, bears, and otters. 

Amy Butcher is an essayist who explores and examines concepts of autonomy, legitimacy, believability, and value as they relate to and shape the lives of American women. Her most recent book, Mothertrucker (Little A, 2021), interrogates the realities of female fear, abusive relationships, and America’s quiet epidemic of intimate partner violence set against the geography of remote, northern Alaska. You can check out her website here: https://www.amyebutcher.com/about

Brendan is an essayist, novelist, and journalist who writes about environmental issues concerning the Tongass rainforest.  He has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, GQ, The Guardian, Smithsonian, Huffington Post, Patagonia, and Sierra Magazine. His most recent book, Whispering Alaska (Penguin/ Random House, 2021) won the 2022 Green Earth Book Award. His novel The Alaskan Laundry was awarded the 2016 Alaskana Prize by the state library association. You can check out his website here: https://www.brendanisaacjones.com/  

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

Your Writers Amy Butcher and Brendan Jones host this retreat with Tongass Mist Writing, a creative writing retreat and classes resource in Sitka, Alaska since 2019. Tongass Mist Writing is owned and operated by Ruth Underhill who teaches writing for the University of Alaska and enjoys writing in our beautiful Tongass wilderness when she is not hosting events and teaching! You can check out Tongass Mist Writing's website here: https://www.tongassmist.com/

We look forward to writing with you in Sitka this May. Please reach out to tongassmistwritingretreat@gmail.com with any questions. 

You can check out our full retreat website here: www.WriteSitka.com

Choose your private lodging from our three options. 

Stay in a cozy Super Host Air Bnb apartment in the heart of Sitka, near campus: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22473830?source_impression_id=p3_1730750323_P3kk-1lxIfkod5Ub

Embrace marine life on a sailing vessel in Sitka's local harbor. This is also in the heart of of Sitka, near campus: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50181719?source_impression_id=p3_1730750368_P3XI8397DxF5IC8U

Or enjoy community and a centralized retreat experience on campus with your private lodging, writing classes, meals and excursion meeting sights all in one easy location: Sitka Fine Arts Campus with ocean-facing views while nestled into Sitka's Three Sister Mountains and the Tongass National Forest: https://www.tongassmist.com/?pgid=lcx7lhdj-713ae66c-60e8-4267-a37f-a7197b1d7d71

Meals are provided throughout your stay and include several meals in Sitka's downtown at some of Sitka's most cherished gathering spaces.

*Notify Tongassmistwritingretreat@gmail.com upon registering of food sensitivities, allergies, and other related requests. 

Receive 50% reimbursement if you cancel at least 2 months in advance of retreat arrival date. 

Sitka, Alaska is located on Baranoff Island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and Tongass National Forest. The Tongass is a temperate rainforest. 

Our average temperature year-round in Sitka is 55 degrees, though temperatures vary from 30s to 70s depending on the weather and time of year. 

While we enjoy the most stunning sunny days, the most common weather in this rainforest is, of course, misting rainfall!

We have prepared a brief packing list  to help you enjoy a comfortable stay in beautiful Sitka, Alaska. 

Layers and Rainforest Appropriate Outerwear

Mid-Thigh or Knee Length Rain Jacket with Hood

Knee High Rain Boats or Tall Waterproof Hiking Boots

Gloves and Hat

Waterproof Backpack (and/or purse, totes)

Puffer Jacket

Fleece Jacket or Vest

Long Pants, Shorts

Sleeveless, Short Sleeved and Long Sleeved Tops

Sweatshirt and/or Sweater

Indoor

House Slippers 

Comfortable Lounge Wear

Robe 

Casual Wear for Dinners and Readings

Extra Throw Blanket if on campus

Extra Pillow if on campus

HotSprings/Sauna/Ocean Dips

Swimsuit 

Water Shoes

Personal Swim Towel

Optional: Neoprene Booties and Gloves

Class and Writing Supplies

Phone, Computer, Tablet and  Chargers

Notebook, Pen 

Excursions

Camera

Waterproof Back Pack

Reusable Water Bottle 

                *Sitka's Drinking Water is Rated Top in the Nation!!

Sealed Snacks 

Health

Prescription Medications 

Medivac Insurance 

Classes Day 1 & Forest Exploration

8AM- 9AM Continental Breakfast on Campus

9:30AM-NOON  Free Writing Time If Writer Has Arrived on Morning Flight

NOON  Lunch

2PM- 4PM Excursion: Walk Totem Park and Tidal Pools, 

                                   Forage Indian River Trail with Sitka Locals

                                   Schedule a Personal Excursion with local Sitka Trail Guides

5PM Drink and Appetizers

                    Writers read over wine and warm local spruce tip/Macintosh cider in Lounge of Whitmore on Sitka Fine Arts Campus.

6PM Dinner

8PM Fireside Conversations and Readings

4AM- 9AM Early Risers Suggested SOLO Writing Hours

5PM-11PM Night Owl Suggested SOLO Writing Hours

Classes Day 1 & Ocean Sailing (WEATHER DEPENDENT)

8AM Continental Breakfast 

8:30AM-11AM Writing Class with Brendan or Amy 

                                                   Attendee and Writer Matched During Application.

NOON Lunch

2PM- 5PM Excursion: HIKING THE TONGASS Difficulty Level options according to your   abilities. Foraging conversations during hike and invitation to forage! 

5PM Drinks and Appetizers

6PM Dinner

8PM  WEATHER DEPENDENT OCEAN SAILING OR LITERARY CHAT INDOORS        

4AM- 8AM Early Risers Suggested SOLO Writing Hours

8PM- MIDNIGHT Night Owl Suggested SOLO Writing Hours

Classes Day 2 & Hot Spring or Sauna

8AM Continental Breakfast: Croissants, muffins and smoothies hosted by  beloved local bakery Wildflour Cafe.

8:30AM- 11AM  Writing Class with Brendan and Amy 

NOON Lunch

1PM- 5PM Excursion

                                       Sail to Goddard Hot Springs and Marine Wildlife Cruise

                                   Guests sail with Captain Xander or Captain Gary who will talk discuss local history and some of the challenges faced by wildlife in Alaska as a result of climate change. Keep your hand on your camera and an eye out for humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters, tufted puffins and more. This excursion may take box lunches on board to allow for a more leisurely visit to Goddard HotSprings. 40 minute sail each way.

                            Alternately, stay in Sitka where you can enjoy 

Sauna and Ocean Dip at Sitka Science Center Beach

5PM Cocktails and Appetizers

6PM Dinner 

8PM Fireside Podium Reading. Writers read over wine and warm local spruce tip/Macintosh cider in Lounge of Whitmore.

                                 *All Retreat Attendee Writers Welcome to Read, Open to Sitka Community and local writers as well 

9PM Weather Permitting: Smores and Bonfire! 

         Sauna and Ocean Dip Optional at Sitka Science Center Beach

4AM- 8AM Early Risers Suggested SOLO Writing Hours

8PM- MIDNIGHTNight Owl Suggested SOLO Writing Hours

Classes Day 3 & Hot Spring or Sauna

8AM Continental Breakfast: Croissants, muffins and smoothies hosted by  beloved local bakery Wild Flour Cafe.

8:30AM- 11AM  Writing Class with Brendan and Amy 

11AM to Brunch at BEAK 

1PM- 3PM Culture Bearer Conversation 

3-5 PM Shuttle drive drive to hiking trail in Sitka's Tongass. Potential drive up Harbor Mountain or hike to Beaver Lake. Group will decide based on interest and priorities for the day. 

                            Alternately, stay in Sitka where you can enjoy 

Sauna and Ocean Dip at Sitka Science Center Beach

Or write! 

5PM Cocktails and Appetizers

6PM Dinner 

7PM Fireside Reading. Writers read beside beach fire at local beach park. 

8PM Weather Permitting: Smores and Bonfire! 

         Sauna and Ocean Dip Optional at Sitka Science Center Beach

4AM- 8AM Early Risers Suggested SOLO Writing Hours

8PM - MIDNIGHT Night Owl Suggested SOLO Writing Hours 

Farewell, Writers! 

4AM - 8PM Shuttles to Airport 

           Writers will be brought back to Sitka airport for flights, enjoying a final breakfast together at The Nugget Restaurant- a favorite Sitka diner. Breakfast available to those writers not on morning flights

8AM Breakfast

NOON Check Out of Lodging

         *May Leave Luggage On Site Until Flight Time

NOON Lunch

1PM- 7PM Self-Led Excursions For Those In Town. 

                   Shuttle Available Between Airport Drop-offs. 

• Tour the Alaska Raptor Center, Alaska’s only full avian hospital and rehabilitation center, to get an up-close look at bald eagles and other spectacular birds of prey.
• Speak with Sitka Tribe of Alaska storytellers, and hear the oral history of Tlingit Aáni. 
• Meet the colossal residents of Fortress of the Bear, a sanctuary for orphaned coastal brown bears and black bears. Learn about bear behavior and the lives of these highly revered creatures.
• Step inside Sitka’s most iconic landmark, St. Michael’s Cathedral, and take a step back in time. Learn about the history of the Russian Orthodox Church in Alaska and observe some of the oldest icons and saintly relics within the Orthodox world. 
• Take a hike along Herring Cove, up to the majestic Beaver Lake
• Free write on one of Sitka’s many trails, heading off-trail to secret glades of old growth cedar and spruce, or muskegs.
• Explore the largest private collection of Alaska Native artifacts at the Sheldon Jackson Museum.
• Go foraging for spring chanterelles and devil’s club blooms and spruce tips. Tide pools on the beach will allow for a closer look at some of the smaller residents of the Sound. 
• Take a kayak trip to nearby Silver Bay. See whales and sea lion and otter among other wildlife. 

4AM- 10AM Early Risers Suggested SOLO Writing Hours

4PM- 10PM Night Owl Suggested SOLO Writing Hours

Thank You For Join Us in Sitka, Alaska, Writers! 

We miss you already.