This has never been a problem for me. When I finish reading a good book, I feel both pleasure and loss. For a too brief period of time, the imagined world of the novel is the real world, but when it’s over, it is never truly gone. I carry it with me and it inhabits the neighborhoods where characters from other books live out their lives, not in “quiet desperation,”but in brilliant exhilaration.

Lately, I have been thinking of Edward Albee’s statement, “Fiction is fact, distorted into truth.” Although it is a work of the imagination, fiction must be “true,” not literally or factually, but emotionally—the kind of true that makes us believe in characters who do not exist.

It’s easy to read a great story, but it’s not easy to write one. It takes more than imagination and time; it requires learning the craft of writing. One way to become a better writer is to become a better reader. Another is to apprentice with writers who are willing to share. A third way is to join writers’ groups and attend workshops.

Consider furthering your fiction by joining us at the Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway this January. The Getaway is known for its challenging and supportive workshops and for its community of writers who believe in this sharing. Who knows, after you publish your novel to great acclaim, my journalist friend might decide that he has to read it.

Selected Fiction Workshops

Beginning Your Novel
You’ve already mastered “Procrastinating Your Novel.” Try this workshop to help you put the first words on the page, and go home with the momentum to write the last words too. Led by Michelle Cameron. Learn more

Writing and Publishing Your Fiction
In this workshop, you’ll create some new, baby stories–wobbly legs and all–and then learn about sending your all-grown-up stories out into the world. Led by Richard K. Weems. Learn more

Visions and Revisions: Creative Nonfiction & Novel
You don’t need to see apparitions to be a good writer, but you’ll never be a great writer until you “re-see” your work in a more imaginative way. As Robert Lowell said, “Revision is inspiration!” Led by Robbie Clipper. Learn more

See our full workshop listing for more details.

All good things must end. The Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway has never been a money maker, but this past year left me with a considerable personal loss. Although I haven’t raised the tuition in three years, I realized I could not hold another Getaway without raising the tuition a lot. So after 18 years, I decided to call it quits.

I started to draft a letter telling you the bad news, and Amanda started to send out her resume to look for a new job. We were both brokenhearted. Despite making this decision, we kept looking for ways to make the Getaway sustainable for me and affordable for you. We eventually asked, “What if we put everything on the table?” A different Getaway would be better than no Getaway at all.

With this in mind, I approached Richard Stockton College to see if they would be interested in partnering with me. Stockton recently purchased Seaview, a historic four-star resort outside Atlantic City with gobs of guest rooms and meeting space. They also completed a $15 million renovation making the place quite spiffy.

Stockton is giving us its enthusiastic support, so the Getaway will continue. Although the location will differ, the Getaway will still have the same wonderful spirit and the things you love most including:

• The challenging and supportive atmosphere that fosters your best writing
• Generous and helpful instruction from our award-winning writing faculty
• The solitude and melancholic beauty of the shore in winter
• A fantastic community of writers
• Terrific restaurants nearby
• My bad puns

→ Check out our fun facts about Seaview

Getaway workshop group

All good things in life must change. We know this is a surprise and you may want to voice your feelings, so we’ve set up a forum for you to do so. After all, we are a community. Leave your comments below.

The Getaway will continue to be the same energizing and nurturing weekend you look forward to each year. Look for an email at the end of August when registration kicks off. If you have enjoyed the Getaway and benefited from the workshops and instruction, please take this leap with us. I hope to see you on January 13, 2012 at our new home.

Warmest,

Peter

PS – Save the Date – We are planning a Getaway reunion in Philly on Friday, September 16. Details here.

PPS – We don’t have current email addresses for all of our past participants. If you think we missed someone, please pass this note on to them.

Reed's Bay from Seaview

Fun Facts About Seaview:

• Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones stayed at Seaview in 1989. We’re still trying to find out if they trashed their rooms.
• Princess Grace Kelly had her Sweet 16 Party at Seaview in 1946 in the room where we will hold the Getaway Disco.
• Presidents Harding & Eisenhower were both regulars.
• Seaview has hosted PGA & LPGA Championships on their award-winning Bay Course.
• Seaview is located on the edge of the Pine Barrens with hundreds of wooded acres waiting to be explore.
• Seaview overlooks Reed’s Bay and offers views of the Atlantic City skyline.
• Take a closer look.